“24” is like crack

So, one summer, a long time ago, I decided to rent the first season of “24.” Somehow, I rented all the discs and had them over the July 4 weekend. (I think we got Monday or Friday off. It was longer than usual.) Anyway, I rented the first season and basically watched it ALMOST straight through. I was crazed. I HAD to know what was going to happen. And after it was over, I couldn’t stop talking, thinking, or wondering about it.

I later rented the second and maybe part of the third season but never finished them. I’ve watched “24” on TV for several years, but one year, I basically quit watching it was so unsatisfying. But when this season opened, I was pretty convinced the show had gotten back to the magic that made the first season so good. Sure, CTU was gone, Jack’s reputation was tarnished, and we had a whole new cast of baddies, but it was moment-by-moment, gaping mouth excitement. I loved it.

And while the current season hasn’t exactly stayed at that level, I can’t stop watching. It’s like some crazy rollercoaster ride. I was so excited when Tony showed back up, then absolutely upset when it was revealed he was indeed bad and more than likely going to stay that way. Then there’s the added intrigue of Jack being infected by some biological weapon and there’s apparently no cure, but since we know the show will likely go on, I’m interested to see how the writers write themselves out of that one. There’s the first woman president, whom I absolutely LOVED in the beginning of the season, but her snarky, evil daughter is getting on my ever-living last nerve. She’s an IDIOT! (And a murderer since she enlisted someone to kill Jon Voight. Not really, I guess, just his evil little character.)

The point is that next week is the two-hour finale. And while I simultaneously don’t have a clue what’s happening and kind of understand some of what’s going down, I can’t wait to see how the writers tie up the loose ends and redeem Jack, at least a little. Will his daughter Kim survive? Will Jack have to kill that FBI agent lady who I think will somehow become his next girlfriend? Will Tony go free?

I DON’T KNOW!

But I guess I’ll find out. Next week.