Monday, July 26, 2010

The slope is slippery...

Another Monday has arrived and there is no new retro-review!

I'm sorry for the delay, a very interesting but consuming legal problem has come up at work and I have spent (and will continue to spend) tonight working on some solutions for my company. I wish I could elaborate, but I'm obligated to keep this confidential (blah, blah, blah). Bottom line: I love problem-solving and I get paid to do it on a daily basis, it seems!

But that's not why you're here is it? No, you want some retro-goodness. I will have time hopefully late tomorrow night to watch and write- something I also love doing and do for free (save for those Amazon product links which are a nice little bonus-hint, hint!). I appreciate everyone's patience and I will make your wait worth the while soon enough.

So, how was everyone's day?

80 comments:

Spencer said...

Well, I got up at 5:30 in the morning like I have the past two damn weeks(Funny thing is, that's normally the time that I go to bed. I'm a night person.) so I could go to my cross country class to see just how much I can suck. Then, I got home, and took a cold shower, which, once again, I've had to do for the past two damn weeks because our water heater screwed up.

I then ate a good cheeseburger, watched another South Park season 8 episode online, slept from 1 to 4, then had to get the mail, which turned out to be a more complex operation than I could have possibly forseen, then went back to bed and slept for another 3 hours. Then I got up, played a video game, ate pork, and then I came here. And while doing all of this, I ate two bowls of milk-less coco crispies, while continuing my addiction to coke(the soda).

But, my excuse to be self-absorbed aside, how was your day, man?

TheJackSack said...

My day was very good--

I had two cups of coffee and a large bowl of cereal at my desk at work (I'm trying out this new cereal called "Kashi U"-- it's delicious!) I did my weekly timesheet, did a bunch of meetings, bought a clothes iron online for 50% off, had a spicy tuna roll and some fresh fruit for lunch, some crazy girl brought in an ice cream cake in the afternoon, so I had some of that, I then did some other meetings, called up a guy that relates to this big legal fire drill I've been managing all night, then I reviewed some other documents, booked it home, bought a gallon of milk and then had a cigar and finished up some work.

And here we are. Monday- not as bad as I thought it could have been.

Oh-- and I just threw a load of laundry into the wash ten minutes ago. This was a full day, my friend.

I hope you're enjoying your summer. I don't want to sound like an old dude, but the free time you have now is a pretty great thing. I never went to camp (sleepaway at least, I did day camp when I was a kid) but in high school I was all about having my summers to myself. I would hit the comic shop, go to the movies, play video games at freinds' houses. Spencer, I even made movies like you- mine were with He-Man figures. I still have a copy on VHS but I have to get it transferred to digital format so I can upload it to YouTube. It's a retelling of Beowulf and I took a lot of dramatic license with the source material. For example, I added a character into the story called "Captain Vodka."

Spencer said...

Ha, sounds like ya had an interesting enough day.

I'm doing everything I can to enjoy this summer. It helps to know that I'm going back to Highschool in 6 days, which isn't exactly my favorite place.

I'd like to see your He-man video. Wish I still had some of my VHS tapes. What always put me in a good mood was all of my Star Wars shit.(The vids were called "Toy Wars" because I used toys. Eh? Eh?)

B said...

Can I just tell you guys that you are too adorable, and that I highly appreciate you both. :)

Rickey said...

Dear god, the exploits of "Captain Vodka" absolutely need to be converted from VHS to digital format for the world to se.

Sunny said...

Hi everbuddy. It's been awhile since I have posted. I have been watching Season 1 but in 4-hour marathons. I forgot how young Jack looked back in the day.

I saw the movie Inception over the weekend. I highly recommend it. There are so many levels (pun intended) to this movie that it's the type you need to watch more than once to catch all that is going on. We saw it in IMAX. It costs a little more but is well worth it for this type of movie.

Later gators.

TheJackSack said...

@Brittany- thanks, doll!

@Rickey- let me pick out my health plan coverage at work today and once that's done, I'll start messing with this VHS to digital conversion thingamajig.

@Sunny- SUNNY! Welcome home! Don't be a stranger.

Spencer said...

@Brittany- Ah, you know you're more adorable.

TheJackSack said...

