I thought it would be appropriate to kick off Friday’s Favorite by discussing the return of one of my favorite TV shows of all time: 24. I LOVE 24. However, I will be the first to admit that it's had some shaky moments (Kim being chased by a cougar, anybody?). But when it’s good, it’s AMAZING. And I really think that last season was incredible and so far this season is shaping up to be a good one. I already screamed at the end of the fourth hour in total disbelief about what happened. Then I started to get giddy and said aloud (to nobody), “This is so good. SO GOOD. Oh my gosh!”
I get really excited when a new season starts, but I also get anxious. 24 isn’t a show that I can watch for an hour and then go on with my day. It’s an emotional investment. (My sister had to stop watching it because it exhausted her.) I’m grateful for the invention of DVR so I can fast forward through commercials instead of pacing like a lunatic during the four-minute breaks.
I also get REALLY annoyed when anybody questions Jack Bauer. Um, the man has single-handedly saved the world seven times now. Take his word for it people! Stop giving him crap! He’s been through enough! (See what I mean about getting invested?) [Lonely Hearts Club fun fact: the character of Ryan Bauer’s last name comes from Jack!]
At one point last year, the President said to Jack something like, “Mr. Bauer, why should I trust you?” And Jack replied, “With all due respect ma’am, ask around!” I literally jumped off of my couch and started screaming at the TV, “That’s right, he’s JACK BAUER! Don’t you dare question him!” I sometimes wonder what my neighbors must think of me, but I do have a karaoke machine, so me screaming at the TV is not the worst sound they’ve heard coming from my apartment.
Which brings us to Kiefer Sutherland. Ah, Kiefer… First off, that voice. “The following takes place between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.” Um, swoon! I would really like him to read me a bedtime story. Then there is the man. I don’t know anybody else who could pull off making a character as complex as Jack Bauer believable. Jack is (how do I put this?) a little nuts. But you can’t help routing for him, especially after everything he’s done. (Seriously, why do people give him crap? It really does drive me nuts. I almost lost it already this season. New CTU guy, you better get in line fast!)
And how can you not love Chloe? Spoiler alert for anybody who has not begun watching this season: I think it’s brilliant that they’ve made Chloe’s character struggle this season with the new CTU system. It has already given us some hilarious Chloe moments. If I was ever running around a city trying to dismantle a bomb (let’s hope for everybody’s sake that never happens), Chloe is the person I’d want on the other line.
So for the next 20 weeks or so, I’ll be happily spending Monday nights glued to the TV set to see what craziness the folks of 24 have to offer.
And seriously, if people don’t give Jack the respect he deserves, there are going to be serious consequences.