Save yourself before it's too late. If you start watching, you'll quickly learn that it's totally and completely addictive. By that time, you'll be hooked.
I came in late to the show this year and was hooked by the second episode of the season.
Surnow knows the secret to good writing -- something surprising happens every 5-10 minutes.
I knew this was a great show when Bauer was demanding and not getting answers from bad guy Christopher Henderson (Peter Weller), so he turned and shot Mrs. Henderson in the leg.
That's good writing.