Tomorrow is 24 review day :)

I had seared ahi tuna over cold noodles and half a BLT with avocado for dinner. And a Blue Moon. It was a very good dinner!

Good night, my people.

Anonymous said...

so, i got up around 1pm because because i have no job and because i was up til 4am last night reading people's theories about the ending in inception in the comments section of a movie review article. anyway, i took a hot shower, then went downstairs and toasted my waffles, but they were still cold so i toasted them some more and then ate them. then i washed some grapes and heated up one of those frozen pretzels. then i played fifa10 on xbox 360, and then took a nice 2 hour nap until 5. when i woke up i texted my friends to see if we were still on for bowling tonight and said that we weren't. one of them couldn't go. (we never leave a man behind). so then i had chicken cutlets and pasta for dinner. then i went on the internet to check out sports and more inception theories. then i watched some sports, contemplated playing fifa again, but then realized that louie was about to come on fx, so instead i'm watching that and commenting on here during the commercial break. which leaves us to right now. so.... yeh.

Spencer said...

I think I've inspired someone.

Brian Pelts said...

@Adam - The question is, was there an orange involved with said Blue Moon. THIS IS IMPORTANT, DAMMIT! THINK!

TheJackSack said...

@Anonymous- waffles, grapes AND pretzels? Fine choices all around.

@Pelty- Yes, there was an orange involved. This wasn't my first rodeo, chief.

Hmm... did I say Wednesday was going to be review night? Oh, I meant to say Thursday. Yeah, yeah, that's the ticket! (h/t Tommy Flanagan).

In other news, I saw a 20 lb. turtle crossing a road today when I went out to get lunch. The guy stopped traffic in both directions. It was an amazing sight- it actually made me question some shit in my life. And my conclusion? I'm doing alright- the turtle is doing alright as well. But man, was that trippy.

Dr. Alice said...

Well, I've been working 7A - 7P all week (it's been busy). Was on call on Tuesday. Today, Thursday, I'm not seeing patients but will go to the office in a bit as it is my secretary's BD party and she is off tomorrow. I also have to go to the dry cleaners, get the car washed and various other uninspiring errands.

I bet you're sorry you asked now...

B said...

He he hee. I think it's funny and just kinda nice that we're all sitting around talking about what we've been eating and various details of daily life. It kind of reminds me of a lazy night sitting in a big circle around a camp fire.

:) :) :)

(I don't mean to be unsupportive by not having commented more already - it's not REMOTELY due to the lack of 24 content; in fact I've found this pleasant real-life content delightful; I'm just trying to use Ye Olde Jack Sack in moderation. :) )

B said...

Oh, and uh...Adam?

I don't think there would be any harm in your purposefully taking a week off from TJS.

This time I really am not saying so out of selfishness in a love-hate desire to overcome my addiction. I'm saying it out of consideration that you just seem to have so many balls up in the air (no dirtiness intended) and it seems like it would be nice for you to be able to confidently say, "I don't have to do that this Monday!" without feeling any hint of failure or disappointment. You've been doing an unbelievably amazing job at continually wrangling all us 24-orbiters, and as such you've earned our loyalty and our understanding.

I bet we'd all be just as supportive and enthusiastic after your "JS Vacation," if you so chose to take one. Not that you have to, just putting that point out there.

:) :) :)

TheJackSack said...

Yep, I'm taking off retro-reviews until next week. Too much going on- work, I'm moving into a new place, my dog got stung by 20 bees today (thankfully she's alright, but it was scary). I definitely encourage everyone (Hiya Doc Alice!!!) to keep their comments coming. This little break in the routine has been a lot of fun. You guys are fantastic, funny and interesting. I'll be around for comments all weekend, so don't be shy.

Thank you all.

Dr. Alice said...

Golly, Adam!! I hope your dog got some Benadryl or something. Take the weekend off with our blessing and we wil see you soon.

BauerLuver said...

Will we be doing a 2-hour special on Monday to make up for the lost week? I only ask because I've already watched this week's episode of 24 and hope to continue the journey soon! Aargh! The suspense!

Sunny said...

We're running out of time!!!


Sorry, couldn't resist. I hope your dog is okay. I have a feeling Benedryl would not have been enough for this sort of thing. Probably some sort of steroid or adrenaline. Yikes!!!

