Some years ago, I watched the first four seasons of the television program 24 on DVD within a span of, oh, maybe five weeks. This was back in the days when the show was still totally awesome. At a time when George Bush was president and it felt like the world might end at any second, what could be more entertaining than gory torture scenes punctuated with the dulcet tones of President David Palmer?
Because the show was so intense and exciting (or maybe because it’s unnatural to watch five episodes of anything in a row), whenever it was time to get a snack or hit the loo I would run up and down the length of my hallway in a manner reminiscent of my family’s West Highland Terrier, Emmy (RIP), who had a funny habit of running in circles until she tired herself out. Then I would return to the couch and literally clap in anticipation of the next epi.
Around the time I started watching the show on Fox in real time, it started to suck. My theory is that the show peaked around the time that Tony Almeida started drinking booze from a Cubs mug and things went downhill from there. It’s very difficult for a show to improve once it starts to rot, but the good thing about 24's compressed schedule is that it gives viewers about seven months in between seasons to forget how awful it has become. I guess that’s why I (along with the rest of America) have continued to watch.
But lo! Season Eight started last night and, much to my surprise, it looks like it’s going to be most excellent. There is a Russian crime syndicate (always good); Starbuck(!); Thumbhead Herc from The Wire; Freddie Prinze Jr.(?) (whatever); saucy Brit Sark (yesssss!); and a mysterious menacing redneck who reminds me a lot of my high school boyfriend.
So basically I’ve spent the last two nights pumping my fist like some sort of crazed patriot and yelling “JACK BAUER!” just about every time it goes to commercial. And, let me tell you, when you catch yourself doing this, you know, every 12 minutes, you start to sense you’re approximately one liquor-mug away from total fucking loserdom.
2 comments:
I'm with you on all of your theories, including the 24 amnesia people seem to have where they are always complaining about it while it's on but always really excited when it's coming back.
But how do I not remember Thumbhead Herc from The Wire?
Oh, is he in the bald cop?
The bald one with the thumbhead, yes! His name on the show was just Herc.
Post a Comment