Damn them. I liked being surprised by Charles' return. Not that knowing she's back next week isn't good enough. But I'm always liking TV surprises.

Touche... you're right. I guess it's just way more noticeable now for me.

It started for me last season when Archie Gates (I think it was him) did some made-up dialogue between Chloe and Jack. The sad thing was that it was spot-on to any scenes where Jack and Chloe are on the phone to each other. I wish I had that post, just because my poor description does it no justice.

Another big thing is that 24 just came off what is widely regarded as its best season ever, with three major Emmys to back that up. To make matters worse, they started off the season with a HUGE bang (pun intended?), and haven't really went back to that level of excitement yet. A former character returned (Logan). The president is incapacitated. Jack tortures. Chloe makes a face. Nothing is as groundbreaking (in the 24 universe) as that nuclear bomb. Even another bomb going off will feel redone.

I don't know... it scares me that I typed all that, because I so want to love 24. But a show like Heroes makes me realize that 24 had an incredible run (and overall is in my top three shows of all time), but maybe it's time I obsess over something else. It started with The X-Files, it went to 24. Maybe my next definitive current fav will be Heroes.

Part of me also thinks the show should end with the theatrical movie next year (after the 7th season, I believe).

To end at season 7 would be great.

24 being the number of hours in a day.

7 being the number of days in a week.

So in essence, we saw a week (in a span of many years) in the life of Jack Bauer.

Screw it, let's go for one full year! 359 seasons to go!!

I've been sick all weekend so I started watching Season 1 (never saw 1-4, unfortunately). I'm only eight episodes in, but damn, it's so exciting and different from the current season.

Just wait until you get to the end of Season 1

It really is amazing how 24 evolved from season one. In season one, it relied a lot more on suspense with the occasional gunfight, and Jack was pretty much a family man that just happened to work for the government. Now it's a not-so-subtle shoot-'em-up action show with Jack as a superhuman agent that could put Bond to shame.

And yes, the first season finale is still probably the show's best hour, rivaled only by the season three episode with Chappelle and the season five opener. The gunfight near the beginning is also probably one of the best the show has ever had, before or since.

As much as I loved Season 5, Season 1 should have won the Emmy award for Best Drama. That year was flawless. It's probably the only season that I could sit down and watch all the way through in a day without losing interest during "filler" episodes.

I'm re-thinking my stance on Season 6. 24 has always been an ever-changing series, and Season 6 is just a whole new chapter. Without comparing it to Season 5, the 6th season is really, really good. Right now, my top five favorite shows would go like this:

5. The Colbert Report
4. The Office
3. Veronica Mars
2. 24
1. Heroes

You're missing a whole lot.

The first three seasons are all pretty great, and the fourth is good, but only really gets great near the end with the return of all the old characters.

Even so, Season One is far from perfect. Teri's amnesia, anyone?

great success

WHAT A TTWIST!?!?

you don't fuck Martha and get away with it.

Holyholyholyholy shit.

If he were to die, I couldn't think of a more fitting death.

"I should be getting a medal."

i think in this entire series, gregory itzin has been the best actor. the guy deserves a medal for his performance.

Martha saved the hour. Got the russians to agree and killed off a murderer.

oh boy next week episode looks even better.

Damn you sneak preview of next episode I need to now what happens to Logan.

Yeah the preview doesn't say what happens to him. Of course they want us to wonder and come back and see.

Seriously. Jean Smart is a funner actor to watch, but I'd say Itzen gives the more accomplished perf.

But I still love that Martha's back.She's so much fun to watch.

I doubt Charles is dead too. If they were going to kill him off, it wouldn't be as anti-climatic as in an ambulance. Right?

I think they made Martha a little too crazy for me, though watching her gain her composure and call the Russians was pretty cool.

Poor FLOTUS. She and the President were the most interesting characters last season (and considering how everyone else this season has been acting like a robot, they're *still* the most interesting characters despite only being in one episode together). But anyway, I just felt bad for her. I sort of hoped she would live happily ever after with Aaron, but instead she went completely insane, apparently.

Jean Smart is so awesome.

This episode was an improvement, but every scene not relating to the Logans dragged like no tomorrow. I'm trying to remain positive, but 24 needs to get good again, or I'll be unhappy.

Eh, I thought this episode was a little weak, at least up until she fuckin' stabbed him, and then it took off. Unfortunately, that means only like the last ten minutes or so were good. Not enough Jack and too much CTU melodrama, once again.

Oh, and it looks like there's another mole next week. Any guesses?

Funny thing this season, I actually enjoy the White House bunker shenanigans more than the CTU drama.

Martha threw pieces of kiwi at Logan before jamming his artery with a paring knife!!!!! AWESOME

I'll be sad if Smart and Itzin don't get Guest Acting nominations come July. I'll be pissed if Law and Order and other procedural clones and Boston Legal dominate the guest acting categories.

I'm really tired of the CTU scenes -- mostly because of the people left as well as the dullness that permeates the atmosphere. What is the point of the Muslim (?) girl who works there? Besides looking good, she's done nothing all season. Chloe's husband just irritates me -- please kill him! Actually you can kill Chloe now too! I was never the biggest Chloe fan to begin with, and, imo, the character has run dry.

I know these character names, but keep forgetting them; probably forgetting because there's no point in remembering. I still remember Nina's name and Sheri's name and they've been dead for years now. Honestly though, they left a good impression. I even remember Teri Bauer and I couldn't stand her character.

Charles and Martha were spot on and saved this episode. It was a decent episode, but mostly due to their corybantic soap opera insanity.