TVSquad

"how can Jack get released from torturous imprisonment and be ready to save the world without a break?"
Come on.. he's Jack Bauer!!! As you also point out..
On a side note.. whats with that pic?! :D

Reply

You're dead right, man. I agree that maybe this year isn't as good as other seasons, but not every previous year was EXACTLY the same in terms of quality, so it stands to reason that certain seasons were lesser than others. Plus, it still does what it does better than any other show out there, and that is to kick ass and take names. And I enjoy watching all the characters too; the different subplots flesh out the world of 24 in a way that other programs don't take the time to do (or they simply don't care). I don't mind if they mix it up some, but not at the risk of changing the show completely just because it's not what everyone wants it to be; people should be happy that we've got a show as exciting and entertaining as this is. It would be better if everyone stopped judging it for what it isn't compared to what they want it to be, instead of judging it for what it is. 24: still awesome. Jack Bauer: still THE MAN.

Reply

Good, six years of the exact same thing gets old.

Reply

You're equation of Jack Bauer being the modern day James Bond is spot on. I love 24 for all the reasons you outlined but a change is due, though not one towards the "realistic." 24 needs to stop rehashing the same plot year after year and break out of the mold that is "terrorism in LA plus lax governmental security plus political scandal plus the Vice President taking over the White House plus Jack breaks every law ever written" equals good TV. It's gotten a little old (save the "Jack breaks every law ever written). I guess it just comes down to the writing team needing fresh ideas.

Reply

It's not Jack we disbelieve -- it's the world he lives in. Jack Bauer is just too awesome to have anything credible to do in a credible world, day after day, year after year. How many different ways can terrorism produce peril at the now-global levels a man of Jack's stature requires? And in creating this absurd level of peril, the world Jack lives in gets further and further from reality -- wrecked Air Force Ones, revolving-door Presidency, entire sections of the country evacuated or laid waste... I think I liked it better when Kim was cornered by a cougar.

Reply

24 is one of the few shows on TV that is worth watching. It has an ingenious story line and we dont want Jack Bauer to get killed!! We want truth, justice and the American way to win over evil terrorists...We want the good guy and his sweetie to live happily ever after at some point...

Reply

It would be nice if Jack did one of those PSA'a like he did when the Muslim community cried. Jack appears on screen. "Hi I'm Jack Bauer. I know some of you have not been too happy with this season of 24. In fact, our numbers tell us this season pretty much sucks. I'm going into the office to torture the producers now so they make next season better."


Either that or pull a Dallas. Have this season be some drug induced dream Jack is having while being tortured on the merchant ship.

Reply

I'm not buying the producers "panic" over this season's slippage driving "a major change". They were setting up for a change in locale even before this season began.

I predict next season will take place in either Chicago or New York. In the fifth season prequel, Jack was hiding out in Chicago. He was there for some reason. Also, another character had ties to Chicago. And remember those rumors last year that part of this season would be shot in New York? Maybe the producers decided to postphone it a season.

I do think this year has been somewhat of a misfire. The producers are even admiting that. But I don't think it will seem as bad in retrospect once the season finale has aired.

Reply

Gawd, Paul, tell me you're joking, at least a bit.

Blind loyalty to a fading franchise just hastens its demise, and right now, 24 is on the road to ruin. Last year's 24 was truly awesome; this year's installment is an erratic, muddled mess.

I'm glad that audience reaction, both here at TV Squad and elsewhere, has got the producers to recognise the need to restore the series' previous, well-earned luster.

You are right about one thing: Jack Bauer is America's James Bond. But thankfully, the Bond producers recognized that they had to shake up their increasingly lame product: hence the welcome arrival of Daniel Craig in the lean, mean, back-to-basics Casino Royale.

Here's hoping 24's honchos manage to do the same.

Reply

To All,

This season was disappointing on so many levels, but perhaps most important it was disappointing because JACK WAS HARDLY IN HALF THE EPISODES. He made brief appearances and uttered crap lines. As for Gordon, REAL CLASSY BLAMING IT ON THE FANS. Maybe he should face up to facts that this season was an incoherent piece of crap. What was it about? Jacks family? Two terrorists? Oh wait it was the Russian separatists. No... wait it's the Chinese. Pick a villain and stick to it and let Jack kick his butt and save the day. And quit re-using plots like Jack breaking into a consolate.

Reply

Ras Thavas-Sorry, didn't see your post before I posted. Well, I am convinced the writers are going to pull a stunt at the end of the season, but it will be more like Kaiser Sose than Bobby Ewing.

Reply

Hey,.. I'm a big fan of 24. But this is great news. This show needs fresh blood.

Bring it Howard.

Reply

People have been complaing about the reduced screen time for both Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub. I don't think this was solely the producers' fault. Both Kiefer and Mary Lynn had projects on the side they wanted to pursue, and I think the producers allowed them to have a bit less involvement in the storyline to have some time to do those projects.

Unfortunately, I do think their diminished roles in this season did hurt it.

Reply

the problem with 24 is the rehashing of seasons there has been nothing new brought in since season 3. Season 1 and 2 were are really strong. but with this rehashing of seasons they have to incorporate more twist and turns , more action, just more junk in general. This leads to this unrealistic feel for the show

Reply

I watched a bit of an episode one day and the dialogue between dennis haysbert and powers boothe made me laugh out loud. It was the epitome of potboiler-stupid:

"What are you gonna do?"
PB: "What am I gonna do? I'm gonna take over the presidency. That's what I'm gonna do."
DH: "You tricked deceived me."
PB: "I learned it from the best...you."

ROFLMAO

Reply

And there is your generation's hero without pants!

Reply

The show is pretty much now where it was at during the end arc of season 3. Except, that season had a (comparitively) coherant story thread. And they listened to fan complaints and "revamped" the show by bringing in a whole new cast, re-decorating CTU and speeding up the pace.

They can do that again for next season, that'd be fine. (Especially a CTU facelift!) But, I think changing locations and making it CIA, Homeland Security or some other place would make it much more interesting. And considering how few people are left alive that fans really care about, it would be easy to do.

Is this something that will be talked about at the uprfonts? I hope so... :)

Reply

24 has always been a strong starter, then flat and dull in the middle, then a great spring to the end. Some seasons had longer lulls in the middle than others though not as long as this year.

I like the idea of a revamp and new location. How bout Jack helps an ally out like Britain and he rampages around the UK with perhaps a strong sidekick because everyone loves a good buddy story. Or Jack goes green and takes on global warming next season or deforestation even. Maybe Jack could take on America's problems with obesity. There are plenty of issues to address in our society, I say let's not constrain him to mere terrorism threats.

Reply

24 just came off one of the best years any series has had ever in season 5 -- it's hard to live up to that. If series has proved that the format is not tired, it is 24 -- who knew that 4 seasons into it, they could top themselves -- they can do it again. People are so quick to give up on series.

Reply

What's up with the link to Digg, instead of the actual article?

Reply