Showing posts with label kiefer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kiefer. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Killin' Time With 24
24: 1:00A.M.-2:00A.M.Season 7, Episode 18
Welcome to "Killin' Time With 24." A weekly morning-after 24 discussion hosted by your faithful That's A Wrap! editors, Billy and Jim.Every Tuesday morning we get together to discuss the previous evening's episode of 24. What we liked, disliked and where we would like to see the series go while avoiding any real work. It's like a virtual coffee break.
Sit back and let us do the complaining for you.
(22:00:00) Billy: What perfectly shitty ending to an otherwise wonderful episode.
(22:00:08) Jim: yep
(22:00:26) Jim: but there was no silent countdown, so maybe Head FBI Guy will survive
(22:00:35) Billy: I really doubt it
(22:00:43) Jim: even if its three years from now as a villain/hero/villain
(22:00:50) Billy: The Law Of Television Dicks says that he is dead.
(22:01:16) Jim: yep, he went cool guy for no reason, "Heck yeah, let's raid the place without orders."
(22:01:19) Jim: Good as dead.
(22:01:24) Billy: You see, The Law Of Television Dicks states that when an otherwise dickish character does something awesome, they will die.
(22:01:55) Jim: Is it me or did Kim get like 12% less attractive?
(22:02:16) Billy: I was thinking roughly the same thing, she's gotten old.
(22:02:30) Billy: And had too much plastic surgery.
(22:03:25) Billy: I'm sure we'll see her again, it's telling that Kim Bauer was not the worst part of the episode.
(22:03:51) Jim: She was still bad
(22:04:09) Billy: I totally turned to Melissa at the beginning of the episode and called Tony's evil turn.
(22:04:12) Jim: It's just that the overall quality has slipped enough that she gained ground by default
(22:04:33) Billy: He was doing the Mike Novick "shifty eye" routine.
(22:05:10) Jim: yeah, it was painfully obvious by the point that he didn't have a gun to hold off the final bad guy
(22:06:08) Jim: and this just reeks of the very worst, we didn't have this planned for the first half of the season, but ran out of time. So ignore most of what this character has done for the last 13 hours.
(22:06:48) Billy: It just pisses me off so much because it betrays every thing before it. So he pretended to be a good guy, killed his buddy (the Goa'uld Tanneth) just to get to this virus? Which by the way he could have gotten to like five hours earlier by shooting Jack in the back of the skull...
(22:07:28) Jim: Yeah, what exactly was his reason for wanting it, but not wanting Jonas Hodges to get it.
(22:07:59) Jim: and if that was part of his goal, why not tell Jack about the bioweapon like three or four hours earlier
(22:09:21) Billy: So, great, now Jack "Alzheimers" Bauer has to kill Tony...again.
(22:11:02) Jim: at what point do we break out the "jump the shark" comments. I'd call this a moment, but it feels like there have been like 27 JTS moments the last two seasons
(22:12:28) Billy: It's much more frustrating than usual because I REALLY liked the episode. I totally dug the Tony action scenes. It was like Metal Gear Solid: Tony, Renee was fine, Moss was awesome, Jeanne Garafolo had like one line, Kim wasn't awful
(22:13:18) Billy: Hell, even the president and Hodges was interesting. There was actual tension in this episode.
(22:13:32) Jim: I know, it's like everything was rolling along just fine and then someone let one rip... metaphorically speaking.
(22:14:45) Billy: Well, it did smell faintly of shit...
(22:15:10) Jim: But even though the episodes seem better, I consistently find myself wishing at the end that we were like three hours closer to the end of the season
(22:15:19) Jim: and I've felt that way for a solid month now
(22:15:34) Billy: Wait, how many episodes do we have left?
(22:15:39) Billy: It's not three?
(22:15:44) Billy: Oh jesus.
(22:16:30) Jim: I was dreading it the moment the missles blew up... the "Oh Crap What Shit Are They Going To Pull to Keep The Year Going"
(22:17:11) Billy: They totally could have kept Tony infiltrating that base for four more episodes and I would be just goddamn fine with it...
(22:17:20) Jim: Yep
(22:17:45) Jim: C'mon guys, how about we end this year after 20 hours just to be different?
(22:18:40) Billy: That would be one HELL of a cliffhanger.
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Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Killin' Time With 24
24: 12:00P.M.-1:00A.M.Season 7, Episode 17
Welcome to "Killin' Time With 24." A weekly morning-after 24 discussion hosted by your faithful That's A Wrap! editors, Billy and Jim.Every Tuesday morning we get together to discuss the previous evening's episode of 24. What we liked, disliked and where we would like to see the series go while avoiding any real work. It's like a virtual coffee break.
Sit back and let us do the complaining for you.
(22:27:52) Jim: so i figured out a way for this all to be believable - if voight actually plays the role as legitimately insane
(22:28:13) Jim: like certifiably institutionalize-level crazy
(22:28:41) Billy: That is the only way. Considering how much scenery that mofo is chewing.
(22:29:33) Jim: and his crazy requests like, hey release my mid-level flunky who one of your men WITNESSED commiting murder... if i lose him, there's only like three or four other people I can have make calls for me
(22:30:51) Billy: Oh my lord, he's making a ton of requests that NO ONE should be giving in to. Why the hell isn't the president telling this douchebag to fuck off. Drop the missile, sacrifice the people to kill this guy.
