24 GEEK

Behind - - - WAY behind

2009-03-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

So I've fallen behind this season. Not too far but far enough. I promise to share some thoughts once I catch up.

Until then - please be patient with me.

Please.

FBI Rodent

2009-02-18T09:02:00.000-08:00

Sean Hillinger.

He's not just a strange adulterer anymore.

The Mole revealed

2009-02-17T09:34:00.000-08:00

So I heard/read that last nights episode revealed who the FBI mole is.....I happened to be in bed and asleep last night at 9:30p so unfortunatley I am still blissfully unaware.

The plan is to watch tonight and report in to anyone who might actually care tomorrow.

I'll bet you can hardly wait.

24 Day 7 3pm to 4pm

2009-02-15T16:28:00.000-08:00

I apologize if this week’s effort comes of as a bit underwhelming. While I thoroughly enjoyed the hour, when it came time to recap I just felt like I came up empty. I guess it’s up to you to decide…

Day 7 3:00pm - 4:00pm

President Taylor makes a speech to the nation about the terrorist attacks and she pledges her commitment to Sangala. Meanwhile, Vossler brings Henry to Dubaku. Henry accuses Dubaku of murdering his son.

GOTTA GIVE THE MAD PROPS TO HENRY. AFTER A SLOW START THE MAN IS SHOWING SOME SERIOUS SPUNK.

Jack, Buchanan and Renee bring Matobo to the White House. Renee and Matobo assure the President that Jack is on her side. Jack explains that there is a mole inside her Administration working with Dubaku and he needs to go around the FBI and Homeland to uncover the source. Dubaku calls President Taylor and tells her that he has captured her husband. He demands she withdraw her forces in Sangala and deliver Matobo to him. He starts to cut off Henry's finger to get her to acquiesce. Ethan learns that Gedge helped abduct Henry and killed Samantha. This confirms Jack's story, and he pledges to try to bring Henry back himself. Taylor is unsure if she can trust him. "With all due respect, Madam President, ask around." Jack says. She agrees.

THIS WHOLE SCENE IN THE WHITE HOUSE WAS PRICELESS…AND WAS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY PRESIDENT TAYLOR ANNOYS THE HECK OUT OF ME.

SHE’S ALL HAPPY TO SEE MATOBO – ALL CANDY CANES AND BUTTERFLIES – THEN ONCE HE IS GONE THERE IS NO THANK YOU TO THE BAUER BUNCH FOR GETTING HIM BACK….SHE’S ALL – NOW I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE…..WELL – DUH! OF COURSE THEY’LL EXPLAIN EVERYTHING TO HER. MADAM PRES - HOW ABOUT YOU KNOCK OFF THE ATTITUDE AND SHOW SOME GRATITUDE!

AFTER THEY TELL HER THE STORY SHE “FINDS IT ALL HARD TO BELIEVE” AND STARTS GOING AFTER JACK AND TONY LIKE IT’S ALL THEIR FAULT THIS IS HAPPENING.

AFTER ALL THAT – SHE GETS THE CALL FROM COUNT DUKU. HE HAS HENRY. JACK VOLUNTEERS TO DO ALL IN HIS POWER TO GET HIM BACK AND SHE HAS THE BALLS TO SAY SHE’S UNSURE IF SHE CAN TRUST HIM?

THE PROPER RESPONSE TO THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN – “F-U MADAM PRESIDENT. YOU CAN GET YOUR DAMN HUSBAND BACK YOURSELF.” THE ALTERNATIVE - "WITH ALL DUE RESPECT MADAM PRESIDENT, ASK AROUND." REALLY WASN’T HALF BAD.

Jack asks Renee to search Gedge's phone records, and she says she will need Larry to do it. She calls Larry's cell and begs him not to tell anyone she is alive because the FBI is corrupted. Yet Larry wants to meet her in person to prove that she is not under duress.

I CAN’T BEGIN TO EXPLAIN HOW MUCH LARRY ANNOYS ME. HE ANNOYS ME MORE THAN PRESIDENT TAYLOR – SO YOU CAN TELL IT’S A HELL OF A LOT.

WHEN RENEE CALLED I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO START CRYING RIGHT THERE IN THE HALLWAY.

At the FBI, Sean doesn't understand why the President is ignoring the fact that the CIP is still out there. He thinks they are being kept out of the loop. Janis realizes that Sean is having an affair with Erika, and he confesses that it is true.

THE FBI WHISPERER HAS RETURNED….I SURE AS HECK HOPE THE REASON THAT SEAN AND ERIKA ARE HAVING AN AFFAIR IS BECAUSE ERIKA IS THE MOLE AT THE FBI. THERE I SAID IT….CAN YOU THINK OF ANYONE MORE USELESS SO FAR. IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE….WHICH PROBABLY MEANS IT’S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO TRUE...AND IF THAT’S THE CASE – THEN WHY THE HECK EVEN HAVE THE SEAN/ERIKA AFFAIR STORY??

Renee and Jack go to Lafayette Park to meet Larry, who says that Gedge spoke to Vossler and that Vossler used to be Special Forces in Sangala. Jack questions whether Vossler has a family, and wants Renee to go to his house. Larry thinks that forceful interrogation is not the way to go, but Jack is insistent because it is "necessary." Larry faces off with Jack about Renee turning into a torturer like him.

I WOULD THINK THAT SECRET SERVICE AGENTS WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER VETTED BEFORE GETTING PLACED ON THE WHITE HOUSE DETAIL….OR HAVE I JUST READ TOO MANY POLITICAL THRILLERS??

SIDENOTE: AGENT VOSSLER – THE PRESIDENT OF THE HORRIBLE TV HAIRCUTS CLUB CALLED. IT’S YOUR TURN TO BRING COOKIES AND PUNCH TO THIS WEEKS MEETING.

QUITE THE LOW BLOW BY LARRY GOING OFF ON JACK LIKE THAT. DO YOU THINK HE WOULD EVER THINK THAT FORCEFUL INTERROGATION IS THE WAY TO GO?? PERHAPS IF IT HAD TO DO WITH RENEE HE MIGHT…AND LARRY – DON’T GO BLAMING JACK FOR RENEE’S ACTIONS. SEEMS LIKE SHE’S BEEN STANDING PRETTY CLOSE TO THAT LINE FOR A WHILE NOW AND JUST NEEDED THE RIGHT MOTIVATION TO TAKE THE STEP. IN THE END SHE IS THE ONE MAKING THE DECISION.

Dubaku gets a call from his girlfriend Marika and claims he will not make dinner because he has a "stack of shipping requests." Marika's sister Rosa accuses her of not knowing anything about "Samuel" the importer. Although Rosa is trying to protect her, Marika will not listen.

UMM – WE CARE ABOUT THIS WHY? THIS SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THOSE POINTLESS TANGENTS THAT THE WRITERS LOVED TAKING US ON IN SEASON 6.

MOVE ALONG PEOPLE – NOTHING TO SEE HERE.

Renee arrives at Vossler's house and takes his wife and baby hostage at gunpoint. She handcuffs the woman to the table, not allowing her to tend to her crying child.

ADD THIS TO THE LIST OF UNCOMFORTABLE SCENES WE’VE HAD SO FAR THIS YEAR. AT NO TIME DID I EVER THINK THAT FRECKLES WAS EVER GOING TO HURT MRS.VOSSLER AND THE BABY BUT BEING A FATHER, I COULD IMAGINE MRS.VOSSLERS FEAR AND HELPLESSNESS IN THE SITUATION. FRECKLES DID A GREAT JOB OF CONVEYING THE INNER TURMOIL SHE WAS DEALING WITH. NICE ACTING.

Larry searches Vossler's location and Jack follows, crashing into Vossler's car. Vossler will not give up Henry's location, and Jack calls Renee who puts her phone on speaker. Vossler speaks to his wife, who is frightened. Renee goes to the baby out of the woman's eyesight with her gun, and Vossler is forced to confess to Jack where Henry us. Renee has tears in her eyes as she gives the woman her baby. When Vossler attacks Jack with a knife, Jack fights back but Vossler is stabbed in the stomach. Jack leaves him and hijacks a car on the street. He calls Renee and tells her about Vossler's death. She admits that she cannot handle this, and Jack asks if she wants out. She is determined to stay.

ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF MAJOR INTENSITY HERE. AGAIN – NO REAL THOUGHT THAT THERE WOULD BE ANY HARM DONE TO THE VOSSLER’S (AT THE HOUSE) AND NO REAL FEAR THAT JACK WOULD BE TAKEN OUT BY THE KNIFE (HE IS JACK BAUER AFTER ALL).

BRAVO TO RENEE FOR KEEPING HER INNER DEMONS AT BAY AND DOING WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THINGS DONE.

ENJOYED WATCHING JACK STOP THAT GUY AND STEAL HIS CAR. THAT’S WHAT I CALL A CAR—JACKING!!! COME ON PEOPLE – I HAD THE SHOT SO I TOOK IT. I’LL BE HERE ALL WEEK. DON’T FORGET TO TIP YOUR WAITRESSES!

Ethan and Buchanan devise a plan to send a Matobo look-alike to Dubaku in order to buy time.

NOT THE WORST IDEA I’VE HEARD SO FAR TODAY….

Sean asks Larry why Homeland is lowering their security level when the CIP device is still at large. Larry brushes him off. Renee calls Larry and asks him to keep Vossler's death quiet. He is furious that she is going against the rules like Jack.

SO FUNNY WATCHING LARRY GET ANGRY…HIS FACE TURNS ALL RED AND SCRUNCHY AND HE STARTS HUFFING ABOUT. IT’S LIKE WATCHING A 7 YEAR OLD FREAK OUT BECAUSE HE CAN’T PLAY WITH HIS PLAYSTATION 3……OF COURSE HE AGREES TO DO IT BECAUSE IT’S FRECKLES AND HE CAN’T SAY NO TO HER.

Rosa calls "Samuel" and says that she knows that no one with his name has emigrated from Sangala. She threatens to tell Marika the truth unless he breaks up with her.

LOVED THIS CONVERSATION….COUNT DUKU ASKING HER – HAVE YOU TOLD ANYONE ELSE ABOUT THIS??? I’M YELLING AT THE TV – YES – TELL HIM YOU TOLD THE NEWSPAPERS, TELEVISION, ALL YOUR FRIENDS, THE MAILMAN…..EVERYONE!!!! NOPE – AND WE KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS….ROSA IS DOOMED.

When the Matobo decoy arrives at the meeting site, Dubaku gives the order to blow up the car. Taylor watches in horror over the satellite.

SHE’S 2 FOR 3 NOW……TWO PLANES DOWN AND OUT AND THE SECRET SERVICE AGENTS AND THE DECOY OUT. SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN 3 FOR 3 IF NOT FOR THE BAUER BUNCH TAKING OUT COUNT DUKU’S LAIR…..OH YEAH – SHE’S NOT SURE SHE CAN TRUST JACK……(SHAKING HEAD)……ANY OTHER BRIGHT IDEAS MADAM PRESIDENT??

Jack and Renee meet at the location Vossler gave up behind a grocery store. Dubaku calls his men at the hideout and order them to kill Henry. Before they do anything, Jack and Renee raid the premises and a gunfight ensues. One of the guards shoots Henry in the chest. Jack rushes to his side and has Renee call for an ambulance.

OH DEAR. POOR HENRY. HE’S BEEN A REAL PUNCHING BACK FOR THE TERRORISTS SO FAR. AT LEAST THEY DIDN’T ENGINEER LATHUM HIM AND BLOW HIM UP. NOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PRETTY HARD TO SURVIVE…

I'm sorry folks but that's all I've got for ya this week. Hopefully the entertaining creativity will return in the coming weeks. I hope you are all around to find out. :)

24 Day 7 2pm to 3pm

2009-02-09T16:37:00.000-08:00

I’m sorry but after having my doors blown off for the first 6 hours – this week’s episode was a bit underwhelming. Yes – lots and lots of neat stuff happened but it seemed to be more of a transitional episode than a game changer. Maybe I’ll be inspired as I make my way through the re-cap.

And off we go…

Day 7 2:00pm - 3:00pm

The Matobos are brought to Dubaku's hideout inside an office building. Meanwhile, Renee helps Jack, Tony and Buchanan infiltrate the building where they have tracked Matobo.

COMMENT: I’m liking Freckles as part of the team. I think she thrives on living on the edge. The question is how will Larry feel about her when she eventually returns as a changed FBI agent? I can’t wait for that exchange…”Time to grow a set Larry!”

At the FBI, Janis looks for potential firewall breaches and she sees weird activity over Kidron, Ohio. She calls the plant manager at a chemical plant there, and he mentions that his he has lost control of safety valves on toxic insecticide tanks. When he tries to shut down the tanks, they do not respond. Janis tells him to evacuate the premises. The President is briefed that half the town of Kidron would be killed by the plant leak.

COMMENT: In a shout out to Star Trek, the plant manager should have been wearing a red shirt since he’s not going to live past the 2nd commercial break…..

Janis pulls up the operating procedures of the tanks and walks the plant manager through releasing pressure on the valves. Unfortunately, it leaks the insecticide into the sealed room where the plant manager is. He sacrifices himself to save his workers.

COMMENT: Is it just me or do you think when they designed the place they should have designed the plant so that the manual pressure release valves weren’t IN THE SAME ROOM where the pressure FROM THE TOXIC GAS gets released? And if that’s how it is set up – how about a haz-mat suit somewhere REALLY close by just in case someone needs to manually release the pressure? If you want to have the plant manager die saving the town of Kidron, OH, can you come up with something a little better than that? Sheesh. Plant Manager Dude – we hardly knew ya!

Also – Janis seems to be taking it all so personally….oh yeah – I forgot….she’s weird!

Dubaku sees Jack and Tony entering his building. Fearing he will be caught, he orders the CIP module to be disengaged so that they can escape. At the FBI, Sean sees the firewall breach close. Janis notifies the plant manager, who says that the tanks are shutting down. Yet he is already infected and dies on the scene.

COMMENT: Doesn’t seem like Count Duku had a very good escape plan in place just in case his lair was discovered. He struck me as someone who is usually a bit more prepared for stuff….oh well.

As for Plant Manager Dude – bummer.

Btw – that is some SERIOUS insecticide. What exactly is it supposed to kill (besides plant managers)? Yikes.

