Ep 16. Day 7: 11:00 P.M.-12:00 Midnight

As the hours tick down until the end of this extremely tense and nerve-wracking day, it seems like everything and everyone is against CTU's efforts to stop the terrorist attack on American soil. In "Day 7: 11:00 P.M.-12:00 Midnight," the 16th episode of the seventh season of 24, the stakes have never been higher.

The episode opens with Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) and Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) still on the run, trying to find a lead on the location of the stolen CIP device, which could be the key to stopping the attack. Meanwhile, President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) is grappling with a moral dilemma of epic proportions, trying to decide whether to sacrifice innocent lives in order to save many more.

In the CTU headquarters, Bill Buchanan (James Morrison) is dealing with the fallout of his decision to let Tony go, which has put his reputation and career on the line. Chloe O'Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub) is on hand to support him, but her own feelings of guilt and responsibility are also starting to weigh heavily on her.

As the situation becomes increasingly desperate, the tension and suspense in "Day 7: 11:00 P.M.-12:00 Midnight" reach fever pitch. The clock is ticking down and everything is on the line, leading to some shocking twists and turns that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

One of the main themes of this episode is the price of loyalty, as both Tony and Chloe are forced to make tough choices and confront the consequences of their actions. Tony's past betrayal of Jack still looms large, and his motives for helping are called into question by the other CTU agents. Meanwhile, Chloe's loyalty to Bill and CTU has put her in a difficult position, and her tense conversations with Jack highlight the weight of her responsibility.

Another important issue addressed in this episode is the moral ambiguity of warfare and counter-terrorism. President Taylor is faced with the impossible choice of sacrificing a few lives to save many, and her decision puts her at odds with her advisors and her conscience. Jack also struggles with his conscience as he resorts to increasingly violent and extreme tactics to achieve his goals.

As the tension mounts and the clock ticks down towards midnight, "Day 7: 11:00 P.M.-12:00 Midnight" delivers a gripping and intense hour of television that will leave viewers eagerly awaiting the next episode. With stellar performances from the entire cast, especially Kiefer Sutherland and Cherry Jones, this episode stands out as a highlight of the seventh season of 24.