As some of you long time board members may remember, I was commonly a member of the weekly 24 commentary threads over the last many years. I became interested in the show before it even premiered and always managed to watch each season as it aired.
...except for this final season. While back in season 1 I used to think this was the greatest show ever created, as the years rolled on, the show seemed to be becoming increasingly predictable and cliche even as they continued to claim to be the most original show on TV. As this final season began, my apathy reached a breaking point and I just stopped tuning in. I have always bought the sets on DVD and blu-ray so I knew I would see it eventually, but this was the first season where I allowed myself to fall behind.
So now, having just finished the final season on blu-ray, I have to say, I'm not sure if it was just the fact of watching this show in a different method this year, but the latter half of this season probably turned out to be the most drawn-in I've been to this show since its early years. I think that a lot of it had to do with the political intrigue at the UN with the dealings and clashings of the various heads of state. The feeling that the show was winding down and they were pulling out all the stops was very tangible and this season often times just felt very unique.
President Taylor just blew me away this season and I have to say that I think she became the most intriguing president that the series has had. Her deception to Hassan's wife and moral wrestlings between peace versus truth was very compelling and (while still having its contrived moments) felt a whole lot more believable than some of the past political drama that seemed extremely forced and often fit a cookie-cutter storytelling template. I think I would put Taylor's performance in the top few that the series has shown. And bringing back Logan was probably one of the best decisions of the season.
Of course, Jack went rogue again this season for the 87th time, however, again, it just seemed a lot more believable this time and that there was actually purpose to it beyond simply serving as a convenient complication to the plot. Jack truely felt very unpredictable this year and this years was one of the best performances Kiefer has delivered.
This season seemed a whole lot more violent than most as well. The murder of Hassan has to be among the most difficult to witness that the series has had; right up there with Terri. The torture of the Russian agent was also one of the harshest that the series has had.
I do have to take this time to vent though... There are many shows (24 being among them) where the producers, cast, and staff brag about how the show is so unique because "anyone can die". In the case of 24 however, I think the more accurate statement would be that "everyone does die". I mean, they truely do kill off EVERYONE. If you ran through the list of regular cast members over the years, you are VERY hard-pressed to find more than a select few that didn't have a tragic ending. This grew to the point of becoming depressing where nobody ever gets a happy resolution. They either die, or they live long enough for us to watch them go through another shit-storm disaster of a day.
I guess I'd better end things there for now. I would be very interested in hearing what others thought of this season and the series now in general. I now regret not taking the opportunity to witness this season unfolding with the rest of the Trek BBS crew as in previous years. All in all, despite the shows flaws, it was still one of the most unique shows on television and deserves the attention that it received. I hope that we get the chance to see Jack Bauer in action again someday.
...except for this final season. While back in season 1 I used to think this was the greatest show ever created, as the years rolled on, the show seemed to be becoming increasingly predictable and cliche even as they continued to claim to be the most original show on TV. As this final season began, my apathy reached a breaking point and I just stopped tuning in. I have always bought the sets on DVD and blu-ray so I knew I would see it eventually, but this was the first season where I allowed myself to fall behind.
So now, having just finished the final season on blu-ray, I have to say, I'm not sure if it was just the fact of watching this show in a different method this year, but the latter half of this season probably turned out to be the most drawn-in I've been to this show since its early years. I think that a lot of it had to do with the political intrigue at the UN with the dealings and clashings of the various heads of state. The feeling that the show was winding down and they were pulling out all the stops was very tangible and this season often times just felt very unique.
President Taylor just blew me away this season and I have to say that I think she became the most intriguing president that the series has had. Her deception to Hassan's wife and moral wrestlings between peace versus truth was very compelling and (while still having its contrived moments) felt a whole lot more believable than some of the past political drama that seemed extremely forced and often fit a cookie-cutter storytelling template. I think I would put Taylor's performance in the top few that the series has shown. And bringing back Logan was probably one of the best decisions of the season.
Of course, Jack went rogue again this season for the 87th time, however, again, it just seemed a lot more believable this time and that there was actually purpose to it beyond simply serving as a convenient complication to the plot. Jack truely felt very unpredictable this year and this years was one of the best performances Kiefer has delivered.
This season seemed a whole lot more violent than most as well. The murder of Hassan has to be among the most difficult to witness that the series has had; right up there with Terri. The torture of the Russian agent was also one of the harshest that the series has had.
I do have to take this time to vent though... There are many shows (24 being among them) where the producers, cast, and staff brag about how the show is so unique because "anyone can die". In the case of 24 however, I think the more accurate statement would be that "everyone does die". I mean, they truely do kill off EVERYONE. If you ran through the list of regular cast members over the years, you are VERY hard-pressed to find more than a select few that didn't have a tragic ending. This grew to the point of becoming depressing where nobody ever gets a happy resolution. They either die, or they live long enough for us to watch them go through another shit-storm disaster of a day.
I guess I'd better end things there for now. I would be very interested in hearing what others thought of this season and the series now in general. I now regret not taking the opportunity to witness this season unfolding with the rest of the Trek BBS crew as in previous years. All in all, despite the shows flaws, it was still one of the most unique shows on television and deserves the attention that it received. I hope that we get the chance to see Jack Bauer in action again someday.