Jack, Tony and Buchanan raid Dubaku's hideout in a shootout. Renee rescues the Matobos. The CIP device is destroyed. Dubaku grabs Latham, the captured engineer who built the CIP device, and rigs him with explosives. When Jack and his team find Latham, Dubaku sets off the bomb and escapes from the building.

COMMENT: Talk about a guy who has been bumming since the start of the day – poor Engineer Lathum. He and his daughter get hit by two trucks, he gets kidnapped and beaten, he builds this device that takes down two airplanes and instead of being let go when he is no longer of any use, Count Duku BLOWS HIM UP to cover his escape. Today would have been a good day to call in sick eh?

Ethan Kanin is annoyed because he cannot get in touch with Agent Gedge or Henry Taylor. With the national security threat still in place, Ethan reluctantly tells the President that her husband is missing after trying to drudge up information on their son's death.

COMMENT: My GOD – President Taylor annoys me. Not quite in the sniveling incompetent way that Charles Logan did but rather in the way she reacts to everything that happens like she’s 12. She tries to sound all serious and in control but it never works. I hate to say it (because it’s the ultimate insult) but actually – she IS like Logan - Charles Logan-lite.

Agent Vossler hears the Secret Service radio alert for Gedge and tries to call him. The ringing wakes Henry. Vossler holds Henry at gunpoint. Dubaku calls Vossler and orders him to bring Henry to him alive.

COMMENT: It’s about time Agent Vossler woke up and went to check on Gedge. How long did he think it was going to take to kill Samantha and frame Henry??? I mean – Hank (I refuse to refer to him as the First Gentlemen) and Gedge were out for quite a while after their tumble off the 2nd floor loft (Gedge much more so than Hank). You’d think he would have gone up for a quick looksie.

So now Hank’s been kidnapped and about to be turned over to Count Duku….Wow – the Henry storyline just keeps twisting and turning.

Jack convinces Buchanan that they need to bring in help from the feds to find Dubaku. He believes that Matobo can help them access President Taylor because they don't know who else they can trust. Matobo calls the President and asks to meet her privately at the White House. She is confused, but agrees.

COMMENT: “She is confused, but agrees.” Truer works have never been written. I have to admit to being a bit leery of Ethan. So far he’s given us no reason to think he is secretly a mole and that usually makes him the perfect candidate for that kind of thing. We’ll see.

Jack is surprised when Tony leaves instead of accompanying him with the Matobos.

COMMENT: No Tony? Why do I get the idea he somehow ends up back in the mix very soon? Because he's one of the main characters that's why!

Dubaku arrives at his apartment and there's a knock at the door. It is his girlfriend, an American woman named Marika, who calls him "Samuel." He hides his gun. She reminds him that he is supposed to come to her place for dinner. When she leaves, Dubaku calls Vossler to arrange for Taylor to be brought to him.

COMMENT: WHOA….A girlfriend for Count Duku. What a nice little twist. You know she’s going to end up in the middle of this mess when she comes by looking to borrow some sugar or something. Give the woman a red shirt!!

Just how long has he been in the country that he has a girlfriend and seemingly a whole life here?? Hmmm – that Count Duku is quite the evil dude.

So – looking back I have to admit there were some interesting moments this week. What’s going to happen when Jack/Bill/Chloe/Tony/Freckles (there’s gotta be a better name for them --- I'VE GOT IT...THE BAUER BUNCH!) get President Logan…ooops sorry……Taylor involved with their little group outside the government?

Although the episode seemed a bit FBI lite, we were treated to Larry going off on Sean for something trivial as he gazed longingly at a photo of Freckles on his computer as well as Janis bonding uncomfortably with the Plant Manager Dude. We can only hope for more of the unintentional comedy that is the FBI under Larry’s command.

So what’s next??

Two words – Hostage Henry!!

24 Day 7 - 1pm to 2pm

2009-01-28T19:45:00.000-08:00

Day 7 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Larry expands the search for Jack and Tony because they abducted Renee. Sean intercepts a phone call saying that Renee can be killed because they don't need her.

IT IS A REAL HOOT WATCHING LARRY GET ALL BENT OUTTA SHAPE DUE TO THE ABDUCTION OF RENEE. HE KILLS ME….

EXPANDING THE SEARCH BECAUSE THEY ABDUCTED RENEE??? SHOULDN’T THEY BE EXPANDING THE SEARCH BECAUSE THEY HAVEN’T FOUND JACK AND TONY???

Buchanan and Chloe arrive at the construction site where Tony has sent them. They dig up Renee, who is passed out. Buchanan pumps her heart and injects her heart with adrenalin to start it. Renee breathes. They explain that they are working with Jack, outside of any agency to uncover Dubaku's breach of the U.S. government. They plan to use Matobo to get to Dubaku.

DEFINITE PULP FICTION MOMENT THERE WITH THE NEEDLE. GOTTA HAND IT TO RENEE FOR IMMEDIATELY WANTING TO CALL LARRY TO LET HIM KNOW SHE IS ALIVE….NOT SURE WHY SHE HAS SUCH A MAJOR PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING THE NEW MOTTO WHEN IT COMES TO THE FBI – TRUST NO ONE. (X-FILES IS IN THE HOUSE – WOOP WOOP!)

In the van, Jack asks Emerson why he hasn't told Tony how he got him out of CTU. Emerson says that he was helped by Christopher Henderson, who purposefully missed Tony's artery when he "killed" him. Henderson wanted Tony alive. Emerson says that Tony chose to stay with his team because he was angry about what the government did to Michelle.

SCARRED TONY REARS HIS HEAD….ALONG WITH EMOTIONAL TONY. WAS THAT A TEAR MRS.GEEK SPOTTED ROLLING DOWN HIS FACE? SO THEY SLOWED HIS HEARTBEAT DOWN SO IT “APPEARED” HE WAS DEAD….YOU’D THINK THEY WOULD BE A LITTLE MORE THOROUGH THESE DAYS TO MAKE SURE HE STILL HAD A HEARTBEAT – NO MATTER HOW SLOW IT WAS! JEEPERS.

When the van arrives at a hangar, Emerson grabs Jack from behind. Tony pulls his gun on Emerson, saying he doesn't want to kill the Matobos. Jack urges Tony to take the shot and he does so reluctantly. Tony rushes to Emerson's side to tend to his wounds. Emerson refuses to forgive him. He then dies.

OOOH – GURGLING BLOOD. MRS.GEEK IS NOT THRILLED AT THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT. UMMM – ABOUT THE WHOLE “PLEASE FORGIVE ME” LOOK TONY WAS WORKING ON RALPH WALDO…WHATS UP WITH THAT? DUDE WAS EVIL AND YOU TOOK HIM DOWN. I KNOW HE SAVED YOUR LIFE AND WAS YOUR BEST BUDDY (IN EVIL) BUT ENOUGH ALREADY – MOVE ON.

Jack calls Buchanan and tells him to come. He informs the Matobos that he is really working to stop Dubaku, and he needs to deliver both of them to Dubaku to get inside.

THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PART OF THE WHOLE MATOBO SITUATION – MRS. MATOBO. SHE’S AWESOME. I HOPE SHE GETS TO HANG OUT FOR A WHILE.

Ethan advises President Taylor to prepare to pull back troops because they need Matobo's support, and he is now missing. She is firmly against this.

