1. Jack needs a protege.  Yes, we 20-something viewers need a young go-get'em Jack to relate too.  Plus, Jack is old enough that he needs a younger him to go on some of the dangerous field ops so he can have some more breakdowns.  They were on to something in season three with Chase.  
2. Enough with the Nuclear Bombs. I think they've played out the whole "nuclear bomb" idea and the whole president waging war on another country.  Shows don't have to have "big consequences" to be taken seriously.
3. Step away from the Presidency.  The writer's have definitely played out the presidency card.  They need to explore other politically charged positions like the DOD or the Supreme Court.
4. Remember the Time Paradigm.  Episodes now begin a mini-mission and end it within an hour.  although this is pretty exciting and cleverly executed, the show has lost most of the 'real-time' draw where someone actually does something that takes a realistic amount of time (for example take a minute to get coffee or eat).
5. Go global.  It's time the show took a plot beyond the US perspective and went oversea to look at the global impact of terror threats and their affects.  My suggestion would be to break up the season into 3 arcs that take place in three different global locations tied together.

The Best/Worst (yes they are both the same this week)

• Bad Father Figures: Could this be where Jack learned all his cut throat tactics?  So far i'm really not too impresed with the jack's actual dad in the show (see the coined phrase from last season) as he's fairly old and decrepid.  Call me harsh, but Henderson was a lot more old gen Bauer if you ask me.

Things I refuse to Ignore

• When in Doubt:  You can always count on the guys at fox for one thing each season (and twice if Kim's involved) - a good old fashion kidnapping.  You'd think they'd have some personal training as part of their "Hostile 101" training course - i mean at least have a can of mace or something.  you track TERRORISTS for crying out loud.

The million dollar question on everyone's mind - including my own - has been, "can this brother of jack's be a match against Jack Almight?"  Does he have the mental fortitude to take on our hero in season six?  Will He-Man Jack finally meet another arch-nemesis the likes of Nina Meyers?  As much as i hope he does - and hope its Graem - it seems like his long lost brother is a cringer instead of a mighty battle cat.  Then again, leave it to fox to throw in a last minute twist this week to keep us on the edge as the clock beats up to the top of the hour.

The Best

• There's Still Hope: The head of the Bland Bluetooth Gang may actually have enough backbone to take on Jack . . . and his dad!  Will wonders never cease.

The Worst

• Black Mail in the White House: Okay, enough is enough. How can we expect that Karen, after last season's battles with Miles the type-casted snake, to so easily cave under the vague threats of The Weasel?
• Hook, Line, and Sinker:  Looks like Milo's doing a little fishing for a lady called Nadia.  Anyone else seeing this?  I just hope his "i'll do all you're homework" lines work.  By the end of the day i predict we'll be seeing a little chemistry in this classroom.

Things I refuse to Ignore: Missing Persons: Calling all cars

Is it just me or is 24 sounding more and more like Days of our Lives after this week's episode? With some long lost Bauer's uncovered and more sappy "are you okay, dears" from the numerous wedded ones - i'm wondering if the guys at fox have gone soft on us. Then i remember Walid's sacrificial undercover beating and i'm jolted back into the espionage of the Counter Terrorist Unit.

The Best

• Jack's Never Too Busy: Even after a nuclear bomb exploding in California, Jack still has time to climb an impaired house to rescue a news reported from a dangling chopper only so the said reporter can return at 8:00pm to say we should impeach the president.
• Skeletor Incarnate: Looks like He-Man's arch nemesis has been reincarnated into an terrorist in California (the likes of Fayed) - how befitting. I'd recognize those strong cheek bones anywhere.
• Family Ties: If meeting Jack's brother wasn't enough of a joyous occasion, we got to see how strong these family ties really were as jack does the most heartwarming of traditions - tying up and torturing his beloved! I can't wait to see "Graem's" reciprocity when the long lost son story is out of the bag.
  

The Worst

• Walid's Series of Unfortunate Events: The fact he's behind enemy lines is unbelievably bad enough. But to add his honey's over the fence regurgitation of overused, underdeveloped dialogue and you've got a terrible use of  these character's depth.  Hopefully we'll see these two get back in the political ring where they belong.

