There aren't too many US TV shows that inspire the same passion in me as there were a few years back. Xena, Buffy, Angel, X Files, Voyager - these were all ones I adored. Alias is winding down, and has been a bit less gripping anyway these last few years. But 24 is still going strong, and one I am always anxious to see.
The format of 24 hours non-stop action seemed unlikely when the show began, but fans have got to realise that a total suspension of disbelief is essential. No Jack can't fall asleep for 5 episodes. No, you can't spend 24 hours trying to get over the death of someone close!
A big plus IMO in the last few years is the addition of Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajtkub - pretty sure I spelt that wring though!) who is just brilliant! So snarky and focussed. This week she had some drunk hitting on her in a bar, so she invited him to sit down, and tazered him to shut him up! No agonising for Chloe, she just does what she has to. In a show that is all action, Chloe adds the ONLY humour, and its good the producers have valued that and signed her up as the only other regular apart from Jack.
One of the other things I love about 24 is that despite it being an all action show, there are always interesting roles for women. OK, so maybe not the super irritating Kim Baur, but we have the wonderful Martha Logan this year, Karen Hayes is shaping up as a more intriguing character, and Audrey is much less annoying this year! Lets not forget some of the past ladies. Best TV villains ever, Sherry Palmer and Nina Meyers - icons! Last year's favourite guest star Dina Araz (can't spell the actresses name, but she was superb) and I think I was alone, but I really liked the Aussie girl who was the main female lead in S2 - the one with the assassin sister.
24 occasionally feels as if they are making it up as the go along, but it is still a top notch thriller.
Brief mention for this week's Doctor Who, The Girl in the Fireplace. Another good one, but another one exploring relationships - not traditional themes of the show. Sophia Myles is David Tennant's girlfriend, and there was great chemistry between them. She's a fine actress, and the script was very good. A touching story, and nicely scary robot villains.
Green Wing continues to be my number one show. This week's episode continues the Caroline/Mac theme, with some actually quite touching scenes about relationships and responsibilty. Caroline goes out on a date with a sexy new bloke, but Guy seems to be genuinely jealous - throwing a penknife in his head was the giveaway! We had a little moment of Caroline/Sue bonding over Mac going off with Holly - Sue trying to cop a feel while she was at it made me hoot! I've signed up at the Channel 4 Green Wing forum as I'm feeling the need to share Green Wing chatter!
