Palmer, Mike and Lynne discuss various ways to dispose of the ticking bomb. They conclude that the desert is the best place to set it off. Jack determines that one man must pilot the plane carrying the bomb. He chooses to fly the plane himself and bids a tearful goodbye to his daughter. Tony and Michelle become suspicious of a Middle Eastern diplomat who is asking questions about the evidence against Syed Ali. Palmer departs for Los Angeles so he can be on hand when news of the nuclear bomb reaches the public.

Jack and Michelle question Syed Ali, who claims that the audio recordings are false. Palmer prepares to wage war against the three countries who were involved in the nuclear strike. Kim gets caught in a hostage situation. Jack is contacted by a man who wants to exchange information for Kate Warner.

Palmer's cabinet invokes the 25th Amendment in an attempt to remove him from power. They place him on trial for his extreme actions during the nuclear bomb threat. Jack and Michelle work against the clock to prove that the evidence against the Middle East is false.

Jack locates the man who forged the audio evidence, but his efforts to break him down are sabotaged by Sherry Palmer, who has a hand in the conspiracy. Kim returns to the Matheson home, where she discovers that her problems are far from over. Palmer searches for an ally who will help him get a message out to CTU. Tony and Michelle take Chappelle out of action when he hinders their efforts to help Jack.

Jack and Hector both search for Kyle, while Chase finds himself out of action at CTU.

Wayne and Palmer argue over the implications of Anne's past, while Ramon takes out one of his opponents in a surprise move.

Tony leads an operation to get Kyle, but tragedy strikes when Salazar's man gets there first.

Michelle is torn by personal and professional obligations when she must take charge of CTU after Tony is wounded.

Kyle and Linda are captured by Hector's men.

Jack and Palmer have a secret conversation, leading Jack to take drastic action in the face of the Salazars' threat. But Jack's plans are complicated when Chase gets in the way.

Anne pushes Palmer back onto moral ground in the face of her ex-husband's blackmail scheme.

Ramon holds Jack hostage as he flies to Mexico. Ramon plans to kill Jack, but Jack manages to hold him at bay until the plane lands. Ramon then learns that Jack and Hector are working together to break him out of prison.

Gael is captured while trying to escape from CTU. Chappelle interrogates Gael but is interrupted by Tony, who claims that Gael is part of a bigger plan.

Anne is given a chance to clear Palmer's name, while Chase heads for Mexico to rescue Jack.

Palmer and Chappelle view a message from Jack, explaining his undercover work with the Salazars. Meanwhile, Hector tries to convince Ramon that they should deal with Bauer so that they can get their hands on the virus.

Jack has a private moment with Claudia and she blasts him for leaving her behind when he arrested Ramon.

Chase arrives in Mexico, but is captured by Hector's men. Ramon devises a way for Jack to prove his loyalty to them.

Anne manages to clear Palmer's name, but she breaks off her relationship with him.

Saunders begins making demands on the President. He forces Palmer to hold a strange press conference and then orders the death of the CTU agent who can trace him.

Jack learns of a woman who can lead him to Saunders, but a surprise attack shifts the balance of power.

As Gael's symptoms get worse, Michelle devises a way to relieve the suffering of the victims at the hotel.

Jack and Chase race against time to capture Saunders before the deadline, while Chappelle plans an escape.

Michelle begins a frantic search when she learns that an infected hotel guest may have slipped through her fingers.