24 This Week: 4/17/06

Dude! Okay, so the show is BACK! "24" is kicking on all cylinders again and last night's episode demonstrated again why we keep tuning in each year. Great balance of intrigue, drama, action, conflict...tell your friends! Here's my random thought in watching last night's show: Remember when Startac cell phones came out and they were the hot thing and you saw them then appear in every TV show/film known to man? Now Razors have taken over. I can hear the commercial now: "When the leader of the free world wants to make clandestine dealings to known terrorists to secure oil for America, there's only one phone he'll use. The Motorola Razor: now in silver and black...and pink. Get one and destroy the world today!" Gotta love product placement. :) And now...

What have we learned this week:

--That again actor Gregory Itzin was PERFECT as a choice for President Logan. We think he's a boob, then we think he's diabolically evil, and now you see a little of the...the best word I can come up with is "cowardice" creep back in. He's definitely more manipulative and savvy than we thought, but you see the side now where he's not sure his little machinations will hold up and how long until he's found out and a goner. And the scene with Mike Novick where he's questioning him about his search for Jack--I honestly didn't know if Logan might do something to Mike. There were a couple of times I thought he'd grab something and beat him (okay, just knock him out, but he's crazy, right? :) It's a testiment to what Itzin's done with the character that you actually think he can be a man of action now; Logan's got some chops, he's dangerous! But great acting job. I wonder if they knew this in casting him last season, where they would take Logan and that's why they chose him.

--that Jack Bauer is, once again, The Man with a capital MAN and you shouldn't go against him. Exhibit A: Secretary Heller taking Jack and Audrey out once they present the evidence. HELLO! As pointed out by my homeboy C. Young, Heller worked with Jack, trusted Jack, knows Jack is the man, yet goes against his advice and does the complete opposite in confronting Logan. Come on, man! You've been a politician long enough to know you guys can't be trusted! And that Logan will hold onto his power no matter what rather than "step down quietly." According to the scenes from next week, Jack tells Heller he feels betrayed by him and rightly so. Let's see a little Jack Bauer justice go on where Heller is concerned. And Exhibit B: Jack is James Bond, McGyver, and freakin' Chuck Norris put together. My man burns his wrists to get out of bindings, subdues the guard, gets in a firefight he survives, and saves the life of the woman he loves as she's bleeding to death. This is after a day of running out of a gas building where chemicals are being set off, evading arrest a gazillion times, surviving mutiple firefights, and surviving possible exposure to a nerve gas in CTU. Jack for President, baby....

--that speaking of bindings, TV prisoner rules are still in effect. In the history of television drama, there are just stupid things you have to do as a captor in dealing with your intended victim-- reveal the whole of your nefarious plot to them...not kill them immediately upon telling them your nefarious plot...not make sure there is nothing the prisoners can use as a means of escape (especially frisking them and taking any knives or even paperclips away) ...leaving the most inept guards you have on staff to guard said prisoners so they can subdue them and get away. And so we have last night, the dreaded guard peeks in to check on prisoners then stands watch. NOOOOOO! You always keep your eyes on the prisoners! What else do you have to do? Seriously. There may be that commando unit coming to save them, but guess what? They're coming to save the prisoners, you know where they're going. You either stand in the cell/empty room/torture room with the prisoner and watch them all the time or at least one guard watch them through the door constantly and the other look out for any rescue attempt. Ah, gotta love TV prisoner rules...

--that Audrey's having a freakin' day from hell. The love of your life returns from being dead, you think he's killed, you're tortured, and now this nutjob has cut your artery and you're bleeding to death. But Audrey is a quality woman: she yells for Jack to forget about her and keep the evidence--and honestly I didn't know which he'd do--but to make that kind of sacrifice...she's been reading my blog, too :) Jack, if she also unlocks the door for you as you come around to the driver's side in a car, that Audrey's a keeper. When you disappear yet again at the end of this season, you'd better take her with you.

--that the Red Shirt Death Tally is up to, what, 100 now in the course of this season alone? Heller's man is in the same position Jack is under the wheel of a plane in a firefight, but he gets shot. Jack's unharmed. People, again, read the blog....if you are with Jack Bauer, and you're not a character we love or love enough we'll miss when they die, you are history. Don't even pull out the gun and shoot back or run to the car where you and Jack will supposedly make a getaway. Accept your fate. You're a goner.

