The rogue agent proves early on that he will cross any line to protect David Palmer
Summary
– Jack Bauer visited George Mason to demand source information on the Palmer hit
– Mason attempted to stall the investigation with bureaucratic red tape and arrogance
– Bauer tranquilized his superior to uncover financial leverage for blackmail
The first season of 24 wasted no time in establishing just how far Jack Bauer was willing to go to get the job done. In one of the series’ early defining moments, the Counter-Terrorist Unit agent paid a visit to District Director George Mason. Bauer was hunting for the source of the assassination threat against presidential candidate David Palmer but found himself stonewalled by agency politics.
Mason displayed his signature arrogance throughout the scene as he refused to divulge his sources to Jack. He hid behind clearance levels and authorization protocols while attempting to dismiss Bauer’s urgent requests. When Jack asked him to call their superior, Chappelle, for clearance, Mason openly mocked him by faking the conversation on the phone and calling Jack a “stupid chump” to an empty line.
Bauer quickly realized he was being played and took drastic action. He shot Mason with a tranquilizer dart in the middle of the CTU offices to knock him unconscious. With the District Director incapacitated, Jack instructed Nina Myers to access secure files regarding a past drug bust involving Philippe Darsay. This move secured the necessary evidence of embezzlement to blackmail Mason into cooperation once he woke up.
