24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY Episode 12
Episode Title: “Day 9: 10:00 PM-11:00 AM”
Writers: Manny Coto & Evan Katz
Director: Jon Cassar
Previously on “24: Live Another Day”:
For one last time, it’s our weekly recap of “24: Live Another Day.” After this, it’s time to say goodbye to Jack, Chloe and their ever-shrinking supporting cast until (or if) “24” makes another comeback either on TV or as a movie.
Our review of the season finale of “24: Live Another Day” can be found here. From this point on, there are full spoilers ahead!
The Cheng Ultimatum
While Russian bad guy, Anatol Stolnavich (Stanley Townsend) bleeds all over his carpet, the unlikely team of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), Kate Morgan (Yvonne Strahovski) and Mark Boudreau (Tate Donovan) frantically look for clues that will help them find Cheng Zhi (Tzi Ma). And just when they find a promising lead, Cheng texts them a photo of Audrey Heller (Kim Raver) in the crosshairs of a sniper.
Cheng demands that they stop trying to track him or else he’ll have Audrey killed. Jack is conflicted and he wants to go save Audrey himself. But Kate insists that she can do it and she tells Jack to go after Cheng before he escapes with the Override Device.
Chloe & Jack Together Again
On the road to Cheng’s likely departure point, Jack gets a call from Chloe O’Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub) as she awkwardly explains how she was duped by the late Adrian Cross (Michael Wincott) and she offers to help him find Cheng as a way to redeem herself for letting Adrian exploit her knowledge and create the Override Device.
Meanwhile, President James Heller (William Devane) is oblivious to the threat on his daughter’s life as he tries to deal with the escalating crisis with China. Despite Heller’s insistence that Cheng is alive and behind the attack on the Chinese warship, the President of China isn’t willing to back down without conclusive proof.
Catch a Bullet
While Chloe helps Jack and his buddy, Belcheck (Branko Tomović) tear through Cheng’s men with precision, Kate proceeds with a reckless plan to get Audrey out of the sniper’s crosshairs… by inviting Audrey to make sudden movements to draw the sniper’s fire so Kate can figure out where he’s shooting from.
After nearly getting Audrey killed, Kate inadvertently finishes the job by dropping her guard while escorting Audrey away. A second gunman fires at them and Audrey is fatally wounded. As Kate tries to keep Audrey alive, she slips away in front of Kate’s eyes.
That Bauer Moment
Kate compounds her mistake by calling Jack in the middle of his two man operation to tell him that Audrey is dead. Jack nearly has a mental breakdown while processing the news before dealing with it in the only way that he can… with swift and blinding violence.
Jack not only takes out most of Cheng’s men by himself, he also defeats Cheng in martial arts combat. Top that, Chuck Norris!
Off With His Head
With the Chinese and American military on the very brink of war, Jack forces Cheng to make a video call to confirm his survival. And when Cheng won’t immediately cooperate, Jack uses a conveniently placed sword to force Cheng to admit who he is.
Jack barely waits for the confirmation that the President finally has everything he needs to get China off of his back before beheading Cheng to avenge Audrey’s death. In the aftermath, Jack and Belcheck realize that Chloe is missing. Then Jack gets a mysterious phone call and he quickly agrees to a meeting.
All The President’s Men
Back at the CIA London station, one of Heller’s aides has wisely waited until the crisis has passed before giving Heller the bad news about Audrey. Heller collapses almost immediately after initially dismissing Audrey’s death as a mistake.
12 hours later, Mark is in CIA custody while awaiting military transport back to the states to stand trial for treason. At the same time, Audrey’s casket is escorted to Air Force One with full honors.
British Prime Minister Alastair Davies (Stephen Fry) offers Heller his condolences. In response, Heller reveals that his memory is getting so bad that he once forgot Audrey’s name. Heller almost seems to take comfort in the fact that his Alzheimer’s disease means that he will eventually forget ever having a daughter and the pain that he’s going through.
To Russia With Love
Outside of London, a Russian helicopter sets down with Chloe as their captive. Jack and Belcheck arrive shortly thereafter for the agreed upon trade. Jack surrenders himself to the Russians in exchange for Chloe’s freedom and a pledge not to go after his family. Before they part, Jack gets a moment with Chloe in which he acknowledges that she is his only friend and he asks her to look in on his family. Belcheck escorts Chloe away as Jack boards the helicopter on his way to an unpleasant captivity in Russia. Despite this, Jack seems oddly at peace with himself as the helicopter flies away.
How about that conclusion? A dark ending for Jack Bauer is kind of a “24” trope by now. What did you think of “24: Live Another Day?” Should this be the end of Jack Bauer’s adventures or do you want to see Jack escape from Russia? Sound off in the comment section below!
