Wow, what a series this is! Everything you could ever want from a gripping tv series.
WHAT STARTED THIS OFF? -
My initial welcoming into the world of 24 was slightly by fluke, on my way to work i had heard radio djs rave about this new series, similar to what i heard about Heroes a few years later. They were saying this guy Jack Bauer played by Kiefer Sutherland, was a bit of a legend and they couldnt stop going on about it. Clearly when something impresses you so much to broadcast it on air, it requires checking out at least. But as my main concern at that time was getting to work on time (id failed to start on time quite a lot during those months!!) the thought of it, vanished as no one else i knew had heard of it or watched it. A few nights later, laying in bed, i flicked through the channels and found this TV show where there was 2 characters in a split screen and digital clock. Ooo interesting! I watched the remaining 15 minutes of the episode and that was it, game over for me. Cant even tell you what episode it was but it impressed me so much i went and spent £50 on the first season box set. Impulse, maybe, correct, oh hell yeah!
LAYOUT & SET UP -
Something that caught the imagination and intrigue of the viewer was the use of split screen which had only been seen rarely before, considering the amount of phone calls in the show its needed! The need for split screen is also because, and you probably already know this by now, is that the whole season is actually just one day, hence 24, 1 hour episodes. Because there are multiple plots and sub plots, the viewers are kept aware of goings on across a variety of locations and phone calls and important decisions are done spilt screen. The other innovative area of the show was the digital clicking clock that lets you know the time, each episode starts on the hour and finishes on the hour. The TV version it fits perfectly due to the ad breaks so when purchasing the dvd its actually around 45 minutes per episode with the clock bypassing those minutes taken up by adverts.
PLOT -
Its quite tricky to detail the plot with 24 as progression is made throughout the day and
the finale may have little or no bearing on what occurs at the start but i will endeavour to bring the idea over here to give you a taste of what is happening.
Word arrives into the counter terrorist unit (CTU) based in LA at midnight that there will be an assassination attempt today on black presidential candidate David Palmer. Director Jack Bauer is called at his home, that he shares with daughter Kim and wife Teri, and asked to come into work as an emergency. Bauer finds out that the news and also made aware that there is potentially someone working on the inside involved in the plot. As Jack has recently been at the forefront of bringing down a number of his ex colleagues in a previous operation, he is not particularly liked nor trusted by other staff within CTU. While arranging the necessary information needed to locate the origin of the plot, Jacks daughter runs away from home in an attempt to go to a late night party with her friend. Not only does Jack have a limited amount of time to find the shooter and protect Senator David Palmer, but also worries where his daughter has disapeared off to. Not only this but Teri goes out in search for her daughter and Senator Palmer faces the threat of a buried scandal ruining his candidacy.
As first episodes go in new series, this one is up there. Within the space of one hour, already so much has happened for the audience to get their teeth into, the ending of just this episode leaves multiple cliff hangers across the character spectrum that you cant help but watch the next one. A couple of split screens, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK and its over and you have now been welcomed into Jacks world!
CHARACTERS -
Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland, Young Guns) is director at CTU and a former delta force operative. He is given the main objective to protect the Senator and uncover the plot behind the assassination attempt
Kim Bauer (Elisha Cuthbert, Old School) is Jack's teenage daughter. She shares a special relationship with Jack but is quite frosty towards her mother. She has left home at midnight to go to a party
Teri Bauer (Leslie Hope, Never Back Down) has just allowed Jack back into the marital home after a short seperation. She is concerned as to where Kim has gone and tries desperately attempts to find her destined location
Senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysburt, The Unit) is running for the preseidency at the California primary. He is the target of an assassination attempt and potentially has a buried scandal ready to resurface
Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke, Twilight) is Jack's chief of staff at CTU. She is also a former lover of Jack but a vital aid in his field work
Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard, Alien Raiders) is third in command at CTU below Nina and Jack. He has reservations over Jack due to his previous relationship with Nina and his role in previous operations.
Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson Jerald, Star Trek Deep Space Nine) is wife and childhood sweetheart to David Palmer. She is a good companion and foil for David in his quest to become president.
As you work your way through the episodes, multiple characters appear who are intertwined within the various plots and subplots, some you will recognise, some you wont but they all play equally important parts in getting to the end of the day.
PERFORMANCE -
The character of Jack Bauer is widely known across the world now due to the performances put in by Kiefer Sutherland. I was even bought a Jack Bauer toy last christmas! As the main plots all centre around Jack and his quest(s), we get to see all of Jack, good bad and ugly. We find out about his history, relationships, personality traits and everything in between therefore cant help but support him in his the majority of his actions.
TECHNICAL STUFF -
The dvd boxset contains a total of 6 discs, 4 episodes on each with a sprinkling of bonus material on the last one. Total run time is just short of 1000 minutes DVD extras include Alternative ending, deleted scenes and season 2 preview
The concept was originally created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran who previously worked on another show called La Femme Nikita which used similar plots as in 24 and revolved around terrorism. Most episodes are written by either both or one or another working with another writer.
The episodes are mostly directed by Stephen Hopkins who has previously directed Predator 2 and Lost in Space. Hopkins is responsible for around half the seasons episodes and is helped by other directors such as Jon Cassar, Bryan Spicer & Fred Keller.
SHORT FALLS -
Every TV series or film has something that people dont like, i particularly like reading what people dislike as it can show that there is just no pleasing some people. I for one see it as being presented with an idea that people have come up with and successful enough for it to then be put on TV only then for people to pick holes. Here is a list of shortfalls from my hard to please friends -
- When does Jack go to toilet? At no time in this series or any further does he visit the loo, ok is this particularly important, not really but they seemed to think it made the thing lack realism. I say Jack Bauer doesnt need to go to toilet, ever.
- When does Jack go to sleep? Jack does manage to get a few seconds kip in this series but he has no time for sleep. Also i say Jack doesnt need sleep.
- When does Jack eat or drink? Ok so you're getting the drift now, the creators of 24 thought it best not to show him around the water cooler or waiting in line to get a sandwich at greggs, i think that when you're Jack Bauer you dont need food or drink!
- Too much time on the phone - My dad came up with this one, 'Where would they be if the phone battery went' he would always say, or 'On the phone again i see' - fair enough but it is an essential part of the story and in every day life, especially on a busy day like Jacks!
- No swearing. Although the show is made for FOX TV in the states, some of the events that happen in 24 would be more real if Kiefer was allowed to swear. Never the less its not a massive thing and Kiefer's show of distaste or frustrations are shown to the audience in other means
24 DRINKING GAMES -
Something that my friends and I have done on two random episodes in season one. Prior to a night out, we had a few hours to spare so put this on with a beer in hand. Instant rules were made up where the viewer will need to take a drink if any of the following happens
- Jack kills someone - Jack says 'Damn It!' - Theres a phone call into CTU - An explosion happens
Clearly you can make your own rules but needless to say the evening was a bit messy.
OVERALL -
24 is just utterly brilliant. One of the greatest shows ever to come out of the USA along with The Sopranos. Season one is a fantastic, edge of the seat one day thrill ride with so many characters and plot turns to keep you fixated on getting it finished. Also in my opinion, this isnt even the best season! How good is that!
Hope you enjoyed reading, enjoy watching 24. Season 7 is out on Monday and i have already pre-ordered mine! Get on board and live the dream.
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
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
I bought series 1 - 4 in box sets for my husband about 3 years ago for his birthday, they are still sitting there unopened. One day we might get round to watching the programme
Season One DVD CollectionThere are terrorists planning to assassinate a presidential ... more
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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...
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