TVSquad

Remember when Jack Bauer was happy? You know, back before he left Audrey? Good times. Apparently almost dying at the hands of his one-time best friend last season is going to leave Jack in a happy place at the start of 24's season eight. Okay, that's not the reason.

It's really because he's reconnected with his daughter and granddaughter. I still can't get over America's "hero" being a grandfather. And of course we know it can't last ... wait a minute. Could this be the season they kill Kim? Would they really put Jack through that much more crap? Of course they would!

The stars converged at San Diego to drop cryptic hints about season eight of 24, including some tidbits about Katee Sackhoff, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Anil Kapoor's roles. And it looks like while Jack is playing house with his family, Renee is in a much darker place.

One of the best things about this past "day," was the evolution of Renee's character. It's been awhile since we've had a character in the field as capable as Jack (I miss you Ricky Schroder!). I especially enjoy how Jack's darkness infected and ultimately began to corrupt her. In the course of one day; Jack's worse than the gases he inhaled!

We're told that when Renee comes back, while Jack was finding his happy place in the nine months we've been gone, she'll have been in a much darker world. She lost the man she loved(?), compromised all of her principals and found solace in a man who's just this side of a monster ... but for a good cause. What a great character and arc to continue exploring. Could she be the next Audrey for our Mr. Bauer?

I am pleased to hear that the new season will be a more direct continuation of the previous season. Not since the Logan administration has this show been so good, so it'll be nice to see the Taylor administration continuing. I thought Cherry Jones did a fantastic job as the Commander in Chief.

With last season being one of the best, beginning with the special two-hour 24: Redemption telefilm, I can certainly understand wanting to keep things at least somewhat tied to that rejuvenation of the franchise. It'll help us put the bad memories of season six behind us. This year's adventure will revolve around an assassination plot surrounding a peace conference at the U.N. headed up by President Taylor and the Iranian President (Anil Kapoor).

The move from Callifornia to NewYork for CTU makes logistical sense as well, considering the White House is always such a key part of the storylines and the East Coast is the center of politics. I look forward to seeing the new set-up, as well as Chloe trying to fit back into the world of IT after her absence. Believe me, I know how hard it is to get back in after only one year away, so there will be an adjustment.

And apparently, that's where Dana Walsh (Katee Sackhoff) will be there to help, all smiles. It doesn't seem right that Starbuck would be all smiles, so I was pleased to see that she'll have a darker side. And with Prinze Jr. playing her husband, I guess she'll be a pretty major role as events unfold. Maybe she'll be the latest traitor within the walls of CTU; there's always at least one.