The Tease: '24' Season Premiere

January 12, 02:26 PM

From exploding planes to derailing trains to unleashed viruses to an assassinated ex-president, the producers of 24 may not always know how to stretch the middle of a story, but they're aces when it comes to kicking things off with a bang.

It's a bit of a surprise, then, that the sixth season -- premiering in four hours over Sunday (Jan. 14) and Monday nights -- starts off slowly, with as flat and awkward an hour as the show has ever produced. The season's first couple hours are mostly, in fact, dedicated to cleaning up the mess that producers left at the end of last season when Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland who, like the show itself, was Emmy-decorated in the fall) finished saving the world and was promptly carted off to a Chinese prison.

The new year begins 18 months later. The country is in the midst of not one single terrorist attack, but an outbreak of violence that has claimed hundreds of lives. For reasons FOX would probably prefer I not reveal, New President Palmer (D.B. Woodside, whose political ascendancy has yet to be explained) has to get the Chinese to set Jack free, or at least remand him in the custody of our favorite surviving CTU operatives not named Chloe, which is to say Bill Buchanan (underrated James Morrison) and Curtis Manning (Roger R. Cross).

Physically, Jack is in perfect condition. However many beatings the Chinese may have administered, they don't seem to have skimped on jail cell servings of General Gao's Chicken. Jack also seems pretty sharp intellectually as well, though he may only be thinking three or four steps ahead of his adversaries as opposed to his standard eight-to-ten. The problem appears to be with Jack's mental state. The Chinese may not have broken him, exactly, but they made him question his own confidence and his ability to do his job. Even still, when New President Palmer actually calls one of Jack's judgment calls into doubt, I found it impossible to resist instructing him -- though my unique direct TV-to-fiction-world-connection -- that in five previous important days, Jack Bauer has never once been wrong.

Suddenly, though, Jack is feeling doubts, which mirrors the feelings of the 24 producers. For five seasons, the show's writers have taken a ends-justify-the-means approach that has condoned torture, racial profiling and the abridgment of all variety of Constitutional rights. Whatever Jack has done, we've known it was for the greater good and he's never failed to do what it took to save the day. But in the sixth of the toughest days of his life, Jack isn't sure he has the stomach for it anymore. And, after a slew of presidents for whom doubt was seen as a sign of weakness, New President Palmer is also a bit uncertain of his moral course.

Actually reviewing the show is nearly pointless by now. The writers and directors working on the first four episodes of the new season are mostly long-time veterans of the show and they know how to deliver basic thrillers and how to gloss all but the worst of logical implausibilities.

I may be the only one who laments some of the technical things the show has abandoned in recent seasons. While still nominally real time, 24 has ceased to care about whether things could really take place in the allotted time, which makes everything seem that much more conventional. In addition, I miss the days when the various split screens served to highlight different perspectives, rather than just being an autopilot aesthetic choice.

The show has also become a bit guest star obsessed to the point of periodic distraction. The first couple episodes highlight familiar faces like Peter MacNicol (almost stripped of his familiar John Cage-ian tics), Kal Penn, Regina King, Harry Lennix and Alexander Siddig. Penn in particular seems totally wasted, in what is becoming a disappointing career trend for a man I have to believe is much more than merely Kumar.

Did anybody really need Eric Balfour's Milo back? Didn't think so. And why didn't somebody realize that having brother-of-presidential presence (which Woodside possesses) is very different from having presidential presence (which Woodside lacks)?

But as long as 24 has Sutherland doing his intense thing, the show is never rudderless and as long as Mary Lynn Rajskub's Chloe is allowed to survive, 24 has a core of common sense.

The season's first four episodes are sloppy and my attention frequently waned. On the other hand, the fourth episode ends with such a spectacularly 24-esque cliffhanger that I'll be eagerly awaiting the episodes to come, even as I'm rolling my eyes.

After you've seen the episodes check back in and let us know what you thought ...

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Comments (28)

Comments

While the first four episodes of Day 6 aren't as exciting as the first few episodes of Day 5, I was never bored. And if you're in doubt after having watched close to four hours of Day 6 I think you'll be convinced to continue watching after the end of episode 4. I actually didn't see that one coming...

Anna | Jan 13, 2007 12:15:13 PM | #

I haven't seen the episode yet, but someone kick Fienberg off this site already, he has missed the mark on everything i have ever seen him review. His views never mirror those of the fans nor the detractors of this show. This column is quite pointless, please get rid of it. Every other critic in America i have read has glowed about the first four episodes of this season, so i'm not taking any of this critique seriously.

