24 PHOTOCAP: Jack Really Is Back!!

The new season of 24 is just about a week and a half old, and I think we can happily announce that it is back at the top of its game. Monday’s episode left me clawing at my face in suspense — even if there were some recycled bits from seasons past (remember when Jack had to kill Nina and dump her in a ditch back in the first season?). The new supporting cast has been solid, and I’ve really enjoyed the presence of Renee Walker, the redheaded FBI agent who’s only dialogue seems to be her angrily stating “I have to make this right.” Her boss and perhaps illicit lover is also very good as the resident bureaucratic cog who gets in the way of everything, and everything in the White House seems promising. Cherry Jones is decent as the Prez — anything’s an improvement over Wayne Palmer — but I’m still not totally sold on her. Of course, the real test of a 24 season is whether or not some of the old standbys are alive and counted for. Let’s see:
• Hard perimeters? Check.
• Hard perimeters that bad guys easily slip through? Check.
• Sockets? Check.
• Furtive glances in CTU? Check. Well, semi-check. It’s the FBI now.
• Jack asking someone to “Trust me” or “I can’t explain now. You just have to trust me?” Check!
• Unstable First Spouses? Check!!
• Chloe, sans her annoying ex-husband? CHECK!!!!
• TORTURE? CHECK!!!!!!!!
Needless to say, 24 is back!!

“I’d like everyone to know that I’m a VERY serious woman. And I have to make things right.”

Jack: “Hey, aren’t you on Entourage?”
Billy Walsh: “No.”

Jack: “Looks like we got Almeida.”
Renee: “Now I can make things right.”
Jack: “Why do you keep saying that?”
Renee: “Because I have to make things right.”

“So you won’t tell me where the C.I.P. module is? Fine. What if I gently massage your pec?”

“Jack, not a soul knows about our shadow agency — except, of course, our preferred cell phone carrier, Sprintâ„¢. Welcome to the Now Network.”

“Jack, I heard a rumor that the FBI has a version of me named Janice, but that she’s not as lovably irritable. Is this true?”

“DAMMIT CHLOE, why didn’t you tell me there was no down-ramp here?”

“Slow down, Tony. You’re ruining our Beatles moment.”

Emerson: “What is this?”
Tony: “It’s a gun.”
Emerson: “Oh.”

Larry: “I don’t want you going into the field.”
Renee: “Please. I HAVE TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT.”

“Oh Henry. I miss these quiet Conehead moments.”

Jack: “Listen Renee. I read your bio. I know you starred in a fourth grade production of Cats. You’re not so tough.”
Renee: “I have… to make… things right!!!”
Jack: “For who, Renee? For who?”
Renee: “For Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!!!”

“You look perfectly trustworthy and nice, despite your shifty glares and proven record of betrayal. Let me hand you over this very, very important evidence.”

What do you think about the season so far?