/mike

We’re closing in on the time where I’ve been up for 24 hours. This could be considered an achievement in and of itself but I’ve still got half a season to go and I’m not stopping. Let the adventure continue.

Hour 13, 7pm – 8pm (time 6:46am)

It was bound to happen I suppose, there needed to be at least one episode where all sorts of feelings were sorted out and some unresolved plot issues taken care of. The unfortunate side of these now resolved issues is that they, at least to me at this time, don’t really move the current story along. There was a lot of sappy emotions going on in this hour, definitely one for the ladies.

On the brighter side of things, I seem to be catching a second wind. I’ve got my heater, a warm shirt, my comfy pj’s, and a blanket. Now all I need is a little popcorn and some hot chocolate. Maybe I’ll save that for hour 19 or so.

Hour 14, 8pm – 9pm (time 7:37am)

Hello last second bombshell! This is what I’m talking about. Yet again, another reason I’m glad I’m watching this on DVD. The backstabbing is in full swing and we’ve got some real momentum this hour. You’ve also got to love the mid season character shuffle too.

I’m a little surprised at how awake I am right now. This episode might have something to do with it but I’m up and feeling fine.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Desmond (LOST) is German ;^)

Hour 15, 9pm – 10p, (time 8:35am)

Lots of intensity happening in this hour. Sometimes it makes me wonder just how much time the writers put into researching how long certain activities take. Of course then I realize they wouldn’t mess with us like that right? Not on a show that is built around that very principle.

It’s good to see one of the mainstays get a more active role in these later episodes. Gotta give it up for a guy that went from a part time role on CSI to a semi-full time role on 24.

For some reason, maybe the 24 hours that I’ve been up already, the fatigue started to set in. Still looking forward to the hot chocolate later on today though.

Hour 16, 10pm – 11pm (time 9:20am)

Seems that there has been some typical 24 going on here. Nice big reveal at the end that kind of took me by surprise. The character was played very well in all the episodes they have been around for, effectively throwing me off track.

SC #3 was back in play this hour but, as with the previous statement, I was a bit off on my initial guestimate. With 8 hours to go I now know who the biggest bad guy is, until the writers flip a switch on me in the last episode as they so often like to do, and who the major players are. It seems a bit much to drag out what could end up being a very basic plot for the next 8 hours but I’m sure more info, twists, and turns will crop up.

I don’t think I can wait until hour 19 for my popcorn though, the tummy is starting to grumble.

Hour 17, 11pm – 12am (time 10:25am)

So begins the deadly game of cat and mouse. I’m still a little unsure of what is still left to reveal over the next 7 hours now that we’ve come this far but that’s probably why I’m not a staff writer.

Popcorn certainly hit the spot in both quenching the hunger and keeping me awake. I started getting cold again so I grabbed a bigger, more comfortable blanket and now I’m nice an toasty warm.

Hour 18, 12am – 1am (time 11:15am)

I suppose I should have seen that coming, very reminiscent of season 2. I am fairly happy to see a certain tactic used by the bad guys in order to get what they want.

There is a big, gaping hole, pertaining to former SC #3, between the last couple episodes though and I have a feeling it won’t get addresses. It’s unfortunate that the writers think they may get away with it, though they could prove me wrong.

It was a little harder to keep the ol’ eyelids up for a copule moments but I managed to power through it. Only 6 more hours to go.

Hour 19, 1am – 2am (time 12:10pm)

Guess I spoke too soon. As usual there are more things going on in the world of Jack Bauer than I could ever imagine. It will be interesting to see if the person I thought was the evil big cheese will turn the tables around, now that some new facts have come to light. Though a motive has been explained a couple times in describing the evil big cheese I wonder about the motivation of other characters.

I started nibbling on tidbits of food again, to keep myself awake. Now that I’m 27 hours awake and 19 hours watching 24 it’s starting to get much harder. I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel though and I’m not sure what I’ll do with myself when I get there.

Hour 20, 2am – 3am (time 1:05pm)

Dun, dun, adaa. Looks like the man who thought he had it all figured out is in a bit of a jam. My theory being that he’ll go for the obvious choice as opposed to the right choice. poor little man. Of course I don’t see his family life getting any better. My guess there is that the same choice will be made, easy instead of right.

Just under 4 hours to go I’m getting a little anxious to see how it all comes together. Might be time to make a couple sandwiches for lunch too.

Hour 21, 3am – 4am (time 2:07pm)

And just like that, weasel boy lives up to his namesake. Though I didn’t mention anything previously, the character I’m referring to has always made me wonder until now. He reminds me of SC #1, way back at the beginning of the season, nothing quite sits right until BAM! Look at what he gone and done now.

Just finished off a couple more sandwiches and I’m having to fight the fatigue a little more but that could be chalked up to a couple slow, drawn out sequences.

Hour 22, 4am – 5am (time 3:00pm)

Not much that can be said about that one other than we’re getting down to the nitty gritty. The pace and energy are both back up to the same, if not higher, level as the first few hours. I’m starting to get anxious to see what the final twist will be.

Weasel boy got off pretty easy last episode so I hope their saving something up for the last couple hours.

Hour 23, 5am – 6am (time 3:52pm)

Down to the wire now and a good portion of story lines were closed off a little differently than I expected. I’m pretty sure Jack will follow through on the promise he made in this episode even though it is completely contradicted — by some very strong evidence.

A little too much setup for my fatigue level so I’m just going to go right on to the final episode. On last thought though, the one hookup I think should happen this season hasn’t yet and I’m a little disappointed. Well, on with the show now.

Hour 24, 6am – 7am (time 4:45pm)

So ends another day in the life of Jack Bauer.

Even though the ending wasn’t as exciting as how I remember the end of season 1, it was a good way to wrap up the story. I can understand why some decisions were made over others but there were definitely a couple holes that I would have liked to see filled. I’m guessing that those holes may be filled if I choose to watch the deleted or alternate scenes.

This season seemed to be a lot more in tune with some of the more popular notions in the political world today, which may or may not have been done on purpose.

All in all I was thoroughly entertained and season 5 definitely lives up to the hype.

The marathon, final thoughts

This little marathon experiment was pretty fun. I haven’t stayed up for this many consecutive hours since college — came close a few times though.

In my opinion, the keys for making it this long seemed to be eating small portions of food over spread out periods. That way I wouldn’t let myself get so full I felt like sleeping yet I was full enough to calm any hunger pains I had.

Another key to victory was avoiding pop/soda or other carbonated beverages. I had one cup of hot chocolate, a glass of ice tea, a glass of strawberry white cranberry juice, and a whole lot of water.

Well, until next time, I think I’ll just continue lounging on the couch and drift in and out of consciousness for a few hours until it’s time to go to bed.