This episode really ups the emotional ante on the season as see the devastating effect the day's actions have on an individual level.
As Marcos is hunkered down in the hospital chamber, his fellow terrorists have walked him through an intricate diagram of the circuit configuration on the explosives. A green light shows he's already through one of the four circuits needed for manual detonation. Thanks to the oxygen-rich environment, a low-speed drill is needed to get through the door so ETA is roughly 40 minutes. Chloe's background check shows that Marcos' dad was a college professor who was vocal about his criticism of US government. In a nice nod to back story it's revealed that he was imprisoned during the Islamic round-up in Wayne Palmer's administration and the subsequent black-balling drove him to suicide.
As Cole and Dana return to CTU, like all women she wants to talk feelings, but he says right now it's job first. Hey Cole, maybe you should have thought of that BEFORE you went to find Dana. I'm just sayin'. Anyway, Hastings tells them Dana is now reporting to Chloe, while Cole is off with his team to fetch Marcos' mother from her home in East Harlem. Wow, I've known people who got in more trouble coming back late from lunch. Chloe confronts Dana about her 'tude but is generously supportive, while Arlo apologizes for narking on her and demonstrates his sincerity by busting out another of his horn-dog come-ons.
Lovebirds Kayla and Tarin bask in sweaty post-coital bliss as they discuss their plan to apply for asylum. The 18-month waiting period will keep Tarin gainfully unemployed and unable to maintain Kayla in the manner to which she is accustomed. Kayla's cell phone rings with a call from her frantic mother, but Tarin won't let her answer because nothing kills afterglow like a chat with Mom.
Hastings has a talk with Dana where he tells her she's good, but no one's so good that they can't be replaced. With that vote of confidence she breathes a sigh of relief that the Kevin saga is over. But of course she and Cole are the only ones who believe that. She gets a call from Bill Prady, Kevin's probation officer, who is obviously accustomed to middle-of-the-night phone calls in the course of his business. Phone records from Kevin's motel show several calls to Dana's cell, and Prady wants her help finding his wayward charge.
Partner-in-crime Cole shows up at the hospital, Mom in tow, just as Marcos reaches three green lights. After screaming at Jack to leave them alone, Marcos tells her Dad would have approved. But Mom says think about it: Dad CAME to America, he married an American, how badly could he have hated this country? Chloe discovers that someone has tapped into the hospital video feed and Jack realizes the terrorists are watching them. As Owen cuts the feed he tells Cole to get Mom out so she doesn't have to watch her baby boy die.
Except that wasn't his real motive. He doesn't want anyone observing as he tells Marcos that if the nukes are used on New York his mother will die. No way, Marcos crows, you don't know the target. But Jack has something better in mind: he vows to personally escort her to ground zero so she can soak up a nice big dose of radiation. Marcos says you can't do that, you're a Fed. Ah, Marcos, so naïve for a terrorist. Funny thing is, Jack says, I'm not, but if you knew me you'd know I'm not bluffing. I'll make your mom clean up the mess here before I drag her down to the bomb site. Marcos reads the truth in Jack's eyes and gives himself up.
Jack then tries to disarm the explosives but the terrorists have triggered the failsafe. Frustrated that Marcos doesn't know the whereabouts of the rods or the target, he begs for at least a name. He gets one, and it's a doozy - Tarin Faroush, erstwhile head of security for Omar Hassan who is at this moment banging Hassan's daughter. After the money shot of the blood-spattered chamber, Jack fills in President Hassan. His wife finally gets through to Kayla to tell her it's not just Dad's paranoia; you really ARE sleeping with the enemy. She's wary but finally reveals their whereabouts, and as the hour ends Jack and Cole are on their way to extract her. But judging from the previews for next week they're not in time, as Tarin takes his lover hostage and we're promised a twist that will change EVERYTHING.