Tonight on 24, Jack decides to channel Bob the Builder

[dealan311]

Thoughts on Hour 14:

1. Okay, let's get the LULZ stuff out of the way first.

First, best fight scene of the season so far. I didn't know how they would top Jack's Flying Squirrel impersonation when he tackled Tony in Hour 2, but busting out with the Bulldozer of Justice is definitely one way to do it. I love it when Jack is all creative with his weapons. His Bob the Builder moment ranks up there with "I'm gonna need a hacksaw." Definitely the LULZ moment of the episode.

Second place goes to Jonas Hodges' line to Lucas Rory Cochrane's character about rounding up the troops of TerrorMinions and telling them to "pack their pajamas and their toothbrushes." I wonder, what does one pack for a Supervillain Slumber party?

And honorable mention goes to Renee's hair and make-up. For a girl who, in the last 14 hours, has been shot, buried alive, has pulled bodies out of an exploding car, has swum the Potomac and gotten chased through what must be the woods of the GW parkway, and has fought off Baby Dubaku- her hair and make-up tonight looked FANTASTIC. No seriously, when she whipped around and got carted away to holding, it was thisclose to being a Pantene commercial. And she retouched her lipstick. My fanwank is that after that dip in the Potomac, she decided, "Well, fuck it. I'm suspended, I might as well go take a shower at least." Renee, you may not have a job anymore, and you might be going to jail, but hey, at least you've got style.

2. I'm totally digging the Olivia/Ethan storyline. Mostly because I can't decide if she's channeling Sherry Palmer of S1 and is fiercely protective of her family to the point of ruthlessness, or Sherry Palmer of S3, hell bent on revenge for being cut out in the first place. I like that I don't know which way she's going to wind up, because so far, the only reason why I don't discount her is that Aaron is rarely wrong about his judgment in character, and he did see a lot of good in her. Maybe Olivia is just young and misguided. Or maybe she still wants to protect her mom, it's just that this is the only way she knows how because she's a ruthless cutthroat manipulator who's better served in business rather than diplomacy. It's hard to tell because she's a new character, but the writers are doing a good job keeping us guessing as to what her motives are. Props to Sprague Grayden for selling it too.

3. I think what also makes it work is because it also puts Jack's predicament into perspective too. As the audience and being privy to past history (or for new viewers, moments this season where Jack lets his guard down) we know Jack didn't do it, and we get frustrated when people don't listen to him. Or when people like Larry and Ethan think that Jack could have snapped and killed Burnett (and Meyer now). But just as we don't know Olivia, Larry and Ethan don't know Jack. They're just going on what they have seen, and all logic points to Jack being off his rocker, losing it, and going ballistic, because unlike Morris or Chloe or Renee, they haven't seen him up close and personal. And Jack rarely explains himself. (Although he's getting better at that. More on that below.) So it's interesting to see the parallels.

4. Morris made the right call. Chloe was also right to be upset. They're both right. They're both wrong. That's why I love this show. It says a lot about Jack that the loyalty he instills in the people in his inner circle is such that they will basically follow him into danger- even knowing all the costs. I love how understanding Morris was about Chloe's relationship with Jack and respects it, but Chloe also then needs to understand that if she's going to be that way with Jack, someone has to put their marriage and child first. It was a great scene. (Also as a side note, seriously, how bad are the FBI at their job that Morris can fix something in like 2 minutes that they can't do in 2 hours. Even their perimeter work is worse than CTU's, and THAT says something.)

5. I'm not sure what they're alluding to the motives with Jonas Hodges' reasons for being a supervillain, but it's nice to know it's not just because Lucas wants money. Lots of money. Joe's money. (Sorry for those of you who are confused, Jonas' aide is played by Rory Cochrane who will be forever known to me as Lucas from Empire Records.) Anyway, like I said, I'm glad they're picking up on what was implied with Burnett not taking the immunity. There's warped patriotism there, so I want to see where they will take it. At the very least, I'm glad that the connection between Dubaku-Juma-Hodges as villains is coherent and makes relative sense. Switching villains mid-season is always tricky, but this season has reached S1 levels of cohesiveness in terms of plot, which is pretty amazing when you consider where we were this time last season.

