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We DO Know Jack … Maybe Too Well
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So, will Jack jump?
Don’t count on it.
“24” wrapped up its sixth and arguably most frustrating season Monday night with a typically frenetic two-hour episode that ended with a long shot of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) poised on the edge of a cliff in the dead of night. Below him, the sea churned furiously — mirroring his roiling guts and emotions, one presumes. He’d just saved the day and America — AGAIN — and apparently lost the woman he loved — AGAIN. On top of all that, Audrey’s (Kim Raver) father, Mr. Tough-Talking Defense Secretary (William Devane), had just delivered him a stinging lecture, which essentially boiled down to this: You’ll never change. You’re just a big ole action hero who hurts the people he loves most just so he can keep the world from blowing itself to bits. So, no, you can’t take my daughter to the prom.
Or something like that. Basically, viewers were left with the notion of Jack at a precipice — should he accept who he really is and return to CTU to fight more baddies? Or should he just jump into the unknown, maybe wash up on a beach somewhere near Barbados, where he can open a sub shop and pretend he doesn’t know nothing about fightin’ terrorists?
We know what’s going to happen. And maybe that’s the problem. Even as you felt for Jack Monday night as pretty much everything could and did go wrong for him personally — he essentially let his evil father blow up on an oil platform (though, Serf says, count on HIM rising from the dead even faster than gas prices), while he barely managed to save his teen nephew from the same fate (there’s a boy who’s gonna have some issues) — you kinda knew he’d come through it OK, along with the fate of the democracy. Things didn’t always end so predictably. Why, just last season, all appeared hunky-dory for Jack, Audrey and the good old USA, when he was suddenly jumped, blindfolded and literally sent floating off on a slow boat to China. As savvy viewers, we knew he’d somehow find his way back the followiing January, just in time to join “American Idol” in resurrecting Fox’s flailing ratings.But we didn’t know HOW it would happen.
Now, we just know it’s going to happen. Fox shot itself in the foot last week when it went ahead and announced “24” had been renewed for two more years. Since Sutherland’s the show’s executive producer, only someone as dumb as one of those sitting duck-for-terrorists CTU security guards would think he wouldn’t be back to battle the baddies throughout Day 7, too. Methinks it would’ve been better if the network had just let the suspense build through the summer and fall about when — or even if — “24” might come back next year.
If ratings and buzz were down for “24” this season (and they were), it’s almost because the show’s done its job too well. In pulling out all the stops to make Jack Bauer into a tortured superhero and show us how evil lurks in the heart of so many other men (well, men who have access to nukes and the Oval Office, anyway), they almost had nowhere else to go this year. Perhaps that’s why the two-hour finale, while still as thrilling as ever, tried to shuffle things around in ways we hadn’t seen before. Rockjawed CTU head Bill Buchanan got tossed from his job — AGAIN — but this time, he didn’t just sit around whining, “What do you want me to do Jack?” Who knew Bill was an ex-ace helicopter pilot who could navigate on and off an exploding oil platform in the middle of the inky black night — and lasso Jack in a daring mid-air rescue besides? Meanwhile, all those bad things we’d been thinking about Mike Doyle (Ricky Schroeder), the seemingly blackhearted head of CTU’s strike force team? All wrong, supposedly. As he lay there near the end of the episode, a heroic defender of the U.S., potentially blinded by an evil terrorist and obviously pining for acting CTU head Nadia, you almost felt you were watching Jack Bauer’s replacement audition.
And then there were the women. This was the most “personal” season of “24,” and while that might have started off as an interesting consideration of Bauer family dysfunction, by the end, it had devolved into a glorified Lifetime “women in peril” movie. Tell me I’m wrong. With less than an hour to go in Season 6, Nadia was suddenly running CTU and looking like she was going to cry everytime she had to make a tough decision; Karen Hayes was the deposed National Security Advisor who sat passively in her jail cell, waiting for a male White House chief of staff to figure out a way to spring her; Audrey lay immobile in a seemingly drugged-out stupor in her daddy’s house; and Chloe, who previously seemed like the type who ate puppies for breakfast, fainted because it turned out she was pregnant. And didn’t know it. Oh, how like a silly girl!