IT’S HOUR 6 AND I AM ALREADY SO DONE WITH PRESIDENT TAYLOR….HOW SAD IS THAT?? I MEAN I UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE “CAN’T GIVE IN TO TERRORISTS” THING BUT DECISIONS NEED TO BE MADE BASED ON REALITY – AND SHE SEEMS TO HAVE LOST THAT ABILITY. CAN WE RAISE DAVID PALMER FROM THE GRAVE? PLEASE…

Dubaku orders Nichols to dump all of Emerson's crew. With no caving from the President, Dubaku wants to next target an airplane heading for Washington. He calls the White House and tells Taylor to look out the window. She sees two planes collide and fall to the ground. He threatens to harm more if she does not comply. The President meets with the Cabinet, who all agree that they need to withdraw their troops because they cannot protect Americans from Dubaku. Taylor does not give in.

COUNT DUKU CHANGING THE RULES? HE’S DEFINITELY GOT SOME SPUNK (NOT AGENT FRECKLES SPUNK BUT THEN WHO DOES?).

UMMM – GOTTA SAY THAT WATCHING THE TWO PLANES COLLIDE AND FALL FLAMING TO THE GROUND WAS A LITTLE TOO REALISTIC FOR ME. MRS.GEEK AND I SAT THERE IN KIND OF A STUNNED SILENCE. IT WAS VERY SIMILAR TO WATCHING A NUCLEAR BOMB GO OFF IN LA A SEASON AGO. JUST SOMETHING YOU DON’T WANT TO ACTUALLY SEE ON TV.

WAS SOOOO HAPPY TO SEE THE SECRETARY OF STATE GO OFF ON THE PRESIDENT!! I AM SORRY TO SEE HIM GO (JUST BECAUSE HE SEEMED TO REPRESENT THE VOICE OF REASON) BUT I WOULD HAVE HAD NO RESPECT FOR HIM HAD HE JUST SAT BACK DOWN WITH HIS TAIL BETWEEN HIS LEGS. HE WILL BE MISSED.

Buchanan drives to the hangar. As Chloe fits Matobo with a transmitter, Jack tells Renee that she would have never believed him had he told her the truth earlier.

“I’M A STAY AT HOME MOM!” CLASSIC CHLOE. STILL WAITING FOR THE INEVITABLE CHLOE – JANIS THROWDOWN!

NICE TO SEE JACK AND AGENT FRECKLES GET SOME FACE TIME TOGETHER….AND NO FRECKLES – YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE BELIEVED HIM HAD JACK EXPLAINED THIS ALL TO YOU BEFORE HE PUT YOU IN A STRANGLE HOLD, KNOCKED YOU OUT, GOT YOU CAPTURED BY THE TERRORISTS, SHOT YOU IN THE NECK (INSTEAD OF THE HEAD), BURIED YOU UNDER A TARP AND LEFT YOU FOR DEAD….UMMM – SORRY.

In Samantha's condo, Henry Taylor sits on the couch paralyzed. When Samantha arrives home, she is surprised to see him there. He is unable to speak. Gedge stabs her from behind, as Henry watches helplessly. Ethan calls Gedge, looking for Henry. He is furious that Gedge allowed Henry to get near her, and Ethan orders him to return him to the White House. Gedge hangs up and puts Henry's fingerprints on the knife used to kill Samantha.

OTHER THAN THE INCIDENT WITH THE PLANES – THIS WAS THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE/INTERESTING STORY OF THE HOUR. NO MORE ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ FROM THE HENRY STORYLINE!!! WHO KNEW?? (THE WRITERS DID – THAT’S WHO!) GOING INTO THIS I WAS SURE THAT SOMEHOW SOMETHING WOULD GO WRONG WITH THE EVIL PLAN BUT I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT MIGHT BE. WOULD SAM SURVIVE?? WOULD HENRY?? WOULD THEY BOTH??

ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS WAS ANSWERED IMMEDIATELY WHEN GEDGE PLUNGED THE KITCHEN KNIFE INTO SAMANTHA’S BACK……UMMM – GOTTA SAY THAT THE SOUND EFFECT WAS WAY TO REALISTIC….IT WAS ALSO QUITE FUN WATCHING HIM WIND UP AND PLUNGE THE KNIFE INTO HER CHEST….NOT…. I’M WINCING JUST THINKING ABOUT IT.

HEY – LOOK THERE…….HENRY MOVED HIS HAND!!

Tony greets Nichols at the hangar, telling him that Jack and Emerson are dead because he wants to keep the payment for himself. Tony hands over the Matobos. As Nichols' men are about to shoot Tony, Jack takes them out. Tony sends Nichols off with the Matobos. Chloe is tracking them.

I HAD FORGOTTEN FOR A MOMENT THAT NICHOLS AND HIS TEAM INTENDED TO KILL TONY AND THE REST OF THE GANG ONCE THEY HAD THE MATOBOS SAFELY TUCKED AWAY…..SO I WAS A LITTLE ANTSY WHEN THEY SHOWED UP WITH A SUV FULL OF MEN.

FEAR NOT FRIENDS!

JACK BAUER.
HIGH POWERED RIFLE.

NEED I SAY MORE??

Gedge rigs a rope to make it look like Henry hung himself. Henry musters up whatever strength he can and fights him. The two fall over the loft balcony, and Henry lands on Gedge, who is killed.

WAY TO GO HENRY!!!!!!! OR AS I WROTE IN MY NOTES……..HENRY – SWEEEET!! YOU MIGHT JUST ADD SOMETHING OF VALUE TO HOUR NUMBER 7 AFTER ALL…..I KNOW – I KNOW…AS ALWAYS (EXCEPT FOR SEASON 6) THE LESSON IS – TRUST THE WRITERS.

Annoyed that President Taylor will not give up, Dubaku sets up the next target -- a chemical plant in Ohio that, with a leak, will kill almost 18,000 people.

NOT.
GOOD.

WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE FOR PRESIDENT TAYLOR TO REALIZE THAT STICKING TO HER PRINCIPLES IS ONLY GOING TO GET MORE PEOPLE KILLED??? INTERESTING THAT ETHAN AND HOMELAND SECURITY DUDE TIM ARE ALREADY QUIETLY WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS THE GOAL OF TROOP REMOVAL.

DO I SENSE SOME SORT OF IMPEACHMENT DOWN THE LINE?? ALL I KNOW IS THAT SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE.

THIS EPISODE WAS A LITTLE BIT FBI LITE. NOT MUCH OF LARRY, SEAN AND JANIS AND THEIR UNINTENTIONAL COMEDY. I’M SURE THERE WILL BE PLENTY MORE DOWN THE LINE….DON’T WORRY - I CAN WAIT.

I DO HAVE TO SAY THAT SO FAR I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS NEW SEASON. THE STORYLINE LINE HAS HAD ENOUGH TWISTS AND TURNS TO KEEP US ALL ON OUR TOES AND THERE HAS BEEN THE TEASE OF MUCH MUCH MORE.

