I've been watching 24 since Season 5, which means I've seen most of its weaker episodes (I have yet to watch Seasons 1-4). I highly recommend it nonetheless: It's gripping television and Keifer Sutherland does an excellent job playing Jack Bauer, elite terrorist fighter.

All the critiques leveled at the show are valid: yes it's violent, and yes torture isn't presented as necessarily a bad thing. The show occasionally wanders into pointless subplots. But I can't stop watching it, and I usually lose interest even in shows I like after a few episodes. I'm a fan of multiple plot lines, which may explain part of the reason why I enjoy it. But the tension and adrenaline never stop and 24 has showcased some marvelous character actors (particularly Glenn Morshower as Secret Service agent Aaron Pierce, and Gregory Itzin as President Logan). I'm sorry to hear that it will be ending its run after this season.