Bauer Power

I can summarize why 2009 will be the best year ever in three words:

Jack. Is. Back.

After a year's hiatus (thanks, writer's strike), Jack Bauer, Chloe O'Brien, Bill Buchanan, and Tony Almeida are back in season 7 of 24. Due to the hiatus, Fox graciously gifted loyal Jack fans with the made-for-TV movie 24: Redemption, which aired November 23, 2008, and which is now available on DVD, in case you're looking for a gift to get me. Redemption gives us a little Bauer snack to prepare us for what inevitably will be an explosive season 7 of the hit TV show.

Sunday was the beginning. A 2-hour premiere left me literally yelling, "Yea-ah Jack!" at Donald's house as I high-fived anyone sitting near me. And then, there was Monday. Jack normally shows his addictive face on Mondays at 8, but due to the premiere, he came out early, and pistol-whipped his way into 2 more hours of real-time intensity. So in the last two days, I have had 4 glorious hours of Jack. And I am in heaven!

I first came to know Jack in 2006 when my friend, Will, got me to watch an episode, mid season 5. I loved it! As the season wound down, I was wound up. And then, I went home. And I got my wisdom teeth removed. My mom, knowing that I don't hold still when I have to, offered to rent me whatever I'd like from the video store. I requested Season 1 (I needed the beginnings), and she obliged me. No one understood what I saw in this show. Or so I thought.

My brother, Dan, sat down to an episode with me, mostly so I could have some company. 20 minutes in, he was hooked. He has lashed all of his friends to the Jack-mobile, and they frequently have 24 parties, where they watch several episodes on Saturday nights until they finish a season. And when the seasons are airing on Fox, Dan records them, and then watches the episodes about an hour after I watch them. So he calls me and watches the episode on the phone with me, so I get to hear the episode all over again. It's so great.

Jack, you have brought me the following:
1. A reason to believe in modern media providing something I can find entertaining.
2. Explosions, explosions, explosions (I love explosions).
3. A reason to look forward to Mondays.
4. A way to bond with my little bro.
5. Many, many plots per season that actually make me think.
6. Catch phrases galore. (ie, "Tell me what I need to know!")
7. Someone way cooler than Walker, Texas Ranger to look up to as the butt-kicking hero.
8. A reason to visit hulu.com.
9. A reason to buy a potato gun and hang out of the sunroof of an SUV whilst chasing my friends down parking lots.
10. The first two African-American presidents and the first female president.

You know, the world is much better off now that Jack is back.