Now that it's been sixteen days into January, I think it's safe to say that 2007 is here to stay. Of course, we don't have much of a choice in that matter. The 15-day return policy expired yesterday so unless we can sell it on Ebay we're stuck with 2007 for the time being. I guess we could regift it next year. But who'd want that?

With the new year brings a new season of 24. A bunch of folks came over to watch the two-day, four-hour premier and check out my sofa (a.k.a. carpet). Last night, I decided again that I express a strong disliking towards the show and I'll never watch it ever again. Here are my reasons why. I'm not going to make any effort to keep the events in the first four episodes or any other episode, for that matter, a secret. I suppose this constitutes a spoiler warning, but seeing as the events in the first four episodes of the show spoiled it for me, there's nothing to spoil.

2 to 4 reasons why I dislike 24 (in no particular order)

1. Last night, when we watched it, right as the nuke went off my TV crapped out. The screen suddenly went dark. I thought it was part of the show but...no, 24 nuked my TV. I think what happened was that one of the outlets on the surge protector puked because the TV worked again when I plugged it into another outlet. Bah. So we missed the most explosive part of the episode (pun painfully intended). On top of that, my internet access (no longer interNOT) was out last night. I couldn't go online and downlo...uh...find BITs of information TO Read what happened so I will need to RENT it when it comes out. Bah.
2. They whacked Kumar. And to add insult to injury, Kumar didn't get any White Castle. He was holding a family hostage and got the father to do exactly as he said. That "exactly" didn't include getting White Castle. How can they do that to him? Kumar without White Castle is like Ahmed without the component. Sure, he was a new recruit, but he was reliable. And what do they do? They kill him.
3. Speaking of reliable, Curtis Manning was the most reliable character on the show. He always had Jack's back. Well, until Jack came back. He demonstrated courage, honor, and, most importantly, a badassness rivaled only by Jack Bauer himself. As a reward for his impressive characteristics, Jack kills him. Oh sure, he held a grudge against Assad for killing his men in Iraq many years back. And sure, Assad is necessary for saving thousands of American lives. But Curtis was honoring the memories of his fallen comrades. And for that, he gets a bullet in the neck.
4. On the subject of holding grudges, I'm still mad about how they snuffed Edgar last season. I said I'd never watch the show ever again. I'm a liar. Not like Edgar. He was one of the good guys. Even Chloe said so between scowls.

On a related note, why do the 24 writers keep killing characters that I like? It could be that the writers kill a dude off when they find out that I find him or her admirable. I'm going to try a different strategy: Chloe is the most awesome character on the show. She's so hot and that scene where she was at her terminal while talking on the phone with Jack was so cool. I hope they keep her around 4ever!!!1!!1!

Yeah, take that li'l Miss Open-up-a-socket.