Episodes of 24 have been stacking up on my Tivo for months now. I knew I'd want to watch them all in rapid succession, and this weekend I caught up. And damn if this isn't one of the best shows on television. If you're not already watching, there's not much point in jumping in now-- you'll be better off picking up the inevitable DVD and watching the entire season. Which you should certainly do. This is good stuff.
Posted by Peter at March 30, 2003 03:51 PMIsn't it? And just when I think they can't keep pulling stuff off... they not only do, but in a way that doesn't feel forced or like they cheated.
Um....
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I thought for sure the nuclear bomb (either going off or not) would be, if not the last, certainly the penultimate episode. But just like the assassignation plot from the first season, the bomb went off (and how cool it that?)... and there's still a LOT more show to go! Wow. It's basically the same beat from the first season - set up the big story line and then "resolve" it way earlier than expected - and I don't mind one bit.
I must say, however, what keeps this from truly being the *best* show on television is any story points that have to do with Kim. I've been fastforwarding every time she hits the screen since the cops found the body in the trunk of the car. At least in season one, there was a reason she was constantly in jeopardy - she was the bait to get Jack to do what the bad guys wanted. But now, it's just another story line that kind of means nothing to me. And since it isn't as tied into the main story, I forgive the repetitiveness of it much less. I mean, I find myself almost hoping they kill her because I REALLY don't want to see her being kidnapped or lost or whatever in season three! No matter how hot she looks :)
-Dave
(SPOILERS CONTINUE HERE)
The first draft of my entry emphasized the very same points you did (but then I deleted them to avoid spoilers). I expected the entire season to revolve around the search for the bomb. The fact that we're only halfway done with the season and the bomb's already gone off is terrific. I knew WAY early on that George would be the hero who disposed of the bomb but I thought it would be more of a Spock thing, disarming the device and being exposed to more radiation. Loved what they did instead.
Agree completely about Kim, as does everyone I've ever seen write or say anything about 24. It's like there are 2 different shows going on-- the exciting one, and the Lifetime made for TV movie. Kim's story arc is completely disconnected from the rest of the story, and as such is utterly disposable. Since the writers have pulled off so many other unlikely feats, I'm hoping they'll reel this in soon also. But we do still have her homicidal employer unaccounted for, so the soap opera seems likely to continue.
The relevance of the storyline to today's events make it particularly compelling. The President's comments on the consequences of starting a war take on an eerie resonance.
Also: big thumbs up for Michelle Forbes. Her stint as Ensign Ro was a highlight of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I hear she was good on Homicide also. I hope they give her more to do.
Oh-- and thumbs up for Kate, a woman who, in the face of her entire world falling apart, has managed to not only hold it together but rise to the occasion. Great character-- looking forward to her and Jack getting together and her character carrying over into next season.
Posted by: Peter Sarrett on March 30, 2003 05:29 PMmore comments that include spoilers.
Kim does indeed suck. Her magnestism for trouble is just too much. As for Kate, I keep wondering how long it will be before Jack and her end up in bed and piss off Kim, making her run some more.
Yeah... I, too, saw the George thing coming from day one... but they did a fine job of trying to fool us at the last few minutes. They even got the next show's teaser out of it.
Who doesn't like Michelle Forbes, except, well, maybe... Michelle Forbes. She's made some odd career choices - often leaving TV shows when she and the show were still on the rise. Very frustrating.
So while it's nice to see her here, this may be the least interesting character she's ever played. Homicide may not have been to your tastes (I really liked it), but her character on the show was always fascinating.
Posted by: Dave Arnott on March 31, 2003 07:09 AMSPOILAGE ENSUES STILL
Agreed on all the rave reviews (and the dislike for Kim's Story, although she is hot).
However, the "race to war" was a bit unrealistic, don't you think? We have to go to war in 6 hours? Press conference in an hour? Attack three countries based on a hastily-verified recording?
Anyway, I have to admit I still love the show. The pace and characters are all outstanding.
I miss Kate's sister, Marie, my new favorite action heroine.
Posted by: Chuck Kallenbach on March 31, 2003 04:31 PMI keep calling Kim "Pauline" for the old old "Perils of Pauline" serials at the movies. Pauline was always tied to a railroad track or something for the cliffhanger ending.
Also, there's a collection of the old Fleischer Superman cartoons (which are excellent), and in every single one (there are 14), Lois Lane gets in trouble. By about the 5th cartoon, you're screaming at the TV, "Don't send Lois to cover the new power plant dedication! Only disaster can be the result!"
Posted by: Chuck Kallenbach on March 31, 2003 04:34 PMSTATIC ZOMBIE IS CONTROLLING MY LIFE. Okay, not exactly, but I did pick up the Volume One DVD of '24' today at Blockbuster after reading about it here. Now I'm pissed. I have to wait one more day to see more episodes??? The first four were a blur -- my wife and I sat and watched them straight through. Great show! It must have been torture watching this a week at a time. I haven't been following this show at all. Did the first season just end? What are they going to do for subsequent seasons?
Posted by: Stephen Glenn on April 5, 2003 10:43 PM<steepled fingers>
Ex-cellent. Everything is going precisely according to plan.
Yes, the first season ended in a way that could have been the end of the show. I was kind of happy that they did it that way, just in case it wasn't picked up again. There were loose ends of course, but the main points were resolved.
Or, by "just end" did you mean did it end last week? If so, no. It was last season, we are over half way through season two now I think.
Posted by: Larry on April 7, 2003 08:10 PM