6. The Jack/Meyer conversation was nothing short of amazing. I loved that finally we had a good, complicated conversation, not about blah blah blah torturecakes, but about trusting the system vs operating outside of it. And the price operating outside of the system has on the ones who do. That's what it's really all about and this is the level of discussion we should have been having all season long. It's really a shame Meyer died- and it totally surprised me/disappointed me- because I feel we were finally getting there and then they go and off the one character who could have spread it to the Presidential/civilian level.

Thoughts on Renee/Jack/Larry:

Larry is still right about needing to bring Jack in, but that he's going about it in all the wrong ways. Larry is the Charlie Brown of S7. He's a good guy who is often right, but he messes it up all the time and the cute redhead he likes just won't give him the time of day. I think he went into that room wanting to bounce ideas off of Renee out of habit and going to her for help, only to realize that she was already helping Jack and was once again, cutting him out. Jeff Nordling's face after he realized that made me want to give him a big ole hug. And then he acted kinda like a jerk to Morris, and I wanted to hit him over the head, but from his POV, I can't blame him for at least questioning Jack's mental stability, because he hasn't seen Jack the way Renee has. Larry knows him well enough to give the line of the night: It is impossible to overestimate Jack Bauer. But he hasn't really had a chance to see who Jack is, only what he can do.

And it sucks for him because I do think that his relationship with Renee died tonight. After all this, he *still* tried to protect Renee, and when she turned him down, it's like he finally realized "She's Just Not Into You." Whatever it is that made them "Larry and Renee" whether they are exes or just really good friends just stopped, and the death of a 9 year relationship is just so sad to see, when you consider that Renee told Jack today that there's no one else she trusts more than Larry. It sucks because I really do think that Renee likes Larry and respects him and maybe even loves him as a friend. It's just that she's just had her entire world view shattered by the revelation that her government is corrupt, and she's sort of in a vulnerable place in terms of trust.

Larry, despite being a good man, still represents the Bureau and she no longer trusts the Bureau and its ways, at least not as blindly as she did before. Jack on the other hand, is someone with whom she thought she misplaced her trust, but turned out to be the one person who has delivered on every promise and has offered solutions to make things right. And he's done it completely in the open, being completely upfront that he knows he's asking a lot and that his ways are morally grey. Because of that, he has earned Renee's trust, while the Bureau, and by extension then Larry, has not. In a way, Jack has stepped in and given her something to trust in, so much so that she's willing to gamble it all- her career, her friendship with Larry, even her freedom- to help him.

And Jack, for his part, can't help but also be affected by Renee and her faith in him. I think that Renee, by trusting him, has shown him that someone believes in his humanity and goodness, which has been stripped away over the years. I *love* that fact that Jack is the one reaching out to Renee and *asking* her to trust him. It's such a stark difference to the way he strong-armed his way into convincing her to do it his way with Tanner back in Hour 2. This time, he asked and when he didn't get his way immediately and sensed her hesitation, he backed off. I think that Renee has totally gotten under his skin and that she's actually starting to rub off on him, because Jack opening up to Meyer is the start of a trend that began with Renee screaming at him in the hospital.

Since her slapping him, he's actually started communicating in ways that he refused to in Hour 1. At the beginning of the season, he refused to explain himself. He explained his actions as him operating by the rules of war (that there are no rules, only an objective and a mission), but he never explained *himself* and how he was feeling and how he could live with himself. In short, he never let them see that he was human. Since Renee slapped him though, he's started to talk and let people know what's going on. He let Renee see him post-explosion, and explained that Bill's death was supposed to be him. He actively called Larry and tried to explain what happened while still running. And now we have him reaching out to trust not only Renee but also to try to trust the system with Meyer. I'm beginning to think that whether she meant to or not, Renee has sparked a realization in Jack that while he doesn't have to explain himself, he does at least have to communicate and let people know what he's thinking.

Now I'm waiting to see, after Marika and after his conversation with Meyer, if the next time he has the opportunity to prevent innocents from becoming collateral damage, he takes it. Then it'll really start to be the beginning of the redemption of Jack Bauer- and I like that it started with Renee and was helped along by Senator Meyer.

ETA- Wow. That wasn't supposed to be that long. This was just a filler episode. LOL.