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS?
-WILL PRESIDENT TAYLOR COME TO HER SENSES AND GET THE TROOPS MOVING OUT OF SANGALA??
-DOES SHE EVEN CARE WHERE HER HUSBAND IS??
-WILL TONY AND THE GANG GET THEIR HANDS ON COUNT DUKU BEFORE HE CAN DO MORE DAMAGE WITH THE CIP UNIT?
-WILL HENRY BE ABLE TO GET REVENGE (JUSTICE) FOR THE KILLING OF HIS SON??
-WILL HE REMEMBER TO GRAB THE MURDER WEAPON WITH HIS FINGERPRINTS ALL OVER IT BEFORE HE FLEES SAMANTHA’S APT??
-WHO IS/ARE THE LEAK(S) IN THE FBI?
-WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH SEAN?? WHY IS HE WEIRD?
-WHY IS JANICE SOCIALLY STUNTED? IS THAT HOW IT IS WITH BRLLIANT FEMALE COMPUTER ANALYSTS ON THE SHOW??
-BILL AND CHLOE TO THE RESCUE!!!!!
-WHAT IS THE TRUE NATURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LARRY AND FRECKLES? PLEASE CONFIRM A PRIOR OR CURRENT RELATIONSHIP. I GET THE FEELING NOW THAT THEY DATED PREVIOUSLY, BROKE UP BUT STILL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER. HE’S STILL PINING FOR HER AND SHE DOESN’T WANT TO MAKE HIM FEEL BAD.

INQUIRING MINDS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW!!

The first 4 hours

2009-01-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

I apologize that I've glossed over the first 4 hours of the day only providing general thoughts and observations of the gang so far. I also completely left out any sort of observation on the 24: Redmeption movie. Bad Geek!

Now that I have found a format that works for me, I may take the time to go back and fill in the blanks a bit on 8:00am to 12:00pm and the movie.

Feel free to wait (it won't be long) or....

If you immediately need a little more meat on the proverbial 24 bone - here is the link to summaries of the first 4 hours of Day 7 (courtesy of Fox.com)....

Any questions let me know.

24 Day 7 - 12pm to 1pm

2009-01-20T12:14:00.000-08:00

Before we get all into it……just a few thoughts on the first 4 hours of the day.

A BIG welcome back to Jack!!! The first 4 hours have been really (really) good. The storyline so far has been engaging and well told. There seems to actually be a coherent story with a point this season and the leaps of faith have been few and far between (so far).

Some first impressions of the gang –

JACK – what’s there to say? He’s back with attitude. Loved him putting Neil Perry’s Dad (DEAD POET’S SOCIETY SHOUT OUT) in his place during the Senate hearings and telling Agent Freckles and the FBI – if you want to get things done you need to do it my way.

AGENT RENEE WALKER – I like Agent Freckles. She’s got spunk. Hopefully they have big things planned for her today…..although its looking a little bleak at the moment.

PRESIDENT ALLISON TAYLOR – Seems like she’s got a nice head on her shoulders and isn’t afraid to mix it up with her team. I liked that she let her Sec of State have it. She’s getting a little bit annoying now that the (stuff) is hitting the fan. Of course everyone can’t be President David Palmer (a moment of silence if you will).

HENRY TAYLOR – ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…..(yawn) Is he off the screen yet??

CHIEF OF STAFF ETHAN KANIN – I’ve got no major vibe so far from Shawshank Redemption’s Warden Norton. He seems to just be going along for the ride. He’s either a Mike Novick (trusted advisor through and through) or he’s going to be the mole. I like that he prefers to protect American citizens before Sangalans….but maybe that’s just me.

AGENT LARRY MOSS – HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…….the guy just kills me. His reactions towards Jack in the first 4 hours have had me falling off the couch in laughter (ok – not quite off the couch but still – giggling loudly). You get my point. Possibly the worst FBI agent in charge ever depicted on 24. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

JANIS GOLD – giggle. Pure entertainment. Socially awkward. Brilliant. Just a joy to watch on the screen. Can’t wait for her and Chloe to have a showdown. It’s inevitable.

SEAN HILLINGER – Welcome to 24 – Entourage’s own Billy Walsh!!! You are just plain weird. Where do they find these guys??? Can’t wait to see how the Sean-WIFE-Erika 3-some plays out….and what else they have in store for him.

And last but certainly not least – our old favorites…….

TONY ALMEIDA – so happy to have you back Tony. Even happier that you are still Good Tony rather than Evil Tony. Sorry you are still scarred Tony. It’s going to be fun watching you and Jack take on the bad guys again…..how about smiling a bit more ‘kay?

CHLOE O’BRIAN – YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What more is there to say?

BILL BUCHANAN – Our favorite CTU lead is back….AND WITH SCRUFF!! (even better - NO KAREN!!) Not sure where this little group “working outside of the government” is going to end up but I for one am along for the ride!!!

Now without further ado….hour 5.

DAY 7 – 12pm to 1pm

Larry Moss briefs Agent Remick about the Matobo situation. He learns that Tanner's lawyers are going after the FBI and calls Renee, who is on her way to the scene. "We got the information we needed," is her only answer. Larry demands that she return to the office, but she refuses, blaming herself for Jack's escape. Renee shuts off her mobile phone.

AGENT FRECKLES HAS GONE OFF THE RES...APPARENTLY A FEW HOURS WITH JACK WAS ALL IT TOOK TO UNLEASH HER INNER BAUER.

AS FOR HER BOSS - AGENT MOSS KEEPS CRACKING ME UP WITH ALL THE TORTURE TALK AND THE FACT THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO RESPECT HIM AT ALL. HE SURE IS SNAPPY FOR A SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE…SHOW A LITTLE TACT LARRY….

Sean speaks to his wife, who has landed. She wonders if he had something to do with her flight getting priority. He says she got lucky.

SEAN IS WEIRD…WHAT IS HIS DEAL?? THIS WHOLE THING WITH HIS WIFE IS JUST STRANGE. IT DOESN’T SEEM TO HAVE A POINT….AND THE ONE THING THE WRITERS HAVE DONE SO FAR THIS SEASON IS MAKE SURE THINGS HAVE A POINT….FRANKLY IM JUST AS CONFUSED AS YOU.

Locked in the safe room, Matobo tells his wife Alama that the people who have come for them work for Dubaku. He will not give up the names of his allies. She realizes that they want to use her to get him to talk. Alama encourages him to be the leader that the people of Sangala need. Sean calls Matobo's security guard, and Emerson sees the FBI number on the man's phone. Tony and Jack are insistent that they cannot leave without Matobo. Jack thinks he can flush him out with gas before the SWAT teams arrive.

JACK DOESN’T JUST THINK SO…HE IS QUITE ANIMATED ABOUT IT. THE 74TH RULE OF 24 – WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING CHEMICAL WEAPONS FROM HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS YOU DON’T ARGUE WITH JACK! LEARN IT. LIVE IT. KNOW IT

BY THE WAY – IT STRUCK ME AS VERY ENTERTAINING HOW THE ID ON THE PHONE SHOWED UP AS “F.B.I.”…..SUBTLE…REAL SUBTLE.

Jack whips up something in the kitchen and blows it into the safe room's ventilation. Emerson warns Matobo, who doesn't want his wife to be sacrificed. Alama is afraid to die and opens the safe room door. Emerson's team carries them out into a waiting van.