(22:31:19) Billy: If she gives in now then she'll be taking it in the ass from him forever.
(22:31:42) Jim: seriously, at this point I'm ready for him demand an office next to the president's to make all the decisions he wants indefinitely - and her to allow it
(22:32:23) Jim: what ever happened to the "we don't negotiate with terrorists" ideal? guess it went the way of ryan chappelle's brain
(22:32:39) Billy: "Corner office, nice view, big ass tv...oh and a turkey sandwich on rye with mayo. Tut tut, madam president, I've got bioweapons."
(22:33:49) Jim: seriously why not just address the nation in the morning and say he has the weapons, show the country the evidence and say he needs to turn them over? WTF could he do - use them and hope millions of people aren't demanding his blood for commiting genocide on american soil?
(22:34:38) Jim: It's not like osama could say, get the hell out of the middle east or I'll have some dude crash a plane into you and get anything
(22:35:26) Billy: Or just drop the damned missiles now! those planes were over their targets. I really doubt he could have launched those rockets before those bunker busters turned him into a pile of ash.
(22:35:56) Billy: Plus, those missiles looked hella fake, I think the president just got Photoshop fooled.
(22:36:17) Jim: I just know he'll come up with a bunch of demands that includes the one: "and nobody can know about it." I repeat - just fucking tell people and he is toothless
(22:37:04) Billy: Well, maybe crazy first daughter will redeem herself by allowing creepy reporter to run the story?
(22:38:03) Jim: would you really want aaron back if i told you beforehand it was to stand outside a hotel room while the FD boinks her way through the press corp?
(22:38:10) Jim: it's such a waste
(22:38:40) Jim: unless he's the voice of reason that convinces her to give up her evil ways
(22:38:57) Billy: Well, aside from the crazy first daughter and the wimpy president, it was an ok episode.
(22:39:28) Jim: when she showed him the video I kept thinking back to the words of Barney - "It just takes a really long time to shut down."
(22:40:02) Billy: ha ha
(22:40:19) Jim: but yeah, at least they set up the reintroduction of kim
(22:40:53) Jim: although where was the "So there is a cure! You could't have fucking mentioned it when you said I was dying and there's no cure?! WTF is wrong with you people?!"
(22:41:48) Billy: Right. And can I just say I am fairly tired of Sutherland's basic "I'm hurt/sick/being tortured" acting.
(22:42:07) Billy: Oh, forgot "being tased"
(22:42:28) Billy: He always does that eyes rolled back seizure motion.
(22:42:36) Jim: I know you can excuse it as she researched it a bit, but you really should make sure there isn't a cure that storytelling-wise there's a 99.99999% chance of working before you tell him its hopeless. freaking cockteasing death
(22:42:50) Jim: yeah, jack's hurt acting is just funny at this point
(22:43:05) Billy: It's 24. Cockteasing death is it's business.
(22:43:42) Billy: I'm just glad that they found a way to make reintroducing Kim...gasp!...useful!
(22:44:02) Jim: it's just about a first
(22:44:31) Billy: Though I am kinda sad that there is a possibility of a cure.
(22:44:40) Jim: i know, i know
(22:45:02) Billy: Not that I want Jack to die, it's just...I don't know, interesting to see Jack mortal.
(22:46:00) Jim: yeah, it's like we know we'll be back to Invincible Jack by season's end and until then we have to suffer through In Pain (Eventhough Keifer Only Has That One Annoying Face) Jack
(22:47:05) Billy: But enough with the bitching. Tony was awesome. Playing Solid Snake with the soldiers was pretty cool.
(22:47:25) Jim: Totally cool
(22:47:35) Billy: And, I actually like seeing Jack as the office work guy.
(22:47:54) Billy: Nice change of pace, harkens back to season one.
(22:47:55) Jim: excellent takedown, worthy of comparison to some of Jack's best moments and love his acting skills
(22:48:22) Jim: very nice change of pace to have someone else carry the "in the field" workload
(22:49:29) Billy: Yes. I gotta wonder though, is Chloe done for the day? I know it's still pretty far from the finale, but...
(22:49:50) Jim: I thought they might pull her in to decode the security system, but garafalo was all over that
(22:50:07) Jim: even if it cost yet another helpful person's life
(22:50:33) Billy: Which brings us back to Crazy Voight
(22:50:35) Jim: i kinda understand the perspective of the villains, look at the death rate of people that cooperate with the government
(22:50:58) Jim: he did take it to honest to god crazy with killing that guy
(22:51:23) Jim: sending him crashing into the map of the world was something out of a stallone movie
(22:51:28) Billy: I was thinking insane when he started screaming at Moss.
(22:51:30) Jim: or at least rainer wolfcastle
(22:52:35) Jim: yeah, his "I know I commiting crimes against humanity and treason. But I'm Jon FUCKING Voight!"
(22:53:06) Billy: I especially liked how the search warrant only covered one building...
