In his pursuit of Khalid, Carter takes a page out of the Bauer playbook.
Through24s nine seasons, some tropes became part of the fabric of the series.
Four episodes in,24: Legacyhas done what any good child is told to do: follow your fathers rules.
Credit: Guy D’Alema/FOX
The series doesnt have Jack Bauer, but it does have its past iterations playbook.
The classic24hallmarks are on full display in this episode, beginning with the falsely accused mole.
John still isnt handling the news of Nilaas alleged betrayal well.
Since Rebecca couldnt get anything out of her, hes now trying his hand, peppering her with questions.
I dont know how, but Im being set up, she pleads.
And we both both know why they picked me.
Considering their longstanding relationship, its clear that John wants to believe her.
Mullins orders that Nilaa be brought back to CTU for questioning, so Rebecca takes her away.
John interrupts: Thats just it, Dad.
I do know her.
He cant believe his dad isnt more surprised.
Papa Donovan has already moved on to looking for his sons next campaign manager.
Son, were going to get through this, he tells John, bringing him in for an embrace.
Pissed off, Carter grabs his friend from the stretcher, yelling at him, The squad.
Your mother, your sister.
Theyre all dead because of you.
Damn, thats tough talk but its true.
Nicole is still being held by Aisha and Jerome.
When Aisha steps out to call the Dominicans about killing Isaac, Nicole takes the opportunity to escape.
Convincing Jerome to change the channel, she knocks him down and makes a run for it.
Isaac, an incredible bluffer, lies his way out danger, saying he has snipers nearby.
Being a big-time drug dealer has its perks.
Isaac and Nicole are both very grateful that theyre each okay.
Were now four hours in, and Carter walks into CTU for the first time.
When he spots Rebecca, the two embrace, and she apologizes for the loss of his fellow soldiers.
I wish I could tell myself they didnt die in vain, he admits.
I really wanted to get the guys behind this.
Oh, I think youll have your chance, good sir.
After catching up with Rebecca, Carter heads to the infirmary to see Ben.
He wants to know how his friend thinks he can fix this.
Ben recognized the terrorists guns hes convinced they got them from an arms dealer named Gabriel.
I know Im done, Eric, its over for me, an emotional Ben confesses.
Id be lucky to escape the death penalty.
This is my last chance to do something right… for once.
It turns out the drive was damaged and is now unreadable.
Meanwhile, another budding terrorist has her own problems.
As hes giving her instructions, Drews mom shows up, worried but glad to see Amira.
Im sorry, Amira whispers as they hug.
Its obvious that shes torn.
Her uneasiness doesnt subside as she swipes a syringe and makes her way into Drews room alone.
Her brother, who is on the way to pick her up, once again walks her through it.
With Drew now dead, Amira rushes away.
The proposed plan is to offer the sale of schematics for the anti-missile defense systems.
Doesnt this sound familiar?
Mullins asks, rightfully noting that Ben literally just threatened to sell the flash drive to Khalid.
Despite not being in control anymore, Rebecca decides to help Carter by having Andy get him the schematics.
Grimes was my responsibility, too, she says.
And when she goes to convince Andy to help, guess what hes already on it.
I had a feeling that this would end up in my lap, he quips.
How could Mullins not want this guy around?
Oh yeah, he helped tie him up.
This Nilaa news is still weighing on John when one of his aides comes in with some intriguing research.
With this new information, John goes to confront his dad.
Geez, sloppy job, Uncle Luis.
Now, John doesnt just think Nilaa is innocent he also knows it was Papa Donovan.
Turns out the only people who had access were Rebecca, John, and his dad.
But it never occurred to me how you could do something so horrible, John says.
Papa Donovan tries the old, I did it for you routine.
The guy at least seems a little beat up about it.
Despite his dads pleas, John marches off to call Rebecca and let her know.
After being accosted by his nephew, Uncle Luis comes in to see Papa Donovan.
Carters testy debrief ends early as Andy sends him the schematics.
That means its time for Carter to take out a bunch of CTU guards.
I will give him credit, though: He seems to apologize as he does it.
Hes definitely much more polite than Jack Bauer.
After throwing a smoke bomb in the server room to knock the system down, Carter grabs Ben.
What did you think?
Is the show starting to build some momentum?
