Death, dismemberment and Doe?

It was a particularly bloody week or two in the TV microcosm of shows I actively watch. First, Buffy the Vampire Slayer led her militia of slayers-in-training in an attack on an evil cleric who happens to be very, very strong, resulting in the death of a couple of the kids. More alarming was that steadfast Scooby Xander got an eye gouged out. Usually, something so drastic and specific has equally specific repercussions, so we'll see how that one plays out.

Then, it was quite the bloodbath on 24. I had been hoping that Yousef, the Arab intelligence agent helping Jack Bauer recover information, would stick around, as he was a strong character. One of those guys who you can count on to do the right thing, despite the appearance of being on the wrong side in some fashion. That didn't happen, as they telegraphed his being beaten within an inch of his life by an angry mob as soon as rioting began in L.A. The downside is that the writers conveniently let him live just long enough to tell Bauer what was going on with his dying words. Jack, on the other hand, actually flatlined (with a sly nod to an early star turn for actor Kiefer Sutherland), but as the star of the show, was predictably brought back by the equally predictable "one more try" with the defibrillator.

Meanwhile, presidential aide of indeterminate title Lynne Kresge, in the course of two episodes, got thrown down a stairwell and is in critical condition. I like her character a lot as well, which, the way things are going, means she probably won't make it past next week, either. You have to wonder what they're leaving for sweeps.

Last night, I also saw a commercial for John Doe. I'm as surprised as you are that the show is still on. On the other hand, I think I've figured out Doe's true identity. He's not former Daily Show correspondent Brian Unger, as I had previously reported, but rather Real Madrid forward Luis Figo.