(22:53:28) Jim: well in all honesty it's not like there was a search warrant
(22:53:59) Jim: there was a executive order, which 24 always uses when convenient
(22:54:03) Jim: saves us some time
(22:54:23) Billy: Damn executive loop holes.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Killin' Time With 24
24: 10:00 P.M.- 11:00P.M.Season 7, Episode 15
Welcome to "Killin' Time With 24." A weekly morning-after 24 discussion hosted by your faithful That's A Wrap! editors, Billy and Jim.Every Tuesday morning we get together to discuss the previous evening's episode of 24. What we liked, disliked and where we would like to see the series go while avoiding any real work. It's like a virtual coffee break.
Sit back and let us do the complaining for you.
Also, please check out our Battlestar Galactica podcast special HERE! Beware spoilers!
(10:45:39) Billy: Executive Producer and one of the critical directors of 24, Jon Cassar, never reached a contract agreement and will not be returning for season 8.
(10:45:56) Billy: It's a goddamn shame seeing as how he directed last night's episode.
(10:46:08) Billy: and it was not a bad episode!
(10:46:11) Jim: wow, the guy responsible for so many good moments over the years
(10:46:34) Jim: no, it was far more interesting than anything we'd seen in a while this year
(10:46:49) Billy: With a couple of exceptions.
(10:46:57) Jim: it luckily only took moss about 30 minutes longer than it did you to piece together the events at Mayer's house
(10:47:10) Billy: I know, right, good for him!
(10:47:24) Billy: I was excited that they decided to not make him a total idiot.
(10:47:43) Jim: of course, much like bill during the white house takeover, i have to question why tony is still alive
(10:47:59) Jim: they couldn't at least wound him?
(10:48:12) Billy: Tony is alive to show us where Jack could be.
(10:48:18) Billy: Tony is shadow-Jack.
(10:48:39) Billy: Which might seem like a stupid thing to say, since Jack is usually all dark and broody...
(10:48:59) Billy: But Jack still has Kim--Tony has no one.
(10:49:19) Billy: Kim weighs on Jack's mind all the time.
(10:49:20) Jim: Jack got his pseudo-interested FBI lady too
(10:50:20) Billy: And so he makes decisions to save Connor "I'm a rotating guest star now that Enterprise is done" Trineer's character.
(10:51:12) Billy: Although, Christ, I thought Trineer was toast the second they introduced the pregnant wife. Kudos to the writers for not going the easy route.
(10:52:00) Jim: one thing that bugged me last night is the ingenuity of the villains... from taking over the White House, to being able to jam all means of communication whenever its convenient for extending the plot, retaking the bio-weapon via a freight helecopter, etc.
(10:53:08) Billy: Right, I agree, jamming communication didn't bug me too much because we've seen it before. But the helicopter pick up of the weapon was total Deus ex machina.
(10:53:08) Jim: and I'm really questioning what the goals of this American company are now that the FBI pretty much know they're smuggling in WMDs
(10:54:50) Billy: I think Starkwood's intention was to fake a terrorist attack, provoking the government into enlisting their help to find the attackers.
(10:54:54) Jim: I mean the rogue paramilitary group was fun in season two and other times since, but how many Americans are really going to work for an organization whose end goal is importing and controlling these weapons?
(10:55:22) Billy: Since they were arguing about their Senate sub-commitee issues last night.
(10:55:49) Billy: Of course, the FBI (Moss and Renee only as far as we know) knows now, so what would be their endgame...
(10:56:15) Jim: overlook the completely preposterous idea that the government would actually outsource significant military actions
(10:56:22) Jim: to a private army
(10:56:28) Billy: Ahem...
(10:56:40) Billy: Methinks you need to read the newspaper more, buddy.
(10:56:56) Jim: damn...
(10:57:02) Jim: it is hard to convey sarcasm through an IM
(10:57:14) Billy: Ha ha, touche.
(10:58:54) Jim: anyway, maybe its just a bit overwhelming after all these years. after virtually every Russian, Chinese and Arab-based plot has had significant data and tacticle support from rich American businessmen. You think they'd run out of guys that hate their own country that much... I mean is there some Montana anti-government ranch that caters to billionaires?
(10:59:26) Billy: Let's just be glad that it's not angry arabs again.
(11:00:15) Billy: I frankly like the idea that this Neo-Con wet dream television show, so often shows that rich white americans can do evil.
(11:01:42) Jim: I'm just worried for the rest of the season. We wasted the African dictator enemies with a terribly-executed plot and poor episodes and now when the quality hints at improving, we're marching over the same ground covered time and again
(11:02:36) Billy: Let's get some of the annoyances out of the way. Thankfully they weren't too big: The White House shenanigans need to frickin' end. It's just too much, I can't stand it anymore. I'm upset that Senator Red Foreman died, I was hoping they would bring him back as the president next year and we could forget about Little Miss Sherry Palmer-rip off.
(11:03:51) Jim: Yeah, it's time to stop centering the show around the White House so much. The president really doesn't need to be this invested and involved in everything.
(11:04:11) Jim: How many times can we watch politicians stab one another in the back?
(11:04:15) Jim: This is Fox, not CSPAN
(11:05:07) Billy: Yeah and the president's daughter was totally leaking info (and going on a date) with Vala Mal Doran's husband from Stargate SG-1.