--The "twang" soundtrack is back and it, indeed, does sound like a soundtrack for Chloe. Don't like it. Please return to the haunting melodies and occasional maracas when there's tension. Don't get fancy.

--that Chloe would make the worst magician in the world. The slight of hand in taking Miles' key card as he left her cell? Come ON! He couldn't see that?! I mean, I guess I should be glad she didn't do the cliche of coming on to him or anything, but this was so blantantly bad and obvious. But it got Chloe out of the cell, and that's all that counts, right? And was it just me, or did I sense sparks when she reached Bill Buchanon's house? Hmmm, Bill and Chloe sittin' in a tree....

--and speaking of sittin' in a tree, Martha Logan got awfully close to Aaron when she was trying to get him to tell her why Heller was there. "You can trust me, Aaron...you know that." I tell you, that Martha Logan's a naughty little minx playing her two men like she's doin'. Secret lovers, yeah, that's what they are/trying so hard so they can't see/but we both belong to someone else...

--Chloe O'Brien Line of the Week: when Jack says, "Our government has no integrity...." and then pauses and finishes with the rest talking about Logan. Hmmm, you think they might be trying to say something there underneath about our current real-life administration? Hmmmm....

So next week, what the heck happened to Aaron in meeting Martha? The way they shot it made it seem like we were watching someone watching Martha, but then....nothing happened other than her finding the phone. Has our favorite Secret Service agent gone too far and gotten taken out? And I brought this up to peeps, and the lovely Laura C. had theories as well when we talked, but what do you think happened to Evelyn, the First Lady's aide, after she told Henderson where Jack was? They still haven't answered that this week. I think he killed her and her daughter. He's not the type to leave loose ends, but I am curious. I hope they address it at some point before the end. And now that he's disgraced, what can Heller do now? And I've got to say, a hero is only as good as his adversary and in Henderson, they've created a great villain for Jack. The only thing that could make it better is if they could really go at it in a physical matchup [but come on, for real, Keifer would kick Robocop's ass], but as far as minds, Henderson has been Jack's equal and then some. Cutting Audrey to slow Jack down as he escaped? Brilliant! No one since Nina Myers has there been someone more diabolical and Jack's equal. I'll shed a tear when Jack plugs him full of lead :) Next week, come on, get here soon! It's gettin' good, I can't wait!

Oh, and blatant plug of the week: for those of you who tuned in Sunday night to see Grey's Anatomy and were greeted with "What About Brian," I hope you gave it a shot. It actually is pretty good. It airs on Mondays 10pm and it's been described as the male Felicity, and I can see that, but in watching it, I think they totally capture what it's like for young couples (and the obligatory single friend) in their late 20s/early 30s. I can see each of my friends in each of the characters. I know I have a lot of TV, too, and don't wanna add onto the plate, but this one is worth it....

24 This Week: 4/10/06

Ooooh, it's getting good now! This was another typical filler/exposition episode, but I felt it was a superior one. This shows they can do those epiosodes in an intriguing way where, in the past, the episodes have been kind of boring if no one died we loved or there wasn't flamethrowers. Come on people! We know 24 is never boring! And what about that President Logan? Not since Edward Norton in "Primal Fear" have I been as impressed with a performance where a character acts one way and then turns a corner another way. Props to actor Gregory Itzin, you snowed me and are playing the duality to a "T." I'll say it: they played me, they played us. The creative team made Logan so utterly incompetent in the beginning of the season, there was no way he could be the bad guy, but now that we've turned that corner, they're showing a little of the bumbling facade to everyone else, but now letting us in on the true nature of the Prez. I'm still sort of calling bull--- on them making him the villain, but this week's episode did a lot to lead me on the path of believability. Now....

What have we learned this week:

--That CTU has finally gotten smart and gets sneaky....but it's actually Homeland Security AND they're getting sneaky about catching Jack. Finally someone gets that oh, he LOVES AUDREY. AUDREY WILL LEAD US TO JACK. So I see, it takes a new bunch of people not affiliated with being a clandestine anti-terrorist agency to act like spies. Go figure.
I do like, however, that Audrey gets sneaky on her own and puts the tracker on the truck. Nice touch.

