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Alberta Green, the CTU's temporary replacement for Jack Bauer, informs staff
that Martin Belkin has been identified as a prime suspect in the botched Palmer
assassination. Before long, Nina Myers deduces that Belkin was the occupier
of that unaccounted seat on the doomed 747 which crashed just after midnight,
and an imposter using his ID must have gained entry to the Palmer breakfast.
In the back of his limousine, Ted Coffell receives a private call on his mobile,
instructing him that there is a change of plans. He is now to meet someone in
an underground carpark prior to arriving at the airport. Coffell then relays
the new destination through the partition to his *chauffeur* , but suddenly
realises something is wrong when he gets no response and the rear doors are
locked down. Panicking, Coffell reaches for his phone again but Bauer breaks
cover, turns around and pulls a gun on him.
Even with a loaded firearm pointed at his temple, the businessman refuses to
admit any knowledge of Bauer's situation, or involvement with Gaines and the
kidnapping of Teri and Kimberly. Frustrated, Jack calls Nina for an interrogation
file on Coffell to find out the best way to break him down.
Myers is midway through compiling a rushed dossier of background info when Green
approaches her. Having safely hidden evidence of this latest work for Jack,
her efforts are nearly in vain when Bauer calls back for an update with
Green in earshot. Attempts to pretend it's an FBI agent prove fruitless, since
Green asks to speak to "Bill". In the nick of time, Tony - sensing a troublesome
situation - comes across and diverts Green's attentions elsewhere.
Nina's advice to Jack, based on the details she could gather, is to use the
threat of pain as Coffell's profile suggests an ambitious, highly-strung control
freak with a heart condition. However, even an extravagantly-suggested
torture method - which removes the stomach-lining while the victim is alive
- fails to elicit any confession, leading Nina to question whether he is the
right Coffell. Jack remains convinced, since he has no other leads to follow.
David Palmer and his entourage are still at the school, going through the motions
of public duty. His chief-of-staff, Mike Novick, has managed to get Carl on
his mobile, and interrupts the Senator's conversation with the Head Teacher.
Palmer wants an urgent meeting, but Carl only agrees when threats are
made to disclose details about his past. The Senator then breaks off at the
first opportunity to grill Sherry over the insinuations Carl made about removing
all evidence against Keith. Once again, she attempts to placate her husband,
but he is angered that she didn't tell him of her own recent conversation with Carl.
At Gaines' desert HQ, Teri Bauer continues to suffer from the mystery stomach
pains that have dogged her since her time alone with Eli. Kimberly's concern
is interrupted by a visit from Rick on information-extracting duty. He begs
them not to tell him anything at all, as the less he knows the less Eli or
Gaines will be able to get out of him. Clearing a section of the cell's
blacked-out window, he quickly exits. From this vantage point, Kimberly and Teri
are able to view Rick getting a severe kicking from a displeased Eli outside.
Shortly after, Drazen arrives at the compund to pull the plug on Gaines' operation
and switch to a previously unmentioned contigency plan that will ensure both
Palmer and Bauer are wiped out before the day's end. Ira begs his boss for
more time, and he's afforded just 30 more minutes to achieve some results.
Then Drazen will take over.
Jack tries again with Ted Coffell, and at least finds out the name of the man
he's due to meet in the carpark. Kevin Carroll, a "machine-tool businessman".
Assuming this to be a bogus identity, Bauer gets Nina to run "Kevin Carroll"
through the CTU database for verification. Six results show up, one indeed
fitting the particular occupation. Jack decides he has no option but to
drive to the rendezvous with Carroll.
Mike Novick raises the subject of Jack Bauer again with Palmer. He's looked
into the agent's background and discovered most of the files are classified.
Palmer's reaction isn't what Novick expected... the Senator asks if any of
those classified "gaps" date from two summers ago. It's apparent that some link
between Palmer and Jack exists, but Novick is told that there are more pressing
concerns to deal with, and the conversation ends.
In the underground carpark, Jack and Coffell wait for Kevin Carroll to turn
up. As Bauer opens the rear door of the limousine, Coffell attacks him with
a Micro Tech Halo II knife he'd discreetly removed from a hidden compartment
in the seating while on their journey. A tussle ensues during, which Jack perhaps
unsurprisingly gets the better of his assailant. Pinning him down, Bauer
delivers a blow to the man's chest. Coffell responds by suddenly cursing in
Serbian. Bauer had served in Kosovo and Belgrade on CTU field operations,
and the links and consequences begin to become clear to him.
This is not just about Palmer after all. It's personal. But before Jack can
find out more, Coffell suffers a fatal heart attack after he spits out the medication
forced down his throat. Jack, more distraught than ever, gets Nina to search
for any connection between Ted Coffell's background his own CTU assignments
overseas, specifically one called Operation Nightfall.
A badly-bruised Rick returns to Teri and Kimberly's cell, giving them a gun
the hapless Dan had left in their van. The unspoken inference is clear - this
time Gaines really will order the women to be shot. They need all the assistance
available.
Tony Almeida suggests to Nina that they come clean with Alberta Green, as she
almost certainly suspects them of hiding information. Nina's rationale is
to continue the deceit, as involving someone who plays by the book as much as
Green would only exacerbate an already delicate situation, and potentially
unearth more CTU moles. Somewhat reluctantly, Tony accepts her argument.
Palmer meets with Carl in a corridor at the school. Defending himself, the Senator's
former aide claims no part in the decisions being made to ensure Palmer wins
the election. Those with an interest will do whatever it takes. Palmer is
disgusted, and subsequently tries to contact Keith's psychiatrist, who holds
the incriminating evidence and is thus top of the hit list.
The corpse of Ted Coffell is propped up in the back, then Jack returns to the
driver's seat and waits for Kevin Carroll. Eventually, he arrives... it's the
man who posed as Alan York, and who earlier murdered his "daughter" Janet
in intensive care. Carroll/York gets in beside Coffell's body, unaware he's
dead, at which point Jack locks the rear doors again. Carroll draws a gun and
fires off a round in Bauer's direction, but the partition screen is bulletproof.
Out of ammunition, Carroll is then thrust back and forth forward as
Jack puts his foot on the accelerator and proceeds to speed and swerve around
the carpark. A sudden slam on the brakes manages to knock Carroll unconscious
from the impact against the partition. Jack ties him up.
When he comes to, Carroll repiles to Bauer's questioning by telling him his
family are safe, but not for very much longer. He's not lying. Drazen's deadline
has expired, so back at Gaines' HQ Eli is about to be dispatched to kill Kimberly
and Teri. The two men eventually strike an uneasy deal : Carroll will direct
Jack to his wife and daughter, but only if he is then allowed to go free.
11.00am approaches. The women try to apprehend Eli. Unfortunately, the gun from
Rick has an empty chamber, but in the scuffle that follows Teri knocks Eli's
own weapon to the ground. He draws a penknife and attacks Kimberly, but
before he can do any harm, Teri shoots him in the chest. Eli splutters briefly,
before dying in front of them. Remembering that not one but two audible
shots are expected, Teri fires at the already expired body.
STATUS UPDATE:
Ted Coffell dead from a heart attack, having revealed bigger
picture behind Palmer hit involving previous FBI assignments in Serbia. Jack
Bauer's past appears to be linked with Senator. Ira Gaines relieved of command
by Drazen, who now begins own contigency plan.
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