(11:05:21) Billy: So that was stupid too....
(11:05:25) Billy: too geeky?
(11:06:51) Jim: Yeah, I like how the very first thing this girl does is sell out her mother's most trusted adviser... it makes you wonder how she ever got kicked out of the campaign before. I liked her a lot better when she was all sweet on Aaron as opposed to turning into mini-Sherry
(11:07:01) Jim: no, not too geeky
(11:07:10) Jim: for me at least
(11:07:14) Billy: Ha ha.
(11:07:26) Billy: So, the good stuff.
(11:07:45) Billy: The action was fairly riveting last night
(11:08:26) Billy: I did enjoy seeing Jack and Tony together, kicking ass. I fear Tony may die again.
(11:09:14) Billy: And Jack had the greatest line last night. Tony: You stop that guy and it'll be two on ten. Jack: Two on Nine.
(11:09:15) Jim: I wish Jack and Tony would have started shooting like two seconds earlier... it was edited like they were waiting to be discovered, like they had the opportunity to start before the enemy was prepared and taked out at least three more guys
(11:09:31) Billy: Agreed
(11:10:04) Billy: However, they did know there was a bio weapon in those containers, I could be an apologist and suggest they were trying to limit gun fire.
(11:10:12) Billy: To prevent an accidental release.
(11:10:22) Jim: but the shoot-out itself through the trailer jump was all too cool for school
(11:10:42) Jim: well that would make even more sense to start shooting before the trailer was lowered into the line of fire
(11:11:16) Billy: I love, love, loved Jack being exposed to the weapon.
(11:11:38) Billy: Though I honestly doubt Jack will ACTUALLY be infected with anything.
(11:11:58) Jim: yep, it'll allow them to keep him out of action for a little bit, suffer physically instead of the angst-fest he normally lives through
(11:12:07) Jim: it would be cool if he died at the end
(11:12:08) Billy: But for the first time in a long damn time, I felt excited and fearful for Jack Bauer's wellbeing.
(11:12:27) Jim: i could totally see him pulling a george mason the rest of the way
(11:12:36) Billy: Absolutely no one would expect Jack dying in the end.
(11:12:43) Billy: It would be one hell of a shock.
(11:12:49) Jim: except me apparently
(11:13:07) Billy: Well, I wouldn't expect it!
(11:13:37) Billy: This could be the reason Kim comes back....if indeed she is actually returning.
(11:14:10) Jim: it would be dramatic and we could forgive leaving tony alive to let him become the new lead
(11:14:47) Billy: at least for one last season.
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Killin' Time With 24
24: 9:00P.M.-10:00P.M.Season 7, Episode 14
Welcome to "Killin' Time With 24." A weekly morning-after 24 discussion hosted by your faithful That's A Wrap editors, Billy and Jim.Every Tuesday morning we get together to discuss the previous evening's episode of 24. What we liked, disliked and where we would like to see the series go while avoiding any real work. It's like a virtual coffee break.
Sit back and let us do the complaining for you.
(09:49:50) Jim: speaking of 24, am I the only one that saw some storytelling light when the Senator encouraged Jack to have faith in the system... only to have it blown away in the most prompt manner possible?
(10:07:00) Billy: It's one of the laws television thermodynamics: If a character, previously repugnant to viewers, becomes likeable, they will die. (10:07:30) Billy: See: every dead character on Lost
(10:09:17) Jim: how many characters like that has 24 actually let survive? (10:09:18) Jim: Tony? (10:09:25) Jim: and they did kill him the once
(10:09:35) Billy: But, yes, the writers were finally able to make Jack a sympathetic character last night.
(10:10:09) Jim: yeah, by letting him climb off his high horse of "Torture Rulez!"
(10:10:42) Billy: Though they did make the FBI stupider somehow.
(10:10:50) Jim: how any of them thought Jack saying Fuck you it's necessary for 14 hours wouldn't get old is beyond me
(10:11:30) Billy: Tell me, why would Jack shoot someone at the front door and then shoot up the rest of the house AND smash through the back door glass? (10:11:52) Billy: Now, I'm not a forensic scientist...but that shit don't add up...
(10:12:19) Jim: yeah, they need to hire the mentalist for a cross over (10:12:27) Jim: get their shit in line
(10:12:39) Billy: Agreed, (10:13:31) Billy: Aside from that, and Senator Red Foreman quit literally biting the bullet right after he became likable, I thought this was a decent episode.
(10:13:43) Jim: and I just love the Bond-ian aspect of the hero only knows where to go/what to do next because a villain tried to kill him and was defeated. (10:14:00) Jim: I'm sure glad they didn't just ignore Jack this hour (10:14:07) Jim: now he's all up in their shit (10:14:51) Jim: at the very least you should make sure the guy tasked with killing the unstoppable super-agent doesn't know the next step of your nefarious plot (10:15:03) Jim: that's just common sense, people!
(10:15:27) Billy: Decent episode, not great. I like that the villains are fully aware of Jack, something tells me that they are going to have quite a reveal involving Jack later. I only pray it's not "We've kidnapped your daughter!"