Sunny said...

I just read Brittany's post. Still giggling over the image of Adam's balls in the air. LOL!!! Anyway, take your time on the retro-reviews when real life is calling. We will still be here for you.

Alex Getts — Art & Illustration said...

Adam is so dedicated to this thing. You deserve a break, man; I think we're all just glad to know things are well, despite what sounds like some hardcore insanity. A lot of places would probably just abandon the site after something like 24 ended, so we appreciate you keeping this thing rocking!

B said...

First, @Sunny - I said I didn't mean it that way! :) But uh...glad it gave you a chuckle. (Sorry, Adam. :\ )

Second, @BauerLuvr - I know, this JS stuff is such an exciting and AWESOME journey, it's hard not to get sucked into the whirlwind and find yourself needing MORE! NOW! :) (Beleeeive me, I've been there, as many embarrassing posts can attest. ;) ) But we've also gotta remember that as awesome as Adam is, he is indeed human (sorry for spilling your secret, dude). I know it's easy to forget that with review-after-review-of-total-awesomeness, so that's why I'm sayin let's just hold tight (tough as it will be! ;) ) and let him take a nice relaxing break, no catch-ups required. (I hope that all came out without sounding remotely harsh, b/c it's not supposed to!)
:) <--that's genuine.

B said...

P.S. - Oops, I spelled your name wrong. I always forget the last "e." Whoops! :)

BauerLuver said...

Yeah totally, and thanks Brittany, I get what you're saying! I was just throwing that out there as a suggestion for Adam. I am totally cool with whatever he's good with though, but I appreciate the remark! It's good to know when you might be sounding a little demanding!

Brian Pelts said...

This is, like, the worst episode of Intervention ever.

Spencer said...

Well, I'm pissed off, and you wanna know why? I GAVE him this advice a few months ago, and told him that it was ok to try to take some breaks, but he was all like "Spencer, your advice is so stupid. Just shut up and read my reviews. I must do a review every Monday because I care about people!"

But oh-no, NOW he's realising what I'm saying, and he's not even giving me any credit. gjhjhgjyfhuifdhihfjkf(I'm mumbling.)

B said...

Ha ha ha, you guys are cute.
@BauerLuvEr - demanding? Oh again, believe me - been there, done that. Will probably do it again. So let me know when I do. ;) :)

@Spencer - you're silly. :) your advice is so stupid. Yep, I bet those were the exact words too, right? ;) I kid. I suspect it was life events, and no one's advice in particular, that lead to this break. :)

@Pelty - Intervention? I should watch that show. What was it about?

:) Over and out.

BauerLuver said...

@Brittany- haha, will do!

Brian Pelts said...

@Brittany - What's Intervention about? Allow my good friends Katrina & The Waves to sum it up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EI6XnU8leA

Spencer said...

Today was the first day of my sophomore year. I was really sad at first, but things got better when I actually started to go to classes and actually talked to a few women.

But then, oh my god, I met the most amazing teacher that I've ever seen in my life. I almost INSTANTLY started loving her. Seriously, she is just.....damn. Just.....damn.

Yeah, she's married, but I can still love her like the world's ending. And the fact that I'm going to be seeing her for the next 18 weeks makes me happy because I now have something to look forward to for that long.

Brian Pelts said...

Remember, Spencer: No one's that married.

This message brought to you by the worst influence ever.

B said...

Aw, Spencer, that is great. (And adorable. What? I didn't say that.) I CAN'T BELIEVE your summer is over already and you're back in school!!! Whatever happened to "Labor Day"? Holy shit time flies. Anyway.
I'm super glad you've started off your new school year on a mostly fresh and happy note. I really am. You honestly are a great kid, and have a lot to offer to the world - and I mean beyond this strange 4th dimension known as high school. I'm not just talking about the creative stuff. You have a good heart. You care about people (and women - in a good way, not just a guy way). Keep these attributes. They rock.
:) SO THERE YOU HAVE IT, an entire Jack Bauer-free post; but in my defense it's "let's take a week off" week. :)

@Pelty - holy shit that was an annoying video. (Apparently my sense of humor's a bit off, since all the reviewers raved about it.) Thanks for the insight, though. :)

Oh yeah, P.S. - Spencer? Don't listen to Pelty.
:)

B said...

