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Action galore on the latest 24

If there was any question before, there’s no question now: 24 is back and better than ever — or, at least, better than it’s been in nearly two seasons. The seventh season’s seventh installment proves itself as one of the show’s most exhilarating hours with jam-packed action and bad guys who mean business. The Love to Hate ratio is pretty skewed in Jack and company’s favor this week — let’s hope they can keep it up for the rest of the season.

What I Loved:

1. Ding Dong, The Gitch is Dead: Confirmation that SS Agent Brian Gitch (fine, it’s Gedge, who gives a hoot) is dead. Paralyzed Henry Taylor for the win.

2. Moist Moss: Yes, Larry, keep crying about Renee. Every time you shed another tear, the terrorists win. So keep squealing, Larry. Let the tears flow. I want to taste your fresh fresh tears of terrorism-inducing sorrow.

3. Walker in the Shadows: Loving that Renee is totally on board with CTWho. (Others are calling ‘em CTFew, but since their numbers are growing, my nickname is better. Spread the word.) She’s a great addition, and I’ll say it again, the best female character the show has had in years — maybe since Michelle.

4. Old Man River: It’s enough having Tony back in action, but it’s even better to see old man Bill out on the field with Jack and Tony. I know he’s flown a helicopter for Jack before, but it’s a whole different ballgame when Bill is unloading a sub machine gun into terrorist flesh. Way too cool.

5. Insecticide?!: We’ve seen atom bombs, nerve gas, global computer malfunctions and now — insecticide?! That’s so awesome! I kinda wish they were just using weaponized insecticide and Jack had to bust down exterminators across the nation. Too bad this got wrapped up so fast.

6. Not Now!: Larry actually has a great but brief moment this episode. There’s a red-headed FBI agent who approaches him with information, and he quickly barks back, “Not now!” The red-head chick sulks away. That was hilarious.

7. Fast Brunner: The insecticide dude, John Brunner, is played by Tom Irwin. Irwin is currently on Lost as the dastardly lawyer trying to get blood samples from Kate, so props for that. But Brunner was a solid random character — usually the smaller roles tend to be played by dorks who can’t act their way out of a box, but Irwin gave a lot of personality to this guy. Great job!

8. Action Jack-tion: Best action scene in the season so far. The escape from FBI was pretty cool, but this really took the cake. Jack, Renee, Tony and Bill rocking the pants off of terrorists all over the place… so, freaking, awesome.

9. Harsh Words: I’ll say it again, Dubaku is an awesome villain. He just chillingly spits out, “I will go to your home. I will make your wife watch as I kill your daughter.” This guy means business.

10. Secret Weapon: Hey, it’s that nerdy guy Latham! The one Tony abducted! Man, haven’t seen you in a long time! How’ve you — oh. Oh, you just blew up. Uh… er… pretty sweet.

11. You Got Got Pt. 1: Billy Walsh — I mean, Sean Hillinger — sternly tells Larry Moss that his feelings for Renee can’t cloud the mission. Even though Larry stonewalls him, you know he’s chinked the armor.

12. You Got Got Pt. 2: Billy Walsh — I mean, Sean, again — sternly tells Janice Gold that now isn’t the time to send flowers to John Brunner’s family. Anyone who puts Garofalo in her place is a pal o’ mine.

13. Taylor Time: Henry Taylor continues to be awesome. He convinces that dumb-haired secret agent not to kill him, which means he must have telepathic mind-control powers — otherwise it makes no sense why that guy wouldn’t kill him on the spot. Impressive, Henry!

14. Sweet Scenery: I just really dig Shadow CTU HQ, so it was nice to see it again. Now that Jack and pals plan to meet with the president, you gotta wonder how much longer that office will be viable.

15. Hello, Beautiful: Dubaku’s girlfriend is way hot! I have no idea what she’s doing on the show, but hey, at least she looks great.

16. MVP: Major kudos goes to director Jon Cassar and everyone else involved in this episode’s major action set-piece. It was a triumph of directing, stunt work, special effects and all around bad-assery. Just goes to show that when it comes to high octane action, 24 is still the best game in town.

What I Hated:

1. Residue?: I’m sorry, maybe this is nitpicky, but I did not like Janice Gold referring to “CIP residue.” Just a bad word choice.

2. Real Time?: The Motobos arrived at Dubaku’s headquarters way too fast. So did CTWho. I guess it’s not that big of a deal since we got a healthy dose of the awesome much earlier than expected.

3. C’mon, Chloe: Really? You couldn’t figure out that there was an extra security camera up on that there roof? You pretty much blew the whole thing! Bush league, Chloe.

4. Losing Bets: Motobo didn’t lose his tooth, which means my prediction from last week was wrong. I don’t like being wrong.

5. Presidential Pardon Me: Allison Taylor, step up your game. You. Are. Boring. Your husband is more entertaining than you, and he’s been paralyzed for two episodes! I really hope they start giving Taylor some meat to chew on, because she is really pathetic so far.

6. WTF, Bill?: Look, Bill, I understand that you don’t trust the government, but you know the golden rule — if Jack Bauer says “this is the right play,” then it’s the right play. No questions asked. Besides, what are the odds that there are two evil presidents within a decade? Not high, right? Guys? I’m right, aren’t I?

7. WTF, Ending?: Random, random ending. Dubaku has a girlfriend. Dubaku has a secret life. I guess that’ll come into play later, but it’s just a weird note to end such an adrenaline-heavy episode on. But, again, forgivable because Dubaku’s girlfriend is sooooo hot.

8. LVP: I get the sense that Agent Vossler is the new Agent Gitch. I mean, look at that hair. Look. At. That. Hair! I cannot wait for Jack Bauer to tear this guy’s head off. Or, even better, for Henry Taylor to drunkenly rip him in half. Man, that haircut sucks.

Come back every Tuesday morning for new installments of 24 Things I Hate/Love About 24!