Hour 7 Recap

The great champion was hurt in round seven. Not floored, but the champ’s knees were buckling and you could see the fighter wandering aimlessly around the ring. After winning the championship in 2002 and gloriously defending it in both 03 and 04, the champ seemed tired. Perhaps this was the year the title would be vanquished. Perhaps the tank was finally on the cusp of running dry. Sure, the champ had gotten off to a good start, but it had begun to tire in recent weeks. A spark at the end of round six was a bit encouraging, but for the first time in years, there were chinks in the armor. Credibility gaps and storyline blunders were weighing on the champ and some ringsiders were privately hoping that the fight should be stopped. Round seven was not encouraging. The champ started slowly and took a few good shots. The champ was bloodied and on the verge of being beaten. But champions don’t go out with whimpers and deep in round seven, this champ rallied with a vengeance. While pinned against the ropes and looking helpless, 24 uncorked one of the great left hands in show history. One second, it looked liked Monday nights were back in play – a second later, TONY ALMEIDA IS BACK!

This almost goes without saying – Tony Almeida’s return in season four is unquestionably a top-5 24 moment and it just may save the season. From here on out, Tony’s save will rank up there with Nina’s flip, Nina’s seduction, George’s stowaway/suicide and Chappelle’s execution as legendary moments in show history. Tony Almeida is a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee and his re-introduction will add adrenalin to a show that was overdosing on sedatives. Granted, the circumstances surrounding his return are a bit extraordinary – after all, shouldn’t he be serving life in prison for treason. Moreover, how the fuck did he get to Jack’s location so quickly? I don’t care that these questions linger and long for an explanation. All I care about is my boy is back.

Truth be told, before Tony’s return, last night’s show was hurting. What the fuck are the writers doing with Audrey’s husband. They think we are going to be concerned with his little heartache. What is this – Days of our Lives? You think the Secretary of Defense is going to take some time out of his schedule with North American nuclear holocaust looming to give this kid some advice about his daughter. Stop the insanity. Kill this storyline before someone gets hurt.

I am also a bit disappointed by where the Maya storyline is going. The freaked out psycho daughter showed some promise, but it looks like she will only amount to a distraction. Unless of course she comes out of her drug induced coma and hooks up with the kid who was tortured. That would be a Melrose moment but it would not live up to 24’s lofty standards.

Kudos this week to Edgar who showed some mettle under pressure. “Hey back off guys, let me breathe and I may just be able to save the eastern seaboard and the shareholders of Entergy!” I am a little curious why no efforts have been made to bring back Chloe despite her actions earlier. Edgar largely came through but don’t you want your stopper in there with the game on the line? Marianne’s storyline showed a bit more promise this week, but she has thus far failed to generate much hate. She is no Sherry Palmer, although I like how it appears that she has framed Michelle Driscoll’s replacement at station four. As for the Arabs – it is all too predictable at this point. The kid seems to sweat a lot although he did act swiftly once his mom got drilled in the arm. Who knows, he may become the first Turk to drive NASCAR.