(10:15:58) Jim: well it is one of the few plots not revisited yet this season... (10:16:22) Jim: Is Elisha Cuthbert definitely coming back?
(10:16:32) Billy: Spoiler alert! (10:16:37) Billy: I think so. (10:17:24) Billy: Actually, screw that spoiler alert, I have no proof. Six months ago a shitty website I visit that puts spoilers above the jump, said she was coming back. (10:17:39) Billy: I didn't read any further. (10:17:46) Billy: so I know none of the details.
(10:18:26) Jim: yeah, I haven't heard any more than that in about as long, but it certainly isn't outside the realm of possibilities that we'll have another showdown at the port (10:18:41) Jim: Drazen Style
(10:18:43) Billy: Oh jeez... (10:18:57) Billy: ha ha, never thought about that (10:19:21) Billy: So, I officially hate the white house shenanigans. (10:20:19) Billy: I couldn't care less about the first daughter completely turning character and becoming a total bitch. Aside from hating her.
(10:20:26) Jim: Yeah, He said, she said is so old... it's only a matter of time before the First Daughter and Chief of Staff have angry sex (10:20:42) Jim: she was definitely into older men, RE: Aaron
(10:21:33) Billy: Oh, come on, I totally just ate breakfast.
(10:21:48) Jim: well that's what you get for getting up so late
(10:22:34) Billy: Well, I need my required 8 hours, man. I stayed up late watching MI-5 and wondering why 24 couldn't be as good... (10:23:06) Billy: Which is strange since MI-5 started as a very lame 24 rip off...
(10:23:07) Jim: Well, for one they aren't afraid to write out the main character
(10:24:05) Billy: Can I just say I loved the ending of last night's episode? (10:25:34) Billy: Ignoring for a moment that there is no way Jack could have gotten that construction machine turned on and moving without alerting the killer... (10:25:57) Billy: it was still super cool and pretty funny when he knocked the building over.
(10:26:29) Jim: but dude, it was a nice fight
(10:26:35) Billy: Great fight. (10:26:56) Billy: The only issue I had with it was Jack purposefully killing the guy
(10:27:19) Jim: although I quickly lost track of where the guy went, maybe I blinked during a shot, but if not it did add a bit more tension to the entire scene (10:27:33) Jim: the guy guilty of the crimes he's accused of? yeah! (10:28:03) Jim: especially without checking to see if he still has any of that nerve agent on him
(10:29:15) Billy: So when Moss was talking about how Jack supposedly killed Ryan Burnett, I was totally thinking to myself "dude, Jack has killed SO MANY people in the last seven years, do you really think that he needs to kill a material witness to get his jollies? Use your gourd, man"
(10:31:06) Jim: or Senator Mayer... because nothing says I'm innocent like murdering the person accusing you... and shooting up the house some more.... and jumping out the rear patio door because.... um... it was locked?
(10:31:52) Billy: Right. (10:32:52) Billy: I also kept thinking that if we had CTU instead of FBI, they would have put a tracker on Renee so that she could eventually lead to Bauer.
(10:33:08) Jim: and since when does the law allow a Shoot to Kill order on a murder suspect? (10:33:45) Jim: I thought you were still at least supposed to try to catch him... what with having no physical evidence connecting him to one of the crimes
(10:34:28) Billy: Well, a senator was murdered, it was the heat of the moment...I can forgive Moss for being a little overzealous.
(10:34:59) Jim: but still, it's basically a request to bring him Jack's head on a plate... that's too over the line
(10:35:06) Billy: Now, I am youtubing Heat of the Moment. (10:37:26) Billy: Aside from my gripes, it was still an improvement over much of the season. I'm not getting excited for the rest of the season based on one episode. But it was nice to not gripe the entire night about it sucking.
(10:37:54) Jim: Yeah, there were big pluses in the conversation with Mayer and the final fight
(10:37:54) Billy: A decent 24 + no new Heroes = a good night for Billy.
(10:38:12) Jim: + a superb HIMYM + another fun episode of Castle (10:38:16) Jim: = good times all around
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Killin' Time With 24
24: 8:00P.M.-9:00P.M.Season 7, Episode 13
Welcome to "Killin' Time With 24." A weekly morning-after 24 discussion hosted by your faithful That's A Wrap editors, Billy and Jim.Every Tuesday morning we get together to discuss the previous evening's episode of 24. What we liked, disliked and where we would like to see the series go while avoiding any real work. It's like a virtual coffee break.
Sit back and let us do the complaining for you.
Also, be sure to check out the latest episode of the That's a Wrap Podcast!
(09:55:34) Jim: And so we lay to rest the guy who used to boink Michelle, turned Karen Hayes into a more tolerant pain in the ass and generally was one of the less shitty elements of the last two seasons
(09:56:15) Billy: Well, before I lament the death of my namesake and potential BFF... (09:56:25) Billy: I have to bitch about Comcast. (09:57:27) Billy: Their DVR service, which we pay for, does not work half the Goddamn time. It didn't record Redemption. It didn't record Lost last week and it didn't record 24 this week. (09:58:13) Billy: So, screw you comcast for ruining my 24 viewing. (09:58:16) Billy: End Rant. (09:58:53) Billy: They turned Bill into the Libby(see:Lost) of this show. (09:59:18) Billy: What happened to Karen...seriously. (10:00:01) Billy: There were far too many questions left open with his death, of course it could mean that Karen will return to mourn him, but I doubt that will happen.