Comments

[catch22girl]

You have SO MANY good points.

1) DUDE. BOB THE BUILDER FTW. BULLDOZER OF JUSTICE! I think that's right up there with a hacksaw. Jack doesn't need a gun or anything, he just needs...whatever's around him. The Macgyver of agents.

For a supervillain party you totally wear your suit pajamas. Duh. Renee's hair and everything looked so gorgeous. I wish I looked like that when I left the house after getting ready, forget about the day she's had.

2) I WANT to believe Livvie. I do. But I don't know, man. And wow Ethan got all growly. Seriously, you don't grab people like that, Ethan. I so wonder 'bout you. I think she may push the envelope but I don't know and her "give him a call" seemed like a bluff. However, it's a nice call back to s2 Sherry and no one had to be kept in a room for hours either!

3) I LOVE how you put that. Yes, exactly, we don't know Livvie and they don't know Jack. Anyone who knows Jack would know how OOC it would be for him to be doing what they're accusing him of doing. I'm reminded of season five and I believe Audie's "he wouldn't kill his friends". Also how the hell would he have gotten to the video, Larry? Is he magical?

4) I adored that Morris was like "Jack's a friend" because I so thought he'd sell him out sooner or for really nothing. He respects Chloe's relationship with him which is really quite mature and real character growth after how he acted when Chloe was helping Jack last season. Also, I'm SO convinced that he wrote that encryption program which is why he was able to break into it in like 3 seconds.

5) I think I've figured out this one. Bear with me for a moment. Starkwood is in trouble, not needed, persecuted, etc. What if there was a problem the army/police/etc couldn't handle, like a virus out break that caused *violence* (ala Blood or Ice *waves to x-files or the first Batman movie with the gas). But think about it, you have police who are impacted, all these people who cannot do anything, but oh, look, here's Starkwood swooping in and saving the day. This is my theory at least. The connection is awesome. Starkwood testing weapons in Sangala and then needing to help Juma to get the weapons BACK.

6) Yes. The conversation was amazing. I loved how they had a real connection in that moment. Meyer saw that Jack isn't a monster and Jack saw that Meyer wasn't just on a crusade. He was a good guy. He was what he seemed to be. And that's rare. Also he called him SON, which yeah, is huge. I was so upset and *angry* when he died. I was not expecting it. And it made me really want to see Quinn hurt even more.

Love Triangle that Isn't:

I agree with everything you said up there. I think what Renee represents is that there's still good in the world, that the system isn't completely corrupt, that there's hope. Because she doesn't know him so well, she doesn't read his get the hell away from me signals, she's not afraid to push past his carefully constructed barriers that *everyone* else stays behind. You see it with his interactions with Chloe and Tony. And that led to the realization that he still *wants* someone to break through those walls.

I think you're right with the explaining, but I think the white house raid and everything has also impacted something deep inside. Renee forced him to face himself and he was horrified when he saw through her eyes.

Larry's in the middle because he's "the man" he's authority and the system and everything that has been broken. In a way, Larry's wrong because he thinks the system can still work. If he believes that Jack's been set up, that there's a force trying to manipulate at a high level, well...that might be something outside his ability to accept. Renee does though and she's stepped outside of the authority box and into the unknown (oh she's SO Scully, no seriously).

I so agree about the death of their relationship. It's sad because it was probably a really good one with trust and late night working and stuff.

Oooo I hope there's innocents being protected later.

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to respond, but work just keeps piling up and I haven't had a chance to sit down with your comments. Will get to them tomorrow, for sure.

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

I WANT to believe Livvie. I do...I think she may push the envelope but I don't know and her "give him a call" seemed like a bluff.
I kinda hope that it wasn't a bluff. Mostly because thus far, everything she has done has been motivated by a need to protect her family (leaking the campaign info) or gain revenge (demanding to get to her dad), so it wouldn't make much sense. Instead, I like to read her shady actions this episode as a way for the writers to a) shake up more drama between Ethan and Allison regarding their trust and working relationship; and b)to serve as misdirection/show us how efficient/scary she is at finding information. Cuz, dude, if she plugged that leak this fast, imagine what will happen if Henry gives her that info that Roger found and she realizes her brother was killed over it. Depending on her relationship to her big brother, you know she'll be all over that ish.

