It’s been four years since we last saw Jack Bauer shouting, “Dammit” and Chloe giving someone the side eye and everyone not listening to Jack even though he’s always the only one who’s ever right so what the hell is wrong with everyone else.

A four-year break has been good for our favorite pals, Jack and Chloe. Admittedly, the last couple of seasons of 24 in its original run lost a lot of its zing and while not boring, and still better than a lot of what else was on TV, was not quite up to the promise of the first seasons. We waited – holding our breath – in anticipation of a 24 movie, which was never to be.

So when it was announced last year that 24 would come back in a limited, 12-episode engagement,  we allowed ourselves to get our hopes up. As long as Chloe was there to help Jack out, all would be good. We also hope to see old friend Aaron Pearce, the only character other than Jack to appear in all eight original seasons of 24 (Chloe didn’t show up until Season 2).

We weren’t excited to see Audrey back, but even that could be forgiven for a chance to get Jack back on the small screen.

The two-hour premiere last night did not disappoint. Jack barely spoke at all for the first hour, but his silence spoke volumes. And ChuckChick is obviously the Jack Bauer of the CIA – the blonde someone who’s right and has been betrayed by someone she loved (Jack once loved Nina) and no one is listening to her. And she’s willing to break the rules to shout in someone’s face in an interrogation room. For that, it was OK that she did it to Jack. As long as it’s just this once. I did not, however, like the good cop of Mr. Julia Roberts. He was really smarmy.

It was obvious pretty early on that Jack allowed himself to be captured because he was going to break out Chloe. Of course, he broke out Chloe not just because he owes her for all the times she pretty much broke the law for him, but because he needs her Wikileaks-type crew to track down the guy who’s going to be responsible for the hit on the American president, who is Audrey’s dad, James Heller.

“Heller000000;"> wears sweaters made of courage,” quipped my Blogs4Bauer pal, The Jack Sack. He does, doesn’t he? Heller was a pretty awesome Secretary of State. If only he didn’t have early stage Alzheimers, he might be a good president.

Look, if you want a full recap of the episode, head over to The Jack Sack or view the replay of our liveblog on Blogs4Bauer. That’s not what I’m about here. This is about how I think the season is going to lay out. Of course, I’m going to get it all wrong, because there are more twists and turns in 24 than in a Mario Kart race.

ChuckChick is eventually going to figure out that Jack is right and is doing the right thing and will help him. (Think Red Hot, but with blonde hair.) Chloe will reveal that her living in London is penance for marrying Morris. Jack will shoot someone in the knee and say “dammit” a lot. Audrey will get really pissed off at her slimy husband for hiding the fact that Jack is alive. Tony Almeida will not return.

Cutting 24 down to 12 hours appears to be cutting the fat out of the show. Admittedly, this was the exciting two-hour premiere, so it was unlikely to have much fat in it. But it really kept things moving for the full two hours and the energy of early seasons was back.

Jack, it’s good to see you again. Your country needs you.