'24' is back

Apparently the idea of having a firm ending is all it takes to re-energize a show. It worked on "Lost" and now "24" seems to be back on track.

The announcement that this would be the last season of "24" didn't come as a surprise to anyone, however, that guarantee has freed the show of expectations and allowed it to return to its former glory.

In last night's two hour installment Jack had to rescue President Hassan, elegantly portrayed by Anil Kapoor, from the terrorists who he gave himself up to. As Jack raced through the city chasing Hassan and his kidnapper, President Taylor was dealing with the revelation that two of her trusted aides had betrayed her and committed treason.

Cherry Jones has been spectacular in the last couple of episodes and should be a lock for an Emmy nomination. The showdown scene between Taylor and Rob Weiss should go on her Emmy reel with last week's stirring speech.

And of course back at CTU the walls were closing in on Katee Sackhoff's Dana Walsh. Dana has been working with the terrorists for quite some time and it was finally time for her to be found out. After Dana went all Starbuck on some guards and shot her way out, she was captured by her fiancee Cole Ortiz (Freddie Prinze Jr.) and said she would only speak with Jack.

Once Dana negotiated her deal, Jack went to the building where Hassan was being held, while the audience was shown the terrorists internet trial of Hassan. And just when you think Jack will burst in in the nick of time, it turns out the video was pre-recorded and Hassan was already dead.

The look of failure on Jack's face resonated so heavily that I remembered what a good actor Kiefer Sutherland is. The show ended with Hassan's family being informed of his death by President Taylor and the requisite silent countdown.

Last night "24" returned to the adrenaline fueled, breathless TV that it became famous for. I can only hope that it keeps the momentum going and finishes on a high.