What a YAWN the finale of "24" last night.

This show started three years ago with such promise of being something honestly different. Last night was so predictable and boring. The moment the dead agent's wife looked at the images of the terrorist you knew she was going to kill him. As soon as they told us the bracelet with the virus was titanium, you knew that since you couldn't cut the bracelet you HAD TO cut the arm. For the courier to run into a middle school in the first place seemed like such a desperate writing ploy; "Let's put him into the most melodramatic spot we can imagine.....no matter how sappy. And, wasn't it odd that NO ONE stopped them as armed adults ran into this crowded school?! BORING!

The best part of the entire episode were the last few moments of Jack Bauer alone in his car. I have worked in law enforcement and know that no matter now macho and gruff someone in his position appreas on the outside the events he had gone through would have the same affect on anyone. Sutherland portrayed an honest and real moment; Emmy should be mentioned again for him just for that scene.

This series had "jumped the shark" the moment Tony Almeida tried to save his wife. Anyone in that position lives and breathes that duty, honor and country come before ANYTHING. It's a hazard of the job but part of life. She was technically a prisoner of war and should have been considered dead at that point anyway. I'm glad the character is going to prison; that's what you get for treason.

And don't get me started about President Palmer.

Even more that that, "24" has been a letdown for never going back to the loose ends left from the first season and which they promised would be revisited. When Nina was arrested she told Jack, "This is bigger than you could possibly imagine." Dosen't that imply that there is a larger organization, more of the Dreizen family to piss off, a larger consipracy, a BIGGER story to explore? What happened to it? They teased us with it this season but let it flop once again.

The best season ender this year has GOT TO be "Smallville". That show proves what a franchise series can be. The idiots in charge at Trek should take a few notes on how it is to write and produce for iconic characters, stories and histories. That it is possible to make a frnachise "your own" while still respecting the original material and mainting quality. More directors like Manny Coto and the guy who wrote the Tripp cloning episode should be running things and Braga and Berman can go off and do what ever this "science fiction" series they have in mind and stop trying to drive Trek right into the dirt.

Everyone shook their heads at me years ago when I started calling Berman "The Ani-Christ". Not so crazy after all....am I?