While some people are ...

Question: While some people are complaining about the ridiculousness of another Palmer coup on 24, can we all just agree that the assassination plotline is actually the writers' attempt to salvage their season? DB Woodside did a fine job last season, and obviously the powers that be wanted to capitalize on the JFK/RFK angle. However, it's pretty apparent now that Woodside just isn't cutting it. He isn't presidential, and his delivery is rather wooden. I believe the writers saw the performance, realized they made a mistake, and tried to come up with the darkest possible scenario to get rid of him. It is in no way, shape or form more ridiculous than Logan being evil last year. So while a few critics are groaning, I'm actually welcoming these plot developments in the hopes of a better season to come. Plus, who doesn't want to see Powers Boothe as President? Bueller? Bueller?
Answer: I'm not a big President Wayne Palmer fan either, but I seriously doubt the assassination-coup story line was cooked up out of a backlash against the actor. And while it may not be more preposterous than last season's Logan twist, it's a lot less fresh. One played beautifully, the other (this season) not so much. At least not yet. But I did enjoy seeing Chad Lowe turn on Peter MacNicol, making the officious bureaucrat who still has a modicum of respect for the presidency (if not the sitting president) into a victim, and potentially a hero.