Jon Stewart took a rare break from comedy bill-of-fare to chat up Admiral Mike Mullen, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton decried the attacks on journalists in Liberation Square, and a calm prevailed on a day considered by some to be the "Day of Dread".
Today, Friday February 4th, there appears to be a stand-off - a breather - as cooler heads prevail.
And, in the wake of the shocking upheaval this past week in Cairo - where rampant violence in the streets resulted in a handful of deaths and a lot of bloodshed- accusations began to fly fast-and-furious around the globe.
Some allege that it was the Muslim Brotherhood, for example, who initiated the first attacks in Liberation Square - under the guise of being Egyptian patriots - bent on change and effecting a turn towards a much-needed political democracy in the troubled Nation.
For this reason, one anchor on Nile TV - Sharira Amin - resigned her post on the State-run Network.
"We were being asked to read press releases provided by the Department of Ministry. But, the prepared statements were rife with utter falsehoods," she confided to CNN Report Anderson Cooper in disgust in so many words.
Ms. Amin noted for the record that she felt uncomfortable about an obvious conspiracy to cover-up the truth - and likewise - was reluctant to participate in what she perceived as a betrayal to the Egyptian people.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister had the audacity to assert in one highly-publicized statement to the media, that the Government was unaware that there was any fighting going on in the streets this past week in Cairo.
How could that be?
International News Networks were broadcasting the disturbing images around the globe, after all.
In reality - critics charge that it was for this reason - that journalists were attacked in a bold-faced deceitful effort to silence voices they perceived as a threat to the sinister regime now in power.
The guilty parties appeared to be loyalists out to protect the dictatorship of sitting President Hosni Mubarak.
The attacks on reporters and human rights activists (checking the pulse of the the rights violations in Egypt) were widespread and without thought of repercussion.
In response, Secretary of State - Hillary Rodham Clinton - condemned the heinous actions of the roving marauders out to silence the voice of a critical press.
Spokesperson - Phillip J. Crowley - labelled the mistreatment an outright campaign of intimidation - one that originated from within Mubarak's inner sanctum.
"We have traced it to elements close to the government or the ruling party."
But, he stopped short of pointing an accusing finger directly at Mubarak.
"I don't know that we have a sense of how far up the chain it went."
On the so-called "Day of Departure" - a rally organized to oust Mubarak from office immediately - thousands upon thousands of protectors swarmed into Liberation Square in support of the cause.
However, most were inclined to agree, that the efforts of the few against the many amounted to a hill of beans.
Did a handful of Egyptians have much clout in the overall scheme of things?
In response, Mubarak reiterated that he would not go quietly into the night.
"I will finish out my term. And, die on Egyptian soil, if necessary."
Meanwhile, Washington took a new stance in the past forty-eight hours or so, in view of the obvious.
Instead of demanding that Mubarak step down right away, officials conceded - it would appear so, anyway - that a slower transition of power may be a more prudent way to go.
Initially, suggestions that the Vice President take over were rejected, in the alternative.
"It goes against our Constitution," one Egyptian spokesperson noted for the record.
At this juncture, thoughts turned to the military, and their role in the uprising.
When Admiral Mike Mullen made a surprise appearance on the Jon Stewart show, the comic was straight to the point.
"What role does the Military play? Can they take over?"
The Admiral noted that - thankfully - the U.S. Military and the Egyptian Military had strong ties and a mutual understanding."
"If anything, they'll enforce stability in the region, with allegiance to the people of Egypt," he appeared to be saying, if you read between the lines.
In the mainstream of public opinion, tongues wagged that President Obama was secretly crafting a plan for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to leave office in a dignified manner.
At this point in time, the administration does not appear to feel that such a plan would invite hostile - or inappropriate intrusion by the Muslim Brotherhood - as Egyptians prepare for an interim government to be installed before election-time in the fall of this year.
The New York Times reported yesterday that there has definitely been a discussion with Egyptian officials about an appropriate exit strategy.
A transitional government might be headed up by Vice President Omar Suleiman, they alleged, with the support of the Egyptian military.
Both administration officials and Arab diplomats confirmed to Times reporters that the rumors were true.
According to the Times, the proposal calls for the transitional government to invite members from the Muslim Brotherhood to open up the country’s electoral system in a deliberate effort to bring about free and fair elections in September.
Publicly, Mubarak is resisting the move, to save face.
But, ultimately, it may be the only way to end the ugly stand-off for the sake of the Egyptian people.
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