24 - Season 6, Episode 5 - 10:00AM to 11:00AM

Now we're cookin'! After a so-so start to the season, episode 5 has got 24 back on track by starting some great new plot elements in motion.

The most obviously awesome new development is that the asshole who masterminded all of last season's sinister events (Palmer assassination, all of President Logan's actions, etc.) is none other than Jack's own brother, Graham Bauer (who I will refer to only as Dr. Romano, for those of you who used to enjoy watching my man walk around yelling at people with one arm until he got crushed by a helicopter on E.R.). I always appreciate it when shows reward longtime viewers by bringing back elements from a show's past, and the brilliant stroke of revealing Dr. Romano as Jack's brother, as well as reintroducing him as a central character in this season's affairs, was certainly a fine enough reward. This plot line is clearly the most interesting thus far and should only get better as James Cromwell joins the cast next week as Papa Bauer. Awesome.

Other notables from this week's episode: Why is Dr. Romano's kid a Norweigan-Asian-Eskimo hybrid? Since when do bald ugly guys and Jewish brunettes produce Japanese-Swedish-Inuit children? Very odd casting choice...unless the kid is actually Jack's! (That is an official prediction. Take note.) Also, Rena Sofer as Romano's wife? How could you, Rena?! How could you play someone else's wife on a show that matches up against Heroes, on which you play Peter Petrelli's wife? How can you do this to Heroes, you traitor! Plus, who would ever believe that a hottie like Sofer would ever marry Dr. Romano? There's definitely going to be more to this story as the season develops (I smell a love triangle from the past), especially since there's no more Audrey (she jumped ship to become a regular on ABC's already-canceled The Nine).

Things I didn't like about this episode: As with the previous four episodes, anything involving Sandra Palmer and/or anything involving Chloe & Morris is boring and annoying. Regina King has only been in a handful of scenes and I already can't stand her. I'm hoping the writers have something important planned for her in the future because at this point, she's a total waste. Likewise, Chloe and Morris have absolutely no bearing on the plot thus far and I could care less about either of them. Chloe's "rude comment + ugly annoyed face" act has gotten pretty old.

The most promising thing about this week's episode is that it seemed to get the wheels spinning on the real meat of the season. I have a strong feeling that the next few episodes will be really good and as the momentum starts to build, the show will only get better and better.

For it's introduction of new plot elements as well as its unfortunate maintenance of some of the dumber plot elements, I give this episode a B

Favorite scene: The one where Jack scurries up the side of a house like a mountain lion to save some random guy from the wreckage of helicopter lodged in the roof. (Can anyone say gratuitous action?)

Favorite line: "We just got hit by a nuclear bomb. Bravado would be no more appropriate than fear." - Tom