Not to go all Gloria Steinem here in Serf-land, but what happened to all the tough strong women on “24?” In fact, what happened to our tough, unpredictable “24” in general? I still love watching to see which ludicrous way they’ll find next to get Jack in and out of unbelievable danger, but frankly, the show needs a new bag of tricks. Or maybe it just needs fewer tricks, and better characters again. Fox knows it needs to do something to make viewers hungry again. In a conference call with TV reporters last week, Fox entertainment president Peter Liguori admitted they needed to “reboot” the show for next year. He said he knew what the producers had in mind, and while he couldn’t share any details, “they really have a greater high wire act for next season.” He promised it would be “the most audacious swing at the plate ever with ‘24.’”
So what will it be? The resurrection of the dead President David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert)? A woman president of the United States (bring back Jean Smart!), who’s immune to Jack’s charms AND makes him sign out the helicopters before he steals them? Jack in that sub shop in Barbados?
Who knows? But you know what? Even though this year was a bit of a disappointment, I’m already eagerly awaitiing next season. Maybe even more so than ever. Maybe that was the show’s clever plan all along. As Jack might say, “Damn it Chloe! How did this happen?”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Chris
May 22, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this
Time to Kill Jack Maybe they can replace him with Patrick Stewart reprising his role as Star Trek replacement, Captain Picard
By Still Defiant
May 22, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Hilarious commentary. I have watched 24 since the second season and I was definitely dissappointed this season. The recycling of the plots was a little too much especially the fact that CTU was attacked twice. I pray to God that our military facilities aren’t as accessible. Personally, I would like to see Jack as a bad guy with CTU hunting him. At the end of this season, he already appeared to be angry at the fact that he has saved the country so many times and has nothing or no one to show for it. That resentment could make him changes sides and at least provide a more compelling season.
By renee
May 22, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
I have watched “24” from the very beginning and even though this season was the worst of the bunch, I will still tune in next January. What bothers me most is ALL of the unanswered questions and lose ends: How is the president, did Logan die, was Josh really Philip’s son (there was some secret mrs. bauer was keeping), and why isn’t Tom in trouble for his part in the presidential assassination attempt? I am sure there are more, but these really bug me. I look forward to next season not being about CTU as much (I hope) and am glad that Doyle will probably not be back.
By azcat225
May 22, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
Generally spot-on commentary, Jill, though you did tend to get a bit snippy—-much like most of the 24 fans that I know, including yours truly and my better half. When they announced that Keifer had signed a three-year deal with Fox before this season even started, our standing joke throughout Day Six was, “Jack has two more days left after this one. Wonder how he gets out of this situation?” We got hooked on 24 two seasons ago and will watch again next season, but you, Fox and every one else are right. The satellite links need to be re-established and re-positioned. (And yes, for God’s sake, no more attacks on CTU! It should be more secure than the Pentagon or NORAD…)
By azcat225
May 22, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
And I have to disagree with you, Renee. Doyle will be back. They may be calling him the One-Eyed Wonder behind his back, but he will be back. Besides, they hinted strongly at a side story with him, Nadia and Milo’s brother (becoming a surrogate Milo?).
By Erik from Atlanta
May 22, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
2.I liked Bill Buchanan as field agent.
What about Chang? He is badly injured but still alive.
I liked Jack pondering his future. He could open a sub shop & beach bar in Barbados
This season was a letdown compare to previous seasons.
I look forward to changes for the show in Season 7.
By Erik from Atlanta
May 22, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
2.I liked Bill Buchanan as field agent.
What about Chang? He is badly injured but still alive.
I liked Jack pondering his future. He could open a sub shop & beach bar in Barbados
This season was a letdown compare to previous seasons.
I look forward to changes for the show in Season 7.
By JCH
May 22, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
When Chloe started to get all woozy, I said to myself, “Please, no—-not another TV cliche fainting pregnant woman.” How many pregnant women do you know, long working hours and dehydration notwithstanding, who have passed out cold? Probably not many. But on TV, it is a common occurrence. I thought 24 was above such things. Even with all its sixth-season flaws, though, 24 is still better than most of what else is out there.
