So the 24 writers are trying to create an air of mystery around Ricky Schroder's new character . . . er, brawler/tough guy Mike Doyle.

(*Fair warning, spoilers*) Brought into CTU during the 13th episode as the new head of field ops, Doyle wasted no time ruffling feathers, harshly ordering people around and wrenching a staffer by the neck for not working fast enough.

Then there was the Denver comment.

Milo Pressman -- still nursing a bullet wound sustained while saving Marilyn Bauer's bacon several episodes ago -- has decided to take on Doyle instead of constantly harassing Morris "Drill Bit" O'Brian. After Doyle's first abrupt CTU meeting, Milo said that he doesn't like Doyle and that he knows him "from Denver."

Eric Balfour, who plays CTU analyst Milo Pressman on 24, is slated to star in a new CBS cop drama, Protect and Serve, set in suburban Los Angeles, according to the web site Zap2it.

Balfour's character Milo was seen in CTU offices early in season one of 24, but then he disappeared for several years. He resurfaced this season not only in CTU, but as Chloe O'Brian's ex-boyfriend and constant irritant to another Chloe ex, Morris, also a CTU employee.

Aside from appearances on 24, I know Balfour best for his role on Six Feet Under where played troubled teen Gabe Dimas for a dozen episodes.

Eric Balfour was the only good thing about Conviction, NBC's short-lived prosecutor drama. Luckily, he'll be back on television in the winter to reprise his role as CTU independent contractor Milo Pressman on 24. I honestly can't remember what happened to his character ar the end of the season but apparently he didn't die.

According to Michael Aussiello over at TV Guide, Balfour has signed on to a role as a 'series regular', which means we'll see him for more than one episode. Maybe he'll replace poor, sweet Edgar Stiles (Louis Lombardi)?

I have one word for this piece of news: YUM.