Also, I'm SO convinced that he wrote that encryption program which is why he was able to break into it in like 3 seconds.
That or Chloe wrote it. I'm curious what "le moux" stands for, since that was the name of it. Also, Renee has a PC. The prop guys are just messing with us, right?

But think about it, you have police who are impacted, all these people who cannot do anything, but oh, look, here's Starkwood swooping in and saving the day...Starkwood testing weapons in Sangala and then needing to help Juma to get the weapons BACK.
Hmm. I could see that. But I'm still confused how he can paint that as patriotic/serving some greater good. Here's hoping we get more details. Also, as pointed out, Starkwood's logo is a world in crosshairs. Geez, how ever will Jack figure out that they are the bad guys? Heehee.

Also he called him SON, which yeah, is huge.
Yeah, that got a huge aaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww from me. That should been my first clue he was toast. That's the equivalent of Ryan authorizing giving Michelle the suicide pills in S3.

she's not afraid to push past his carefully constructed barriers that *everyone* else stays behind...And that led to the realization that he still *wants* someone to break through those walls.
Nods. Btw, am working on a Jack S7 mix, but for some reason, songs that are kind of, well not shippy, but songs that defintely remind me of Renee/Jack keep being added to the list. I need help. Like, badly.

I think the white house raid and everything has also impacted something deep inside. Renee forced him to face himself and he was horrified when he saw through her eyes.
OH yeah, not to diminish that impact at all. I think though, that Renee put him a vulnerable emotional state, which then got obliterated by Bill's death.

In a way, Larry's wrong because he thinks the system can still work. If he believes that Jack's been set up, that there's a force trying to manipulate at a high level, well...that might be something outside his ability to accept.
It will be very interesting to see where he stands at the end of the day, because I think he recognizes that the world can be unjust; he just can't bring himself to go to that level. I think that unlike Renee, whose belief was shattered early in the morning, Larry is and has always been fully aware of the injustices of the world, but somewhat quixotically, he's trying to change it from with in. He is of the "we operate in the world as it should be to show it how it can be" mentality.

And the way he copes is by putting his faith, not in the system, but in the *people* around him to help him *change* the system- which is why Renee going against him hurt so much. The amount of leeway that Larry gives Renee (letting her bring in Jack in the first place, letting her close up the loose end that led them to Juma) leads me to believe that their entire working relationship is Renee chomping at the bit to get justice done and Larry working very closely with her to channel her enthusiasm to the most productive way for the team. I don't know why, but I get the sense everyone is used to having Renee be at Larry's side as his second-in-command.

[catch22girl]

Eeee Kay answers!!! Oooo I like how you read that. I'm going with your idea. I think that shows her being awesome and I love her so I'm stickin' to the awesome. I think if she did it, that would be because she was trying to get to Ethan without realizing the implications it would have for her mom but again I don't know.


That or Chloe wrote it. I'm curious what "le moux" stands for, since that was the name of it. Also, Renee has a PC. The prop guys are just messing with us, right?

According to google that name pulls up...nothing. It's a village apparently...maybe. I thought it was Blowfish whatever. Hee *hugs her dell and says nothing*. Well. Not all moles use PCs I guess. Sometimes you just wanna have one.

Hmm. I could see that. But I'm still confused how he can paint that as patriotic/serving some greater good. Here's hoping we get more details. Also, as pointed out, Starkwood's logo is a world in crosshairs. Geez, how ever will Jack figure out that they are the bad guys? Heehee.

Well. I think it's not greater good as much as HIS greater good and his company's. I'd say that makes him vaguely like Philip Bauer in that way but obviously a less WTF villain. Yes, it's hard, the whole crosshairs over the world, totally not evil. Not at all.

Yeah, that got a huge aaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww from me. That should been my first clue he was toast. That's the equivalent of Ryan authorizing giving Michelle the suicide pills in S3.

I did too and I didn't want to believe the clue because I so wanted him to live and help and I should have known...but I was lulled for a second into believing the 24verse was just.

Nods. Btw, am working on a Jack S7 mix, but for some reason, songs that are kind of, well not shippy, but songs that defintely remind me of Renee/Jack keep being added to the list. I need help. Like, badly.