Mike | Jan 13, 2007 3:58:35 PM | #

I'm a huge fan of 24 and I was quite impressed by the first 4 episodes of Season 6. Though I actually agree with a couple points in this article:
- The split-screen thing being used simply as an aesthetic device rather than serving to show other perspectives. This may be a minor thing, but it's true none the less.
- The use of so many 'familiar' guest stars does get to be distracting, especially when you already know that most of them won't be around for very long.
- And probably the most serious flaw: it's also true that 24 has become rather formulaic in its storytelling. But that being said, the writers of 24 should be commended for being able to keep things as fresh as they have into 6 seasons.

Stealth1 | Jan 14, 2007 1:04:10 AM | #

How have all you people seen these eps when they havent even aired?

Michael | Jan 14, 2007 11:11:13 AM | #

Episode 4 of day 6 is the best episode of 24 yet. The last 10 minutes left me speechless.

Joe | Jan 14, 2007 1:01:59 PM | #

Michael, if you know where to find the eps they've been available on the internet for a week or so now.

I have to say that I disagree with Fienberg on DB Woodside who I think have a great presence, both brother-of-presidential and presidential.

Anna | Jan 14, 2007 1:31:53 PM | #

I agree, D.B Woodside is very well cast.
I think most of the frustration with 24 is that even with all the twists and turns it has become predictable. At this point, we've pretty much come to expect the unexpected and believe the unbelievable. I wasn't really shocked by the 'big ending' of episode 4 - BUT the reason I keep watching 24 is for moments like what happens just before the big ending. Kiefer is such a great actor, and you can feel the weight of not just what happened to him in China, but the accumulation of what he has gone through his entire career coming down on him.

Stealth1 | Jan 14, 2007 2:11:47 PM | #

i love 24 and i can't wait to watch the premiere tonight.it is the best drama on television by far.as for mr.fienberg's comments i will wait and see for myself.let the fan's of the show weigh in on what they think of the first two nights.i would love to know if there is a webiste you can go to after each episode to discuss 24 with other fans. :)

anna maria | Jan 14, 2007 2:51:17 PM | #

I loved the first two hours. Jack went all vampire on us.

Where do you get to see these episodes before they actually air? I got about two hours to kill right about now

Eric | Jan 14, 2007 8:00:44 PM | #

I've seen all four hourse plus the first 12 minutes of hour 5... although it starts off rough the four hours really do end well and continue to prove that 24 is one of the best shows on tv. No one is safe and I think this season will continue at the high level we expect.

Justin | Jan 15, 2007 3:51:22 AM | #

Ummm... I don't think it matters about the casting of Woodside as President. The fact he was the President's brother is enough to justify the casting no matter how good he looks or how bad he looks in the role. After the death of his brother, the fall of the opposition leader as a fake. It is only natural that one of the high profile figures closely linked the last great President of the 24 world would be voted in by the people... does it not?

Jamie Fletcher | Jan 15, 2007 6:36:22 AM | #

What a downer this Fienberg is. 24 is a great show, not perfect, but compared to the rest of the crap on tv...

24 succeeds because of its originality and because of Kiefer Sutherland.

If you're rolling your eyes to get through an episode - don't watch.

Annie | Jan 15, 2007 7:51:26 AM | #

Everyone loved the first episodes but Mr. Fienberg. How can't you not love 24? this is by far the best show on TV.

Paulette | Jan 15, 2007 8:28:42 AM | #

Seriously? Is this guy Feinberg for real? Worst column ever. This review sounds like he went down to his local Best Buy and bought Seasons 1-5 of 24, skimmed through all of the episodes over the weekend, and all of a sudden he's an expert on this brilliant series? Give me a break.

The premiere was nothing short of phenomenal, regardless of what this clown Feinberg says. Not to use a very overused pun, but this dude doesn't know Jack.

| Jan 15, 2007 8:33:18 AM | #

I watched the two episodes last night and I thought they were both pretty good. I did see Jack's 'falter' in dealing with getting information from someone but that just added to his character. I didn't like whoever that woman was that appeared to be 'in charge' at CTU. Overly made-up and to be honest, her physical appearance didn't fit the part in my mind. I expected an older woman with more life-knowledge (instead of appearing as just another mba fako) would have been far more appropriate.

But on the whole, it was a darn good piece of entertainment and am looking forward to tonight's (monday's) episodes!
Wils

wils reed | Jan 15, 2007 8:37:18 AM | #

Fox is releasing a DVD of the first four episodes on tuesday, (which they're selling for $15) and it was leaked online about a week ago.