Oh P.S.2 @Spencer - have a great 2nd day!!! :)

(And @BauerLuver - whenever your school starts back up again, have a great 1st day!!! :) )

Brian Pelts said...

:(

BauerLuver said...

Thanks, mine isn't till the end of August, but we're homeschooled so I don't fread it as much!

B said...

What??? What's with the frowney face?

BauerLuver said...

*sorry, dread*

B said...

Aw, well that's nice (@BL regarding the lack of dread). :) End of August seems about right to me. :) Enjoy your last few weeks of long free days, then. :)

B said...

K, well I'm going to bed. (Pelty, I'll have to hear about that frowney face later. :( ) G'night, folks.
:)

Spencer said...

@Brittany- Thank you very much! That means a lot to me. You really are a goddess, but that's just comparing you to women at my school....but....but....if I did know other godesses, I'm sure you'd be better than them!

B said...

@Spencer - Well you're welcome of course, but I'm not a goddess. Goddesses don't exist, just God. And I think I've already made it pretty clear that I'm an ordinary messed up human being. I just also happen to care a lot. (A quality which, ironically enough, I attribute to God.) Hm, I feel tongue-twisted.

@Pelty - are you done being all frowney and sulky yet? I was just telling our young friend here not to follow your genius life lessons - I mean, let's at least let 'em get outta high school before we start enlightening them in the truly twisted ways of this wacky world! The young ones still have a chance! (Ah, and yes: the grand illusion falls as I reveal that my heart is not quite as black as it has occasionally appeared. ::cue funeral music for previously held notions::) So...we cool? 0_o

@Adam - Random, but I'm feeling weirdly sentimental tonight (which I'm betting I'ma regret...oh, tomorrow), so: I hope you're not afraid to show your face (or Elmo's, hah) because you feel you've failed to live up to some deadline. I mean timelinewhat? Don't sweat it. But don't feel the need to hide, either. It's called withdrawal, and I'm well versed in it. But it's also super unneccessary here. :)

/End House-Mother-Sappiness. (Good grief, why do I bounce all over the place so much? I swear I have 12 different personalities. AGH.)

BauerLuver said...

uuh, does anybody know where Adam is? It's Tuesday, and I don't see any update. I mean I don't have a problem with missing a review or anything (though I do miss them), but I just wanna make sure everything's ok!

TheJackSack said...

Hehehe, I'm not hiding- that's a funny idea- hiding in my own website!

No, I've just been taken hostage by a job and personal life that's been hectic of late. I'm happy, just in need of quiet time-- time to reflect, to write and to be in my head. But I'm here too- and I'm loving the conversation.

B said...

Sounds good. :)

Brian Pelts said...

@Adam - There's no shame in taking Shark Week off, my friend. In fact, I thank you for not making me tear myself away from all the NOMNOMNOMSEALS for an hour to watch a retro episode. ;)

Spencer said...

@Adam- Man, you just seem busy as hell. If you gotta take another week off, or even half a week, that's cool. But I'm going to continue being self-absorbed until your next review.

Jesus Christ(Brittany, since you don't think there's any godesses, you probably don't believe in HIM either.), I need to know how to make a woman want to divorce her husband. In order for my theatre teacher to want to go out with me, the following has to happen;

.She has to not switch schools for four years. This is her first year here, so hopefully she'll really love it and won't want to switch.

.By four years, she needs to no longer be with her husband, so he should either drink beer and do drugs and suck really badly, cheat on her, or DIE.(That last one would be particularly nice.)

.I come and visit her at my school where I'm(hopefully) no longer at, again, four years from now, and I'm 18-19, while she's 26. She expresses her sadness that she's no longer with her husband, a man whom she had deeply loved for years. I tell her, "I've been there." and we realise that we're both tortured souls, hurt from love, and we begin to hold hands and realise that it's eachother that we need, and it was always meant to be this way. And then we start dating and get married and live happily ever after.

I do realise that it's far-fetched and may be kinda crazy, but it's plausible. Effort and confidence are important.

BauerLuver said...

sigh...sniff sniff...really missing the retro-reviews...really wanna know what happens next...but am flexible too...but still...