(10:00:06) Jim: At least he went out like a champ... although I find fault in his reasoning that nobody except Jack could uncover the next level of the conspiracy
(10:00:25) Billy: Right. (10:01:08) Billy: Aaron Pierce did NOT die, though the "I'll be back on my feet in a couple of hours." line was ominous (10:01:14) Billy: and a little cheesy.
(10:01:26) Jim: indeed. (10:01:41) Jim: dude you are shot, it's nearly 9 PM, maybe call it a night
(10:02:40) Billy: Vice President Heywood Jablowme was completely worthless. Except to yell at Moss for breaking rules right before he busts Jacks ass for breaking rules. (10:04:19) Billy: So, the White House crisis is over. And I can't help but think that the whole three episode plot was a waste of time. (10:05:14) Billy: If that were the first half of the season plot, forget Dubaku...it might have worked, but as a secondary small plot, it's just too BIG for me to buy it actually happening.
(10:06:00) Jim: A question, considering Moss breaks the rules one minute and effectively fired Renee the next for the exact same thing... methinks jealousy is the issue? (10:07:16) Jim: the White House plot was a waste of time... there was no reason for Juma to be in this country... and the entire thing came off as outlandish and further disconnected the show from anything even resembling credibility with the real world
(10:07:33) Billy: Exactly. (10:07:44) Billy: Plus it was responsible for Bill dying!
(10:08:01) Jim: there was absolutely no reason a strike force couldn't have tried to take the president when she was at the hospital (10:08:16) Jim: where security ideally would be far weaker (10:08:32) Jim: and could be more belieable
(10:09:59) Billy: At first I liked Jack's show of emotion over Bill's death, but when Renee said "He died for his country." I realized that Jack wasn't upset at Bill dying. His response angered me, "It was supposed to be me." Jack was upset because he was denied the chance to die protecting the President. He's Lieutenant Dan now!
(10:10:27) Jim: yeah, Jack has not been handled well at all this season (10:10:58) Jim: and I don't think returning him to the old, on the run from the good guys, angle will help things
(10:11:31) Billy: How many times can he go rogue, and/or be framed for something he didn't do?
(10:11:33) Jim: i mean if Jack was set up to distract the fbi, doesn't running away and forcing them to look for you kind of force the issue (10:11:51) Jim: just open the door surrender and that plot gets uncovered in like 15 minutes
(10:12:25) Billy: Burnett is dead. (10:12:39) Billy: His circulatory system is no longer functioning.
(10:12:40) Jim: I mean I doubt while Jack was on camera he snuck into the roof, cut and looped the security feed (WITH NO EQUIPMENT) and hoped back down and killed the guy
(10:12:52) Billy: therefore the nerve agent should still be in his blood.
(10:13:13) Jim: plus I'm willing to bet most paralyzing nerve agents (SERIOUSLY?!) will leave some chemical trace in the body
(10:14:13) Billy: Oh man, this is going to be really nitpicky...but the set they used for the hospital ceiling is the same set they used for the rafters in Dubaku's hideout, sans green computers.
(10:14:40) Jim: yeah, that is really nitpicky
(10:14:53) Billy: I just struck me as lazy (10:15:06) Billy: Anyways, back to the hospital plot.
(10:15:10) Jim: i mean the set-up of Jack makes no sense. people besides jack know there is a bigger conspiracy, why not just kill the lead investigator
(10:15:37) Billy: So, no one noticed the assassin lugging around Mercenary Fanny Pack?
(10:16:16) Jim: indeed, and of course moss for all his, "i won't let you touch him" retoric doesn't leave anybody in the room with Jack, even in a closet or something???? (10:16:31) Jim: i call bullshit
(10:16:36) Billy: Yeah. (10:16:51) Billy: Now, this episode didn't anger me as much as some others. (10:17:01) Billy: But Jon Voight...
(10:17:11) Jim: I hate it when common sense takes a back seat to the writers staging the ONLY way their next plot twist could occur... I call it the Heroes Syndrome
(10:18:12) Billy: his plot is obviously not nuclear. or biological. It could be a nerve agent, but it seems like a basic missile attack.
(10:18:54) Jim: Yeah, Voight is the new Powers Boothe... this show has a habit of picking incredibly lame actors in guest roles
(10:19:01) Billy: Which seems really odd, since they showed the logo of his company and it seemed like they may be Blackwood-esque mercenaries for hire. (10:19:49) Billy: Plus, the map they showed of the areas they will attack included Oil City Pennsylvania. (10:20:09) Billy: What the HELL is in Oil City that needs attacking?!
(10:21:15) Jim: Just an idea for next year, tone down the scope... it just can't be upped anymore. the last couple have just been ridiculous. How about a group that is just bombing a city... with conventional explosives... threatening in its randomness instead of scope
(10:21:50) Billy: Well, season 8 is probably going to be the last season. (10:22:01) Billy: I want a personal story again. (10:22:50) Billy: I'd like to see someone terrorizing Jack, I want a mystery again.
