Jack and Kate try to break Marie's resolve so they can learn the location of the bomb. Palmer confronts his ex wife with the information that Stanton gave them. George finally steps down as director of CTU and hands the position over to Tony. Kim discovers her host's deception.

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.

Jack meets with the surviving Coral Snake Commando, who demands Kate Warner in exchange for evidence about the recordings. Tony and Carrie spy on Michelle when he suspects that she is working with Jack. Mike and the Vice-President turn up the pressure on Palmer, when he expresses his doubts about the impending war.

Jack, Kate and Wallace fight to escape from a deadly band of commandos. Palmer decides to take a stronger stance against the civil unrest resulting from the bomb explosion. Tony's trust in Michelle is broken when he suspects her of betraying him. Kim's worries seem to be over when she learns the charges against her have been dropped.

Jack is captured and tortured by men who want the chip. Kate and Yusuf run into a group of angry rednecks before they can deliver the chip to CTU. Tony and Michelle share a tender moment after her brother flips out. Palmer leans towards holding off the attacks, while Lynne discovers a secret operation that the Vice-President is planning against Palmer.

Jack finds an ally who may help him escape from Kingsley's men. Lynne meets with foul play before she can warn Palmer of the conspiracy against him. Chappelle interferes with Tony's efforts to assist Jack. Kate offers her captors money in exchange for the chip.

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.

When Jack hits a dead end with his lead, he realizes he must persuade Sherry to help him get evidence against Kingsley. Things go awry at CTU when Division becomes suspicious of Chappelle's absence. Michelle goes off-site to work with Jack. Mike and Prescott ask Palmer to aid them as the bombers get closer to their targets.

Jack and Sherry Palmer prepare for a dangerous meeting with the head of the war conspiracy at the L.A. Coliseum; David Palmer sits in as the Cabinet waits for confirmation of the Cypress Chip's invalidity; the air strike on the Middle East draws nearer; the conspiracy goes to an old agent to put Palmer out of play.