24 keeps going strong. Hour 19-Asymmetric review

04/24/07

Note to self. If pursued by CTU, hide under the power lines.

I once heard some conversation advice that suggested one should change the conversation every 15 minutes or so to remain interesting. I think the Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran approach 24 the same way. I mentioned last week how the main plot changed three times-from nukes to Russians to Chinese- in a seamless masterpiece of television storytelling.

The vice-president’s moderation makes it maddeningly hard to predict his future course, although Wayne Palmer returning seems out of the question. I like the two couples,’ Hayes and Buchanon, Chloe and Morris, squabbling. The Chloe-Morris scene was touchingly tense. The Audrey scene was also great; she probably won’t recover this season, but she should be OK for season seven.

Politically, the show is very moderate. It manages to ruffle a few feathers on each side without really offending. The Chinese make a good, safe villain as nobody in the United States really defends them. The show ended up with a moderate Muslims are good-extremists are bad view which happens to coincide with mine. I’m for aggressiveness in foreign policy but vice-president Daniels was out of control.

Once again, Bauer provides relief from the typical male role model on television and the movies. Audrey tried to save Bauer's life, it's only fitting he risk his for her. Yet, Bauer would rather die than betray his country. Brings a tear, doesn't it?

The funniest moment was when Buchanon said, “Bauer’s gone rogue.”

I could hear all of CTU murmur, “what, again.”