The pain in tony’s eyes, on his face, in the panic he felt when trying to save emerson and offer his apologies was so gut-wrenching that the episode almost had me crying – for the first time in years.

The van scene was fabulous. I could see Tony going through all those memories again, the death of Michelle, the pain and anger at the government, the “pretty bad things” he’d done while really working with emerson – and the immediate need to betray his one brother in order to save the other. It was clear that whenever Emerson died, it would have to be at Tony’s hands, so it was no surprise. Though I am sorry that we’ve already lost Emerson this early in the season. He was a great villain with some depth and brilliantly played. The whole “It’s not about the diamonds, David! It’s about killin’ innocent people!” dispute showed how much Tony still cared about Emerson, how much he wanted him to know that he was not about to betray him for money.

And I think you’ll agree when I say that Emerson’s last words will have to enter 24’s Famous Last Words Hit List somewhere near the top. I felt so sorry for Tony, so damn sorry. He’s amassing this guilt in him.. I wonder how much he will be able to take before he breaks. Poor Almeida – hold on, Sweetheart, we’re there for ya!

I am certain that Tony would have wanted to find any possible way out of this without shooting Emerson, detaining him, knocking him unconscious, turning him – but he knew – during that ride in the van – that the only way out would most likely be killing him. and it was tearing at his heart. Like I said before, his reply to Jack’s asking if his history with David was going to be a problem – that he would “do what needs to be done” was a reply of his head – not his heart – and I am sure that he will on some level be blaming Jack for making him shoot David… It was eventually a choice for the mission – not necessarily a choice for Jack.

The Brotherhood is in a tough, tough place. And it’s only bound to get worse. Not only was Jack a part of the reason Tony lost Michelle – now he is also a part of the reason Tony lost Emerson… And Tony – well, he did what he did (and we still don’t know exactly what it was that he did while working on the Dark Side) – and we all know how Jack feels about people betraying his country… After all, he did swear to DEEPSKY that he WILL turn them in if they give him one reason to doubt them…

Boy, we’re in for a ride. This season has been blessed with the writers’ strike. I am so glad it has been pushed back an entire year. The payoff we’re getting is sensational.

***********
P.S.
If anyone is wondering why we’re suddenly a week behind FOX, this is after all a U.K. site, so Dan and I have decided to run with the Sky1 schedule (which is roughly a week behind FOX), so please keep your comments related to the most current article / episode aired in the U.K. and refrain from posting comments related to episodes which have not yet aired in the U.K. Thanks