Spencer said...

I'm sure Adam just doesn't have the time.

B said...

Hola, folks. Hope Thursday's been treating you well. I was treated to an unusually low-key day at work today; I got to devote all my attention on only one project, I didn't have to provide anybody else with work to do, and I listened to music almost the whole time! AND, in keeping with the "week off" tradition of food gabbing, I had JIMMY JOHN'S for lunch. That's what I call a day-that-you-don't-want-to-kill-yourself-after. Oh did I say that? Oh, I mean "That's what I call a good day." ;) :)

@Spencer - Jesus Christ(Brittany, since you don't think there's any godesses, you probably don't believe in HIM either.) Nope, actually you're wrong on this one. Jesus is real. And he loooooooooves you. ::does that smoochy thing five-year olds do after they say something like that:: :)
So, how goes the teacher crush? (Allow me to take this moment to go on record as saying that I do not condone the murder of said teacher's husband. In the event that such a situation ever does wind up in a court of law, you all heard me say that. ;) ) But murder jokes aside, I hope you've had a great first week and are still feeling the fun & excitement & promise of a new year. Happy 1st Friday! :)

@BauerLuver - I know, it's rough not being able to totally feed into that massive hunger for all things Jack Bauer & Crew! Boy do I ever. In our continued "time off," here are a few suggestions:
a) As an earlier member of "The Jack Sack Gang" once suggested, you could stalk around public locations wearing a bluetooth headset and muttering really urgent commands. (He said it so much better, but the sands of time have worn down my memory.)
b) You could take up a martial art in order to help channel your inner Jack Bauer.
c) You could babysit for the local kids and pretend that you are actually an Au Pair, thereby channeling your inner Kim Bauer and...wait, cross that one off the list. (For some reason nobody likes Kim.)
d) You could scour the universe for a 24 coloring book, and if you find that pot of gold, you buy that trash and you color the heck out of it.
e) If (d) fails, you could buy a 24 calendar before they stop making them.
f) You could study a new language and thereby prep yourself for a future Special Agent like career path.
g) You could head to the local video store, rent season 7 on DVD (it's the logical choice), fire up the popcorn, and watch away, retro-guilt free.
h) You can go back-to-school shopping but instead of thinking of it as "filling your back-pack," think of it as preparing your Jack Sack. ::cue impressive music of impressiveness::
i) You can ransack The Jack Sack and read all of Adam's great earlier stuff. There are picture books! And "Dear Chloe"! It's pretty great. :)

Wow, I can write a lot, can't I!? (::nervous laugh::) Okay, Bye all! :)

BauerLuver said...

@Brittany- wow thanks! You really helped, and I will definately take your advice! You have loads of good ideas, and Jesus is VERY real :) and I'm sure you're one of his favorites!

B said...

@BauerLuver - why you're welcome! Glad I could help. Let me know how it turns out! :)
And thanks, but I'm pretty sure Jesus loves everyone alike. No favorites. (Which is actually a relief b/c otherwise none of us would measure up. ;) ) :)

Alex Getts — Art & Illustration said...

Here's my idea to kill time: Season 9 is a no-go, but say YOU (yes, you!) were chosen to be show runner for Season 9, guaranteed to be the last season of 24. (None of this mid-season, "oh, by the way, you guys are done" garbage!) What's your pitch? What story brings Jack back to the United States, and what threat comes about to wrap the show up? What's your perfect end-of-series pitch?

Spencer said...

@Brittany- It's frusterating, almost as much as it is enjoyable. I keep asking her questions, because she's the teacher and she has to answer them. It's beatiful.

But seriously, I know that what I want to happen probably won't happen, and, as a student, I just want to make her more happy than she would be if I wasn't in her class. Her husband has the rest of his(and her life), I have 17 weeks.

I've had the hots for teachers before, but this is big. I've known her for 3 days and I'm already insanely in love with her. It's frusterating, but it's also awesome because I just want to pick her up and tell her I love her. I'm wanting to explode with either guts or party strings going everywhere.

B said...

Ah! I'm dying of adorableness here. :)

BauerLuver said...

