First Impressions: 24

Four hours in to the 7th day of 24, and I’m cautiously optimistic that the writer’s strike layoff might have cured Jack Bauer and his gang of the malaise that hung over day 6. In the first few eps, Jack has shown some character depth we haven’t seen in ages. The side plots are actually engaging and best of all you’ve had some plot twists that actually make you feel good about the show. I knew there was hope the moment Soul Patch Tony was revealed to be alive although I assumed his resurrection was more gimmick than solution. Turns out that it is both. While Tony’s return has been quickly explained, his contribution to this season has the potential to be huge. The fresh blood introduced this year is interesting so far, except for Jeanine Garafolo’s Chloe clone. I thought there might be more to her weasely FBI agent but unfortunately I’m guessing she’s just Sean Astin-like cannon fodder. Perhaps the best thing is that for the first time in years you feel like Jack has a team he can trust even if it is a rogue group of government watchdogs. Fan favs Chloe and Bill have always made 24 better and I think it helps give the viewers a sense of security. In the end though I expect that security will be ripped from underneath us and twisted into betrayal and that’s what 24 used to do best.