SEE. JACK KNOWS BEST. WAS IT JUST ME OR DID THE WIFE SEEM PHYSICALLY STRONGER THAN MATOBO?? NO SELF CONTROL BUT SHE DID MANAGE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. PROPS TO ALAMA…

Tanner's lawyers arrive at the FBI, but Larry doesn't let them question Janis because of the national emergency. Meanwhile, Renee arrives at the Matobo house and calls Larry about the abduction. One of Emerson's men finds her and takes her hostage. Renee curses at Jack, who convinces Emerson not to kill her, and they load her into the van as well. They pull away before the SWAT team arrives. "I can't believe I trusted you," Renee sneers at Jack.

CAN YOU BELIEVE THE BALLS ON TANNERS LAWYERS?? WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THINGS (AND YOU WERE SENT BY THE AG HIMSELF) BUT THERE IS SOME SERIOUS (STUFF) GOING DOWN….CAN’T IT WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW?

AGENT FRECKLES IS BUMMING. HASN’T SHE LEARNED THAT THERE’S ONLY ONE PERSON WHO CAN TAKE ON ALL OF THE BAD GUYS ALONE – AND HIS INITIALS ARE J.B. I DO LIKE THAT SHE’S STILL GOT A BIT OF SPUNK….ALTHOUGH SHE NEEDS TO SETTLE DOWN A BIT. CALLING OUR BOY A LYING S.O.B…..UMM - KEEP MOUTHING OFF AT THE GUY WITH THE GUN. THAT’S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA.

BIG YELLOW VAN?? COULDN’T THEY FIND SOMETHING SLIGHTLY LESS CONSPICUOUS??

Despite Ethan's argument, President Taylor still wants to authorize the military action in Sangala because she refuses to give in to terrorist blackmail. She is shocked to learn that Matobo was abducted by Jack and Tony, which now affects the U.S. invasion. Yet Taylor wants to find Matobo first before she meets Dubaku's deadline.

AFTER STARTING OFF THE DAY WITH A BANG – PRESIDENT TAYLOR IS STARTING TO REALLY ANNOY ME…..AND WHY IS IT THAT SHE ALWAYS SEEMS SO SURPRISED WHENEVER SHE IS TOLD SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED?? WHEN SHE FOUND OUT MATOBO HAD BEEN ABDUCTED SHE NEVER CONSIDERED IT COULD HAVE INVOLVED TONY AND JACK??? HELLO??? WELCOME TO DAY 7!

AS FOR THE AUTHORIZATION OF MILITARY ACTION – LET THE FOLKS IN SANGALA FEND FOR THEMSELVES FOR THE TIME BEING. IS COUNT DUKU GOING TO KILL EVERYONE THERE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU TURN THE CARRIER GROUP AROUND?? JUST TURN IT BACK AROUND NEXT WEEK WHEN THE U.S. HAS RECOVERED THE CIP UNIT AND THIS LATEST CRISIS HAS PASSED!! IT’S NOT CAVING IN TO TERRORISTS MADAM PRESIDENT – IT’S JUST A TEMPORARY CHANGE OF PLANS. GOTTA LEARN TO ADJUST ON THE FLY BABY!!

Janis picks up that there's something going on between Sean and another girl in the office named Erika. She assigns Sean a task. Larry is upset that Renee has been captured.

JANIS CRACKS ME UP. SHE IS CHLOE LITE. I GUESS SHE’S THE FBI WHISPERER – PICKING UP ON THE VIBES BETWEEN SEAN AND ERIKA….APPARENTLY SEAN ISN’T THE CONCERNED HUSBAND WE WERE ALL SUPPOSED TO THINK HE IS….THE QUESTION NOW IS WHY MAKE SUCH A BIG DEAL ABOUT GETTING YOUR WIFE’S PLANE DOWN SAFELY IF YOU ARE SLEEPING WITH ERIKA?? LIKE I SAID BEFORE – SEAN IS WEIRD.

WATCHING LARRY MELT DOWN BECAUSE FRECKLES HAS BEEN TAKEN HAS BEEN SO MUCH FUN. THINK THEY’VE GOT SOMETHING GOING ON??? YEAH – ME TOO. I DO LIKE THAT HE ACTS LIKE HE’S THE ONLY ONE WHO CARES SHE’S BEEN TAKEN.

Emerson gets a call from Nichols. His source at the FBI said that Renee found out about their Matobo abduction by breaking Tanner. They detour to a construction site to kill Renee.

YOU THINK FRECKLES IS DONE THINKING THAT JACK IS THE LEAK INSIDE THE FBI?? SINCE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THAT – WHO DO YOU THINK THE MOLE IS??? ONLY TIME WILL TELL.

Janis notes to Sean that she thinks Larry has feelings for Renee.

THE FBI WHISPERER HAS STRUCK YET AGAIN.

Dubaku is concerned that the American troops have not withdrawn in Sangala. Nichols encourages him to use the CIP device to cause another attack and convince the President otherwise.

COUNT DUKU IS A LITTLE JUMPY. HOW LONG DOES HE THINK TROOP WITHDRAWAL TAKES??? IT’S NOT LIKE CLEARING A BAR AT CLOSING TIME….GIVE IT A FEW MINUTES WHY DON’T YA….JEEPERS.

Agent Gedge tells Henry he will have a friend help decipher the thumb drive, and they head to the friend's house. Henry says he cannot take the evidence to his wife until he can prove his theory about his son's murder. They arrive at a condominium and Henry sees photos of his son on the mantle. Putting on rubber gloves, Gedge tells him that it is Samantha's apartment. Henry realizes that Gedge killed Roger. Suddenly, Henry falls down, almost paralyzed. Gedge spiked his coffee with a neuromuscular paralytic. Gedge says that Roger was "looking into things he shouldn't have."

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!! DANGER!!! UP TO THIS POINT THIS STORYLINE HAD PRODUCED NOTHING MORE THAN A BIG “ZZZZZZZZZZZZ” IN MY NOTES….OH HENRY. AT LEAST I WON’T MISS YOU….

Gedge calls another agent, Vossler, who is tracking Samantha. Their plan is to make it appear she killed Henry. Vossler approaches Samantha and says that Henry believes she is in danger. She goes with Vossler to her apartment.

MRS.GEEK COMMENTED “WOW – SHE’S PRETTY TRUSTING.” MY RESPONSE – “IT IS THE SECRET SERVICE.” I’M THINKING THAT IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRUST SOMEONE WHEN YOU CAN’T TRUST ANYONE, THE SECRET SERVICE IS A DECENT PLACE TO START….EXCEPT IN THE LAND OF 24 (AND A TON OF SPY NOVELS OUT THERE).

Sean intercepts a call with mention of Renee. They hear Nichols instruct Emerson to kill her. Meanwhile, the van arrives at the site. Emerson instructs Jack to shoot her. Jack walks her out toward a ditch, and whispers in her ear to trust him. He points his gun at the back of her head and fires. Renee falls to the ground, still alive but with blood on her neck. Emerson sees Jack roll her into the ditch and place a plastic tarp over her body. Emerson orders Jack and Tony to bury her. Renee watches silently in fear as they shovel dirt on her.

OF COURSE JACK GETS THE “KILL” ASSIGNMENT….AND JACK AND TONY GET THE “BURY” ASSIGNMENT. CONVENIENT - BUT RALPH WALDO IS KEEPING AN EAGLE EYE ON THEM. (THAT LAST STATEMENT WAS SPONSORED BY THE MOVIE “EAGLE EYE”, CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN STORES ON DVD AND BLU-RAY DISC).

