It’s the same ol’ 24

// January 13th, 2009 // fun

I stopped watching 24 during season 4 or 5 I believe because things just got too crazy and far-fetched. The whole “events occur in real-time” had been obviously tossed out the window and that bugged me.

But I started again a season or two later and got hooked once more. Yet despite me still loving the show, it has faults that I’m very aware of and just wish would change.

This season we get a massive plot involving a third-world country on the brink of war. Of course there is  senior level member of the president’s staff that is helping their cause and trying to keep the U.S. out of it! How many plots have we had now with presidents and traitors on their staff?

CTU is now gone, but apparently it’s alive and well in the form of the FBI. We get Garofalo and Coiro (both whom I love – who would have thunk Coiro could clean up and not even look like the crazed director from Entourage?) bickering and arguing much like Chloe and whoever used to do at CTU.

It’s like the writers feel they can’t do a season unless they have this exact storyline. Why? I’m just bummed that this season we’re going to have to see the plot with these two develop more. I’d rather see it just go away and focus more on Jack Bauer and company.

And let me just add, because I actually help set up control systems for water treatment plants…NONE of the ones I’ve ever done are connected to this ALMIGHTY CIP firewall that allows control from one place. You can’t hack into the United States and suddenly dump poison into water treatment facilities. It’s impossible and totally unrealistic. You’d have to hack them individually, or in some cases, physically break into the site.

Now that I’ve said all that, every season of 24 has a lot of AWESOME in it as well, which balances out the sucky stuff. The plot with Tony Almeida, while predictable, is very cool. I loved Jack getting pulled into it and seeing Bill and Chloe working behind the scenes was fabulous.

Tony has always been a special part of the show, especially when he appeared out of nowhere that one season to save Jack’s arse. Every since then, he’s been one of my favorites. So getting Jack and Tony working together again, under deep cover, it’s sweeeeeeeeeet.

The exchange between them as Jack helps Tony escape was hilarious:  “I’m glad I didn’t break your neck.” “It was close.”

And for some reason, I’m liking the “First Man” side-plot with his murdered son.

It’s the same ol’ 24 for me. Some annoyances like always, but there is still some great stuff there.

What do you guys think? What is the good and what is the bad?

13 Responses to “It’s the same ol’ 24”

  1. Mike says:
    January 13, 2009 at 6:48 am

    Updated: I added a bit about water treatment plants :)

  2. Christian Salafia says:
    January 13, 2009 at 7:25 am

    Charlotte and I were watching last night and when they brought in Bill and Chloe, both of us looked at each other and said “WHAT!?!?!?”

    I agree with the “First Man” sub-plot. I think that’s going to play a bigger role as the season progresses. I also think that the “old CTU” isn’t quite on the level.

    I hope it doesn’t get too far-fetched, that might sink the franchise.

  3. Mike says:
    January 13, 2009 at 7:33 am

    Yeah, I didn’t see Bill and Chloe coming either…very cool moment. Totally glad Tony is a “good guy” and not a lame-o bad guy suddenly. Granted, he apparently DID go bad for awhile, but only so far.

  4. Cap'n Schwartz says:
    January 13, 2009 at 7:45 am

    I have two opinions: I thought Sunday night was slow, very slow, not a ton of Jack, and the President story is weak and mostly annoying. president Palmer at least had us interested in his stories, the new one….eh. I’ll also disagree that the side story of the guys murdered son who had the proof to identify internal White house sources giving aid to the 3rd world country is awful and not needed. I dont like it at all and prefer it off my TV screen.
    So then came along Mondays night…. which RAWKED!!! Tony undercover, him and Jack teaming, Bill and Chloe back they all have an inkling something big is up and trying to take it down FANTASTIC!!! President is still weak, the side story still weak (we get it already, the boy uncovered the link, yeah move on, next…don’t drag out half of my tv show on that).

    One more comment…. I’ll side with Arie Gold when he says Frak Janine Garofalo…. I cant stand her. Its funny Arie made that comment and here she works alongside Billy. My guess is her and Chloe are sisters, as her character is displaying the same mannerisms and they are in the same field of work and seemed to be going head to head at one point in the hacking scene.

  5. Mike says:
    January 13, 2009 at 7:54 am

    I think Garafalo is good usually in what she does. She was hilarious in Mystery Men…I dunno, I just like her. But her role sucks as the FBI-version-of-CTU.

    I think the side story is key because it will start pointing towards this big conspiracy and the White House will start to get what’s going on.

    Also, that Chief of Staff guy who is telling her NOT to invade…they are totally setting him up to be the insider, but it seems too obvious.

  6. Jean says:
    January 13, 2009 at 9:28 am

    Bill, Chloe, Jack, and Tony. See with this economy even CTU had to downsize.

  7. Christian Salafia says:
    January 13, 2009 at 9:49 am

    My wife called Garofolo’s character the “anti-Chloe” last night during the dueling hacker scene.

  8. Mike says:
    January 13, 2009 at 10:00 am

    No kidding :)

  9. Mike says:
    January 13, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Yeah, that part was actually kind of cool…dueling hackers :)

  10. Jina says:
    January 13, 2009 at 11:20 am

    Did Mike just use the word “thunk” in two posts in two days? Interesting…

  11. D.L. White says:
    January 13, 2009 at 11:22 am

    Thanks for the post, Mike. I think you gave an accurate review/summary of the show so far. There’s not much I disagree with.

    We were totally getting a kick out of the little “bro” moment Tony and Jack had when they both apologized to each other – then it was right back to the action! Tony and Jack make a great team – it was fun to see them together in action again.

  12. Mike says:
    January 13, 2009 at 11:34 am

    Sadly, yes

  13. Mike says:
    January 13, 2009 at 11:43 am

    Yeah, totally a “bro” moment.

    I know you do recaps too, but I’ll probably write up thoughts for Lost this season too :)

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