--we've learned how to properly rob a bank. So all you kids out there a little strapped for cash, here's what you do: go on the web, find out the president of a really nice bank you like, follow him home, don't listen to that hogwash about he can't access the bank after hours, get him to let you in, and voila, you have access to mas moola! It's so easy! Dear God, I hope in reality it is not that easy and that the writers took a little artistic license there. But the first news report I hear from Podunk, Iowa, about Johnny trying a bank heist scheme he saw on "24," I'm saying I told you so.

--that Miles really is beginning to annoy the hell out of me and become my new most hated character on 24. These creative guys are good. They do the unimaginable and make Logan interesting and know they have to fill the Well of Incompetent Jerks with a new guy..."Hey, let's make Miles a jerk!" someone bellows at the writer's table. Brilliant. Now I want Chloe to take Miles out, ASAP.

-- Quote of the week #1: Aaron after the First Lady asks him if he's alright-- "I'm just a little battle worn, ma'am." And that look she gave him after he said that? Looks like she wants to tend to those wounds, soldier! But oh, didn't it make you squirm when she and the Prez were getting all hot and heavy!? I thought Aaron had her for sure, but now that Logan doesn't look like the dope she thought he was, the First Lady's got a jones for her man again. Power...chicks dig the power.

--that Jack doesn't go anywhere without that bag he's had since he returned to the "real" world. I mean, what is he, Felix the cat? Holy utility belt, Batman! He pulls out from his bag just the right thing to disrupt a magnetic alarm?! Come on! What the hell else is in that thing? Hell, why don't we just whip out the Tardis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TARDIS and let's just jump to the end of the season already if that's all it takes! Jack's The Man and all, but honestly....

--Quote of the week #2: you gotta have one from Chloe, the Originator of "24" quotes: As Miles confronts her coming out of the bathroom-- "If you want the details, I'll right you a report." Priceless. Gotta love that little spitfire.

--that the creative team also upholds another tradition in the annals of "24"--the You've Got To Be Kidding Me moment. Ah, let's take a trip down memory lane...Teri Bauer getting amnesia; the cougar chasing Kim through the hills of LA; take your pick of moments in Season 3: the whole prison escape thing, Chase having a daughter, Chase's hand being chopped off; and last year, Jack holding up a gas station to maintain a cover. Ladies and gentleman, I give you this season's You've Got To Be Kidding Me moment....when Evelyn falls and knocks herself unconscious. Grant you, they may pull a better YGTBKM (man, that's a long acronym) moment out of their butts before this season ends, but who among you didn't slap your head silly when the woman badly limps to her whimpering child in the bathroom, only to crack her head wide open on the hotel table? Exactly. The collective groan you heard across the 24 viewing nation was at that exact moment. Stupid. You could see it coming a mile away and it was just handled poorly, poorly, poorly. No offense to the actress playing Evelyn, but physical stunts--if that was even really her and not a stuntperson--is not your thang. Bad, just bad.

--and Quote #3, the piece de resistance: the bank prez held hostage weighs going outside and surrendering or hanging with Jack--"I'll take my chances with you." Normally a wise decision, my friend, but alas, you are what's known as a red shirt. You're not a major character that we care too much you have to live, nor will mourn greatly if you die, and you're near Jack Bauer. Your fate is inevitable. Rest well knowing you are helping Jack and Wayne to avenge President Palmer...who you'll be meeting soon...

I don't know about the rest of you, but didn't you think the music in this episode was stupid and distracting? It got all Mission Impossible, guitar twangy in this episode and it was cheesy as hell. I could see them maybe using it as a theme for Chloe when she was doing her thing, but it was all throughout the show and it didn't work for the kind of show "24" is. I get that kind of crap from Alias, I don't need it in Jack Bauer-land, too.

So now Audrey's daddy is getting in the mix! Aw shucks! And it looks like I'll get my wish after all: either way, Logan's going down with impeachment OR my other fantasy is that Aaron will take a 9mm to Logan gangsta style, and as the President is lying on the ground dying, Aaron lordes over him to say, "AND I'm takin' your woman!" That would be...genius :)

24 This Week: 4/4/06

Okay, so for some time now I've been recording the episodes to DVD for a friend so he can catch up and watch the show since he has two kids and is usually busy on Mondays. Well, after this week's ep, I'm glad I do it, 'cause I might ask for 'em all back! Is it just me or is everyone baffled at the turn of events in the last minute of the show!? I mean, they did what "24" does: keep us guessing, throwing us curveballs and cliffhanger endings. But I must say, this one left me feeling...confused? Bamboozled? Hoodwinked? Led astray?

