24 Review:
"5:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m." (Episode 7.22)

When Kim Bauer popped up in the pre-episode recap of last night's hour, it seemed apparent she was being re-introduced for one reason: She would finally step up and try to save her father, Jack. Turns out, he's going to have to be the one to save her...again. Surprise, surprise. Anytime Kim hits the scene, she might as well hang a cardboard sign around her neck that reads "liability," because sooner or later, someone will have to save that neck (most likely Jack).

Last night, Tony and his thugs forced Jibraan to board a subway. That's it. No other catch, except, well, he'll probably be infected and die with thousands of other people when the canister is set off. But he doesn't know that; he's just doing what he's told so they don't off his brother, who, unbeknownst to him, is no longer in danger. In the meantime, Jack "persuades" the injured hostile formerly holding the brother to call Tony so they can snag his 20. Chloe does her magic back at FBI headquarters after some keyboard clicks and digital erosion of a block on Tony's end, and they discover the target. Naturally, they get there just in time, because who actually believed there would be a massive terrorist attack with less than three hours left?

Think back to the main terrorist attack this season: the two planes colliding. There was an eerie detachment from the whole thing, and yet, also a feeling that this was only a precursor of things to come. But now we see that those 200-some people totaled the worst loss of life this season. Not saying that you now need thousands to die to make a 24 terrorist effective, but if that was the worst to happen, maybe we could've had a little more involvement with the people and event before the (albeit effective) explosion in the sky. Day Three handled that extremely well with the virus in the hotel. When you see a mushroom cloud on the horizon in Day Six, the detachment from the situation is a non-factor because of the shocking nature of the attack. All things considered, then, Day Seven almost feels more conventional, if only within the parameters of 24 itself. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the writers have treated us to a solid season. When all is said and done, this season will rank above the last, but probably below Days 1-4.

Meanwhile, there's still the two-hour season finale next Monday, so we'll see what happens to Kim, Jack and Tony. Kim, as mentioned above, is in trouble. She's waiting for her plane at the airport when she notices a shady guy. Worried she's being watched, she sits down and starts talking with this seemingly nice couple. As it turns out, the creep following her isn't a creep at all. He must be FBI or something, because when he uses the bathroom, the husband of the supposed couple strangles him to death. When he returns, he has a live video feed from a briefcase to capture Kim's every move. Tony's girlfriend calls Jack and shows him the feed and tells him to free Tony, or else. How many times can Jack look like a bad guy this season, let alone the entire series? Like the number of licks it takes to get to the Tootsie Roll in the Tootsie Pop, the world may never know. But if there's one thing that makes Jack go all humanistic on us, it's his family. Balance that with his unbridled hatred for terrorists and traitors, and we should have one intense finale coming our way.

However, we can't close here talking liabilities and such without also mentioning Olivia Taylor. While she tries to cover up the hit on Jonas Hodges, Aaron Pierce, the loyal Secret Service agent and show-staple Olivia herself hired to protect her today, is getting wise to her games. He calls now-former chief of staff Ethan Kanin. Get ready to mockingly point your finger and laugh: Turns out, Ethan, like Nixon, had a recording device in his office. Especially after she flat-out lies to Aaron moments before he makes the call to Ethan, it's hard to hope she gets away with it. Because, let's face it, no one screws with Aaron. (Unless your Mrs. Pierce, that is. Speaking of which, you have to wonder what happened to her in between Days Six and Seven). The president is about to learn what a huge mistake she made confiding in her daughter.