24 Character Countdown (Episode 10)
Just a little introduction here. I would just like to thank everyone that has really taken to the Character Countdown. Last week was a huge week for the Countdown. It was featured on the front page of Digg, and was also talked about on TV Squad. So, thank you very much.
Now on with the Countdown.
Tom Lennox (13) 
-Handed over President Wayne’s itinerary to Reed (-10)
-Gave excellent suggestions for Assad’s speech (+5)
-Was playing Reed the whole time, who knew? (+15)
-Didn’t actually say on the phone to the Secret Service “There is going to be an attempt on the President’s life now,� (-10)
-Took a Mag Lite to the face (+6)
-Got beat up by a Lowe (-5)
Net Gain/Loss: +1
Current Total: 14
President Wayne Palmer (41)
-Told Tom he still values his opinions, he was very sweet about it (+4)
-Still values Tom’s opinions (-5)
Net Gain/Loss: -1
Current Total: 40
Bill Buchanan (126)
-Led Nadia around (+4)
-Didn’t utilize his recapping abilities this episode. I always look forward to Bill telling me what has happened, and catching me up, but it just wasn’t there. You really dropped the ball on this one Bill (-9)
Net Gain/Loss: -5
Current Total: 121
Jack Bauer (348)
-Added 2 more baddies to his kill count total (+6)
-Summoned the hockey player inside himself, and body checked the remaining terrorist against the fence twice (+4)
-Grabbed Marylin by the neck and slammed her against the garage, I’m sure he was thinking about when he did that to Audrey (+5)
-Called himself stupid, no one calls Jack Bauer stupid, not even Jack Bauer (-4)
-Didn’t tell Bill that his Dad was the one that blew up the house (-4)
-Got Marylin to go along with the plan to trick his Father into giving up his location (+5)
-Took a little peek at Marylin while she was changing, then helped her button up her shirt (+5)
-It doesn’t matter how completely insane Jack’s day is, he always has time for some eye flirting with his current love interests (+5)
-During the commercial break, for some reason walked up 21 flights of stairs to get to his Dad’s room (2132). Why didn’t he take the elevator? (-5)
-Offered himself in a prisoner exchange for Josh (+7)
-Knocked out the other terrorist sitting in the chair with one punch (+5)
-Didn’t call CTU and tell them to surround the building his Father was in (-7)
-Gave Marylin a short lesson in firearm safety “Point and Shoot,� (+3)
-Gave an inspiring, heartfelt, speech about his childhood (+5)
-Was actually going to let his Dad shoot him (-9)
-Didn’t hear his Dad sneak out of the room (-8)
Net Gain/Loss: +13
Current Total: 361
Nadia Yassir (112)
-Talked about stuff (+1)
-Follows Bill around like a puppy (-5)
Net Gain/Loss:-4
Current Total:108
Chloe O’Brian (138)
-Confronted Morris about him drinking (+5)
-Used the phrase “he didn’t metabolize the alcohol� (+8)
Net Gain/Loss: +13
Current Total: 151
Morris O’Brian (89)
-Acted like his poor ego was bruised after hearing about Milo’s heroic efforts (-4)
-Talked back to Nadia, the nerve! (+2)
-Has a horrible case of self-loathing going on (-6)
-His self-loathing caused him to “fall off the wagon� (-5)
-Left his Red Bull at the counter (-4)
-Kept the Altoids though, but they didn’t work as planned (-6)
-Performed a Binge and Purge that all supermodels should be proud of (+5)
-Didn’t “metabolize the alcohol,� yea, neither did Mel Gibson (-4)
-Insists on spreading his pessimism around to everyone, “hey look I’m Morris, feel sorry for me I know I do,� (-5)
Net Gain/Loss: -27
Current Total: 62
Milo (112)
-He should probably get on a treadmill or something, because he was out of breath after running all of about 1-2 minutes (-3)
-Hid behind the dumpster, terrorists never check there (-2)
-Didn’t hit a dang thing when he shot back at the three terrorists that were standing in the wide open (-4)
-Got shot in the process (-5)
-Acted just as confused by the “metabolize� comment from Chloe as I was (+7)
Net Gain/Loss: -7
Current Total: 105
Sandra Palmer: (8)
-Didn’t show up again! She’s on a roll (+10)
Net Gain/Loss:+10
Current Total: 18
LEADERBOARD:
Jack Bauer—361
Chloe O’Brian—151
Bill Buchanan—121
Nadia Yassir—108
Karen Hayes—108
Milo—105
Morris O’Brian—62
President Wayne Palmer—40
Sandra Palmer—18
Tom Lennox—14
Special Awards:
Bill Buchanan’s Secretary Award: Goes to Nadia. It appears that this is all she really is. She just follows Bill around CTU, relaying information from Bill to other people. Way to go Nadia!
