Mourning the Fallen

The past few weeks have been rough on me. It began with the untimely demise of loveable techie Edgar Stiles on 24. Then, only one week later they follow up with a double whammy: half-crazed power monger Lynn McGill (who we all knew had it coming, his part played out) and Jack's erstwhile best friend, Tony Almeida. Granted, his wife had died earlier, and his appearances were getting harder and harder to explain, but he was always there, side by side with Jack. And now, with suspicion Raine-ing down on Audrey (was that too terrible?) and Kim out of the picture (for good this time?), Jack only has one friend left in the world: Chloe, who never looks all that friendly anyway. What is a super-agent to do? I just wish Jack could have two minutes to mourn his fallen companions, before galavanting around again.

It makes me wonder who could possibly go next in this roller-coaster of sudden death. If Chloe goes, that's it, I've had it. Curtis could probably bite it, but we don't have enough of an emotional connection. Bill Buchanan doesn't ever leave CTU, so we've already missed out on the opportunity to send him off with the Sentox. My money's on Audrey. She and Jack have enough of a relationship that it would be a crushing blow to him, and that's just what this show specializes in. Plus, some doubt is being cast on her character, so who knows... maybe she gets dragged out into the field, then ends up getting shot in a crossfire, sacrificing herself to save Jack, who will only then realize she was telling the truth the whole time? Maybe. Time will tell.

I'd also like to have a moment of silence for Curtis "Lemonhead" Lemansky. Poor Lem was stuck in a moral dilemma between his life and his crew. Fortunately he has such a good friend in Shane, that the decision was ultimately made for him. With a grenade, no less. Although, to be fair, Shane gave him every opportunity to do the "right" thing, and go hide in Mexico. But Lem, who was always the most high-minded of the Strike Team, wanted to do his stretch in the pen, and thus seal off the hemorraging investigation. I suppose that to Shane, protecting his growing family, this seemed like the best solution, but I can't help but feel... oh , I don't know... shocked and appalled. There was really no chance for Lem, was there? By the end of the episode, he was either gonna be in jail, in Mexico or interred. He will be missed, and now Shane, who just got back on Vic's good side after the Antwon fiasco, will have to keep glancing over his shoulder for a big bald, angry head looking for retribution. I can't wait for next season.