...but, recently, in an online forum that I frequent, someone said, "I wish they would change the name of the show to '20'".

Actually, maybe "17" would have been better. Then we would have been spared this latest ridiculous plot twist.

I think my Monday nights have suddenly become free again.

Love you, Heather. Your columns are great, and your taste and insights are wonderful. Usually. I just don't get the love for "24." Let's see, it's a show built on plot twists which you call "empty and arbitrary" (at least this season). You refer to it as "this sometimes kitschy, sometimes unrealistic, sometimes downright foolish nail-biter of a show." You point out that this season "the main story [is] a little weak" (and it's been weak--a lot weak--other seasons).

Why are you still watching it?? And why are you writing about it? Seems like a show we should hate based on quality (I don't know because I quit long ago based on the fact that it's vile).

But even if it were a quality thriller, how could you like this right-wing propaganda? The show is and always has been built on the premise that America needs a strong protector who would side-step pesky laws and regulations (and torture, kill, and do whatever is necessary to anyone who gets in his way--and it's no accident that it's a HE) to protect us. You know, like Dick Cheney in his wettest dreams.

At least it seems like you’ve come to your senses and you’re no longer supporting this neo-con crap of a show. Right? I hope so, because it’s really one of the only blemishes on your otherwise very good record.

Trust me, one's TV viewing habits don't always reflect the kind of person one is. I'll grant you, in many cases, that's true, but please don't malign the character of those who watch this show knowing full well that it has a neo-con point of view. We contradict ourselves. We are large, we contain multitudes.

24 is the worst sort of "fear porn," and I can't for the life of me understand its appeal. I always thought the writing was terribly sophmoric -- how many times has Jack tried to stop a terrorist with a WMD by simply shouting, "My name's Jack Bauer with CTU!" Yeah, that ought to work. And I just never bought that anyone could have a day that bad; this Bauer clown has had three or four of 'em. Silly TV show preying on the fears of a post-9/11 viewer.

Fair enough on all points - I'd just say that the abysmal seasons 3 and 4 were even worse than this one is.

The author is right to pine for the good old days of season 1 and season 2 - but there's one big thing she left out: no more kim plots! While the "main story" may not be as well written, at least that's all we get, instead of long side-plots involving characters we don't care about, like Kim.

Last season was definitely a helluva lot tighter, but I am enjoying this season (if only for Powers Boothe) and think its still a notch or two above what I thought were pretty weak seasons 3 and 4.

Overall 24 season ranking:

1st place: Season 1; 2nd place: Season 2; 3rd place: Season 5, 4th place: Season 6, 5th place: Season 3, 6th place: Season 4

Last night while watching 24 I turned the TV off--not just to another channel--I turned it off after Jack called Chloe to rope her into the plot.

I realized how dreadful this show has become. I was a latecomer to 24, but caught up quickly thanks to a friend who spends a lot of time downloading shows and movies. However, this season is absolutely horrible, out of character, and does not allow me to suspend disbelief. No more for me.

I almost fell asleep last night, when I wasn't snickering at the absurd dialogue. This show has been appointment TV for my family for several years now and I am sad! Terrorist fear-mongering has brought my little nuclear family together every Monday night and I would hate to lose that. Not to mention how we say everything to each other in Jack speak - first with a husky whisper and then repeat same line screaming. Ah, how I miss those simple times. I never warmed up to Audrey anyway so for Jack to risk it all for her - ehh, I don't get it. My son did notice the return of the Jack sack in last night's episode so he felt all warm and fuzzy! I just hope the writers are really gonna suprise us - there's a plot twist for ya.

I used to love this show. I missed the first two seasons, but caught up with marathon DVD viewings, and I've been a diehard ever since. Then, I felt so completely out of touch with so many last year when I thought it was a terribly written season, and I kept watching only for the performances of Itzin and Smart, only to watch it finally sweep the Emmys (but Itzin and Smart got robbed! Go figure). But this season has been unquestionably horrible. It started off with the obscene amount of graphic violence and torture in the opening episodes, and has been followed by terrible dialogue, ridiculous plot twists (even by "24" standards), and characters who I don't care about coming in and out of the story only to never be heard from again. Even Itzin and Smart were reduced to bit players in one of the most ridiculous sidetracks of the season. A few weeks ago, my watching buddy and I were in the midst of an episode when I turned to her and said sort of matter-of-factly, "You know, this season is really bad," and she responded, "I thought it was just me." We still get together and watch every week, and I will admit that last week's episode was dramatic and entertaining. But dammit, if they didn't follow that up with the worst episode of the season so far. I'd like to say I'm done with this show, but I feel committed to see the season through to its conclusion, if only out of some faint hope of it all paying off in the end. But I'm not holding my breath. And I doubt I'll be back for more next year.