In light of the recent absence of 24 in my life, I decided to re-watch season 6. I know that a lot of people don't like the season, but when I watched, I couldn't figure out what people didn't like! Just to begin, not one, not two, three, four, five but SIX armed Soviet nukes! Not to mention one going off, Tom Lennox, CTU, Jack torturing the Russian with the cigar snapper, LOGAN GETTING STABBED BY MARTHA, the component, and loads of awesomness! I know that people are annoyed by Jack's family being bad, but doyaknow what? I thought that was an incredible twist! When Gramps killed Graham Cracker, I practically wet myself! And when it was revealed that Gramps was behind the China attack on CTU?!? I couldn't believe it! The only real flaw I could find was a little too much melodrama in CTU, but I didn't think it ruined the story (and it played a part when Milo got shot). And besides, what season of 24 doesn't have a little of that? They were probably trying to replace Kim. All in all, what I'm trying to say is I don't see a problem with S6. And that seen where Jack lets go of Audrey? The emotion and power of Keifer's performance, it litteraly brought tears to my eyes (and when the nuke goes off). And I know I'm rattling a little long, but c'mon, SAY HELLO TO YOUR BROTHER! The hanging seen, in my opinion, was Jack's coolest kill next. S6 is seroiusly misunderstood.

Spencer said...

@BauerLuver- Oh, we ALL loved "Say hello to your brother.". And a lot of people, including me, thought Tom Lennox was awesome. One of the major problems with the season was the lack of compelling characters, and yes, Jack's family, who all sucked.

I tried to re-watch the season, but I could only make it to episode 9. It tried to play on Jack's emotions, and failed(Besides "I can't do this anymore."). Morris was alright, but Tom and Jack aside, Sandra was unbearable, Nadia was rushed, and the rest of the characters were just boring(including Chloe).

The final moment of the season, was, I'll admit, descent, and that's because that Jack really cared for Aundrey, and she was a character that a lot of us liked. His sacrafise was sad and justified, but the reason that I and a lot of other people were upset was because there was NO FUCKING TONY. When I saw that silent clock, that was when I finally became convinced that he was dead.

The season just didn't work, and it was all over the place. It tried to be different in a good way but it fucked itself up. I'll give it credit for trying. Season 8 was too much of the same old stuff.

Spencer said...

@Alex Getts- That's a hard one, and not because I suck at ideas(though that doesn't help), but because the writers fucked the show up so badly with season 8.

My idea for the plot would be something having to do with Kim. What else could bring Jack out of hiding? And, for the love of god, NO MORE PRESIDENTS. I guess, kinda mirroring season 1, Jack is trying to save his daughter, only he's a completely different man than he was in the begining of the series. He doesn't care about who he shoots or kills, now that he's threatened with losing the only thing he hasn't lost and can't lose in his life.

And the death of Renee really seemed like the end for Jack's love life, so I don't know what'd happen there.

BauerLuver said...

@Spencer- I will agree that no Tony is a downer, but s8 had that as well, and people seem to hate s6 the worst. But I must disagree with you on several points- I thought the entire season (and I mean the entire season) was magnificent. I litteraly was moved to tears at the end, and with Bill going rogue and the oil-platform fight-it was amazing. I love hearing what people have to say on shows, but I'm going against the crowd on this one. S8, I thought, was the real failure and disappointment of the series and the one that should be taking the heat, not s6. And I don't know why, but I don't like Renee, and I hated her and Jack. Sorry!

Spencer said...

Don't say "sorry" for having a different opinion. You should be proud that you're a different from the crowd. It's tough, but you are what you are. (Oh my god, I'm lecturing you.)

I, on the other hand, am WITH the crowd, for once, and it's a plesant change. I can't pinpoint what it was exactly about season 6 that made it so bad, I can only spout out words like "Sandra Palmer! Jack's family! Boring characters! Retarded guy!"

BauerLuver said...

"Retarded guy?"

BauerLuver said...

And I can also not pinpoint what was so bad about s6. I can only try to use words to defend it.

Spencer said...

.....Remember? There was some retarded guy that Jack had to help. This is one of the best examples of the writers trying to be different and failing misery. Only so many people could watched that with a straight face.

BauerLuver said...

I actually thought that was kinda nice because it gave us a chance to see Jack's nicer side while being funny at the same time.

BauerLuver said...

