The following 24 review takes place between 6:43 a.m. and 6:59 a.m. Words are written in real time...

This may have been the least eventful episode so far, but that's actually what made it our favorite hour of the season.

The show has always exceled at telling mini dramas within the larger picture, especially when it comes to humanizing those young terrorists that aren't entirely convinced of the causes for which they've signed up.

That was certainly the case this week, as great performances by Marcos and his mother helped anchor the 2 a.m. hour in real, human drama. I've often thought 24 should return to a tighter plot (such as season one, or the 24 movie in Africa) in order to emphasize this kind of emotion, as opposed to painting such broad strokes of nuclear disaster that it's impossible for the villains to written as anything but caricatures.

But while we still have a national threat and a few bad guys that fit every Middle Eastern stereotype, it was refreshing to focus on just one life for a change.

Also: shout-out to Wayne Palmer! Gotta love any reference to the past that helps bring everything together. Even if it's to the lesser Palmer brother.

Unfortunately, the ridiculous Dana drama isn't over. Even one of our favorite character actors - Stephen Root as Kevin's parole officer - can't save this atrocious, nonsensical storyline.

Just think of all the holes in it: How did Dana get her job at CTU? How did Kevin get her new phone number or know her new identity? The guy didn't come across as a criminal mastermind.

We could go on and on. The only positive is that this arc didn't take up a lot of time this week.

As for Tarin as a terrorist: this would have to be your first season watching 24 if you didn't see that twist coming... but that's okay. It still creates a nice, suspenseful situation with Hassan's daughter, while also bringing his plot into connection with Jack's.

By keeping things simple, 24 grabbed our attention this week and made the overall storyline far more interesting. What did you think of the episode?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.