Back to 24. I had such high hopes for this season. I thought they figured out that they were off the reservation the past couple of seasons. I was excited about the move to NYC. But really, they hardly show anything having to do with NYC other than a map. So why move there? How about some scenes in more recognizable locations like Central Park, Times Square, etc. So that's bummer number 1. The other bummer is the absurd side plot with her character. Major waste of time. Was it just some excuse to get her into the show? If it doesn't advance the main plot, no matter how absurd the main plot, what's the point of wasting time, money, and energy on it.

Now had it been Chloe, I would have been fine with it =P
(Apologies to Chloe fans)

And in my opinion this show hit the shitter when Jack shot Ryan Chappele to make amends to the bad guys. A hero should never do that.

The parole officer guy really gets me. He is so persistent and has craaaazy eyes. This is the trap of the real time format. You don't have freedom to have events happen at times that make sense. That have to need to take place as the story develops even if that means stupid o'clock in the morning.

"24" was quite good for a long time. If you like the genre, I can recommend the first five seasons, to varying degrees. Obviously there are problems along the way (absurdity must be expected and often embraced), but it is a very well-made action show that at its best posed interesting dilemmas for its characters. Given the sheer number of episodes, I'm surprised they were able to sustain the show as long as they did.

The latest development is even worse. What cop calls people up at three in the morning, and demands that they speak right now? And Dana/Jenny gets caught in the dumbest lie ever:

Dana: "I've never heard of Kevin"

Cop: "Oh really then why did he call you several times?"

I mean, where the hell did he get your number from? Why else would he call you at three in the freaking morning if he didn't know that Kevin had called you? It might be nitpicking, but the Dana character has been so idiotic this season.

Like you said Jammer, its criminal to waste an actress like Katee Sackhoff on this nonsense.

I stopped following 24 after season three, because I thought they emptied there bag of tricks. Casual torture and betrayal just didnt cut it anymore for me, 24 clearly lost it's edge. Today, this show seems to be more about contractual obligations than, you know, the actual show.

This reminds me of the "X-Files", another show that overstayed it's welcome by at least two seasons. There is an interesting quote by Chris Carter on the tanked ratings in the final season: "We lost our audience on the first episode. It's like the audience had gone away, and I didn't know how to find them. I didn't want to work to get them back because I believed what we are doing deserved to have them back." (via wikipedia). It sounds like the 24 production crew has the same mindset, just waiting for the fans to suddenly realize how great the show really is, Walsh-plot and all.

[/rant] P.S. you should post a blog about 24 so I can rant about the Dana Walsh subplot that refuses to die. Just when you think its gonna end, they come up with more lame shenanigans next episode. [rant/]

"And now to pop several caps in your ass:"

Not your best literary device.