(10:23:08) Jim: something intimate, maybe with a mystery that requires more than torture to resolve (10:23:45) Jim: because I have to tell you... I am all tortured out
(10:24:42) Billy: Of course, Brannon Braga being an executive producer and one of the main writers this season, and presumably next season as well...we'll be lucky if the entire series doesn't turn out to be a holodeck program that Riker is watching on the Enterprise before bed...
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Killin' Time With 24
Welcome to "Killin' Time With 24." A weekly morning-after 24 discussion hosted by your faithful That's A Wrap editors, Billy and Jim.Every Tuesday morning we get together to discuss the previous evening's episode of 24. What we liked, disliked and where we would like to see the series go while avoiding any real work. It's like a virtual coffee break.
Sit back and let us do the complaining for you.
And don't forget to check out the first That's A Wrap Podcast
As always, spoilers after the jump.
(10:22:00) Billy: So, 24.
(10:23:40) Jim: hey
(10:24:09) Jim: well, it's like an old friend that retells the same five stories
(10:24:26) Billy: True, but this was at least an interesting episode
(10:24:32) Jim: you don't really need to pay attention, smile at the highlights that are still enjoyable
(10:24:36) Billy: Right
(10:25:03) Jim: which I have to say... having them shoot the First Gentleman was a pleasant surprise to how I thought the shootout would go
(10:25:16) Jim: When he took one in the chest, I admit I smiled.
(10:25:21) Billy: Of course, we're now one-third of the way through season 7
(10:25:42) Billy: The episodes shot before the strike have now all aired
(10:26:12) Jim: well, perhaps now will see some of the benefit of the long break with everything a bit more thought out
(10:26:34) Jim: I really would prefer if the plot didn't remind me of every other 24 season
(10:26:36) Billy: My hope is that the season improves since the writers had a year and a half to fix the ho-humness of this season
(10:27:04) Billy: I am glad that the "threat" isn't a U.S. wide threat right now
(10:28:09) Billy: Though we all know that won't last long
(10:28:23) Jim: absolutely... after three or four times of making the threat THIS BIG, it just comes off as unoriginal
(10:28:40) Jim: sorry, I meant THIS BIG
(10:28:48) Billy: Sadly, having the first gentleman kidnapped would have been just the kind of small plot that I've been BEGGING for 24 to go back to
(10:28:57) Billy: and they solve it in 45 minutes
(10:29:23) Jim: how many times after nuclear bomb, are we going to be dragged in by the scope of the problem... we should be dragged in by how it affects people we see and have seen before and care about
(10:29:46) Billy: Sure
(10:29:54) Billy: We got that after the bomb in season 2
(10:31:01) Billy: Some highlights from last night, for me: Dubaku's alias with his girlfriend?
(10:31:08) Billy: Samuel Aboah
(10:32:04) Billy: Also the name of the villain in the African Squeeze rip-off episode of the X-files, Teliko.
(10:33:18) Billy: Since Howard Gordon(Executive Producer and show runner on 24) also worked for The X-files, it's probably a big in-joke.
(10:33:27) Jim: well, good catch
(10:33:55) Billy: If you like THAT, I can connect Ronald Reagan to Kevin Bacon in SIX DEGREES!
(10:36:16) Billy: Best line of the evening, by far(and the only time I've really felt invigorated by the season's events) was Jack's response to the President asking if she could trust him on his credentials. "Ask Around." Classic.
(10:36:17) Jim: can we at least hope they might be done hammering home the, "that's against the rules. that's torture." angle that they have harped on every week since episode one?
(10:37:35) Jim: yes, by far best line of the show, but I really thought it was a weak scene... remember how utterly jazzed you were when Jack and Palmer met for the first time at CTU? no other presidential interaction has lived up to the standard they set with palmer
(10:39:44) Billy: We can stop hammering home the torture angle at the end of the season when Jack Bauer is sent to prison for it. It's being set up right now. Bauer saves the day by breaking all the rules and then does something that goes too far for even his own tastes. LivingGunTeri dies(because the writers on this show can't writer without killing someone)somehow and Jack submits to the Senate hearings willingly.
(10:40:58) Jim: I was leaning Presidential pardon until the FG got shot
(10:41:22) Billy: Sure
(10:41:24) Jim: by the way, loved the slide by keifer in that sequence, nice to try and make each repetitive gunfight feel unique
(10:41:44) Billy: Agreed, the gun fight was very entertaining
(10:42:06) Billy: Jack going the wrong way on a one way street to catch Vossler was fun too.
(10:42:39) Jim: did I miss a bit of dialogue where Jack knew the vehicle Vossler was driving?
(10:43:03) Billy: I think they were tracking his phone
(10:43:06) Jim: Because I thought it was rather lucky he hit the right one... I mean thank god head fbi guy's computer wasn't lagging
(10:43:23) Billy: GPS on secret service or some such nonsense
(10:43:32) Jim: I mean which of the three cars crossing the intersecetion do you take out, even with GPS
(10:44:01) Billy: Eh. That's the least of my concerns with the writing.
