Monday, January 16, 2006

Jack Is Back, Part II

Night two of the big 24 premiere, and plenty of new developments.

Every season has to have some pain-in-the-ass supervisor at CTU. And throughout seasons 1-3, when that pain-in-the-ass was George Mason and Ryan Chapelle, it didn't seem like quite such a thankless role. But then, whether it was acting or writing, I can't quite say, Erin Driscoll in season 4 broke that trend. She was an unsympathic character, unredeemed, and unfun to watch.

Now we have Sean Astin stepping into the job. In one hour, we've learned that Lynn McGill gets high marks in pain-in-the-assery, but that he's also quite capable and skilled. We'll see how he fares in the episodes ahead.

The strange kind-of-a-love-triangle between Chloe, Spenser, and Edgar got a little more play. It's possibly the most bizarre thing to happen in CTU since Kim had to watch a baby in season 3. Much more entertaining, at least.

Two hours with no mention of poor Tony. Sure, it looked like half his skin must have been fried off in that blast, but in season 3 we saw him bounce right back from being shot in the neck. So I assume that sooner or later, we'll get to see him back in action.

Once before, in season 4, it was implied that a character was actually stopping to pee off camera. Now, in season 5, we've actually seen a character doing it on screen. Of course, it's not a main character, but... seriously... you wanna see Jack Bauer use the toilet? Anyway, the bathroom scene did showcase the First Lady's wonderful handling of that poor man with the keycard.

The big kickoff bash is over, and now we'll have to make do with just one a week. But hey... Jack is back!

5 comments:

Kathy said...

The best part about having Sean Astin on the show is the sheer number of LotR jokes you can make while he's onscreen. They don't even have to be good; they still make me smile.

"I'm sorry, but I will be needing your office...and some coneys...and taters."

thisismarcus said...

I think I need eMule.

Anonymous said...

it was a stretch that Curtis didn't figure out the blatantly obvious "flank 2 position." sure it was a mechanism for showing off Samwise's hobbit-like cleverness, but a big dis' to the C-man. Jack had the perfect look on his face like "WTF doesn't he know the code!!!"

I do find it more realistic when the red-shirts panic and blab. poor guy in bathroom, first lady maiden. hopefully they'll stick around to redeem themselves, or mess up more. either way it's all good.

let's hope they have more than one doctor this day, so they won't have to choose between bad-guy-scum and Tony. I don't expect he'll do more than eek out a vengeance plea, but next season he'll be baaack!

the mole
(here's hoping Lynn uses the word "burden")

GiromiDe said...

My name is finally getting some play. I've waited a long time since All-Star Blazers to see a Derek (spelled correctly) appear on television. First Grey's Anatomy. Now 24.

thisismarcus said...

At first I thought the First Lady was going to be another pain in the ass domestic storyline (like bi-polar daughter last year) but tonight she was really capable. Will she turn into a Sherri Palmer for the forces of good? If Nixon palms off her chloroform moment as more hysteria she should leave him!

Flank 2 was obvious to the viewer too but they got away with it being an old code. Don't forget Jack hasn't worked at CTU for almost 4 years in the story even though it's been just over one season on telly.

I like McGill and, as much as I loathe the President it's a great performance by Gregory Itzin. Where have I seen the bad man with the TV screens before?