Why haven't I been visiting this thread more often?

I guess at some point I got tired of talking about TV and started to prefer just watching it. (Blame LOST)
I'm a 24 fanatic since Day 1, never missed an episode live.
Last season felt more exciting to me somehow, but a lot of that was due to their layoff in the wake of the writer's strike. Plus it was just good to see Tony again, implausible as it was.
This year? Meh. The threat level just doesn't seem terribly ominous. When the stakes aren't as high, it's hard to replicate the same level of urgency I guess. There have been a few great scenes though. Executing Starbuck has to rank in this year's Top TV moments.
Plus we got DB Sweeney and Michael Madsen this year...awesome.
Any guesses as to how it all ends next week? Figure Jack has to live if they are really serious about transitioning to films. Not sure what would really constitute a surprise ending at this point...