Three reasons why bringing back old characters can help 24

*Warning, spoilers ahead*

While a great deal of media attention is focused on the first appearance of Ricky Schroder as CTU agent Mike Doyle on tonight's episode of 24, here are three reasons why the reappearance of the Logans (and Aaron too) can provide a much needed jump-start to reinvigorate season six:

1. Jean Smart. As First Lady Martha Logan last season, she vacillated between being weepy and drugged up, to being fearless. The unsung hero of season five -- who gathered evidence to implicate her treasonous husband, President Charles Logan, even bedding him to keep his suspions at bay -- Martha Logan is, in short, a fantastic character. Smart didn't get nominated for both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for nothin'.

2. Gregory Itzin. The President Logan character is no slouch either. Itzin, who was also nominated for an Emmy for last season's portrayal of the criminal president, has injected new life into 24's sixth day in just a handful of scenes and one recitation of a Bible passage about redemption. This season's Palmer White House staff -- even with aides plotting to have President Palmer II assassinated and arguing over whether to repeal civil rights -- doesn't hold a candle to Martha and Charles Logan. (Or to David and Sherry Palmer, for that matter. But, like Edgar, they're dead now. And they're not coming back.)

3. Glenn Morshower as Aaron Pierce. Think of a fiercely loyal dog who puts himself in harm's way to protect you, and sniffs out danger a mile away. That's Pierce, the trustworthy Secret Service agent. He's someone who, though he doesn't miraculously bounce back from injury like 24's superhero Jack Bauer, is as solid as solid can be. And throw in his season five attraction to Martha Logan after he was one of the few people who didn't think she was nutty, and you've got an all-American guy who you can root for.

So when Martha returns tonight, so does Aaron. And so does the conflict between the former first lady, the Secret Service agent and the disgraced former president. Forget the laughable, lackluster Chloe-Morris-Milo troika. The Martha-Aaron-Charles love triangle is where I'm bettin' viewers will get the most entertainment.