So you mean to tell me that all along, bumbling Prez Logan is...really evil? And not just quasi evil. He's the real deal it would appear. I have a hard time with this. It's not because of his thoroughly convincing ability to seem totally inept (which is damn good) but why this plot twist from the creators? I mean, it makes sense because the VP is so obviously slimey, the villain has to be the Prez cause he's the last person we suspect. But I'm confused about all the events we've witnessed so far and how involved Logan is. Cummings never knew Logan was the head enchilada orchestrating everything? I mean, there are a lot of bad guys between them and the only one who really seems to know the Prez is involved is Henderson, but I hope they pull out a big ole roadmap of the show so far this season and explain everything. I normally like subtle hints in my shows, but they're going to have to hit me with a sledgehammer to make me understand how releasing of nerve gas by the Russians, an attempted assasination of the Russian president, Palmer being killed (moment of silence) were all orchestrated in some way by Barney Fife Logan. And why? To get to martial law? Some other agenda we don't know yet? Well, the episode itself wasn't all that riveting, but that ending makes things VERY interesting.

What have we learned this week:

-- that at least two characters read my blog! Aaron and Wayne promptly expouse the Bruce Philosophy of Bad Guys to the First Lady's aide when she stupidly thinks they're going to give her her daughter back and let her walk once she hands over the evidence. The quote of the week is when Aaron, I think, says, people like that just don't do those sorts of things; she knows too much. Ah, at least someone listens...

-- that since we've been without Logan for a couple of episodes, the part of creep-idiot-annoying-dick has been nicely played by Miles, the right hand of the director of Homeland Security. If anyone looks like they have a stick up their butt and you would love Jack to ram it just a little bit more to put this dude out of his misery, it's this joker. He's got all of Chloe's bad personality ticks (bad people skills, attitude), but none of her charm. I hope Bill Buchanon takes a good swing for the fences on him. Speaking of which, I know things are hectic, but Audrey can't pull Bill aside for two minutes and explain why she signed the order to run him under the bus? I mean, come on. Now he thinks she's a beeyatch and is petty cause he had her tortured...which, if you look at it, that's a pretty darn good excuse, no?

--That when Miles first comes to Audrey and presents the paper, the response she REALLY wanted to give him as she left (and this was a great acting moment by Kim Raver): "If I didn't have shite shoved down my veins by Torture Boy 5 minutes ago and my man almost die in a fiery blaze of toxic chemical smoke, I'd take that piece of paper and shove it where the sun don't shine!" The writers went with a restrained, but forceful, speech. I would've went another way. :)

--Smooth Move #1: when Jack simply comes up on the first guard, shoots him in the back, and swiftly looks down at his PDA. I mean, the man has killed so many people, he sees them as interrupting his PDA time with Chloe and Audrey. That Jack...say it with me, people, Jack for President.

--Smooth Move #2: belongs to, who else, but Jack again when he kills the one guard and takes time to pull out a knife, knows where to get to the wires on the walkie talkie, and distorts it enough Henderson can't tell it's him when he answers him! I mean, come on! That's genius! I would've pulled a Han Solo moment ["Uh, everything's fine here, situation normal, we're fine...how are you?"] but Jack knows what to do. I may say screw James Bond now that Daniel Craig is playing him and Jack Bauer be my new hero...

So next week, it doesn't seem like we get TOO many answers, but we definitely will be looking at Logan differently, won't we? I can't wait to see how we get out of this one by the end of the season, kids, but it looks like I might get my Presidential impeachment after all!

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but it's so good, I'll do it again!: if you haven't been doing so, check out the 24 site on Fox. They have a "Research" section that gives a brief real-life history lesson on some aspect prominent in that particular show. They've had one on chemical warfare, how martial law can be enacted, all sorts of stuff. And check it out for the previous seasons, too. Educational and entertaining! No wonder "24" is, to quote Randy Jackson, A HOT ONE, DA BOMB! (that was for you, Laura C. :)