GKE, I was with you. I didn't "swear off" 24 after the last couple seasons (Season 4 was much worse than Season 5 IMO, but neither were as close to being as good as the prior 3 IMO), but I had decided that it would be "background viewing at best."
I also have to admit, that after seeing the 4 hour premier, I think this season is at least starting off better than the last couple. This time, the end-game of the 4 hour premier isn't just some lame "You stopped our big plan but thats OK cause we were REALLY doing THIS" plot, but rather a "test" and a "warning" if you will. Setting off the bomb, not in a hugely populated area, but a big enough one, was a good move for setting the tone of the show, but with 4 more out there, its at least a logical story at this point.
I didn't so much mind that Karen and Buchanon are married, there was some building chemistry between them last season.
Its also clear that people move at the speed of plot still, not "in real time." Man that guy got from the prison bus to the building lickety split, didn't he? Oh well, thats not really a big deal as long as it moves the story along.
In fact, my only real complaint about the 4 hour pilot was the POINTLESS bickering between Milo and Morris at CTU. Why must every season there be some lame-ass office drama? Its CTU for Christs sake. I really do believe that people that would work in a place like that would actually WORK. If someone even talked back once, they would be out on their ass. Period. What I don't understand, is why even put that in there? What do they think it does? No one gives a shit about it, its just annoying. It boggles my mind. Hopefully its done for the season though, cause I wont be able to take much more of that.
Lastly, the Curtis thing was OK and done believably. Keifer did a great acting job after that scene too. The light of the bomb on his face and his realizing he needs to go on was very well done too. That all could have been pulled off in a cheesy way, but I think it was all done well.
So far so good. Just check the office drama at the front door please.