Well, it ended with a...BANG!‏

Just to warn you, I'm at work and none of my bosses are in, so this is gonna be a long one... You guys have heard of the ‘hero quest' – the journey which heroic characters travel through. I think that the writers of 24 have created a new character archetype, one that now has come to fruition in the character of Chloe (and one that we have seen before in Tony and the real President Palmer – may they both rest in peace). Stage 1: In regard to Jack Bauer and his actions: Disbeliever to the point of irritation. If you'll recall, Chloe was a mousy, scrunchy faced secretary of sorts for Jack when she was introduced. Everything Jack said to her caused her to roll her eyes and pout. Much like with Tony, he of the heavy whispering and possible duplicitous-ness in season 1. Stage 2: In regard to Jack Bauer and his actions: Willing to bend the rules in a few cases, but still largely a believer in the RULES, which he or she still steadfastly clings to. Is willing to compromise Jack's safety for what he or she believes is the good of the country even if what he or she believes is in direct contrast to Jack's beliefs. Stage 3: In regard to Jack Bauer and his actions: Firmly believes that Jack is usually right, but can still be swayed under threat of reprimand by an outranking officer. Will help Jack do something terribly illegal or against CTU procedure only after repeated requests. (Example: “Dammit! Chloe! You! Have! To! Trust! Me!”) Stage 4: In regard to Jack Bauer and his actions: Complete and utter acceptance. Jack's word is Gospel. May falter for a moment, but will ultimately come through for Jack. [WARNING: After this stage there is nowhere to go but that big holding cell in the sky. Watch your back, Chloe...] Other random observations... Not all characters follow the 24 character archetype, and Curtis was one of those who did not. He was always just a plodding soldier who listened to his superiors. Sometimes he would go against procedure, but he had to have a real good reason, and even if he did, after his violation, he would not grow from the experience, but would jump back into his assigned role. I never really cared about Curtis that much anyway, but where on earth did his actions come from? I always got the impression that even if a terrorist tortured his own mother in front of him, if CTU told him to give said terrorist a big kiss, he would lick his lips and plant a sloppy one on Mohammed's cheek. His reaction to Jack working with the most Anglo-looking Arab terrorist 24 has ever employed was so out of character that I saw Jack's shot coming 90 minutes before he did. I think for future episodes they should have Karen Hayes wear all white and a gold halo and Peter MacNichol (I don't remember his character's name) wear a red suit and carry a pitchfork. A maniacal laugh would help as well. (Or maybe just a big flashing button that says “CONSERVATIVE!”) Also, if one always stood on faux-President Palmer's right side and the other on his left, then I really think that the audience would understand the dichotomy between the two characters. And whatever happened to good ol' Mike, his crazy big glasses and his squinty stares? I would think that faux-Palmer would get along well with him. Speaking of faux-President Palmer, how did a black man ascend to the presidency without the Allstate voice? (Especially in a country so obviously full of prejudice and hate.) But I guess the average American on 24 just hates all Arabs/Muslims/Accented, tinted skinned folk. What's a bit sad is that the people who don't hate the Arabs are the ones that get blown up by a nuclear bomb. The poor sap saves Kumar from a beating and he gets not only to get a front row seat to the blast, but he is actually the one to blame for it. And good lord, yeah Chloe definitely has amped up the hotness factor but those two imbeciles fighting over her is just a waste of screen time. (However, her temporary resolution of the situation was amusing, with the typically Chloe “we saw a couple of movies and mutually agreed it wasn't happening.” If only I could sum up things so succinctly...) It definitely ended better than it began, with the last hour my favorite of the four. (Though Jack the Vampire did surprise me – I think he was channeling David from The Lost Boys.) I wish they could have skipped a lot of that exposition though....it would have eliminated a ton of clunky dialogue like the awkward clichés and that line that Karen said about persecuting people who pray to Mecca. I definitely had problems with these 4 hours of TV, but I guess it couldn't have been as insane at last year without being more over the top than 24 typically is. I did enjoy a good amount of it and Jack Bauer as damaged goods (even more so than usual) intrigues me. See, I told you it would be long...