In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« 24
May 14, 2007: 3 am — 4 am
This week's theme: fighting back is futile. Josh did his Uncle Jack proud with a kick to Cheng's face, only to wind up pulling a Kim Bauer by getting himself into a precarious position and forcing Jack to save him, thereby letting Cheng escape. Lisa Miller went all "woman scorned" on Shirtless McGee — wielding both a bottle of wine and a bedside lamp like a Louisville Slugger — and found herself nearly choked to death. Nadia put up a good 10 seconds of incredulous snark before letting the goons from Division walk all over her and set up camp in her conference room. Hope you enjoyed running CTU while it lasted, Ms. Yassir. And Jack treated us to the classic scream-in-protest-while-my-nephew-who-might-be-my-son-is-whisked-away-in-a-government-chopper-and-I'm-held-down-by-an-entire-SWAT-team, which is of course a fine variation on the slo-mo "Noooo!" when your buddy cop is shot right before your eyes on the day of your retirement, and you have until the end of your shift to find the killer and make things right.
And I think that might be the underlying problem so many people are having with Day Six in general — the entire day has felt like Variations on a Theme from CTU. Presidential struggles for power, shady deals with foreign governments, honest agents mistaken for moles and good guys gone rogue…. I find myself humming the Barenaked Ladies' "It's All Been Done." (Don't get any ideas, Weird Al.) I guess when it comes to international intrigue — real or fictional — history really does repeat itself.
So where does that leave us? We're still on the brink of war with Russia and/or China. Papa Bauer's still pulling the strings and, not surprisingly, playing all sides, which should hopefully make for a somewhat interesting endgame. Jack's still desperate to do right by somebody today, and since it can't be Audrey, he'll settle for Josh. And I'm sure the world will be saved as a nice, tidy bonus. Remember back at the beginning of the day, when Jack got off that plane a broken man and we all thought we were in for the ride of a lifetime? Come on, when was the last time we got a poignant look at his acid-scarred hand? Where's my real American hero who "just can't do this anymore"? I miss the haunting specter of Grizzly Adams, rescued from purgatory and thrown into hell. And that may be the most disappointing part of it all: Once upon a time, it was all so promising.
Want to see more 24? Check out our online video guide.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
May 15, 2007 7:20 AM
|
Funny, if you go back to the very first blog of episode one, I wrote some of the same things that everyone is saying now and was told to lighten up and back off. I hate to say I told you so, but....I told you so.
I really gave this show an honest try this year (I was very loyal in season 1 and 2), but it got more disappointing each week. I'll be glad when it's all over.
|
|
May 15, 2007 8:24 AM
|
|
Gahhhh - this episode did nothing for me. At one point, I whined out loud "this is boring!" which I've never done before. And while the previews for the 2 hour finale look promising, they just can't salvage what has been the worst season of this once-fabulous show. I agree with Chana 100%....it's all been done before.
|
|
May 15, 2007 8:26 AM
|
|
Formulaic is how I use to describe this season. It certainly needs to head in a different direction next year.
|
|
May 15, 2007 8:34 AM
|
|
so in 2 hours , jack again will save the world, rescue his newphew [son ] kill his father, and become friends with ricky[ i mean doyle ], re-unite with audrey [ i do believe that will be left for next season ] find out if president logan is dead or not, get bill buchanan his job back, and a batchalor pad, visit coma-ized prezident palmer [oh, thats next season too ] help karen hayes become the next president, and finally get something to eat..[ ok, or at least a drink of water ]
|
|
May 15, 2007 9:01 AM
|
|
I don't think Jack is Josh's father. I don't think would Jack fool around with his brother's wife when he had a wife and child at home. (He was separated when he did the dirty deed with Nina Meyers) I think Jack's father is Josh's Dad. That's why he's so willing to have both of his sons die and start all over with what he hopes is a new and improved model.
|
|
May 15, 2007 9:30 AM
|
Chana, awesome first paragraph! Great writing.
Count me among those who don't think Jack is Josh's father. It just seems too obvious. Some of the twists might seem obvious to longtime viewers now, but they weren't the first time we saw them. We've never had a question of paternity on this show. Whoever said that Papa Bauer may be Josh's son might be onto something. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense.
|
|
May 15, 2007 9:36 AM
|
What were the "secrets to be revealed" that the promo guy teased before the show started? What secrets???? I was half expecting Marilyn to say to Jack, "Oh, by the way, Josh is not your nephew, he's your SON!" But that never happened. So, exactly what secret/secrets were exposed last night? Maybe I missed something.