• 5 Seasons of Foreplay: After five seasons of near-successful terrorist attacks it looks like the terrorists will finally score big.  Major kudos for the plot on this one.  Just don't tell me that all 4 of the other nukes are in LA . . .
• Pedestrian Rage: How freakin raw was Mr. Dad's headbashing stint at the Terrorists 'R Us shop?  Too bad this guy vaporized in the nuke or we could've had a potential mini-jack walking around.

The Worst

• White Castle Terrorist: I don't care what you say, "Ahmed" is the pansiest terrorist i've ever seen.  And was it just me or was he wearing lipstick?  I'm a little dissapointed he died an unhumiliating death in the ambulance - a proper headshot via Fayed while cowering for mercy would've been more suitable role for this cry baby.

Yes, my friends that is all.  i don't normally blog this much and frankly i think it's giving me a headache.

• Family Ties:  Hello Sandra.  Not since Sherry have we seen a gutsy in-your-face woman ready to take charge and play hard ball with the president.  Can you imagine those two at Thanksgiving?  What i wouldn't give to spend the holidays with the Palmers circa (2000 -  before the Julia massacre of '03). 
• Bite Sized Escapes: Jack takes a solid bite our of crime and that poor guys trachea.  Not since the Decapitator Jack pulled that suprise primary witness barter has a season opener been so bloody raw!
• What happens in CTU stays in CTU: Jack's faded whisper telling Curtis to keep Audrey and Kim out of the sacrificial loop.  Well, at least this way Chloe can tell them in her usual sensitive way.
• Redneck Rally: The age old question - do you root for the redneck who suspects a Muslim for being a terrorist?  Or the misunderstood Muslim? What if the stereotype ends up being true?  oh, the dilemma.  Looks like they are pulling out some big guns this season.  Prepare for another Jack Bauer after show peace-keeping commentary.
• Breakdown: Although i am a raging fan of and Jack-always-knows-best - it's quite refreshing to see him portrayed more dynamically this season and given some humanity amidst all the relentless action.  I'm talking about that sad moment when Torturous Jack was unsuccessful at getting the "vital knowledge" from key contact to primary antagonist (see also the mundane 24 cycle).

The Worst

• Missing - White House Staples: Looks like Carl finally took that long overdue vacation.  Other then Jack, he's the only other main character to survive 5 seasons of terror.  (Aaron, although alive through all seasons is not what i consider a main character.)
• The Lame Get-Away: Jack's effortless flee from the sewer hideout into a very nice and well parked vehicle.  What ever happened to the terrrorists who track cell phone signals?
• Introducing the Weasel:  Move over type-casted Snake here comes the wallowing weasel, Tom.  The next evolutionary stage of bad guys pretending to be good and who look stupid doing it.  Although not as slithery as Miles, i think this Tom is going to be twice as weasely - kinda like Logan, only i'm sure he'll repeat himself a lot. 

• Holy Matrimony:  Looks like everyone's getting hitched (or re-hitched) around here.  Karen and Bill, Chloe and Morris, there was even a cameo by Wayne's left ring finger (with a solid gold band).  Despite past homicidal lovers Wayne has managed to find a suitable first lady - dare i even speculate?
• Bluetooth Back?  I heard a rumor that the head of the Bland Bluetooth Group from last season will be back to reek a little havok.  I hate these guys.  Really i do, they pale in comparision to the kind of top level villians i expect from a 6 season action show (see previous comments).

• New Directions: Thank God, Wayne Palmer is back as a primary character.  (And i freakin mean that - praise Jesus!)  I love this guy.  Not only is he back on as a regular but as the new President.  I'll admit that's a little hokey, but i'm too stoked to be critical at this moment.  Now if we can only get Evelyn as his aid . . .
  
• Farwell to the Farce: What a joke the Logans were (primarily the Mr.)  They only signed on as 'guest stars' this season *phew*.  Although i wouldn't mind a little of that crazy Martha storyline they quickly nixed at the beginning of Season 5.  For the record, Martha looked just fine as a frosted wedding cake.
  
• The Long Lost CTU Elf: Holy cow, do my eyes deceive me?  No, that's little Milo, back from Season 1.  He's no Edgar, for sure, but I always thought this guy's part was short lived.  Looks like we'll have a full 24 hours of Milo this time around.  Sweet.

• The Serpent's Missing: I hear no rumors of Miles returning for a second helping of selfish ambition?  What are we to do in the meantime?  I was really hoping that they'd bring this guy around with a paraplegic grandmother or autistic daughter to add a little depth to his one-dimension of evil.

