We begin tonight's recap by bowing our heads in silence for a fallen member of season 7. CIP device (or CIP module as some affectionately called you), you were such an integral part of our lives for the first seven episodes, and we had some crazy times together. I know you weren't really evil — it was the people who built you and used you so maliciously. I hope you find some peace in the big recycling bin in the sky.... All right, that was cathartic. Let's dive in and relive this somewhat strange hour of Bauer.
Tip off at FBI HQ, where Sean tells Larry that the Matobo van was spotted near an airfield. Not to be outdone, Janis tells Larry about a code fragment that could be tied to the CIP intrusion, and asks for Sean's assistance. When Larry departs, Sean brings up Larry's fixation with Renee, and Janis tells him to go open a fresh socket (is that some sort of techie blow-off?) and pushes away his wheely chair. Will Sean become as obsessed with Boss Moss as Boss Moss is with Renee?
Chief of Staff Ethan calls Secret Service agent Brian on his cell to find out the whereabouts of the First Gentleman, but Brian doesn't pick up. You know, being dead and all. In the Van of Justice (goodbye blue edition, hello black), Chloe has used her nifty tooth-tracker to locate the building where the Matobos are being stashed (a.k.a. baddie HQ). At said building, Dubaku updates Nichols on the chemical plant attack. The CIP device is screwing with the safety valves. Noticing the Matobos, Dubaku reminds Matobo that the last time they saw each other, they shared a fine wine: ''I offered my hand in friendship and you...slapped it away.'' Funny, Matobo remembers it more like Dubaku demanded that Matobo serve as General Juma's puppet. (Guys! Isn't it possible that the truth is somewhere in between? Eh, maybe not.) Matobo says he'll never give up his allies to Juma. ''Believe me,'' intones Dubaku, ''you will.''
Not if Operation De-Abduct Matobo works. Renee uses her FBI credentials to enter the building and meets up with Jack, Tony, and Bill, who took the scenic roof route. The plan: Bill and Tony scour the floor where the Matobos are being held, while Jack and Renee travel through the ventilation system, guided by Chloe. Across town, Chloe's tech rival, Janis, is also earning her keep: That code fragment is connected to Kidron, Ohio, and the main attraction there happens to be a chemical plant. Janis acquires phone numbers for plant manager John Brunner (who else besides me actually dialed and got a busy signal?), identifies herself, and asks to speak with him. Pause. ''Ma'am, as I just stated, I'm with the FBI,'' snaps Janis. ''Does that sound VAGUELY important to you?'' Yes, comical-Commanding Janis will serve as nice counterpoint to Jittery Janis.
Turns out, that this Brunner fellow is the dad from My So-Called Life, the Lost lawyer after Aaron's blood, and...kinda blunt. When Janis starts to explain the firewall's function, he interrupts, ''I know what it does, honey.'' He also tells her about the failing valves — a problem, because the tank contains highly toxic concentrated insecticide. Worried that this is a terrorist attack, Janis instructs him to commence emergency procedures. Crap. Not working. Pressure building, literally and metaphorically. ''Sonuvabitch,'' mutters Brunner. (That's Renee's swear! Why is everyone stealing it?) If this situation isn't quickly remedied, deadly stuff will seep into the atmosphere. Time to evacuate. And to alert the President.
What's that powerful lady up to, anyway? She's debating the merits of the word ''outrage'' with her speechwriter. Ethan and Tim — anxious to locate FG — enter and deliver the bad news about the plant attack. Tim conveniently displays a computerized rendering of the toxic cloud. Estimated casualties: 17,500. Bad day getting worse. Too bad that noted gas expert Jack Bauer is otherwise occupied: He's poking a snake-like camera through the vent at baddie HQ. There's Nichols. Dubaku. Armed goons. And a cool set-up that could be driving the CIP device. Bloody showdown approaching....
NEXT PAGE: Team Ex-CTU moves in
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