24 Review:
"1:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m." (Episode 7.18)

Where to begin?

First, think back to that exchange between Alfred and Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight when Bruce says, "Today, you get to say, 'I told you so.'" Knowing that means saying farewell to a friend, Alfred sadly replies, "Today, I don't want to." He pauses a moment, and continues playfully, "But I did bloody tell you." This is one of those moments. We've been repeatedly predicting Tony might be up to something for a while now, and as little as four weeks ago, we were still entertaining that very notion. But after his recent heroics, especially at the top of last night's hour when he destroyed Starkwood's surface-to-air missiles, even we were blindsided by his gasp-worthy betrayal at the moment he turned on Larry Moss.

Indeed, it's time to say goodbye to a character we were just starting to like. In vindictive, almost-gruesome fashion, Tony suffocates poor, unsuspecting Larry right after the agent takes a gunshot to the stomach. With only two witnesses (Tony and one of the guys he's working with), you have to wonder why he didn't just shoot him and get it over with instead of opting for the slow, painful death, especially after the heartfelt things Larry said to him earlier. It doesn't make much sense, and even for a seasoned 24 viewer, it's a little disturbing how a character you loved so much could do something so despicable.

All of this occurs after Jonas Hodges is taken into custody at his White House meeting with the President after Tony, in convincing hero fashion, takes out the bio-weapons. All of this raises important questions. Who knows what about Tony? Who is Tony working for? Just how layered is this scheme if they're OK with Tony thwarting some of the baddies? These questions need to be answered in the next six hours.

Besides all the action with Tony, Jonas and President Taylor, we still have the Jack issue: his rapidly deteriorating health. Last week, when we were told there was a slight chance Jack could live if he were to try an experimental treatment involving stem cells from his daughter, we predicted that despite Jack not wishing to get his only child involved, Renee would make the call behind his back. Elisha Cuthbert would return as Kim Bauer, and all would be well. Everything happened except that last part. With only a couple minutes together, Jack and Kim share tearful embraces and say goodbye to each other. It's really quite strange, if you think about it. Even though Jack doesn't want her help (there's a slight risk to her), it's almost like she gives up too easily. But would the writers bring Cuthbert back for just a brief cameo? Logic dictates otherwise, but maybe this is just their way into making us believe Jack will pull through. It's a tough call.

Still, after the last few episodes sitting it out at FBI headquarters, Jack is back in the field next week, as seen in the previews. How can this be? Three words: He's Jack Bauer. It's unlikely he will be cured—if he is cured—until the final episode or two. The writers, creators and Kiefer Sutherland got us right where they want us.