Ooooooooo. MIX. Spoilers? :)

OH yeah, not to diminish that impact at all. I think though, that Renee put him a vulnerable emotional state, which then got obliterated by Bill's death.

Yes. Well, I think that Tony way at the beginning of the day started cracking into Jack's exterior, then Renee, then Raid. And now he's just *all* emotion.

It will be very interesting to see where he stands at the end of the day, because I think he recognizes that the world can be unjust; he just can't bring himself to go to that level. I think that unlike Renee, whose belief was shattered early in the morning, Larry is and has always been fully aware of the injustices of the world, but somewhat quixotically, he's trying to change it from with in. He is of the "we operate in the world as it should be to show it how it can be" mentality.

Awww. The rules make us better! I think you're right, he probably thinks example is the best way to deal with the evil/dangers of the world. I love how you put that so I'm just gonna nod and draw hearts.

And the way he copes is by putting his faith, not in the system, but in the *people* around him to help him *change* the system- which is why Renee going against him hurt so much. The amount of leeway that Larry gives Renee (letting her bring in Jack in the first place, letting her close up the loose end that led them to Juma) leads me to believe that their entire working relationship is Renee chomping at the bit to get justice done and Larry working very closely with her to channel her enthusiasm to the most productive way for the team. I don't know why, but I get the sense everyone is used to having Renee be at Larry's side as his second-in-command.

SO TRUE. He does give her leeway. He works with her. He does everything possible to protect her/defend her. Look at the thing with the AG. She went against everything he believed in and he STILL defended her. I think she is his second. I think they've worked together closely for a long time and this is just a betrayal. OH MONDAY COME ON.

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

Spoilers of the mix? Or am I including spoilers in the mix?

Larry trying to protect Renee just about killed me. It's like, even though he's so wrongheaded, he's still a good guy and I can't bring myself to hate him. He's lashing out and man, I really really really wish we could get more backstory on him.

Tomorrow can't come fast enough. Le sigh.

With apologies for the long response

[evilmissbecky.livejournal.com]

Great post!

I have to admit that I was feeling rather meh about the episode, in large part because I miss my Bill so very much that a lot of my love for the show has now departed.

However, what I did enjoy about last night were those quieter character-driven moments that have been so compelling this year (compared to the horror of Season 6). I too absolutely loved the conversation between Jack and Senator Meyer, and I was shocked/bummed when Meyer was killed. I especially loved Meyer's (paraphrased) line, "It's time you started trusting the very institutions you've spent so long protecting." And of course, Jack's response, that trust isn't one of his biggest assets. Because both are so very, very true.

Larry, Larry, Larry. I really want to like him. I think the actor is doing a terrific job, but the writing for him is so uneven that it's driving me crazy. I feel like he's anti-Jack only when the story calls for someone to oppose him; otherwise he's just another typical FBI bureaucrat.

Larry did have two of the best lines of the night, for me. First, when he said to Renee, "It's been a long day. Why don't you go home and get some sleep?" because someone on this show finally acknowledged how hella crazy these days are! And then I also loved when Janice asked him if he really thought Jack killed Burnett, and he said, "I don't know. I don't care. He's a federal fugitive anyway and has to be brought in." That right there summed up everything about his character: no personal vendettas, no grievances, just a decent man trying to do his job the best way he knows how.

Lordy, I just realized -- Larry has the potential to be the next Bill Buchanan. And...I don't know if that scares me, worries me, or makes me happy.

Oh, and hey, you might know the answer. One of my friends at work watches the show too and we were conflicted in our thoughts on how Jack got injured before the Bob the Bulldozer (hee!) scene. I thought he cut himself on the fence, and she thought Quentin shot him. What did you see?

Re: With apologies for the long response

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

Don't apologize for long responses! I love long posts!

I will get to your comments in a bit (time to go home from work first) but going from memory, I thought he cut himself when he busted through the patio doors in Meyer's house as Quinn was chasing him. He didn't notice he was bleeding until he reached the fence, and took off his jacket, which is how Quinn got to the fence in the first place.

