Habib Marwan accelerates his timeline after realizing CTU has upgraded its technical defenses, making it harder for him to jam their satellite tracking. By the end of the hour, Jack Bauer and Curtis Manning track Marwan to a factory. Despite a fierce gun battle, they arrive seconds too late to stop the launch sequence; the episode ends with the team helplessly watching as a nuclear missile is fired toward an unknown target.
This episode marks the first appearance of Cheng Zhi (played by Tzi Ma), who becomes one of Jack's longest-running and most significant adversaries throughout the series.
Their relationship hits its lowest point following the death of Audrey's husband, Paul Raines . Audrey blames Jack for forcing a doctor to prioritize a terrorist suspect's surgery over Paul's, and she tells Jack she cannot be near him. Watch 24 4x21 1
In the 21st episode of Season 4, titled "Day 4: 3:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.," the tension reaches a breaking point as the domestic threat of a nuclear launch converges with a major international diplomatic crisis. Plot Summary: Domestic and International Crises
Former President David Palmer and current President Charles Logan clash over how to handle the Chinese. Palmer advocates for "plausible deniability" and moving forward with the mission, while a panicked Logan worries about the fragile relationship with China and accuses Palmer of undermining him. Key Character Developments Habib Marwan accelerates his timeline after realizing CTU
Critics and viewers often highlight this episode for its relentless pacing and high-stakes "cliffhanger" ending.
The episode centers on two parallel conflicts: the physical hunt for terrorist leader and the political fallout from a raid on the Chinese Consulate . This episode marks the first appearance of Cheng
The sight of a nuclear missile launching on American soil remains one of the most iconic and high-stakes moments in the show's history. Air Date May 9, 2005 Director Bryan Spicer Key Death Paul Raines (confirmed dead at the start of the hour) Major Reveal