roundhoward.

One crisis averted, another one looms…

roundhoward returns you to your regularly scheduled programing with a brand new edition of 24 Things I Hate/Love About 24! The latest episode had plenty of death, car crashes, super secret ghost meetings and throwbacks to Bauer’s old days to keep all fans satisfied. But, as per usual on 24, there was plenty of weak sauce to choke on. We’ve done the dirty work and sorted out the good and the ugly, so get your reading hats on and let’s get to it.

What I Loved:

1. Double Trouble: While it’s stupid that Billy Walsh is the FBI mole — c’mon, it was so freaking obvious — I do like the Bonnie and Clyde aspect with Erica being a mole as well.

2. Product Placement: If you look very carefully, Billy Walsh hands Erica a Vitamin Water. I love the subtle product placement. Hey man, it’s a recession, even Jack Bauer’s gotta sell out to the man sometimes.

3. Car Chase: Excellent car chase. This season’s had excellent car chases so far. Keep it up.

4. Car Flip: And when Dubaku’s girlfriend flips the car? Glad to know she’s good for something.

5. And She’s Dead: Whoops, there goes Dubaku’s girlfriend. Ain’t no better way to wrap up a dull storyline.

6. Miracle Drug: Please give a warm welcome back to epinephrine, 24‘s go to drug when the fit hits the shan. This little scientific wonder brought Jack back from the dead after extreme torture in season 2.

7. Inside Out: For the second time on 24, Bauer removes a microchip from inside a man’s body. The first time was also in season 2, when he retrieved the Cypress recording from a freshly deceased John Wallace.

8. Backstabbing Suit: Billy Walsh would really hate his character on 24. Not only is he a money-grubbing traitor, but he also shoots Erica dead because it’s convenient. Total d-bag. Loooove it.

9. Suit Shutdown: Billy Walsh gets taken down thanks to Chloe’s fast footwork and Larry Moss’s own scolding. Glad they wrapped this plotline up quickly.

10. Slap Fight: Renee, just ‘cuz you’re a girl doesn’t mean you can slap Jack Bauer and get away with it. Bauer, just ‘cuz you’re Jack Bauer doesn’t mean you can tell this chick what’s what. Both Renee and Bauer make no bones about their mutual frustration with one another but we all know it’s only a matter of hours before they start making kissy face.

11. Good Advice: Buchanan is a good guy to have hanging around — especially if you’re Jack Bauer and you need to get out of a senate hearing. If Bauer is the master of torture, then Bill is the true voice of reason.

12. Red!: Looks like we’re getting more Kurtwood Smith in the coming episodes. More Red Foreman is never a bad thing.

13. Secret Meeting: Love the scene with Jack and Tony. He’s been gone for almost three full episodes, so at least he’s back in style. Love those shades, Almeida.

14. Bonus Points: Very limited screen time for Garofalo this week. That’s always good.

15. MVP: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know I’m a Tony Almeida freak, but his reappearance at the end of the episode proved that absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. Plus, I genuinely can’t tell whether or not Tony’s on the level. He’s acting real fishy. I can’t wait to see where this goes.

What I Hated:

1. Loud Mouths: I like the double mole twist, but honestly guys, keep your voices down. You’re in the middle of the FBI talking about this stuff like it’s not a big deal. Ridiculous.

2. Dumbaku Pt. 1: Dubaku’s thinking with the wrong head. Go back to Sengala, man! There are thousands of big breasted virgins awaiting your heroic return. Put two bullets in this chick and call it a day before Bauer finds you.

3. CPR Fail: Renee is great at a lot of stuff, but not so good at CPR. Really, she gave up so fast on poor Marika. Her death really is on your hands, Renee.

4. Dumbaku Pt. 2: Dubaku gives up his only bargaining chip to Bauer so easily. I really thought a lot more of you, big man. Thought you were some real hard stuff. I’m so disappointed.

5. Butter Face Pt. 1: Now that we’re getting so much up close and personal time with Erica, I have to admit that she’s not the beautiful angel I once thought. Further disappointment.

6. Butter Face Pt. 2: Wait, wait, I take it back! Don’t let her die! I still love you, Erica! I still — dammit! Damn you Billy Walsh!

7. Disapproval Rating: I just cannot get into President Taylor. She sucks! She sucks! She’s not fun to watch in anyway whatsoever. What a complete disappointment. Another lame 24 president. You can’t give us great characters like David Palmer and Charles Logan and expect us to be compelled by this walking snoozefest. Just not going to happen.

8. Piercing the Heart: Is that it for Aaron Pierce? He just comes in, picks up the First Daughter and calls it a day? I guess I’m alright with that as long as he doesn’t buy the farm, but I just miss that guy.

9. LVP: No question, the least valuable player is Dubaku. This guy had everything going for him — making tough calls, menacing voice, blowing people up without remorse — and in the end, all it takes is one flipped car and a lame Bauer threat to get him to cave. Totally weak, Dumbaku. Good riddance.

Don’t forget that there are two new episodes of 24 next Monday starting at 8:00 PM EST, and come back next Tuesday morning for a giant-sized installment of 24 Things I Hate/Love About 24!