first 4 episodes

Rather than doing a detailed review of all the things that happened in the first four episodes of day 6, here is a list of my gut reactions to some things I like and dislike so far.

Likes:
1. Unlike previous seasons, day 6 opened up to a country already under attack. Usually the agents are trying to stop an impending disaster rather than react to one that's already happened, and prevent future ones from occuring. Also, in some of the other seasons, the first couple of episodes basically just laid the groundwork for the rest of the day, which made them a little dry. With the nation already under attack, the action started right away, and only 4 episodes in, we have already seen a nuclear explosion and the death of a major character.
2. The introduction of Sandra Palmer, the attorney for the Islamic-American Alliance, who is also the sister of President Wayne Palmer. Sandra seems to be the only character I can recall who fights for civil liberties, even in a time of great danger. Usually on the show when it comes to obtaining information or giving someone their civil rights, civil rights always lose. She understands the slippery slope one can go down when even giving up seemingly small rights.
3. Jack Bauer himself, of course. Jack is arguably one of the darkest heroes in television history. He has killed two colleagues, gotten addicted to heroin and tortured suspects to protect the country. After literally dying twice, suffering through almost two years of torture, and losing his family and friends for his country, we can see the emotional toll it has taken on Jack. When Bill Buchanan tells Jack that the country has given him up to be sacrificied to try and stop the attacks, he tells him that dying will "be a relief." After being forced to kill a fellow agent to save a known terrorist who can lead them to the source of the attacks, Jack breaks down. It's probably the most vulnerable we've ever seen him. Jack always saves the day, but at very high costs, and seeing him on the verge of breaking down gives the character legitimacy and keeps him from seeming like a psychotic who can kill on a whim.

Dislikes:
1. Sandra Palmer. Yes, I realize I just included her in the "like" list. While I applaud what Sandra Palmer stands for, I don't know why the writers made her so unlikeable. When the FBI ask for the personnel files of the workers at the Islamic-American Alliance, she deletes them to prove a point. This character could have been a great springboard for debate on civil rights verse security, but you just end up disliking the character, and therefore not really caring about her point of view.
2. Ahmed and Wallace family sideplot. With the country being attacked continuously by suicide bombers, Los Angeles citizens are afraid to go outside and are looking for people to blame. The Wallace's are a white suburban family who see their Muslim neighbor Ahmed's father being taken away by the FBI for questioning. A group of white men threaten Ahmed, calling him a terrorist, and Ray Wallace comes to help and defend him. He invites Ahmed into his home and tries to help him locate his father. I think the writers of 24 had a great chance here to go against some of the criticism they have endured by reinforcing negative Muslim racial stereotypes by making Ahmed a victim. Instead, we learn that Ahmed is, in fact, helping the terrorists who are orchestrating the attacks. This gives validity to the white suburban thugs who threaten him and makes it seem like middle-class suburban Muslims are involved in terrorism.
3. CTU love-triangles and interoffice fighting. The Chloe-Morris-Miles tension seems forced. Every season there has been some kind of personal problem that prevents people from working together. While I do like the background and personal lives of the characters, this one seems a bit of a stretch. Yes, Chloe looks better as a brunette, but would two guys really be fighting over her? No.

I personally enjoyed the first 4 episodes, all told. There are certain things that happen every season on 24 and somehow the writers do this without making the show seem old and predictable. Kiefer Sutherland will be in super-intense mode and yell at bad guys, and I'll love it just as much as I did when he did it the last hour. The fact that every season gains new viewers and keeps old ones coming back is a true testament to the writer's creativity. I'm sure that at some point in the day Jack will find out that someone high-up in the government is a mole, someone will try to have Jack arrested and many more people will die, but I won't know who or when, and that's what keeps the show going so strong. The cast, led by Sutherland in the role he was born to play, is strong every season. While also being very entertaining, it opens up debate in both the television and political arena, which is never a bad thing. Either way, I'll be looking forward to next week to see if Jack truly "can't do this anymore."