The second half of the premiere of 24

I was much more happily entertained by the second 2 hours of 24’s premiere than I was the first. Maybe this season will be somewhat enjoyable.

The best thing about it was obviously the reveal of Bill “Silver Fox” Buchanan and Chloe working with Tony. I was especially impressed that James Morrison and Mary Lynn Rasjkub’s names did not appear in the credits for the first hour, so I was sufficiently surprised. I am also happy that Tony’s not eeeeeevil and though I still think resurrecting him was silly, I do like Tony, so I think I’m on board with that.

The interrogation scene between Jack and Tony was pretty good too. I’m not always convinced that Carlos Bernard is an actor, but I think he’s been better this year. (Or maybe I just really missed Tony.) I liked the hearkening back to season’s past, and especially when Tony said “Every second you help the government you’re spitting on Teri’s grave!”

I missed Chloe (and Bill) too, but Chloe’s return only helped to show how not great Janeane Garofalo is. Janis is no Chloe and I wish they would stop trying to make her Chloe. Also, I still do not care for Wally Balls.

Other stuff that annoyed me: the overabundance of Bluetooth headsets. When I see one of those things attached to someone’s ear in real life, I immediately think “douchebag,” so I am predisposed to dislike any character who wears them.

Also, the torture vs. upholding the law debate reared its ugly head a few times. I think we get the point: the pretty FBI lady, who disagreed with Jack at first, is now becoming like Jack because she gets results. Shocking! If I’m going to watch a show where I have to constantly remind myself how ridiculous everything is, I don’t want to be preached to, no matter where I fall on the side of this argument. (Incidentally, I think torture should be welcomed on the show - from an entertainment standpoint, I’d rather watch Jack lunge at a dude menacingly with a pen than have him yell a lot.)

Despite my nitpicking, I think I’m ready to enjoy this new season – I’m already looking forward to next week. I hope the show doesn’t disappoint.