Re: With apologies for the long response

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

when Janice asked him if he really thought Jack killed Burnett, and he said, "I don't know. I don't care. He's a federal fugitive anyway and has to be brought in." That right there summed up everything about his character: no personal vendettas, no grievances, just a decent man trying to do his job the best way he knows how.

Yes. Thank you, that's exactly the line I was thinking of when I said that Larry's right but that he's going about it the wrong way. The biggest difference between Jack and Larry is that Jack doesn't trust the system while Larry does, even when it is clearly failing him today. Interestingly, both Renee and Chloe's defense of Jack's actions rest on their wariness of the system giving Jack a chance, but for better or for worse, Larry believes in the system. He operates in the world as it should be to show it what it can be- which is ultimately why he and Jack clash so much. It's also why he's having such a hard time, because the high road also has its costs and restraints.

And I definitely think Larry has the potential to be the next Bill Buchanan, because like Bill before him, Larry shares a lot of qualities with the protoype that Tony established in S1. One of these hours, I want Tony and Larry to sit down and talk, because I would *love* it if Tony went up to Larry and went all, "You know, I used to be like you" and see where it goes.

Re: With apologies for the long response

[evilmissbecky.livejournal.com]

The biggest difference between Jack and Larry is that Jack doesn't trust the system while Larry does, even when it is clearly failing him today.

Absolutely. What I'm curious to know is, will Larry continue to trust the system after today? If he shows up in Season 8 (I honestly have no idea if he will or not; I haven't seen or heard anything), will he be a changed man? Or will he react the opposite way and dig in his heels and become even more of a company man?

I would *love* it if Tony went up to Larry and went all, "You know, I used to be like you" and see where it goes.

Oh that would be so awesome. In years past I would have said such a scene could never happen. But this year the writers have been refreshingly willing to give us great character moments over constant action. So maybe we'll get a scene like that, after all.

Re: With apologies for the long response

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

I think a little bit of both. I think he will be changed in that he's more aware of just how deep the corruption goes, but I think he is going to become even more of a company man, because he will want to keep changing the system from within.

[leigh57.livejournal.com]

Love love love what you said about the way in which Renee is slowly getting under Jack's skin. I know I read this in a far more shippy way than most people are likely to, but just as a human being, she seems to have him talking, communicating, opening up. Since the very first ep I've been DYING to see this, so it thrills me beyond belief. Of course the fact that she's the cause also thrills me, but yeah. I'll stay on topic;)

One of my favorite moments last night (save the speech, which can't be topped) was when Jack thought Renee wasn't going to help, and just. . . backed off. He doesn't surprise me a lot, even though I'm new, but that surprised me. He has so much anger and urgency, and to see him looking almost hurt because he'd made the call and it was looking as if he'd chosen wrong. . . that was heavy.

And I have to hand it to you. You even have me feeling almost sorry for Larry after what you said above. Almost;) It does have to be hard for him to watch what's going on with Renee and know that he's powerless to stop it, but there's also that awful moment that happens when you realize you don't know someone one tenth as much as you thought you did, which hurts like a sonofabitch. So kudos to you for making me see this from Larry's side -- I think you know that's kind of a feat!

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

He has so much anger and urgency, and to see him looking almost hurt because he'd made the call and it was looking as if he'd chosen wrong. . . that was heavy.

I think what is interesting about Jack's reaction to Renee is that, as Rachel points out above, she breaks all the rules when it comes to how to handle Jack and yet instead of getting mad, Jack actually seems to want her approval. There's something tentative about the way he leans on her, because it's not like the way he leans on Chloe or Tony. It's like he wants to believe but he still feels the need to check that she's still there with him.

And that's consistent throughout the day. He backed off in Hour 8 when he saw that it was getting to her, he kept checking that she was okay after her mirror conversation with Larry, and here he did it again. It's kind of wonderful watching how the trust between t

So kudos to you for making me see this from Larry's side -- I think you know that's kind of a feat!
Oh my god, it's a miracle! Heehee, just kidding. But seriously, I've been in that situation that Larry's been in, and it hurts like hell to feel like you've invested so much in a relationship, and you've been blindsided not only by how little you knew them, but how much you overestimated the trust they had in you. Larry doesn't know what Renee's gone through, but in many ways, he is the same type that becomes undone when he loses one of the constants that anchors his belief. It's just while Renee's anchor was her belief in the FBI, Larry's touchstone is Renee.