Gary Cooper | Jan 15, 2007 9:02:42 AM | #

I've seen a lot of lukewarm reviews about this season and so far I would say they're justified. This one isn't even a slam. Kiefer Sutherland is obviously not a method actor, and other than a couple of hours of whispering and a burn scar on his hand his time in China has no lasting physical effect on him. Oded Fehr had a much more believable transformation for the second season of "Sleeper Cell." Making DB Woodside president seems like a stretch to keep him on the show and Kal Penn is almost as wasted as he was in "Superman Returns." I disagree with the remark about Milo though. Eric Balfour doesn't bother me.

Mia | Jan 15, 2007 9:13:48 AM | #

whoever wrote this review is pretty gay.. the first two hours yesterday weren't slow at all.. the entire two hours i was watching i couldn't keep my eyes off the screen.. there was nothing sloppy or slow about them..

Jeff | Jan 15, 2007 10:17:50 AM | #

I thought the first two hours moved rather slowly, and were a bit unplausable, as well.

How convenient that the man that Keifer bites, does not yell at all, and also has the key neatly tucked in his belt for Jack to unlock himself with.

I have never seen a cell phone left in a car, where you can punch coordinates in and arrive at a location.

And if the one bad guy was reformed, why would he kill the traitor in his group.

And why didn't all the other members get out of that house when Jack told them it was being blown up any second. Why didn't they all leave?

And it is hard to believe that the US government would just turn over a citizen to be killed as part of an agreement with a killer when they get nothing concrete in return, only veiled promises.

Dwayne | Jan 15, 2007 11:57:53 AM | #

How can you put down 24? Have you seen the drek that's on TV lately? Yes, there are implausibilities. And, yes, the show can get formulaic, but that's been the case from the beginning of the series. The fact that no one's ever hit a major L.A. traffic jam in five years of this show is a downright miracle. The point is, it's intensely entertaining. And I'm not interested in the reality of the situation, I'm interested in how creative these writers are year after year. My only beef with the show is that I often feel they're so good at creating terrorist scenarios, they might actually be providing actual terrorists with some pretty good ideas. I mean, Osama Bin Laden might be a terrorist mastermind, but I'm willing to bet he's not as creative as the writers on this show.

Nancy | Jan 15, 2007 1:18:01 PM | #

This is a response to the comment posted by Dwayne.

I thought the first two hours were well done and the third and fourth are incredible to say the least.

I agree with you about the key being easily accessible to Jack and the cell phone being left in the car (although my brother has a habit of doing the same thing so I suppose it isn't too far fetched).

However, in response to the reformed terrorist killing the traitor. Assad's group was reformed and they were working toward stopping Fayed. The traitor in the group was working for Fayed and had a tracker on him so the US would know where Assad was. It makes perfect sense for Assad to kill the man who betrayed him and tried to get him killed.

The other members of Assad's group stayed in the house to "secure the files." One of the guys said that to Assad while he and Jack were leaving with the traitor.

As for your last point, you have to look at the bigger picture. The country has been under attack for 11 weeks by the time the show starts and all of their intel says that Assad's death will bring an end to the attacks.

They were desperate and needed some kind of a result. So when Fayed contacted them and said he knew the location of Assad, the government was ready to do anything to get that information. Buchanan said that they offered him everything they could but ultimately he wanted Jack.

Since Jack was in a Chinese prison camp and was going to be spending the rest of his life there, I don't think it was that difficult a decision to make to hand him over to Fayed.

Matt | Jan 15, 2007 1:19:20 PM | #

And how is it, exactly, that Jack had the strength to go all vampire on that guy's ass (ok, his neck) the *day* he's released from 20 months in a Chinese prison where we know he was tortured?

Larry | Jan 15, 2007 1:22:42 PM | #

I will openly admit that I never watched 24 before last night, and I plan on never watching it again. Just to make sure I wasn't crazy, I asked my Dad (who is a HUGE 24 fan) what he thought, and he said he was disappointed.

FWIW, I don't mind implausible tv shows (I love Heroes, and the first 3 Star Trek shows, and X-Files), but between "there is no way that all happened in 2 hours" and "COMPUTERS DON'T DO THAT!!!" I spent more time laughing at the show than being impressed by Kiefer's acting.

jf | Jan 15, 2007 2:13:19 PM | #

What a brilliant premiere, I absolutely loved it, 24 once again proved to be the best show on TV.

Serene | Jan 15, 2007 2:56:50 PM | #

How Can Some Of You People Call Yourself Fans. When All You Do Is Complain About The Best show On Tv! I Was Wondering How They Were Going To Top Season Five, But They Did In The First Hour. Also Me And My Wife Have Been Diehard Fans Since Season One. 24 Rocks!!!

DRaGoN45WoLF | Jan 15, 2007 3:29:10 PM | #