So long for now, until Season 6 ensues!  In case you are dying of curiosity, check out the Season 6 Trailer!

1. Audrey's Henderson take down:  Sometimes it's the thought that counts - especially when you are holding a gun to someone's bloody face.  She didn't pull the trigger but she's definitely ambitious enough to play kill-a-terrorist with Jack.  Let the wedding ensue - i give my blessing.
2. The Curtis/Wayne Conspiracy:  Finally, Curtis is back and on the right team!  But it’s at the expense of Wayne - AGAIN!  Anyone else know what's going on here?  We've never seen the two of them in the same room together . . . and there's always a phone booth aptly placed nearby.
3. Chloe-Guyver: We all knew she was good with a desktop but now I'm convinced that Chloe could take down a scud missile with a paperclip, rubber band, two pencils, and an electromagnetic current while under a palm tree in Fiji.
4. Get this Woman a Drink: Kudos to Karen for finally joining the Jack Bauer boat.  But more kudos to the writers for finally getting a solid antagonist smart enough to combat with Jack and still have integrity.

1. The Bland Bluetooth Group:  What a lame excuse for bad guys (see Season 1's inner sanctum, where at least they wore cigar jackets and sat around a large table in a picturesque Victorian library - those were masterminds).  Get baldy a smoke at least.
2. Stupid Stand-In Suits: Although Jack is the new 007, must we really have to ignore the fact that the security guards searched every external corner of the truck-a-la-Jack EXCEPT the top where our fearless hero hid?  You’ve got an eleven foot pole with mirror on the end - use it for crying out loud.
3. Say it ain't so: Farewell Heller, who made a testosterone-induced decision to live life on the edge - or over the edge really.  Thelma and Louise eat your heart out - Heller did it at night - without looking - into a river!

• Actually, I’m tired of remembering things.  I don't think Heller is dead though: no body means you aren't dead in TV land.

• Chloe's blackmail therapy: Props to Dr. Dev's on fly diagnosis of Sheri's nerosis.  Somehow Chloe's always got the skinny with extra bluntness to make most serious of offenses seem selfish (remember the 'get over it Kim' comment?) 
• CTU Underground: Welcome to the real CTU!  It's about time we saw Bill again, too.  Just when we thought Fox had nix'ed the only real suitable Director of CTU they ever had.  But now he's back to  launch CTU Underground.  I wonder who else is hiding there? 
• The Mystery of the Vanishing Secret Service Agent: Is Aaron cheating on Martha whose cheating on Logan?  Who would've thought White House love could get so complicated!  At least now Martha can make 1-900 calls without having to pay $1.99/minute.

 Worst Parts:

• Judgement Calls: So if you're tied to some steaming hot pipes and there's a cutting device two feet away, would you burn your own skin to melt the ropes or kick the nearby shears and use those to cut yourself free?  You guessed it!  Burn your own flesh.  He's Jack Bauer guys - if it doesn't cause pain, he's not doing it.
• Doing Bloody Nothing: Okay, so i know you are in shock Audrey but don't just stand there while you bleed to death.  Block your open artery!  You can recompose yourself after being tortured in 3 minutes but you can't think to stop your own self from bleeding to death*. 
• Heller forgetting his Talkboy: The vast general public can understand that, maybe in Jack's haste, he forgot to create a duplicate copy of the "evidence" but Heller!  I thought you knew better then to give it to some nameless suite, who like the rest of all extras dies in crossfire next to Jack.
• Anything Miles-the-type-casted-snake related: For the love of sanity, balance the hissing in this man.  Give him some dying loved one or handy-capped daughter to humanify him!  Anything to add some variety to his character.  Watching him is like eating kindergarten paste. 

 Things i refuse to Ignore:

• They really killed Edgar: I just miss the guy.  I mean, he was the only real person who could argue with Chloe on her level.
• Logan is too stupid to be a mastermind: Give him better lines and more shifty dialogue, but he's still not smart enough to be a super-criminal - let alone the president.  Wait, what's the difference?
• Cummings: His death in episode 7 was left hanging . . . litereally.
• Where's Mandy? We haven't seen her yet.  Could there be a greater evil lurking in the woods outside the White House Compound?  Fox only has 6 episodes left!

