By the way,

Season 1 -- 25 episodes
Season 2 - 24 episodes
Season 3 -- 23 episoeds

Writer's strike along with some producer decisions

Season 4 -- 14 episodes
Season 5 - 17 episodes
Season 6 -- 18 episodes


By my rough count (at The Cost of Living) we are half way through the show now. The plot pacing picks up.
Mari