I've been a loyal viewer/lover of this show since it began, but this year has been more than difficult to watch. I have all 5 DVDs, and I already don't plan on adding this season to my collection. I'm gonna spend my summer watching season 5 over so I can remember all the good times.
I can't wait until next season; I hope their "reinvention" of the show is worthwhile, otherwise this show might not live to see season 8, which would be a shame because there is such potential there. I keep thinking that the writers/producers missed a golden opportunity to start this year with CTU rescuing Jack from Cheng, which could have taken 12 hours, and then once Jack was freed, he could have taken his revenge against Cheng, taking up the final 12 hours. Oh well. Guess that's why I'm not in show biz.
Also can't wait for the final 2 hours, so we can end this misery.
|
|
May 15, 2007 9:44 AM
|
I am getting a bit tired of everyone here (including you, Chana), getting so petulant about this season, as if to say, "24, how DARE you not have a season as great as last year's? Line up the show's writers and bring in the firing squad!" I can't believe how spoiled and cranky some of you people are because this season just isn't as brilliant as the previous one. Even the producers have agreed on that. But the crushing disappointment and even anger by supposedly loyal viewers really perplexes me.
And, let's be honest. There is a finite number of storylines dealing with international intrigue, attacks on the U.S., a president in danger, and a hero defying the odds to save the day that can be told without some elements repeating themselves, especially in the broadest of terms. The theme of "24" is terrorism and CTU's efforts to fight it and save us from potentially catastrophic attacks. Naturally, some aspects will occur more than once. It just doesn't bother me, I guess.
This wasn't a great season of "24", but it was a good one. And I've made it my business to sit myself down every week and let it take me wherever it wanted to. And I've enjoyed it.
Still not enough Chloe, though!
|
|
May 15, 2007 9:50 AM
|
The show doesn't have to be brilliant every season, but it shouldn't be as boring as it's been the second half of this year. And if indeed there are a "finite number of storylines", maybe (and I hate to say this as 24 has been my favorite show since its inception) 24 should take a page out of Lost's playbook and come out with an end date for the series. Because right now it's spinning its wheels.
And maybe the greatest indication that the show is going through some tough times is that it is now after 10 AM EST and there are less than 10 comments (including 2 from me). Back in it's heyday, there'd be 30+ by now.
|
|
May 15, 2007 10:06 AM
|
I'm a huge fan since season 1 and yes this is the worst season EVER. I have no interest in any of the plots, at this point I'm just watching to be watching.
And poor Eric Belfour, the boy gets killed or his shows are cancelled! I would really love to see him in a long running show 
Here is to next season!
|
|
May 15, 2007 10:10 AM
|
First off, Chana, how about giving a recap of the show???
Secondly, I agree with Xyn above that Josh is actually Phillip's son. It just makes sense.
|
|
May 15, 2007 10:56 AM
|
People - I agree with everyone - but do we all have to pitch a fit? I still watch and enjoy the show!
|
|
May 15, 2007 11:00 AM
|
If any of you complainers out there have a GREAT idea for a storyline that will have us all on the edge of our seats for an entire season of "24", doesn't include the threat of weapons of mass destruction (including nukes or deadly viruses) assassination, blackmail,and various foreign "bad guys", let's hear it!
Come on, give us a few sentences.
Not so easy, is it?
The trouble is, you've all gotten so spoiled by the great writing and intricate plot twists on this show for the past 5 seasons that you seem to think you're somehow entitled to nothing less than total perfection, i.e. plenty of gun-play, torture, frantic chases, and mind-blowing surprises each and every week.
So what would you have this show do for you next season? Put up or shut up.
|
|
May 15, 2007 11:05 AM
|
Thanks GarryB, I agree totally with your post.
24 is a little off its game this year - but I'll be back for S7 just the same.
Hey - it's not Jack Bauer's fault.
--
Edited by nettie2k at 05/15/2007 8:08 AM
|
|
May 15, 2007 11:07 AM
|
|
|
