In the late summer and autumn of 2001, I had read several articles from critics raving about a new series to be shown on BBC2. The premise sounded interesting enough- 24 episodes in a "real time" format, with each hour shown on TV corresponding to an actual hour in the story- so I decided to check it out. I rarely watch TV because I find the majority of the shows to be dull, boring, and clichéd, so I tuned into the pilot episode of 24 expecting to be disappointed as usual. I couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, I've never once missed an episode. Simply put, the first season of 24 was one of the best things ever shown on television- a groundbreaking, critically acclaimed, action-packed thrill ride.
The plot setup in the opening hour will immediately suck the viewer in. Shortly after midnight, counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) learns that by the end of the day there will be an assassination attempt against David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), a black Senator currently running for President. As an added twist, Bauer is told that someone inside CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) may be involved. "Don't trust anyone, Jack- not even your own people." As if Jack didn't have enough to deal with already, his rebellious teenage daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) has just snuck out of the house to go partying.
FOX (producers) had originally ordered only 13 episodes of the series, waiting to see what the ratings were like before making a full season commitment; therefore, the plot has
rising action, climax, and denouement all by 1:00 PM, so that 24 would be drawn to somewhat of a conclusion in case the show was taken off the air prematurely. And believe me, those first 13 hours are not only the best ever of 24, but also the best TV I have ever seen! To describe the show as tense, suspenseful, or unpredictable would be an understatement. The story (which won an Emmy for best writing) is simple and compelling enough that anyone can follow, yet complex, layered, and high-concept enough to captivate the most intelligent of viewers. There are quite a few plot twists, especially around 5 to 8 hours into the season, which even the most astute observers will never see coming. I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't seen it, but expect to be shocked when you see how the story fits together.
There isn't as much action in this season compared to later ones, but the action scenes are both excellent and realistic, staying away from the shoot-em-up aspect that many shows/movies in this genre get caught up in. (My two favorite shootouts are during the 1-2AM and 12-1PM episodes, respectively) Speaking of realism, that's one of the best aspects of this season. There are no nukes, no wars, no pulse bombs, no viruses- the show's creators strived to create something both gripping and credible at the same time. Season one has the most intricately planned episodes, the fewest inconsistencies, and most closely follows the real-time format.
The acting is excellent, especially Kiefer Sutherland. His portrayal of Jack Bauer- a bold, out-of-the-box, and intense character that deftly skirts around the rules- earned him a Golden Globe for best actor, almost unprecedented for a brand new series. Dennis Haysbert's portrayal of the strong-willed, uncompromising Senator Palmer deserves a nod as well. His character is frequently compared and contrasted with Jack, as both are forced to balance out personal as well as political crises. Though he is rarely mentioned, Michael Massee deserves much praise for his role as Ira Gaines- a smug, manipulative villain who was one of 24's best antagonists.
One of the best and most unique aspects of this season was the brilliant directing of Stephen Hopkins. There are no close-ups, zooms, pans, or shaky camera techniques that are commonly used in mainstream TV and movies. Split screens add a heightened sense of tension, showing either multiple events simultaneously, or the same event from different angles. Hopkins never insults the viewers' intelligence either- there is no spoon-feeding of information, nor is everything shown on screen. The show is presented in a manner that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats pondering what will happen next. It's a shame he left after the first season, as I really wish the series would employ his directorial style once again.
Unfortunately, 24 aired just after 9/11, when the public's tastes were not for this type of show. Not only did this lead to unfairly low ratings, but it also forced the writers into changing the direction of the season itself. The "plane bombing" story is quickly dropped, and the plot was tweaked in the second half to be more about personal retribution rather than a political revenge on America. This results in a few slower paced episodes in the afternoon hours, which may be tedious viewing to some (there is an amnesia subplot that annoyed quite a few). However, these episodes help to explain the events of the first half as well as provide a setup for the evening hours. The final five hours are almost as tense as the first 13, with another round of rising action, a huge plot twist, and an adrenaline-soaked yet very tragic finale. Speaking of which, the last scene of this season is one of the saddest I have ever watched. I am known for being very cold and unemotional, but this one was almost a tear-jerker.
I was disappointed with how season one was released to DVD though, rushed to market just a few months after the finale to get new fans caught up before the second season premiered. Furthermore, deleted scenes, cast/crew commentary, and making-of features, a major part of the second and third season box sets, are practically nonexistent in this DVD set. The only extras are an alternate ending with a few minutes of commentary by the producers. I also didn't like the box art, which didn't even have a synopsis of the plot. I know this sounds nitpicky, but come on!
Now, this will probably sound condescending, but I don't think those who started with later seasons of 24 can appreciate the greatness of season one. The thrill of this season was seeing only one hour a week on Tuesday nights, and spending the rest of the week in-between speculating with others about the plot. Watching it on DVD all at once means the viewers get a quick answer to everything without letting certain plot elements simmer in their mind. Furthermore, many people already know the major plot twists, and this automatically diminishes the suspense aspect that us television viewers had.
Overall, 24 is a well-acted, magnificently directed, groundbreaking, action-packed thrill ride. This sounds like hyperbole, but it really is that good. I can't convey enough how great this show is. As much as I like every season of 24, I still consider this one to be the best, and it will probably never be topped.
**By the way, here's a fun thing to do while watching- count the number of times Jack says, "Listen to me!" and, "Son of a b-tch!" You'll need a calculator!
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Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Season One DVD CollectionThere are terrorists planning to assassinate a presidential ... more
candidate. My teenage daughter has been kidnapped, and the people that I work with may be involved in both. I'm Federal Agent Jack Bauer. This is the longest day of my...
Such a simple idea--yet so fiendishly complex in the execution.24, as surely everyone ... more
knows by now, is a thriller that takes place over 24 hours, midnight to midnight, in 24 one-hour episodes (well, 45-minute episodes if you extract the ad breaks). Eve...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Such a simple idea--yet so fiendishly complex in the execution.24, as surely everyone ... more
knows by now, is a thriller that takes place over 24 hours, midnight to midnight, in 24 one-hour episodes (well, 45-minute episodes if you extract the ad breaks). Eve...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
![24 : Complete Season 1 [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78534408.jpg "24 : Complete Season 1 [DVD]")
Aug 12th, 2005
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