OKAY – A PRETTY CREEPY WAY TO END THINGS….CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO FILM THAT SCENE – NEVERMIND HAVE IT ACTUALLY HAPPEN. I LIKE AGENT FRECKLES AND DON’T WANT THE 5 HOURS I’VE INVESTED IN HER SO FAR TO GO TO WASTE. SHE’S GOT SOME SPUNK AND HAS ALREADY SHOWN A WILLINGNESS TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET INFORMATION. IT’S ALMOST TIME TO GIVE THAT WOMAN A LAMP AND A BOTTLE OF WATER!.

Some thoughts on next week -
* Looks like Henry and Samantha are doomed....but could they have a trick up their sleeve??? Well planned murders always seem to go wrong
* Looks like things are going to get a bit tense for Jack and Tony
* Where o' where are Bill and Chloe?? Time to get them further into the mix.
* Who's the dude in charge of the bad guys??? What's his deal??

I'm officially re-hooked. How about you??

24 returns!

2009-01-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

Yes I watched last night.

Yes I was impressed. Very impressed. So impressed that after each 15 minute break I kept saying to Mrs.Geek, looking pretty good through the first 15 mins...30 mins...45 mins...etc.

I like the new characters. I like the story. I like that Tony has returned (Mrs.Geek isnt thrilled he's now evil and is hoping he'll be "turned" by the end of the day). I like the new FBI agent Jack is working with. I don't like her boss (and boyfriend - come on can it be anymore obvious?). I'm not thrilled with the First Gentlemen....but I do like Madame President.

....and after the first two hours - WE GET IT - TORTURE IS WRONG! Let's move on shall we.

All in all I was pleasantly surprised.

You can all (all 3 of you) look forward to a more detailed breakdown once the next two hours are complete.

I'm really glad Jack is back.

2...4...9...14

2009-01-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

what do these numbers represent??

(2) the number of days until the mid-season premiere of psych! I am definitely psyched.

(4) the number of days until the 2hour Season 7 premiere of 24! JACK IS BACK!

(9) the number of days until the first of the final 10 episodes of Battlestar Galactica! Who will the final cylon be??

(14) the number of days until the Season 5 premiere of LOST!

Phew...it's going to be quite a January.

DVR disaster.....and Redemption 24-style

2008-11-26T15:06:00.000-08:00

So for reasons unknown to me, for the 2ND time now - my DVR failed to record something after I set it up to record. No real disaster there geek - you say. Well - the event that it failed to record........wait for it......

24: Redemption.

After what seems like years (because it pretty much has been that long) of waiting for Jack Bauer to return to my TV screen - FIOS DVR has foiled me yet again.

The bright side to this dark side of the moon - it's available for viewing online (thanks to the gang at fox.com) and it's available on DVD (along with a 15 minute clip of Season 7). Crisis averted.

Armed with that little bit of info - I did take some time to check out the beginning (first 20 minutes or so).

First impressions-
WOOO - guns and stabbing people in the neck....Jack is officially back.
Hello Tom Lennox. Nice to see you again.
Mr. President - you are still a prick.
new MRS. President - pretty spunky. I like it.

Looking forward to the rest of it and the coming season 7.

Who Knew? (Thanksgiving cooking edition)

2008-11-26T14:27:00.000-08:00

So it's become one of those semi-traditions that I make a french meat pie as part of our Thanksgiving dinner. This a good thing for many reasons - it's reminds me of Thanksgiving (and Christmas) as a child since its something that I grew up with and have loved for years and years, most people who eat it seem to agree that its pretty darn good, and most importantly, its easy to make so there is very little I can do to mess up the cooking process.

You just heat up some meat, add in some mashed potatoes, chopped onions and then flavor to taste with some allspice and Bell's Seasoning. Throw that into a pie crust and bake the whole thing for about 35 minutes at 375 degrees. Pretty simple huh??

Well - it turns out that trying to find Bell's Seasoning here in Oregon is quite the project. Who knew that it was some kind of New England diety that can pretty much only be found in one of the original 13 colonies - along with Devil Dogs and coffee syrup, prime ingredient in the official drink of the state of Rhode Island.

So after checking Safeway and Fred Meyer, I (with the help of family and friends and the internets) tracked some down at the local Whole Foods. God bless the good folks there.

Chaulk that up as a lesson learned for this Thanksgiving 2008.

Happily - we will now be able to enjoy a properly seasoned meat pie. Phew!

Happy Thanks and Turkey Day to you all.

For your 24 reading pleasure

2008-11-22T10:22:00.000-08:00

If you are so inclined, here are a few articles about tomorrow nights movie...

from:
NEWSWEEK

USA TODAY

ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION

SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

WASHINGTON POST

Or you can just go right here to Google News and link to one of the other 200 or so articles about it from around the globe.

Never let it be said I don't like to share.

Jack is back

2008-11-21T13:59:00.000-08:00

After a long writers strike induced hiatus from 24 related content, now is as good a time as ever to mention what you all probably already know.

Jack is back.

Sunday night at 8pm on Fox, it's 24: Redemption, a 2hour pre-quel/bridge to Season 7.

Even after the disaster that was Season 6, I am quite excited at the prospect of more Jack Bauer. I'll be giving it a fair chance to impress me and bring me back for more.

What about you???

thank you 2008 red sox!

2008-10-19T21:44:00.001-07:00

unfortunately the red sox season came to a close tonight - just 4 wins short (5 if you count tonight) of a 3rd world series championship in the last 5 seasons.

rather than being crushed, instead i basked in the healthy glow of the 2 championships we do have in my lifetime and the never-say-die attitude that this team showed us the whole year.

game 5 was sureal....once in a lifetime...something i will always think about with a huge smile on my face (not unlike THE game 7 in 2004). :: smile ::

while i'm saddened at the loss of my favorite baseball team just short of the prize - i also realize that April is a long way away.

so - Papi, Youk, Pedie, Beck, Les, Paps and all the other Red Sox, thank you for 2008.

i've already begun counting down to April 2009.

....and now it's the Phillies and Rays for the World Series title.

the sound you just heard is Fox executives leaping from the nearest tall building.

wall street bailout??? you tell me.

2008-09-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

So i just got this instant message from my sister saying that apparently - McCain's latest idea is to ask the American public what we think they should do to fix the financial crisis.

Are you EFFING kidding me?

How about this...I think in order to fix the financial crisis that the federal government should give any family making less than 150K a year, $1million tax free.......middle class financial crisis solved.

What's his next "solution" (hail mary) going to be??? If I'm elected President - 3 days a week will be "President for a Day" days at the White House.

I can hear it now - "sign up to come in and solve the problems of average Americans all while getting to sleep in the Lincoln bedroom."

Each person gets a single line item veto to use at their own discretion.

Funny? Frightening.

The Debate

2008-09-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

So yeah - I watched.

Wait - before I get to what I thought why don't you all go here, take a look at who I'm supporting, make a quick donation, and come on back for my 2 cents.

Welcome back.

Back to the debate. I watched....and I thought it was good. I don't think either candidate delivered that knock out punch (to use a metaphor that's already been grossly overused) that everyone would have been talking about today. I thought it was pretty even across the board.

