What a long, strange trip it’s been with 24. Eight years ago, in the wake of 9/11, FOX presented this novel program where each episode represented a hour in a day. The 24 episodes would concern a terrorist threat that would be thwarted by Jack Bauer of the Counter-Terrorist Unit (CTU). The show was an immediate success and Dave Barry started blogging about the unintentional humor of Bauer’s battle against the Bad Guys (and Dolls). However, after eight seasons, the innovation and spark are gone from the series. Right now, Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland) is on a murderous mission to avenge the assassination of his lover, Rene Walker. He’s left a long trail of dead bodies (literally!) behind him. The series finale will be broadcast in a two-hour episode tomorrow night, May 24, from 8:00 to 10:00 E.D.T. Check your local listings. This is the end of an era. The only suspense is whether they’ll kill Jack off. I’m guessing NO.
After the first series, I grew bored. After all, how many times could one man save the world in twenty-four hours? The prmise seemed good for one series, though grew tiresome after that.
You’re right about 24 being ground-breaking in that First Season, Randy. But entropy set in over eight seasons…
Once they killed off President ALlstate (as Dave calls him) it’s been a series of creeps and losers in the White House, ending with the wishy washy Alison Taylor. And by killing off so many of Jack’s colleagues at CTU (the few who weren’t moles) they’ve given Jack little to work with these days. But even so it’s been worth watching until the last two seasons, when the writers just went totally bat sh!t crazy and threw all believability out the window. Last year’s African frogmen in the White House was probably the low point and this year they just gave up. Still, I’ll be watching to see if Jack gets to finish off slimy weasel Charles Logan (a brilliant performance by Gregory “Trick Dick” Itzin) and Taylor resigns.
Yes, they have killed off anybody close to Jack over the years, Jeff. The last couple seasons of 24 have been “campy” especially those frogmen that so delighted Dave Barry. But it’s time to pull the plug.
“Tricky Dick”
There’s been talk about a 24 movie, so the betting money says Jeck lives.
If they don’t kill Jack, then maybe Jack will fall into Reichenbach Falls, Jerry.
As someone who hasn’t watched one single episode, I doubt I’ll start with the one tomorrow. Heh. I’ve heard good things and harsh comments about this series over the years, it has it’s detractors and avid devotees, but it always looked like just another shoot-chase-explode action show to me, something I have to be extremely bored to sit still for, I’m afraid. Almost always, I’d rather read a book.
So to those of you who will be watching tomorrow, enjoy! I hope it’s a great episode with a satisfying conclusion.
I was about to stop watching 24 a few years ago when Bill Crider mentioned that Dave Barry was doing real-time blogging during a 24 episode broadcast, Rick. Dave Barry’s unique commentary kept me watching 24 when I would have given it up long ago.
Like Rick, I haven’t watched this show at all. When it debuted, I made a conscious decision not to get involved with it. Just seemed like it would have been too much of a time commitment.
Maybe one of these days I’ll get all the DVDs and give it a try.
The early seasons of 24 are the best, Drongo. I’m sure once the series is over, you’ll see discounted sets in Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club or Big Lots.
Where can I find series 7 of 24? I need a dvd
Shaun, AMAZON has 24 Season 7 for $9.95 for the DVD set.