World’s Quietest Grandpa Award: Goes to Phillip Bauer for sneaking out of that room like he was floating on air.
Worst ‘24′ Actress: Goes to the lady who plays Marylin. She’s just bad.
Best Binge and Purge: Goes to Morris, for that wonderful display of bowel movements behind the gas station.
UPDATE: A few of you have expressed some concern over the fact that Charles Logan didn’t get anything for last night’s episode. While he didn’t do anything that he could be awarded points for, I do however feel that a Special Award is needed.
Person that I Want Jack Bauer to Add to his Kill Count Next Award: Goes to Charles Logan.
There were also some reader Special Awards I’d like to put in:
From Ken:
The oldest trick in the book award: A tie between Phillip and Gradenko, who both used the old “Haha! I’m not where you thought I was!� trick within ten minutes of each other.
From Tom:
The Merchandise Placement Award: Goes to Milo for wearing the CTU T-shirt around the office. You can find them at Fox.com.
February 20th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Nice lists! I didn’t even notice the Jack climbed all those stairs.
The oldest trick in the book award: A tie between Phillip and Gradenko, who both used the old “Haha! I’m not where you thought I was!” trick within ten minutes of each other.
February 20th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
It’s spelled “Roll”
February 20th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Thanks Ralph.
February 20th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Actually, Rena Sofer (the woman who plays Marylin) is doing an excellent job of playing a helpless dimwit who can’t do a single thing by herself except screw up others’ well-laid plans. I’ve known such dimwits; sadly, Sofer’s portrayal is entirely accurate.
February 20th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
-10 points to Marylin for her creepy gray eyes.
February 20th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
“metabolize the alcohol” means the alcohol has broken down and no longer has an effect - should be negative points to Chloe who should know better. Definite plus points to Milo for his “WTF?” reaction though.
Either you’re right about the actress playing Marilyn being really bad or Rebecca’s right about her playing the dimwit perfectly - hard to tell - either way I hope that was the last we’ll see of her.
“Was playing Reed all the time - who knew?” I did! I called it on your “previously” post yesterday.
Nice spot on the Red Bull - though its probably just as well he left it, think he’s on edge enough as it is.
February 21st, 2007 at 6:46 am
Actually, I’m pretty sure the oldest trick in the book isn’t the “i’m not where you thought I was!” trick, but it was played in this episode.
It’s the “have henchmen set up to kill people, then hear gunshots offscreen, and see the henchmen dead” trick. It seems to happen every time some terrorist is about to kill an important character.
February 21st, 2007 at 6:50 am
How did you call that Tom was playing Reed? He wasn’t playing him. He was actually prepared to go along with him until the Pres got all sappy with him. How can you miss that one?
February 21st, 2007 at 7:12 am
*sips his Red Bull* So…was that added to the list because of me, or did you actually notice it during the show, too? heh
Also, if you’re still looking for special awards, I think Milo deserves one for being the only person (to my knowledge, ’cause I don’t think even Tony got one after being shot in the neck) to sport the CTU T-shirt at work, and now I want one.
February 21st, 2007 at 8:09 am
I’m sorry but Jack shouldn’t lose points for his dad going ninja on him. I mean, it’s Jack’s DAD, where else did Jack get his badass skills (besides the military) except by blood and growing up under this man. This is the only man who ever could and did ( got away with President Palmer’s assassination until Graeme spilt the beans) beat Jack. If you take points for this, you might as well take points from Luke Skywalker for losing to his dad in Empire Strikes Back. Well, maybe that one’s deserved….
February 21st, 2007 at 9:53 am
I have to agree with Joe. Tom changed his mind when he realised that the President was still listening to him.
February 21st, 2007 at 10:21 am
No points for a bearded President Logan??? How could you.
