Ok, on the matter of 24: I still find it enjoyable and all that. And I’ve decided to let the otherworldly use of time and space in Washington, D.C. wash over me (next week’s episode will transpire during the onset of rush hour, which means if they suddenly opt for vérité the entire show will feature Jack Bauer sitting in his car somewhere near the Verizon Center screaming, “I could have tortured questioned 17 terrorists in the time it’s taken me to get through one frick’n traffic light!).

But here’s one thing I don’t get. So the government has been infiltrated by spies and fifth columnists for the evil “Juma regime” in the fictional African country of Sangala. Okay, fine, whatever. And everyone keeps saying that Jack and his mavericks need to go off the grid to deal with it because nobody can be trusted, including within the president’s own security staff. There are spies everywhere! Even in the White House! All right, sounds like riveting television. But even as they’re saying this, Jack & the Mavericks –who’ve just met with the president (fresh from Ocean’s Twelve, BTW) in the Oval Office — are sending Secret Service agents out as decoys and openly discussing all of this around people who look like they’re, well, members of the president’s security staff.

Update: From a reader:

Jonah,
I laugh every time Jack and the gang pull up to an open parking spot right in front of their destination!!