“5:00 PM – 6:00 PM” Plot Summary:
Eric (Corey Hawkins) and CTU pin down Jadalla’s (Raphael Acloque) location. Unbeknownst to them, a single activated cell is about to attack the George Washington Bridge.
One thing that has never made sense on 24 is that each season’s mastermind personally supervises the day’s attacks. Realistically, the group would need several ringleaders, sure, but if the organization resided in the Middle East, the number one person in charge would stay there. It doesn’t affect the general plot though, so I guess it’s a nitpick.
Less of a nitpick is complaining about this season’s terrorists all putting their hideout on their aliases’ IDs, especially when the address is an abandoned warehouse. When I saw Carter and company pull up outside, I was hoping it was a red herring. Turns out they really are that dumb. If not for the tip off from the news, CTU would’ve caught them.
Jadalla and his men kind of redeem themselves by abducting Nicole (Anna Diop) and Isaac (Ashley Thomas). At least now their storyline fits in with the rest of the show. I wish the bad guys had kidnapped Nicole sooner, sparing us the gang subplot and Eric’s foolishness. How long can Eric keep the facts away from CTU though? They’re bound to notice the missing agents.
Besides some stupidity by the villains, this episode suffers from a lack of clear character motivation. David (Kevin Christy), the teacher working with Amira (Kathryn Prescott), starts having second thoughts as soon as he learns Amira has tied up her father, for some reason. It makes sense that he doesn’t want to die in a suicide attack, but the show could have handled the situation in a couple different ways. David wants revenge on the school for ruining his marriage, yet Amira and Khasan (Themo Melikidze) decide to blow up the George Washington Bridge. He could also just worry that Khasan is going to kill him after he fulfills his usefulness. On a side note, I do appreciate the duo’s father denouncing their radicalism.
Speaking of the plot to destroy the bridge, 24 continues the tradition of not making it through a season without a serious body count. This episode’s explosion on the GW Bridge kills an estimated 100 people. It would’ve been a twist if Amira failed. Raising the stakes is important, but there are perhaps more innovative ways of doing this. A successful terrorist attack is only bound to surprise new viewers.
Besides some questionable CGI for the bridge and the traffic, I’m impressed with the effects, particularly the detonation.
24: Legacy stumbles after picking up momentum, but next week will no doubt be eventful. I’m apprehensive but also excited.
