I don't want to get too far ahead of myself though. Tonight's episode of 24 was yet another solid installment in the show's late season rejuvenation. After a sometimes tedious and often incredulous detour down to Mexico where, among other bizarre distractions, we learned of Chase's spawn cluttering up CTU, the show wisely got back on track with the central conflict: there's a virus loose in L.A., possibly at the Los Feliz Mall or the California Center or even the heavily trafficked intersection of Taylor and Vine! For all you out-of-towners, those places don't exist, and we Angelenos like to show off our knowledge of local geography through snide comments.

Nevertheless, Jane Saunders - filling the void of perplexed pretty face in the absence of Kate Warner - was once again trotted out to coax info from her dad. The first time didn't work, so Jack Bauer pulled the dick move of having her sent into the infected hotel where Gael bit it. Fox promos had promised two people getting killed by the end of the hour, and for sure, we thought plain Jane Saunders might be the first to go. The episode hit its first truly exciting moment as the guards hussled the poor girl towards the hotel doors. Of course Saunders spilled the beans, and Jane lived to see another day - which is good because I think she'll need some time to get therapy and stuff.

While CTU worked to find the eleven virus couriers (and of course the one they can't find is in LA), our favorite non-essential storyline took center stage. The ongoing Palmer Family Crisis hit new seasonal lows, but not all time lows though - must we forget last season when Sherry almost started a nuclear war? Anyway, David invited Sherry to have a little chat in the park while Wayne and his PI friend rummaged through her house, trying to find evidence that could derail the reelection campaign. The Prez offered Sherry a diminutive role as administrative consultant, but the former Mrs. Palmer knew she'd be spending more time decorating the White House Christmas Tree than doing what she does best - scheming in a generally destructive way. Sherry, in an impassioned plea, asked to be taken back as wife and First Lady, and David accepted the offer in a blatantly disingenuous demeanor. He might as well have crossed his fingers and then shown them to Sherry and then said "In case you can't tell, I'm lying." Point is she's too smart for these shennanigans, and with a swift turn of the bun, Sherry scurried away. During this time, we glimpsed a shot of President Palmer's scarred hand - a pleasant reminder of last season's surprise cliffhanger, which, you know, never resulted in anything.