24, Season Four
posted on january 10, 2005, tag: entertainment
24 knows exactly what it is and it knows exactly how to deliver, constantly, for 24 episodes a season. Yesterday's 2-hour premiere was no exception. The fourth-longest day in Jack Bauer's life began at 7AM PST. Jack is no longer with CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit), for the second time. The second season started with Jack having left CTU, only to be pulled back in, and this season starts with him working for the Secretary of Defense after having been fired from CTU at some point after season three (he was a heroin addict in season three—it's a long story). Of course it only took about 22 minutes for Jack to be back with CTU.
Instantly good news about the beginning of this season? The only characters from the past are Jack Bauer and Chloe O'Brian, and Chloe was new last season. President Palmer is gone (it's not a spoiler to say that he did not win re-election after season three) and Kim Bauer is living with Chase Edmunds, Jack's partner from last season. I'm sure Kim will come back at some point (she always does), but one can hope that she won't. Anyone who has watched the first two seasons of 24 probably hates the Kim character because she has an affinity for being in several ridiculous situations per season (the second season saw her being chased by a wife-beating murderer, being held hostage in a bomb-shelter by a crazy woodsman, being held hostage in a liquor-store robbery/standoff and killing said wife-beating murderer). Luckily, last season (3) her character was far less visible, even though she was working at CTU. This season she's away for now. Also missing are Tony Almeida and Michelle Dessler, who were married between seasons two and three. Tony was the head of CTU in season three but did a few really stupid things and, as far as we know from the end of last season, is in jail. Who knows where Michelle is, and who cares? As far as the rest of the regular cast members from the last three years? Well, if you can think of one of them and I haven't mentioned him or her, they're probably dead. I won't say how because I don't want to spoil things for certain people.
So this season is a blank slate, and it's off to a great start. Much like Shawn, I was a little worried about spending two hours two nights in a row watching 24, but it only took two minutes and I was hooked again. I'm eagerly awaiting tonight's episodes. 24 is one of the few shows on television that makes my palms sweat and my heart race while I yell out things like, "He's got a gun!" and "Now we can only hope he gets two guns!" 24 is now on Mondays at 9:00PM EST on Fox.
Update: For some history on the missing characters from season three, you can see the long comments I posted to Shawn's entry. Note that there are spoilers for that season, in case you haven't seen it.
Comments
There are 10 comments, comments are closed
Zach on 01/10/2005:
Definetly a great start to the new season. I was also wondering what happend to Tony and Michelle, but I'll live without em. I'm really looking forward to the new season.
robjules on 01/10/2005:
I read somewhere that Tony and Michelle got divorced while Tony was in prison. He might return at one point this year (also read somewhere) because supposedly one of Palmer's last acts as President was to pardon Tony. No doubt that it is a great show. later
mynoo on 01/10/2005:
I need to start watching it, i've heard a lot about it. A friend of mine told me to get the previous seasons from blockbuster so i won' t be lost.
Hi, by the way my name is amine and this is my first comment in this site.
mathewhoy@gmail.com on 01/11/2005:
never really a fan of that show, tho i don't watch much teevee anyways. :(
Rob Wilmshurst on 01/11/2005:
Was a big fan of the first 3 days, looking forward to the 4th - despite the fact that we've gotta wait til the end of january here in the UK :(
No spoilers please!
Tom on 01/12/2005:
24 is a very good series. I've watched since season 1.
Oh, and you might want to take a look at the reviews at Television Without Pity. They're hilarious.
Narayan on 01/18/2005:
I really liked the first season but thought the last season descended into something only marginally better than the average soap opera. Picked up at the end, I guess, but I think I had lost interest by then.
I'm digging this season so far. I think it helped a lot to bring Jack back as a CTU outsider.
Cynthia on 03/08/2005:
I'm very sad about this new season. I really miss Tony Almeida and Michel Dessler. Obviously I'm happy because Kim is missing, so I don't care about her. I think is the best series I've ever seen in a long time, but I also thing is good to have at least 4 characters you are familiar too.
ma on 06/07/2005:
Could anyone tell me when they might put out the dvd's of last season for rental. Particularly the first 8 episodes. The rest I have on digital video recorder just waiting to see missed ones first. We are getting anxious.
Garrett on 06/07/2005:
It's almost always in September. This season started a little late, so I would imagine it might be a little later than that, but I would say you're looking at the beginning of fall.