[leigh57.livejournal.com]

It IS a miracle. Totally;) Your Charlie Brown thing also has me feeling super sorry for Larry now, and I don't even like Charlie Brown. You might not either if your eight-year-old followed you around the house for hours, reading the comics aloud, waiting for you to laugh. . . ahem. Off topic!

See, what both you and Rachel are talking about above -- the thing where Jack handles Renee differently than he does other people -- that's what I've seen from the very first ep, the thing that pops my can of squee right open (Wow that sounds really wrong now that I look at it typed out. Oh well). I love layered characters on television (all you know -- two of them?), and the fact that Captain Instant Decision Jack *still* seems not quite sure what to do with Renee both gives me a happy and makes me feel more like he's a real person.

I'm gonna go feel sorry for Larry more now;) Oh and plus you said "touchstone," which has me kaboom in the middle of a Mulder/Scully moment.

[leigh57.livejournal.com]

p.s. Frak me your banner kills me every time. *bows at your feet*

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

I can't believe one of you hasn't done this already, but here you go. I set it up for you: http://community.livejournal.com/jackrenee/

Until one of you makes a Jack/Renee header for the comm, you can use mine. Once people start creating better ones, I'll replace it. Just let me know.

Now go forth and populate.

[leigh57.livejournal.com]

Considering that I just figured out how to do the LJ cut about . . . five minutes ago, the idea of setting up an entire comm is far beyond my English major self. But way to put what I'm sure is an entirely made of dorky grin on my face this morning:)

However, what you said about fanwank scares me. I didn't even know that was a real word until I hit the link, and now I'm scared to post anything. Shit! Mock mock mockity mock mock? *shivers*

Then again wait. You said you'd sick Jack, right? *considers* ;)

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

Hey, you're talking to an English major so it's all good. ;) It's all about learning the language.

Don't worry. The comment about fandomwank is not really directed at you. It's mostly directed towards people trolling around and harshing on other people's squee.

Haha, I put that there as a deterrent but now, maybe I should amend that. Heehee.

[marinw.livejournal.com]

Terror slumber party! Lufts. Now I'm having visions of Jon Vioght in Superman pajamas * shudders *

I just re-watched the scne where Mayer comes hime. He almost puts his coat in the houseplant, which i thought was touching. It's the sort of dumb thing one does when tired.

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

Yes well, Superman wears Jack Bauer pajamas, so it evens out.

Awww, that's kinda hilarious.

[lauratan.livejournal.com]

Alright, just watched the ep. Here are my thoughts...

1) Jack with feelings. Whoa.
2) Jack vs Gordon Ramsay... I mean... black ops badguy... Obviously Jack would win, but Gordon Ramsay totally got some good hits in. But of course we knew that Gordon Ramsay would die (felled by a good screwdriver, but not the vodka-and-orange-juice kind), since Jack of course takes no prisoners. I was half-hoping that Jack would strip off the kevlar vest but it'd probably be covered in blood. But come on... Jack has stayed in a shirt and suit jacket a LITTLE TOO MUCH... bring back the long-sleeved T!
3) I really liked the senator and was yelling at my TV when he got killed.
4) I also loved seeing Morris back. It's weird seeing him here, and then jumping to Little Mosque on the Prairie, where he does comedy.
5) Yay! Tony's back!

You covered everything else. However... who'd be the worst boss, Gordon Ramsay or Jack? Oh Hell's Kitchen would never be the same. I can just see it... *contestant brings a burnt filet to the pass* "DAMMIT! I asked for rare! We need to get this order out! We're outta time!" *throws filet at contestant which kills contestant*. Yup. I'm onto something here.

[dealan311.livejournal.com]

You know, you are the second person I have seen talking about Cooking Time with Jack Bauer. It's kind of hilarious, because can you imagine him as a chef

WHAT DID YOU DO TO THIS DISH? WHERE DID YOU GET THESE VEGETABLES? WHO DO YOU WORK FOR? IS YOUR SUPPLIER?

and then speaking all soft and Velvety when talking to the contestants he likes. "That's right, Kim. Now I want you to shoot him flip it again."