February 21st, 2007 at 10:36 am
Thanks for noticing he left his Red Bull. I was disturbed by that. That shows how bad he was really feeling.
And yeah! Where’s Logan on the list? Doesn’t he get something?
February 21st, 2007 at 10:48 am
Tom,
Yeah I did notice it, and I do know you spotted that before anyone else, but yeah I noticed it on the show. Because I LOVE Red Bull, and I’m sitting there yelling at Morris, “Hey man you traded your Red Bull for malt liquor, you MORON! Go back and get it!”
Zack,
I have to respectfully disagree. I understand what you’re saying, but I am led to believe that Jack learned most if not all of his training in the military. I mean Graem, wow that guy was overweight and slow. But, you also could be right, and Phillip Bauer could be a ninja in disguise. Wouldn’t that be a plot twist?!?
February 21st, 2007 at 10:51 am
Also, as for the Tom and Reed situation. I am one to think that Tom was leading Reed on the entire time just so he could report this and it would make him a hero of sorts. That just seems like the kind of guy Tom is to me.
I just don’t see him being able to be buttered up just by the President making a few comments. But, that’s just my opinion. I can see how other people see it the other way and there’s no problem with that. I’m just one to not overestimate Tom’s slyness.
February 21st, 2007 at 2:03 pm
He may be sly, but you’re clearly wrong about reading his intentions.
February 21st, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Also it must be clear that the Vice President is behind the assassination attempt as he would be the one to gain the most from its success.
February 21st, 2007 at 5:16 pm
No question that Tom was planning to turn Reed over from the start - each “Day” has at least one character who starts out making bad decisions and acting like a jerk, but ultimately makes the right call based on their own values (not because someone said something nice to them). Usually its head of CTU or someone close to the president.
February 21st, 2007 at 8:28 pm
It could go either way, but I think Lennox saw an opportunity to help out and gain his influence back with Wayne when Reed made his way too obvious proposal. Politically, it is way more beneficial to stop a coup than to play a periferal role and gain nothing. And Lennox knows that, being the chief of staff. Smart, except for the whole “getting smacked in the face” part.
February 21st, 2007 at 11:44 pm
I have a tough time deciding who has played the best “dimwitted” character in the history of 24 its either Kim Bauer, Marilyn Bauer, or the Blonde Woman (who’s name i cant remember from season 2/3)
February 22nd, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Without question, the best dimwitted female character is definitely Kim Bauer. Sorry, Jack. You’ve got an idiotic daughter. (Of course, that could have more to do with Terri than with Jack, but who wants to speak ill of the dead?)
In any case, Kim has messed up things for her dad FAR more than Kate, Audrey, or even Marilyn Bauer. Let’s hope she stays gone from Day 6. Does anyone else think it’s a little ooky that Marilyn has been married to Graem for all this time, and suddenly she’s making eyes at Jack? (I realize there’s history there… but come ON. Her husband’s barely cold…)
February 22nd, 2007 at 4:45 pm
I don’t know. I really couldn’t stand the lady that played Teri Bauer. When she got amnesia, well that part was just annoying watching her act like she’d forgotten. Well, watching her act period was pretty awful.
February 22nd, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Aaron, I got a big laugh out of Bill’s recapping abilities comment. I did miss it this time. He was hardly in this episode.
And that line about Nadia, his little suck-up, was great too. What is her deal anyway? Is she going to be relevant in this show? Maybe SHE will be the mastermind behind everything!!
On some level, I noticed that Jack, Marilyn and the hunky henchman hostage walked up those stairs during the commercial, but I totally cracked up when you mentioned it. Good time-waster, I guess, when you have to wait for a commercial break.
One last thing: Where oh where is Audrey? (speaking of dimwitted characters).
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Hey Aaron, I’m finally caught up. I’ve been studiously avoiding your blog until I was up to speed with the latest episode. I would have given Marilyn some kind of WORST DIRECTION FOLLOWING ABILITIES (maybe you can phrase it better…) award for her failure to listen to a primal human instinct: Run Away From Danger! Milo cracked me up, “I told you to run!”
/w
February 26th, 2007 at 6:03 am
I’m betting that your hated henchman Tom Lennox is going to wind up being a bit heroic, i believe. and i say this only because of the history of ‘24′ making unlikely heroes. just a guess tho
April 11th, 2007 at 8:19 am
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