Hi,
I have to agree with you on the points you picked up on, I have to admit to thinking the same thing re the kids at the time, and the high visability of the snipers... I actually found a lot of things in this episode made me pause for thought, When they said the kids would have to stay Cal says, "I was hoping you'd say that"... WHY?...Then there as that snipy remark he made at one point with the comment "whoever heard of husbands keeping secrets from their wives" and then a very pointed look at Gillian....What was that about?? Whilst you obviously have pickedup on the technical errors the writers appear to have made, I am left wondering why they also seem to have taken Lightman so out of charector in places as well. The way he seemed to be enjoying messing with loker and the kids when there is a potential disaster so close doesn't fit either. Then there is that lie to tractor man about the blue metal drum being an 'XRAY' devise... Oh please... The whole episode just seemed to be a bit off to me...