And FAYED IS AWESOME! Gredenko is pretty cool too, and I love how he betrays Fayed at the end!

Spencer said...

I'm just saying that it altogether failed to impress me, and was more bad than good.

B said...

He he he. Isn't Gredenko the guy who chopped his own arm off? THAT WAS COOL. Talk about desperate.

Spencer said...

Oh, guys, you gotta watch this. This is SO funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBM854BTGL0&feature=related

Alex Getts — Art & Illustration said...

My Season 9 idea would be something like this:

Chloe is running CTU NY. Maybe Morris is back; that's not 100% important. Here's what is: Jack never made it out of the country. In spite of Taylor's willingness to help him, the deck was stacked against him, and now about six to nine months later, he's in prison. He still thinks he did what he had to.

Taylor is, obviously, gone. VP Whatshisbucket is the new President in town. Action takes place in D.C. and New York. Real New York, this time. We actually get to see some crazy stuff happen in a Manhattan that looks and feels like Manhattan.

CTU gets word of an attack against a political figure. RFK-type. Doesn't matter who he is. It just can't happen. Problem is, the killer is someone Jack and Tony know. Maybe someone we know, maybe someone we don't. They both know him, and can help bring them down. Both are needed, and Chloe arranges for it to happen. Jack doesn't want to have anything to do with it, but both he and Tony are promised pardons if they cooperate and stop the attack. Jack agrees, in order to finally be with his family. Jack doesn't trust Tony, but Tony is repentant. Edgier than S5 Tony, but not as much as S7 Tony.

Plot stays simple. Like Season 1, keep it personal. Although they don't know the RFK-type, he's their link to freedom. Keeping him alive gets them their lives back. Tony and Jack have to learn to trust one another again. Politics is kept to a minimum.

Kind of rough, but that's my idea.

BauerLuver said...

That sounds like a great idea! What other characters would you have return? (if any) and what would the subplots be?

B said...

Alex - first of all, that's a well thought out and described idea. But there's one hitch I can't get past - even if the U.S. wanted to pardon Jack, by his killing the Russian government officials, it'd never fly, would it? First off (and yes I do feel dumb admitting that I don't know this) is it even within the U.S.' jurisdiction to pardon something like that? And second, even if it did officially succeed and the pardon passed, Jack wouldn't be able to safely return to his family because the Russians would never get off his back.
Is that accurate?
Super clever and creative, though. I appreciate your desisire to keep the side crap (sketchy politics, annoying subplots) to a minimum. And your focus on CHARACTER. Even though this show is all about action and violence, it's also about character growth and deeper human themes, and S8 totally blew that ship out of the water with ludicrously unbelievable suckiness. Your proposed S9 idea seems like it would begin to redeem that. Thanks for getting the prompt started! :)

Alex Getts — Art & Illustration said...

Brittany - I don't know the logistics of how a pardon would work and if, in the real world, Jack would be able to be pardoned after what he'd done. I'm going to say that in the 24-verse though, it could since Charles Logan got a pardon from Noah Daniels, and he covered up David Palmer's death. Jack's pardon is probably implausible, but I think the Logan pardon gives a nice little plot window to make it happen.

True, though, the Russians would never get off of him, though. Maybe that;s one of the sub-plots; trying to keep Jack's release under wraps. Then again, they might let it go -- everyone Jack killed was in on the cover-up. Likely, Suvarov was removed from office, and a new Russian president may not be as concerned. It would be interesting to see play out, though.

Thanks for the positive feedback, though! I agree, S8 totally went ludicrous, and while it was interesting seeing Jack as an unstoppable revenge machine, there was a lot with the season that went wrong.

