We know in general we'll avert a terrorist threat, and we try to get the first four to six episodes down. But even as we're writing those, they change. And I think one of the reasons the show has the quality it does is we're so critical, and revise ourselves. We then revise it again.

I mean, we know in general we'll avert a terrorist threat or conclude the conventional story, but we begin the year sort of pretending we have the first four to six (episodes). But even as we're writing those, they change. And I think one of the reasons the show has the quality it does . . . is we're so critical and so we revise ourselves. We revise it again. And in that process things just change too quickly to plan ahead too much.

The terrorist threat is there, and it is at a very high level,

He's closer to six. I'm closer to four.

I work my hardest and she still kicks the crap out of me.

This year is sort of about rebirth as well as the nature of vengeance and justice.