The Stroke of Midnight

This week's exposition (about the state of martial law) is cleverly delivered by radio broadcast. Jack, of course, speaks for all of us: "Wayne, turn that off."

So now we know concretely that Evelyn herself recorded this phone call between Logan and Henderson. This now begs the question why she didn't come forward with it sooner... like immediately after recording it. Or after Logan tried to have the First Lady shipped off to the funny farm. Or... I don't know... pick your moment. Only slightly more strange: how did Logan/Henderson finally find out that Evelyn's recording existed? Apparently they only did so about three hours ago, around the time they kidnapped Evelyn's daughter. I supsect we'll never have the answer to these questions.

Poor Homeland Security people. They can't even handle "the hourlies." How are they going to manage when they have to start "opening up sockets," "setting up perimeters," and "retasking satellites?" Maybe there's a CTUTechnobabble-English dictionary lying around.

Audrey's leaving CTU. I think this may be the only time she's done that since she was rescued in season four.

Jack arrives at the banker's house, and soon adds to his crazy long list of felonies this season.

A magnetic alarm disabler? "Where does he get those wonderful toys?"

Uh-oh, banker's wife -- watch out for your thighs! You might get shot!

Please welcome back William Devane as Secretary Heller, none the worse for wear for his time on that crappy Fred Savage sitcom, Crumbs.

Is this the first time in the history of 24 someone has stopped for gas on camera?

Audrey doesn't see the "no cell phone" signs on the pump. More of that "do whatever you have to" mentality.

Vice President Gardner has to know something is up. Not because of the suspicious arrest warrant for Jack Bauer, but because the heretofore spineless puppet Logan is suddenly telling him off and playing the "I'm in charge" card.

Hey, speaking of the goings-on in the administration, did Mike Novick go to bed three hours ago or something?

More mild flirtation between Agent Pierce and Martha Logan. He might be seeing even more action before the "day" is over.

Henderson has learned of Jack's whereabouts from Evelyn. From his past behavior, we can be reasonably certain that he killed Evelyn and her daughter. But even 24 can't get away with showing little girls being shot on screen.

Martha doesn't wonder why her husband's kisses suddenly taste like lies.

CTU's tracking Audrey, and suddenly, out comes this weird "James Bond" kind of music. She's Raines. Audrey Raines.

This episode of 24 was written by David Fury, formerly a writer of Lost. So of course, what's gonna be the number on the safety deposit box? 23.

The banker hears the tape of Logan and Henderson, and now he becomes this season's equivalent to last season's Arab gun-shop owners -- the hapless civilian sucked into Jack's web of death and violence, and wanting to do everything he can to help.

Now Chloe gets the James Bond music. She's O'Brian. Chloe O'Brian.

Of course Homeland Security Guy is suspicious of Chloe coming out of the bathroom. I think we've seen one person heading toward the bathroom for non-"espionage-in-the-stall" purposes in five years.

Stealing a cop car. Nice new notch on Jack's felony belt.

Poor banker guy. He wasn't as lucky as the shop owners from last year.

They may be talking about bringing down the President of the United States, but given there are still seven hours in this season to go, I think we can safely assume that's not going to go smoothly.