* My vote was to let her die, it's been too long since Jack's been heartbroken (13 hours and counting).  I still stand in my prediction that she will fall to the Grim Reaper soon.   

1. Wayne has survived another episode: My thanks to Fox for making this all possible (again)!  It may have cost another primary character his spotlight (Curtis) but then again it looked like Curtis would never have a decent plot line anyways.  Come to think of it, we haven't seen Curtis since the Gas Company Recovery 3 hours ago . . . maybe he got a hint from Palmer and is selling car insurance.
2. Gadner's suprise turn to the Light Side: I know he still looks shifty-eyed and needs to tame a little brow, but after all is said and done, he's got some good light side - dark side conflict potential.
3. Return of James Heller: He didn't leave much of an impression from last season, but we'll see if this bring-your-daddy-to-work day can do some damage to the messed up white house dminstration.

1. Farewell, Bank Manager: We never knew you, but that never stopped a good natured freedom fighter from getting killed by terrorist crossfire (especially if you are standing next to Jack).
2. Uh, what's Technology? Hmm, so even though Jack's got a a magic bag of imaginary hero tools (see previous entry) he still can't think of uploading (or merely calling Chloe to record) the tape recorded "evidence" he's found? Oh, that's right.  It wouldn't be Jack if he didn't have to run through an artillery of gun fire at ten till the hour - EVERY HOUR!
3. Cheesey-Quasi-Weak-Sauce Love: Yeah, i'm talking about the completely unconfirmed ambigous glances that Martha and Aaron give each other.  Go big or go home, come on.  Wayne would've made a move by now (and even resorted to nixing the hubby via his determined sister-in-law).

Things i refuse to Ignore:

• Evelyn's open-ended death:  Did Henderson kill her or is she still alive with her daughter?  I'm hoping there's still time for a Wayne and Evelyn moment.  My hero!
• Shari's (the new girl) accusations: We never found out if she was really sexually assaulted by the type-casted snake.  Or is she just parnoid - you can never be too sure at CTU . . .

Yes, this is shorter then most of my other rants, but that is only because this was a filler-episode where nothing really major happens and it's just to hold you over until another key player dies or becomes part of the conspiracy.

1. Wayne has survived another episode: Special thanks to Fox and the writers for granting mercy to this man.  It's about time this oval office got some backbone.  He's pretty handy with a gun too!
2. Chloe's Clone - Zoey: Did anyone else think it was pretty creepy when Chloe's 'replacement' came up to talk with her?  It was like she was standing in a mirror.  Hmmmm, i smell a long lost twin spinoff . . .
3. Henderson's 'bad': Yeah, i'm diggin this bad guy.  Finally we see what Jack would be like in 20 years and fighting for the dark side - or is he fighting for good?  ahh, i can't tell anymore.
4. Evelyn:  What can i say, i like her! I'm glad she finally got a stronger part and sub plot.  Now if we could just get th writers to look in Curtis's direction!

Worst Parts:

1. Henderson's Escape: How the heck does the ONE man of 10 that you are trying to isolate and kidnap getaway - in your own vehicle!!  Oh, yeah.  he is another personification of jack and has jack's amazing abilities to get out of any tight situation. does he have jack's gift for healthy relationships?
2. Miles the type-casted snake:  how can this slithering know-nothing have a job at homeland?  Wouldn't someone in his position be better versed at diplomatic methods of reaching a desired outcome (like Logan??).  I hope he dies next because he does nothing and wastes time we could be watching jack shoot people.
3. Where's Martha?  Is she coming back?  Has she gone crazy again?  personally, i like wedding cakes.
4. Logan (dun, dun, dun, duuuun): All i have to say is the writers better know what the heck they are doing because Logan is by far the dumbest mastermind ever.  His only redeeming quality would be if he actually killed walter in the beginning but that only lends itself to a whole slew of other questions. 

Things i refuse to forget about:

• Jack's Promise: he better make good on the solemn promise to the German agent guy.  it cost the poor sap his girl (who is probably strangling him right now)!
• Spencer: He should've had a longer run at CTU.  He was the only 'normal' programmer and now that Edgar's dead can't he use his computer?
• Martha and Aaron's long passionate kiss:  Okay, it was more like a long passionate hand-holding but still there hasn't been a real relationship blossom this season. Wayne meet Evelyn i know she's got a daughter but . . . .

