24 Season 6: Hr 18: Pure Punch and Action

It's often occurred to me, over the years, that 24 might be an even better show than it is if all the action took place in 8 or 9 rather than 24 hours - we would have a leaner, meaner, 24. More action, surprises, thrills, less hum-drum and blather.

Not that 24 has much of that - it's always been more streamlined than any other show on TV - but, hey, even something that good can benefit from a little improvement.

The almost-ending of the nuclear-Arab-Russian terrorist story last week provided just an opportunity.

And 24 made good on that tonight.

I can't recall another episode packed with so much storyline and punch. Jack and Doyle have more than one crucial confrontation. Wayne Palmer stands down VP Daniels - only to succumb to a serious stroke. I know, a lot of viewers, including me, saw that probably coming, but it was still fine television. Chloe and Morris have some goes at it. And when the dust clears ... Jack's going it alone once again, with all sides seeming to be against him.

The most interesting side, for me, is Daniels, played by Powers Boothe perfectly, and now back in President power, much more securely than before. It's not 100% clear if he is working for himself or the sinister forces that tried to kill Wayne Palmer (these forces may or may not have some connection to Jack's father), and I still think Lisa Miller (Kari Matchett, of watery blonde Invasion) has some role in this which we haven't quite seen as yet.

Ok, I'll go out on a limb: I think Lisa is working for the bad guys who tried to kill Wayne. They wanted Daniels in power, but Daniels doesn't know they're behind this. Lisa allowed Lennox to set up Daniels with the taping because, at that point, it looked like the recovered Wayne Palmer was going to finally do the right thing...

Lots of great material to be resolved, and we haven't even gotten to Jack's rescue of Audrey... for which Jack is clearly ready to give his life.

For the first time in the six days/seasons of 24, I think Jack Bauer may genuinely be at some risk. He's already been exiled, turned into a drug addict ... In a series that keeps upping the ante, there's not much left to take, except his life...

Nah, they couldn't, wouldn't do that ... I hope not...

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