That said - it was GREAT to read that the consensus out there was that Obama won the debate. I think he let several chances go by where he could have slammed McCain but I also think that was his plan. I believe he is looking at the debates as a 3 part mission. In the first, the goal was to look even handed, smart and "Presidential". Mission accomplished (no aircraft carrier needed!). I expect that in the 2nd debate he will take a few more shots and be a bit more on the attack and in the final debate, he will bury him.

Last night was a debate about foreign policy. It was supposed to be right in McCain's wheelhouse but instead of coming off as knowledgeable and as a wise old foreign policy sage, he came off as snarky and a bit condescending. Just like everyone at the love-fest they called the Republican National Convention.

How's that working out for ya these days??

Next up....the train wreck that is Sarah Palin and the VP debate.

The popcorn is in the microwave!

Big Brain News of the Day

2008-09-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

from the good folks at UCLA - apparently prime numbers go pretty darn high.

it looks like they managed to discover a 13 million-digit prime number!

the result of all that brain power - a chance at $100k.

i think my only shot is the lottery.

pimping USA network

2008-07-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

psych returns for an all-new season THIS FRIDAY NIGHT at 10pm on USA network.

be there or be square.

holy ---- its summer!

2008-07-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

i figured that now is a good a time as any to dust off the 'old keyboard and get back into the middle of this whole "blog" business that used to be a bit part of my life.

its not like anything major has happened in the last 6 months like WE BOUGHT A HOUSE! yep - we are now the very proud owners of our very own 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath townhome on the outskirts of beaverton, oregon. we're not quite into hillsboro but we can see the city line from our window....not that there is anything at all wrong with the great city of hillsboro. we've kept ourselves busy getting settled but there is still so much to do. no real surprise there. its just a very rewarding feeling to be paying ourselves each month (so to speak) rather than pissing away rent money into someone elses pocket.

but - rather than spilling 6 months worth of experiences out in one big geyser i think i'll just splash out a bit here and there and ease back into things. i've got to keep you (all) on your toes and wanting more right???

bye for the moment.

the countdown to DARK KNIGHT is down to 3 days.

yeah i'm pretty excited too.

sweet

2008-03-06T20:58:00.000-08:00

just saw this bit of news on....24!

24 Makes Up for Lost Time This Fall

The producers of 24 on Wednesday began securing cast members for a two-hour movie that will air in the fall and bridge the prolonged, strike-induced gap between Seasons 6 and 7. The "prequel," as the Reporter is terming it, will effectively set the stage for the show's January 2009 return.

What's the title going to be, "2"?

Production on the Washington, D.C.-based Season 7, which had eight episodes in the can before the work stoppage hit, will resume in April.

so we've got that goin' for us now - which is pretty cool.

looking forward to the prequel.

18-1

2008-02-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

So...things didn't quite go according to the "master plan". The Patriots record setting offense was reduced to rubble and the defense couldn't protect the late lead and lost by a fingertip.

So what's a Pats fan to do? Get over it. Sure, the last few days have been a combination of denial and running screaming from the room every time Eli Manning shows up saying he's going to Disneyworld. Other than that I'm just fine.

Honestly - I was able to put things into perspective pretty quickly. 3 Super Bowl titles in 7 years is nothing to sneeze at. As for the "perfect" season. We all know that no one was ever going to give them the credit they would have deserved because of Spygate and an un-healthy hate of all things Patriots. Would it have been cool? No doubt. But now it's gone and we all have to deal with it.

I am already looking to the new baseball season and enjoying the resurgence of the Boston Celtics.

There is more to life than football.

But man it would have been REALLY cool.

The Big Game!

2008-02-02T20:49:00.000-08:00

Yeah yeah yeah. The new season of LOST is REALLY good! Lots of new questions and an appearance by our old pal - SPOILER ALERT - Charlie! More on that later.

For now its all about Super Bowl 42. By this time tomorrow night the NFL will have crowned itself a new champion and if all goes according to the "master plan", for the 4th time in 7 years, the name on the trophy will say Patriots.

I've got 3 words for you....MVP - Wes Welker.

I'll be donning my 83 home jersey and cheering he and the rest of the team on to victory.

Darn its going to be a blast!!!!

GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!!

Santana to Gotham City

2008-01-30T10:09:00.000-08:00

What better way to make a triumphant return to the blogosphere (on the eve of the return of LOST) than to comment on Johan Santana and his apparent move to New York.

How can I say that with a straight face?? Because it's the Mets we are talking about and not the hated Yankees.

My reaction?? Good for the Mets. Good luck in 2008.

Am I upset that he didn't end up playing for the Sox?? Not really. I will be happy to enter 2008 with the current crop of vets and youngsters populating the roster. The same vets and youngsters that won the World Series this past October. With Sir Joshua of Beckett leading the charge I expect another season of kicking ass and taking names.

So bye bye Johan. Have a blast in the National League winning your 3rd Cy Young award! We are certainly happy to not have to face you anymore in the AL.

Lastly - thank you for not ending up with the Yankees.

On to Florida!

Ummm guys?

2007-12-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

Since the end of October I have been sitting around basking in the warm glow of another (yes I just typed the word ANOTHER) Red Sox World Championship, the Patriots weekly assault on the NFL, its teams and all time records, and the new Gang Green Boston Celtics (who as we speak own the best record in the NBA at 13-2). I sat back and watched Theo and his Band of Renouned re-sign Curt Schilling to a below market deal (thanks Curt) so he can finish his career in Boston (with a 3rd championship dare I ask???) and sign the goodest (sure I made that word up) third baseman on the planet Mike Lowell, to a nice shiny new deal. Great we all thought. Now we can sit back and enjoy the winter. Maybe grab some middle relief, maybe another bat or something. You know - take it EASY.

Then the Twins had to go and make all world pitcher Johan Santana available to the highest bidder. Since MLB has no salary cap the "highest bidder" is one of approximately 5 teams. There's no way the Royals or Nationals get Johan. Step right up Red Sox, Yankers/Chokers (or whatever you'd prefer to call them these days), Angels, Mets and Dodgers. You see it's not just about having the prospects to give up for him. You also have to pony up the $150million extention as well. YUMMY.

So Johan becomes available. So of course the Red Sox (and Chokers - I'm going with that) have to get involved. With dueling prospect packages. The problem is not the $$$. It's which prospects the Twins want. Perhaps you saw this kid Ellsbury in the playoffs last year. Batted .400. Stole the "base that fed a country". Broke hearts all the way from Bangor to Newport. Well - the Twins want him. Oh yeah - and the kid who threw the no-hitter last September. They want him. The Twins are like the Air Force. AIM HIGH.

Well now this just keeps going back and forth. Chokers up their prospect package. Sox change theirs around. Back and forth they go.

Then I see this note in the news yesterday. Another ace may be available next to a little picture of Eric Bedard of the Orioles. DING. The light goes on. This is the same Eric Bedard who was leading the league in K's with an ERA around 3 before he tweaked a muscle in his side and had to shut it down in September. So - why not bid up the deal with Santana but hold firm on the Lester, Crisp and two minor league studs package while also reaching out to the Orioles about Bedard.

I hardly think it's that crazy an idea.

Ummm Theo? You listening??