I'm sure this is what the writers want us to think, but it's interesting that after killing Palmer ten minutes into the season, it's become a constant game of "What Would Palmer Do?" and I have no doubt that it's a question that's crossed Jack's mind over and over again.
Logan consistenly makes decision after decision that Palmer would outright reject. Palmer was always hesitant to make a cover-up. Palmer was never willing to sacrifice innocent life when there was no guarantee it would pay off. Think back all the way to season one when Palmer absolutely REFUSED to sacrific Kim for his own safety/image. Palmer would have responded to Lynn and Buchanan's suggestion that they let the mall get hit with a very eloquent but fervent "BITCH, PLEASE." Palmer CERTAINLY wouldn't have covered up Walt's treachery/suicide the way Logan has. And it's interesting that it's Novick who's nudged Logan in that direction, and very telling of why Palmer had to let Novick go. Novick plays politics, while Palmer followed the directive that Martha spelled out: "The job of the President is to tell the truth." There's definitely a question of competence, absolutely, as evidenced by Logan looking like a deer in the headlights when CTU informed him that whether or not the mall would get hit was his call. It was very obviously a call he didn't want to make-- however, it's perhaps less a matter of competence as it is a matter of fear of consequences. Palmer always did the right thing, consequences be damned, but Logan lives in this constant fear that if he takes a step, it'll make things worse. He lacks conviction and decisiveness, which is probably the writers' subtle commentary that a President should be resolute, since the creators of the show are admittedly right-wing and the Bushies love to present him as a leader who is firm in his decisions. But Bush could never have Palmer's morality, which is the most crucial part.
Jack is absolutely autonomous, and while I went into the episode unspoiled, I couldn't help but think while CTU, Logan, and Novick were having their pow-wow over what to do, that Jack really didn't have to listen to them. Jack does not work for CTU, Jack doesn't even officially exist. He's already said he's going to disappear at the end of the day and unless he does something downright criminal, their threats are fairly empty.
I definitely think Jack has come a long way emotionally since the end of season three. He seems to have gotten over the near-madness he suffered through while grieving Teri, grieving I don't think really ended until he fell in love with Audrey. Living with Diane and Derek obviously did him a world of good, too, bringing a sense of simplicity and normalcy to his existence that surely brings a sense of clarity. He's always been a creature of right, and that's what ultimately separates him from men like Saunders. I'm glad, because there was a point in the series where it really seemed like Jack was going down a very dark path, but he seems to have righted himself. And I think at this point he's completely unwilling to compromise. It's sort of a renewal of the Jack we saw in season one, when he talked about reporting the coworker, and he said "They weren't bad men, but the compromised. Once." Disappearing brought Jack back to his moral center. Also, it's probably done him a world of good knowing that Kim hasn't been in mortal danger for a few years, hah.
Although, Palmer did cover up the Ryan murder and was willing to have him killed to save other people - with no guarantee that Saunders wouldn't just follow through with his threat. But, when he was asked to give the names of more than a few people, he balked and said "no" -- so yeah you're right, the hundreds of lives would have sat really badly with him.
I love what you said there - I think you're right, they think of Bush as someone firm in his decisions but Bush does not have Palmer's morality or sense of needing to be truthful or...well, any of those things.
That's true - and when they were talking he barely seemed to care what they were saying most of the time.
Oh, I love the way you put that - I agree, being answerable only to himself has put him back in touch with the man he used to be in some ways, although a more paranoid and twitchy version. Yeah, in s3 it seemed he was going down a very very dark path to where he'd be the enemy and turn on everyone, but he has too much - yeah "creature of right" sounds just about right. Even when his family was in danger he still tried to protect Palmer. Very well put.
Logan consistenly makes decision after decision that Palmer would outright reject. Palmer was always hesitant to make a cover-up. Palmer was never willing to sacrifice innocent life when there was no guarantee it would pay off. Think back all the way to season one when Palmer absolutely REFUSED to sacrific Kim for his own safety/image. Palmer would have responded to Lynn and Buchanan's suggestion that they let the mall get hit with a very eloquent but fervent "BITCH, PLEASE." Palmer CERTAINLY wouldn't have covered up Walt's treachery/suicide the way Logan has. And it's interesting that it's Novick who's nudged Logan in that direction, and very telling of why Palmer had to let Novick go. Novick plays politics, while Palmer followed the directive that Martha spelled out: "The job of the President is to tell the truth." There's definitely a question of competence, absolutely, as evidenced by Logan looking like a deer in the headlights when CTU informed him that whether or not the mall would get hit was his call. It was very obviously a call he didn't want to make-- however, it's perhaps less a matter of competence as it is a matter of fear of consequences. Palmer always did the right thing, consequences be damned, but Logan lives in this constant fear that if he takes a step, it'll make things worse. He lacks conviction and decisiveness, which is probably the writers' subtle commentary that a President should be resolute, since the creators of the show are admittedly right-wing and the Bushies love to present him as a leader who is firm in his decisions. But Bush could never have Palmer's morality, which is the most crucial part.
Jack is absolutely autonomous, and while I went into the episode unspoiled, I couldn't help but think while CTU, Logan, and Novick were having their pow-wow over what to do, that Jack really didn't have to listen to them. Jack does not work for CTU, Jack doesn't even officially exist. He's already said he's going to disappear at the end of the day and unless he does something downright criminal, their threats are fairly empty.
I definitely think Jack has come a long way emotionally since the end of season three. He seems to have gotten over the near-madness he suffered through while grieving Teri, grieving I don't think really ended until he fell in love with Audrey. Living with Diane and Derek obviously did him a world of good, too, bringing a sense of simplicity and normalcy to his existence that surely brings a sense of clarity. He's always been a creature of right, and that's what ultimately separates him from men like Saunders. I'm glad, because there was a point in the series where it really seemed like Jack was going down a very dark path, but he seems to have righted himself. And I think at this point he's completely unwilling to compromise. It's sort of a renewal of the Jack we saw in season one, when he talked about reporting the coworker, and he said "They weren't bad men, but the compromised. Once." Disappearing brought Jack back to his moral center. Also, it's probably done him a world of good knowing that Kim hasn't been in mortal danger for a few years, hah.
Wow, I'm rambly too! Hehe.
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Although, Palmer did cover up the Ryan murder and was willing to have him killed to save other people - with no guarantee that Saunders wouldn't just follow through with his threat. But, when he was asked to give the names of more than a few people, he balked and said "no" -- so yeah you're right, the hundreds of lives would have sat really badly with him.
I love what you said there - I think you're right, they think of Bush as someone firm in his decisions but Bush does not have Palmer's morality or sense of needing to be truthful or...well, any of those things.
That's true - and when they were talking he barely seemed to care what they were saying most of the time.
Oh, I love the way you put that - I agree, being answerable only to himself has put him back in touch with the man he used to be in some ways, although a more paranoid and twitchy version. Yeah, in s3 it seemed he was going down a very very dark path to where he'd be the enemy and turn on everyone, but he has too much - yeah "creature of right" sounds just about right. Even when his family was in danger he still tried to protect Palmer. Very well put.
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