What? "24" was GOOD last night?

I find that I like entertainment programs a lot better when I'm tired. I enjoy movies a lot more after I've been up since before daybreak, because I'm so tired I can't really concentrate on much else except the movie. I think that being really tired helped me enjoy last night's episode of 24 a lot. That, and the fact that it actually felt rehearsed and thought-out.

First off, let's just talk about the DC plotline, since that's what was being promo'd in the commercials anyways. If you were thinking that they can't blow up the President, let's take a look back at past seasons and how they've treated people associated with the office of POTUS:
Season 1: Assassination attempt on a Senator running for President
Season 2: "Evil" Veep helps stage a coup, takes the POTUS out of power for a few hours
Season 3: Scandal keeps POTUS from running for re-election. His wife dies.
Season 4: POTUS is shot down in Air Force One, presumed to have died or be in grave physical condition. Veep is cowardly. Former POTUS called in to help run the show.
Season 5: POTUS turned out to be one of America's biggest traitors, to date, helping terrorists and plotting to kill the Russian President.

So yeah, they can kill Wayne Palmer. But will they? Since I know what's going to happen, I'll just be quiet and say that the plotline won't exactly become more respectable.

Hey, what's up with Wall Street? Sorry, I'm just seeing the news now. What's up, traders? Wasn't there excellent news from the housing sector this morning? Honestly now...


CTU doesn't exist, Morris O'Brian does. Seriously, he's an engaging character, but when did the Counter-Terrorism Unit become all about Morris and Chloe? It's like the old days when all CTU was good for was for Michelle and Tony to bicker to one another about stupid little things. I love Morris, but I'd rather see everyone WORK at CTU instead of worrying about Morris. At least Bucchanan admitted the show's writers are on drugs, stating that it was too soon to put Morris back out on the field. 'Ya think?

The only reason last night's episode was good was because of Gregory Itzen, reprising his role as Charles Logan. The Sega of the Logans was one of the most captivating plotline's I've seen on television, almost Shakespearean in nature. When we last saw Charles Logan, he was being led away by authorities after being implicated in season 5's terrorist attacks. This season, we found out that Logan was placed under house arrest and that the public has no clue that he was responsible for the attacks. (Does Gawker and Drudge Report not exist in the 24verse? Seriously now...) Logan claims that he has had time to repent for his sins and that he has re-found his religious faith and is looking to lead a more pious life. But is he redeemed or not, Jack Bauer wonders.
SIDENOTE: Do you remember me making a few comparisons to Alias? About how this season has shades of that cult hit? Well, there was the horrendous villain, Arvin Sloane, who after the main character disappeared for a couple of years, came back only to find out the Sloane had redeemed himself and was the head of a UNICEF organization. Considering the 24 writers recycle from their own episodes, I wouldn't be surprised if they got "inspiration" from Alias as well.

What made this episode good was Gregory Itzen. He has such command and presence on-screen, it's incredible. By the end of Season 5, it became increasingly clear that this man was an excellent actor, and this episode only underscores that. While you know that this man was pure evil, you can't help but feel compassion for him as he looks at an old photograph of him and his wife (played by the equally awesome Jean Smart). When 24 is at it's best, it has strong supporting actors. We used to have people like Dennis Haysbert and Penny Johnson Jerald on the show. Now we have Eric Balfour. Hopefully, Powers Boothe is as good of an actor as everyone says he is and that Vice-President Daniels turns out to be an amazing character. Because as good of actors as many on the cast our, we need more standouts again, like Charles Logan.

Villain of the Week Update: Fayed is still alive and still giving his top-of-the-hour report to Gredenko, as they talk in the past-tense about what's going to happen. Seriously, I think Fayed exists solely to provide a clip to show in the "Previously On" montage. And there were multiple times throughout the episode, in all plotlines, where people were blatantly "Previously'ing" their dialogue. Anyways, Gredenko is planning on releasing the nukes through drone predators. Clever! Gredenko also reminded us that he hates Arabs, because they "live in the dark ages," or maybe he's a racists, I don't know. He also reminded us tat he plans on having the Arabs and the West go to war with each other (uh, like NOW, in reality, 24?) so that Russia can take over the world once again as the Soviet Union. Really, it's a flawless plan on Gredenko's part. Well, it would be, if you're crazy! And, he is.

Next week, we find out the fates of Assad and Wayne Palmer. (It'll be fun!) And Jack Bauer breaks into the Russian Embassy. Yes, he breaks into a embassy. Because, since we're STILL dealing with the ramifications of Bauer breaking into a Chinese embassy in season FOUR, why not break into a Russian embassy?
At least I have Gregory Itzen to watch. Otherwise, I'd be in tears over 24 again.