Last week’s two-hour 24 drew some cliches, some surprises and a literal slap in the president’s face, as well as continuing what has been an incredibly solid season in a show I deemed dead in the water last year.

If you recall, the White House is in peril as General Juma and his militant army have invaded it in search of humiliating the president. Ep. 13 wastes no time showing how bad-ass Juma is by quickly expending, or “releasing” as he says, an nameless Red shirt.

In a hilarious, grandma-like situation Vice President Nameless orders his aides to shut down the Internet as Juma forces President Woman to apologize for trying to save Sangala. They, of course, have to explain that this is the Internet and that is impossible.

If there’s one thing 24 almost always gets right, its letting its best characters go out in a blaze of glory. Edgar got a surprisingly emotional farewell at his untimely demise, George Mason sacrificed his life to save many, including Bauer, and Curtis – well, okay, they fudged that one up. Buchanan makes his final speech, ordering Jack to stop all this madness and that there’s another enemy out there. Only Jack can do this.

With a gas leak and a gun shot, the perpetual leader for several season is dead. In return, this is turns the tables and helps defeat Juma’s army.

Like the “Exploder” films in “Grand Theft Auto,” we’ll cry when we’re done killing. Aaron Pierce, in all his infinite strength and wisdon, saves the president and her daughter. Meanwhile, Jack kills people with his badassery.

And with Juma and his army dead, we see the human side of Jack that Agent Hotness wants so desperately to witness. She does. And Bill gets the second, an more fitting, silent clock of the season.

But just because 24 has rid itself of the two main villains, Dubaku and Juma, doesn’t mean there’s not another creep lurking behidn the curtain. Though less brooding and more crazy, he is, above all, Jon Voight. Clearly ad-libbing and having a lot of fun doing it, he seems to be the lock for this season’s main-main villain. And a good fit. He calls the president a “damn bitch,” has a seven-course meal at his desk and plays darts in the midst of a huge American conflict initiated by him.

This Gordon Ramsey-looking guy is Voight’s number one spy (or as he says “Bauer’s good, so is this guy”). And he is. Within a minute of his introduction, he’s already offed a poor old guy sitting in the hospital.

In a effort to prove that 24 hasn’t completely softened to non-shrewish women having power, the president’s daughter informs her aide that she’s going take down all the people that failed her mom this day. It makes sense, I guess. After all, this is the biggest security lapse in America’s history. I can only predict that this will be the required annoying storyline of the season.

In the episode’s climax, Bauer is back to interrogate Other Shady White Guy. This time, no touching!

Conveniently, Gordon Ramsey drops some nerve gas, smashes some alarms and kills OSWG before he gets the chance to do something other than cry like a little girl. Ramsey escapes, without a hitch, leaving Bauer framed, yet again.

Poor Man’s Aaron Eckhart didn’t like Bauer to start. He didn’t want him to interrogate OSWG again. So you can imagine, he thinks Jack killed him and he. is. pissed. Bauer, with all his knowledge on being framed, knows that he has to get to the heart of the matter otherwise he’ll face a series of trials that will continue until the end of time.

This week’s episode, while not pulse-pounding like last week, set up a good series of events for the latter half of the season. Jack’s in danger, President Woman’s daughter will most likely get herself in trouble digging for the truth (Have they learned nothing from their son?), Jon Voight is insane.

If Gordon Ramsey turns out to be an equal adversary to Bauer’s spy skills, then I think we will have a duel to end all duels. But that’s too trusting in the 24 writing staff. So, as of right now, we just have to enjoy the quality while it lasts.

Grade – B+

Next week, on 24: