24 Live Another Day Series Blog: 18.00-19.00

24’s 200^th episode was always sure to be explosive, and it definitely did not disappoint. The show has never been afraid of killing off main characters at any time and episode 8 of Live Another Day saw the demise of yet another President.

Series after series, 24 has shown us that surrender is not an option; the U.S. do not negotiate with terrorists and Jack Bauer always finds a way to save the day. This episode, however, proved different: the President surrendered. The choice that Heller was faced with was just one of the many impossible choices that protagonists of 24 have encountered. In the closing scenes of the previous episode, President James Heller was seen to be apparently surrendering himself to Margot Al-Harazi, but it was unclear as to whether everything was as it seemed. Alas, it was. Heller was sacrificing himself to Margot, with episode 8 seeing Jack escort the President to Wembley Stadium to be executed. Recruiting the help of son-in-law Mark Bourdreau, Heller was adamant that no one would stop him from saving London. In some ways, Heller’s situation echoed that of George Mason in season two when he took over the suicide mission as he only had hours to live. Like Mason, Heller went out a hero instead of succumbing to his Alzheimer’s. Moreover, by surrendering himself, the President was pushing Margot into a corner; she is now forced to destroy the remaining drones.

In some ways, Heller’s situation echoed that of George Mason in season two when he took over the suicide mission as he only had hours to live. Like Mason, Heller went out a hero instead of succumbing to his Alzheimer’s.

Source: 24spoilers.com

A highlight of the episode was the President’s final moments with Audrey. The pair discussed a trip to the beach with Audrey’s mother which had the potential to be somewhat cliché but was instead warm and heartfelt. The conversation ending with Audrey stating that she had to go back to work simply ultimately demonstrates the strain that work and duty in 24 places on everyone, even in such key moments. Kim Raver then produced a stand-out performance against Tate Donovan when Audrey read her father’s letter to her, devastated at her father’s act of sacrifice. The whole cast in fact stepped it up for the 200^th episode with William Devane maintaining a powerful performance. Kiefer Sutherland perfectly portrayed Jack’s process of anger, denial and acceptance as well as the pair’s history being ever-present throughout the episode.

Following the drone-dodging of ‘5.00pm-6.00pm’, Simone is not in the best state, however, Jack still insists that she be woken in case she knows anything that could help. She reveals to Kate about Naveed’s hard drive that could help crack Margot’s computer before going into shock. Simone’s future is truly looking bleak, with it looking doubtful that she’ll survive the season. The team that Chloe sends to retrieve the hard drive find it, but alas it is too late to help save the President.

Source: 24spoilers.com

Meanwhile, Navarro gives himself away as being a mole after he was the only person whom Jordan told about his location and the hit man then turned up to try and finish the job. Events then took an interesting turn as the analyst then killed the hit man despite being mortally wounded himself. This will arguably prove to be the most interesting subplot of the season’s final episode but it could also prove anti-climactic if there is no relevance to the main storyline – again, only time will tell.

Heller didn’t receive the silent clock as beloved character previously have, leading some to believe the character is not actually dead, but it is questionable whether 24 would bring him back when he was seemingly struck by a drone.

The President also reveals that Jack has been granted a Presidential pardon for previous acts and those committed this season – this arguably not only acts as a narrative device but also paves the way for 24 returning to the US in the future. Heller didn’t receive the silent clock as beloved character previously have, leading some to believe the character is not actually dead, but it is questionable whether 24 would bring him back when he was seemingly struck by a drone. Nevertheless, his death will surely shape how the rest of the season plays out.

With only a few episodes left, there is no time for slow episodes. All the sub-plots are in place for the most explosive episodes yet.