BauerLuver - Other returning characters.....who's still alive? Ha, ha! I actually think it would be interesting to see Wayne Palmer again. Not for a long time; maybe for a few episodes. It would make sense for him to be in the D.C. area, too. I'd honestly like to see it start in New York (with Tony and Jack being released from prison), and have it transfer to D.C., and maybe end back in New York. I'd bring Aaron Pierce back, for sure, and in a larger role. It's freaking Aaron Pierce! I'd also like to see some wrap-up with Alan Wilson, too. Just something throw-away, if he never reappeared, just to know what happened.
As for subplots, I think trying to keep Jack's release under wraps would be interesting. I'd like to see Jack and Tony both learning to trust one another again, and see Tony confront Jack for basically doing what he told Tony not to do.
I'd like to see Chloe really tackling her position as head of CTU. I'd like to see her more in control and running a tight ship. And NOT being replaced mid-way through the season. That needed to stop. Chloe is head of CTU before, during, and AFTER the season.
I'm not too sure on other sub-plots, though. I really think it'd be cool to see it play out like a crazy maze. Really have Jack and Tony facing the clock, having to go places for hours at a time. If they're in the air for an hour, so be it; I'd rather have that sense of realism than the idea that they made it through Manhattan in 15 minutes for convenience's sake.

Hopefully all of that makes sense.

BauerLuver said...

Man, I sure hope there's at least one retro-review up tonight. I can only go so long without my Jack Bauer Power Hour. And it goes to show how good Adam's writing is, to make me look forward to it so much!

TheJackSack said...

The slope is no longer slippery! Tonight, I'll be posting a new retro review. Thank you all for being so patient... and entertaining.

BauerLuver said...

YES!!!!

B said...

Ha, okay I just have to say this. @BauerLuver, you are so cute. You remind me of a miniature, younger (somewhat cleaner) version of myself. It's just amusing to watch (read). :)

And @Alex - your Season 9 proposal really does have some gusto to it. I wish other people would (or would have, since people rarely comment on old posts once a new one's up) jump in on the discussion and throw in their own ideas.

I don't have any decent suggestions myself. To be honest I may fail as a 24 fan because MY S9 would consist of character redemption and a reversal of all the EFFED UP screw-ups they made in S8 {augh RIP Taylor and Renee}: Jack would be able to somehow complete his character arc and wind up somewhat happy, at peace, and with his family again. And did they ever validly resolve some of the larger season-spanning "conspiratorial" plot-lines? I never finished S7 so Idk. But I feel as if some more overarching loose-ends being tied up would've made the series ending stronger. It's like they forgot to write the concluding chapter and instead went off on some random tangeant and then said "The End." But I digress. End disgruntled-yet-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg rant.

But I'll reiterate that I really 100% dig and am on board with your suggestion of Tony AND Jack facing the music, coming to terms with what they'd each done, and finding some better place to end in. (Mother ef just the very idea of how badly they butchered the ending of this series sets me off and makes my blood start to boil...so I'ma go now and pretend to forget about it.) ANYWAY. All that to say, I like your ideas, keep up the good thoughts. (And more people join in next time! ;) ) Okay, byee. :)

Spencer said...

I know who's going to be checking the computer when he isn't supposed to TONIGHT.

B said...

He he hee. :)

Spencer said...

And Brittany- I'm not sure if you're just politely reframing yourself from telling me how much it sucks, but I did bring MY idea to the table, albeit a little shorter than Alex's and no Tony, which probably means that it shouldn't be considered good under any circumstances.

But seriously, about Tony, as much as I love the guy and love that the writers knew he was awesome and gave him a MUCH bigger part than originally intended, I just like the way his story ended in season 7.

He didn't get some epic redemption, he didn't want to put his past behind him and live a happy life, he really didn't care about other peoples' lives, at least not anywhere near as much as Jack did. He was just Tony. Michelle was his life, and she was gone.

From season one, what got him hurt was him wanting to work at a job like this and still managing a love life. But he cared more about his love life than the job, and that's why he kept trying to move on from it, but something bad would always happen and time after time he was unable to live the life he really wanted to.

That's what I like about him so much. Who he is and how his flaws make him different from Jack. The more I think about season 5, the more I feel that Tony's original send-off sucked, not just because it wasn't handled well altogether, but because it was contrived.

So instead of leaving him in the pile of bodies that was already high enough, the writers realised their mistake and went out of there MOTHER FUCKING WAY to give the audience the right story for Tony. His resurrection could've replaced the fridge joke, and could've done high damage to a show that was just continuing after season 6.

It'd be nice for Tony to redeem himself, but I don't think that's Tony. He cared more about his girl than the safety of Americans. He always did.

B said...

Hm. I like this. I'll get back to you later. (And no, I didn't intentionally skip over your idea. I just missed it.)
:)

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