Jack searches for a safe place to land the plane when Logan gives orders to shoot it down. Hayes readies Bierko for a transfer to a secure facility, while Audrey receives some good news about her father. Logan becomes desperate as his plans start to unravel, but an unexpected ally at CTU turns the tables in his favor.
Jack runs a desperate tactic to free the CTU hostages from their captors. He manages to intercept Cheng, who plans to deliver Josh to his grandfather in exchange for the circuit board. Jack is forced to allow Cheng to escape in order to save Josh’s life.Lennox continues to monitor Lisa as she plants evidence for Mark to deliver to the Russians. The situation takes a nasty turn when all does not go according to plan. Meanwhile, Daniels tries to run a bluff on the Russian president, but finds he’s playing a bad hand.Nadia finds herself facing a hostile investigation over the security breach, while a decision from Daniels pits Doyle against Jack.
After stowing away aboard the flight containing Henderson’s contact and the incriminating recording, Jack finds himself having to deal with a pilot who refuses to cooperate.
Martha begins to break down, and Mike becomes suspicious of what she is hiding from him, while Logan tries to calm his financial backers.
Jack is held in custody at CTU, while Cheng prepares to launch a surprise attack.Lennox uses Lisa as a plant to send a false message to the Russians in hopes of defusing a tense situation.Morris’ decision to end his relationship with Chloe begins taking its toll on her as they struggle to maintain professionalism, and Josh shows signs of guilt over the role his father played in the day’s terrorist attacks.
Jack captures Henderson and attempts to force him to hand over the recording, but Henderson targets Heller to buy himself more time. Logan confesses his involvement in Palmer’s assassination to a distraught Martha. Miles traces Chloe to Buchanan’s home, but Hayes finds herself questioning Logan’s motives as CTU closes in.
Nadia approves an interrogation technique that might prove fatal to Audrey. Doyle covertly aids Jack in the hopes that he can save her from further mental trauma.Daniels discovers that he may have a leak in his administration when he is confronted by the angry Russian president.Chloe and Morris’s relationship hits the rocks, while Heller delivers Jack a stern warning.
Jack learns a devastating piece of news about Audrey upon his return to CTU.As a desperate Gredenko launches his strike, CTU learns that their systems have been compromised by a mole who is obstructing their efforts to find the drone.Karen finds a possible ally in Lennox as Daniels proceeds on his extreme course that will pit the U.S. against the Middle East.
Jack sets up a meeting with Cheng, while Doyle tries to track him with CTU’s help.Buchanan’s career is placed in jeopardy when Karen is forced to make a damning choice to save the administration.Daniels seeks comfort from his assistant as he assumes the presidency.
While Jack evades Russian security guards, Buchanan assigns a new agent, Mike Doyle, to raid the Russian consulate to capture Markov and rescue Jack.Logan calls on his estranged ex-wife in the hopes that she can help to defuse the brewing crisis between the U.S. and Russia.Gredenko prepares to strike at another target. Meanwhile, Daniels gives a Middle Eastern ambassador a strong ultimatum in order to gain his cooperation in the hunt for the remaining nukes.
Cheng offers to exchange the nuclear component for Audrey’s life. Jack gains Chloe’s covert cooperation, but their plans are dashed when Morris stumbles on to the operation.Wayne gives Daniels an unpleasant ultimatum, but his fragile health soon tips the balance in the vice-president’s favor.
