Former Good Guy Tony Almeida Turns Bad
24 Fans Left Reeling After Latest Developments
Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) has been on the show for six seasons working beside Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) on his quests to save the world
He married Michelle (Reiko Aylesworth), and was charged with treason. After having Michelle die in his arms after a car exploded, he ‘died’ in Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland)’s after being attacked by a terrorist.
Tony’s Season #7 Storyline
After his apparent death he was revived and went to work for mercenaries out of Sangala. The season’s first scenes saw him emerging from the shadows a darker character than when he left. This time he was clearly up to no good, stealing a device that allows him to control the flow of air traffic, nearly causing a crash between two passenger jets.
The FBI and Jack Bauer (Sutherland) arrested Tony, and Bauer interrogated him. Eventually it was revealed Tony was working undercover with Bill Buchanan (James Morrison) and Chloe (Mary-Lynn Rajskub) to stop an even bigger threat to national security. Jack helps Tony escape the FBI, and they begin working together. Throughout the season Jack questions Tony’s loyalties forcing viewers to question them too.
Tony did enough to convince Jack he’s returned to the good side. He gave up his contacts and promised Jack he’d pay for his crimes after the threat has been contained. Last episode he blew up missiles carrying a bio-toxin that were aimed at American cities.
Tony Turns Evil, Sparks Debate Among Fans
We’re now 18 episodes into the season- six from the end of Jack Bauer’s seventh horrible day. Long time fans know usually Jack and his team have located the bad guys and are about to catch them. Not this season.
Last episode Tony gave himself up into FBI Agent Larry Moss (Jeffery Nordling)’s custody, and one of the bad guys managed to escape. The F.B.I. chase the escaped terrorist, and eventually corner him in an industrial area. A gun battle unfolds and ends as Larry is shot. Tony suffocated him to death, and tells the terrorist to lie low somewhere, and he’ll contact him.
Tony Almeida had completed the turn from good guy to bad. It has sparked spirited debate among fans. Some believe he actually is evil- he was never in it for the greater good, lied to Jack about being ready to pay for his crimes. Others want to believe he’s working on some deep cover operation and will eventually turn out to be a good guy.
This viewer sees it as a brilliant twist you didn’t see coming. You’re tuning in this season questioning Tony’s loyalty like Jack. Finally convinced he is a good guy you stop questioning, and start cheering for him. And then the writers pull the switch. A show that keeps viewers guessing like that is priceless when you can so easily read spoilers on the web.
The episodes airing now were shot a few months ago. In a recent interview given to theL.A. Times Carlos Bernard hinted his alter-ego’s motivation may have something to do with his wife’s death: “I think he’s motivated by still being stuck in a place of anger and resentment.”
Is Tony Almeida undercover to solve a plot against national security? Or is he a good guy turned bad? Tune into the final 6 episodes beginning Monday at 9pm on Fox to find out.
Carlos Bernard as Tony Almeida
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