The deterioration of 24

*** SPOILERS AHEAD ***

Has 24, as they say, jumped the shark? I'm afraid so.

With seven episodes left, this season's central threat, multiple nuclear devices going off inside the country, has been defused and Jack just got a phone call from the Chinese guy who had been responsible for Jack's abduction at the end of last season (conveniently enough, right after he finishes up securing the bombs) telling him his beloved Audrey is alive but not for long unless he does as he's told without telling anyone.

And this all happens right after Jack, by himself, is able to subdue at least 7 or 8 bad guys, besides, naturally, Fayed.

ALL. BY. HIMSELF.

Right after Fayed, the last one standing, is dead, CTU agents show up.

I've ranted before (here, here, and here) about the exaggerated plotlines that are a staple of this show, but now I really feel like it has reached a tipping point.

At the end of the last episode, Ray and I just looked at each other, speechless.

I guess we'll wait and see what they come up with next, since at this point we've watched more than 2/3 of this season, but me watching the next one is seriously in doubt at this point.