Love-Hate Relationship with "24"

This was the dumbest season so far... they're getting progressively worse as the writers run out of fresh ideas.

I couldn't watch a single episode without rolling my eyes, saying "That's so stupid" or "That would never happen."

I've been doing that since the show starting airing... and yet I can't stop watching it.;-)

Here are the things that drive me crazy:

1. Apparently there are no Background Checks on employees who work for the Counter Terrorist Unit. Substance abuse, emotional problems, family troubles, marriage problems, being a traitor... heck, they'll hire anybody! Anyone who has ever had to get a security clearance knows that NONE of the people who work in CTU would have ever been hired (not even as a janitor)! (Except Jack, of course.)

2. The CTU people should be the cream of the crop... the absolute best at fighting the terrorist threat... dedicated, professional, willing to give their lives for their country, right? And yet while the US is facing the threat of nuclear bombs and WORLD WAR III, for crying out loud, the CTU gang are spying on each other and sniffing their ex-spouse's breath, committing sexual harassment while making passes at coworkers, and/or leaving their stations to have petty little spats with each other about their smarmy personal lives. Do we REALLY need all the soap-opera melodrama between coworkers on this show? It's totally ridiculous.

3. Do you think we could get through a season without any of these phrases? "Place Jack under arrest!" "Jack's gone rogue." "Someone is coming from Division to take over." And my personal favorite... "We have the perimeter secured" -- then 5 minutes later -- "They escaped!"

4. Each season has traitors, traitors everywhere... CTU, the White House staff, the President himself... sheesh! Will this show EVER focus on a foreign terrorist threat that does NOT have inside help?

5. Why is CTU always failing miserably to get information when interogating bad guys... whether it's physical torture or chemical truth serums... and yet their own people blab at the first little powerdrill to the back?:-)

6. And just how many things can go wrong within 24 hours? Isn't the threat of 3 nuclear bombs enough? No... you gotta add stuff like an attempt to assassinate the President, Russian spies sleeping with the VP's gal, Chinese intrigue and potential war, Jack's sibing and father problems... oh, and the whacko ex-first lady going psycho on the ex-Prez, and so much more. Sigh.

There are more things that drive me crazy, but now I'll switch to things I like:

1. Jack. Nothing can stop him. He reminds me of Jason in those Friday the 13th movies. Gee, this guy needs a vacation!

2. Chloe (except for this last season, where she lost all my respect)... she didn't take crap from anyone and was always bluntly honest when giving her opinions. She should run CTU!

3. The action sequences. Well done, as good as theatrical flicks.

4. Suspense. Yes, even though you can guess what's coming next, you just can't stop watching.

Anyone else have a love-hate relationship with this show?

I can't wait for next season to begin!

Related Resource: professional security