There will be more, you just wait . . . .

Is there anyone out there who DIDN'T like Monday's twist-and-turn plot oriented 24?  I'll be honest, i was a little surprised that the action took a back seat and needless killing was on hiatus, but the episode that graced my friend Brendan's HDTV was long overdue.  i'd even begun to think that 24 had turned into a glorified made-for-tv-movie version of Die Hard.

Finally, we're beginning to see a few characters who don't get killed 3 seconds after giving up the vital info.  Is it so much to want a little more character then a tall dark and shady informant who speaks in an unknown accent?  24 needs some new super-criminals who can give Jack a run for his money - his job is getting a little routine for me.   

Let me explain the mundane cycle:

Let me also re-cap for you some of the curious and odd mishaps that took place this week: 

• "Jack's Dad" (aka Henderson) has been a great twist but where on earth did he go?  Just when we thought Jack was the only man alive able to withstand torture, the badass walked out of CTU without so much as a parting care.  Apparently he only stays long enough to screw up Jack's life . . . but i guess that means he'll be back when the Audrey Reines setup is exposed . . . hmmmmm.
• Double-Agent Stroller's got potential.  Finally, some friendly international competition who can give Jack a run for his money.  Oh, wait.  I forgot Jack has a bag of imaginary hero-tools that give him the edge over anyone in any situation.  How in the world do you program a memory card to catch on fire and explode? Chris (from Xbox) i give you this one.
• Props to the new head of CTU from Homeland.  it is nice to finally see someone from higher up understand they can't battle Jack over protocol.  You'd think they'd have a special memo circulate around "division" about how to deal with Jack Bauer.
• Which leads me to another lingering question - will Buchanan ever get his job back?  I think we've seen him actually run CTU for two episodes.  Which reminds me, i'm stoked squeaker McGill has finally choked.
• And welcome back Wayne.  Your divided loyalties in previous seasons as well as impulsive love affairs brought a level of personal drama this season has been lacking.  But i have a feeling you will die.  Of course it won't be until you barely deliver the encrypted data you brought and uncover the white house mole (note: the formula above also works with informants, just replace "terrorists" with "good guys" and eliminate torture).

1. Welcome back Toni and Kim!  It seems there is a natural karma in 24.  As we welcome old friends back to CTU we will inevitably be saying good-bye to new ones.  I was just starting to look forward to the new brunette programmer.
   
2. Kudos to Kim's understandable bitterness towards her father, but more kudos to Chloe's harsh "your dad is saving America so get over it" comment. 
   
3. Terrible idea to put a random unsubstantiated love interest between Martha and Aaron.  Like all ideas in the show it starts and ends in less than an hour.  Not only were the characters completely platonic in all their previous interactions, but it looked like the writers just as quickly scrapped the taboo love in lieu of a Martha and Mike old friends with favors storyline. Now, if they start holding hands then i'm going to gather signatures for the original martha is looney option.
   
4. I am helpless fool for returning characters and sorted pasts.  prequels are the new sequels . . .
   
5. Speaking of Sequels - What made the entire episode worthwhile: The X-Men 3 five minute trailer!  Knocked my socks off.   if you didn't catch it, google it!

Until i get more free time to rant . . .

1. When people get knocked out or drugged they are always 'back in action' in less then 5 minutes.  What happened to having brief cut scenes where a main character was shown lying knocked out on the ground for awhile??  Let's not loose the whole premise of the show on this one.  What makes 24 great is the real life suspense.  Get rid of that and we might as well give Jack superpowers and technologically advanced vehicles (as we've all done for the now comicbook-like 007)
2. Is Mrs. President crazy or not?  What happened to her face looking like a cake and being nutz in the beginning?  I have a lingering suspicion this was one of those dumb story line ideas that got canned but never tied up.  A critics worse nightmare.
3. Can we stop killing EVERYONE please?  I know it is expected that whichever lead CTU is following will eventually get shot on a rooftop by terrorists and die but i think it's time to begin brainstorming other ways of continuing the storyline.  Killing your leads is now becoming the answer lazy writers are using to get out of doing their job.  Kill it (the idea, not the characters)!

Okay, well i don't want to become a huge blog-crazed person just yet so i guess i'll hold off for a while.  Stay tuned and i'll have more annoying criticisms for next week.