(10:45:52) Billy: I loved when HeadFBIGuy met with Jack and Renee--er, LivingGunTeri(I actually know her name now!) and they did the "Let's meet at a place that you can conveniently see either the Capital Building or the Washington Monument." In this case, BOTH!
(10:46:44) Jim: well, gotta show the money men why they paid to shoot in DC
(10:47:04) Billy: I like the move to DC, but it's a bit too hokey to assume that whenever someone goes outside they can see those two monuments.
(10:47:40) Billy: It's like the old film joke that every apartment in Paris has a great view of the Eiffel Tower
(10:48:03) Jim: i really hope they continue to keep the feel of DC over LA, especially in the night time hours... I'm worried they might fall into familiar patterns.
(10:49:09) Jim: hopefully they stay in the city, avoid anything that looks remotely like desert or an arid climate
(10:49:22) Billy: Ha, ha.
(10:49:34) Billy: Well, they rarely did that in previous seasons
(10:50:07) Billy: This isn't Heroes where half the outdoor scenes are clearly shot in the desert outside LA.
(10:50:54) Jim: true, but aerial shots and skyscrapers are probably more of a threat.
(10:51:42) Billy: Any establishing shots have already been made. And any errant skyscrapers in the background of shots can be digitally removed
(10:52:21) Billy: Look how good The X-files was in LA, and that was a decade ago.
(10:54:04) Jim: are we deep enough into the season to confirm it as better than the last? I think it's better, but the lowered expectations and long wait are probably playing with my perceptions.
(10:55:42) Billy: It is most certainly better than season six.
(10:55:56) Jim: huzzah!
(10:56:01) Billy: The question is whether it's better than four.
(10:58:01) Billy: Better than six, but season four was watchable but just mediocre. It looks like seven is going in the same direction.
(10:58:24) Jim: that's about as apt a description I'd give it so far
(10:58:51) Jim: they have the room to pull ahead of four, but it'll mean they need to be somewhat better than we've seen so far
(10:58:56) Billy: Time will tell, but honestly I think it's time for Jack Bauer to holster his guns.
(11:00:09) Jim: I started thinking in that direction about two years ago, but besides reintroducing Tony, they haven't done anything to build up a replacement
(11:00:23) Jim: and I can't see them canceling the show right now
(11:01:00) Billy: No, they are under contract for at least one more season.
(11:02:14) Billy: I remember back in 2002 when a second season was not a sure thing, and how we were so worried that it wouldn't come back.
(11:02:27) Billy: How I miss those days.
(11:03:25) Billy: I think that 24 proper needs to end, but the producers should spin the formula off like they spoke of doing in the early years.
(11:03:45) Jim: I don't think we can complain about it coming back every year. It's still a program we've watched more than 150 episodes of
(11:03:57) Billy: Forget terrorism. 24 with a cop trying to solve a murder case.
(11:04:04) Jim: even if it has dropped off, we still show up every Monday.
(11:04:14) Billy: 24 with an er doctor following a natural disaster
(11:04:51) Jim: of course to do a spinoff, they would have to introduce and develop a cool character without killing them off in short order
(11:05:02) Billy: There's so many things you can do with this formula, it's sad to see it wasted.
(11:05:07) Jim: or maiming them a-la chase or doyle
(11:06:01) Jim: because if they do spin it into a new direction, it should at least be somebody Jack encounters in the show, even if in a indirect way and not the main plot
(11:06:08) Billy: No need
(11:06:24) Billy: It just has to exist in the same world.
(11:07:30) Billy: Oh man, 24 with a private investigator trying to solve a mystery.
(11:07:34) Billy: Gold.
(11:07:38) Jim: I'm against you here. For the show to continue, it would at least need some sense of history... that what mattered before and the characters you watched and loved and what they did mattered. otherwise it's just hitting a giant reset button
(11:07:56) Billy: Fine, HIT THE RESET BUTTON.
(11:08:16) Jim: How easy would it be for Jack to encounter a cop, private investigator or doctor a couple times?
(11:08:25) Billy: There are three CSI's that cross over but were spun off by premise alone.
(11:08:38) Billy: There are a million Law and Order's that do the same thing.
(11:08:53) Jim: yeah, shows I don't watch or give a shit about
(11:09:08) Billy: There is absolutely no need to have Jack meet the main character of a new show.
(11:09:38) Billy: This isn't All in the Family and we are no spinning off into Maude or The Jeffersons
(11:10:22) Jim: don't you go saying anything against the Jeffersons, man
(11:10:28) Billy: Spinning off from this series brings baggage that a new series cannot have.
(11:11:52) Jim: you don't have to take baggage or characters, but how about more something that says, what happened before existed, Jack mattered to the world... otherwise don't call it 24... Call It Joe Blow, Real Time Private Eye
(11:12:05) Billy: But, this discussion is neither here nor there since they will never spin this show off.
(11:12:10) Jim: but don't argue that 24 isn't tied to the bauer character in a fundamental way
(11:12:17) Billy: So, it's entirely moot.
(11:12:57) Jim: well, yeah, but it's an interesting conversation... probably not a great sign that this was as emotional I've got about anything related to the show this year
(11:13:12) Billy: Ha ha. So very true.
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