By Big Trouble
May 22, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
24 works well when it is Jack against the world. We were reminded of this far too often this season, as CTU90210 took center stage for way too much air time. But then again, most of us are comparing it to last season, which was far and away the best of the six days Bauer has had to live thru.
I’ll be back for Day 7. You know you will be too.
By pras40
May 22, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
Here’s what I posted on my Livejournal at 10:01 last night…I stand by it this morning— I can’t believe I wasted 5 months of Monday nights for “24”! What a gyp! I hated this season. What a mishmash of characters I didn’t care about, plot lines that went nowhere and just a general waste of time. I was in to “Heroes” when “24” started up and made the decision to stick w/Jack and now I regret it. That’s one thing I hate…regret. I have so many questions about this season…why did they bring back that Snidely whiplash president and his wacko wife? Did he die? Was she arrested for attacking him and possibly killing him? What happened to the dude in the Muslim detention center? What about Lisa Miller? Did she ever regain consciousness? Is Powers Boothe from Texas and does he always drop his ‘g’s’ at the end of words endin’ in ‘g’? Anyone else think he’s tryin’ real hard to sound like Gregory Peck? Is Josh Bauer really Jack’s son because I thought I caught that vibe somewheres in there? Do we really want to see the spawn of Morris and Chloe? I’m just disgusted.
By zombieboy
May 22, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
24 jumped the shark with this season.
New writers?
Not enough Starbucks coffee in the writer’s room?
Not enough drugs in the writer’s room?
For next season I suggest a new plot device…..ZOMBIES.
By Bobby
May 22, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
It certainly looks like we’re going to see an increasingly darker side of Jack Bauer. He’s never been ashamed to go off on his won vigilante jag, but it’s always been within the bounds of CTU. When season 6 ended, last night, he looked like he was caught somewhere between suicide, the sub shop/beach bar and doing something totally irrational. Season 7 with Jack and Bill as vigilanties? Unlikely, but enticing nonetheless.
It didn’t come out this season, but I’m still firmly convinced that his nephew is in fact his son. Should be a nice bomb to drop when things slow down a bit mid-season next year.
By bravesfanbob
May 22, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
I am a huse 24 fan, but this year was terrible. How did the Chinese know the exact moment that Jack killed Fayed,(OK so it’s probably spelled wrong, but the terrorist trying to blow up America)? What happened to the president? Why was the vice president never implecated in the president’s asassination? How did a Chinese official who worked in our country as a councilate,(Chang), become such a terrorist himself? Why would Audrey possibly go to China to try and retrieve a prisoner the caliber of Jack Bauer? I have no problem with the fact that somehow, Jack Bauer escapes every situation without major injury, (I’m a huge James Bond fan), but let’s try to put one story for a 24 hour period, and don’t try to make 4 or 5 stories tie in together. It was impossible to believe, and all of the other seasons, you finished with the belief that what you just watched could have happened. Didn’t come close this year.
By bart
May 22, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Sorry, but the season finale paled in comparison to the 400th epidode of “The Simpsons.” Now THAT’S a show that goes the distance…
By nate
May 22, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
I have the same questions as others have. What is the status of the President, how is Tom getting away with his part in the assassination attempt, etc..etc..
I think that Jack’s dad will show up again. Also, Morris had a speedy recovery from getting drilled (literally) in the shoulder.
By nate
May 22, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
I have the same questions as others have. What is the status of the President, how is Tom getting away with his part in the assassination attempt, etc..etc..
I think that Jack’s dad will show up again. Also, Morris had a speedy recovery from getting drilled (literally) in the shoulder.
By Dnice
May 22, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
I enjoyed as always and will look again next season. Wi8thdrawal is going strong as we speak (LOL), in addition to Prison Break withdrawal (yes indeed). Couple notes I picked up on. Jacks’s father did not seem to be dying that much and something tells me that he got on the boat along with the component?????? It would have been to easy for Jack to say he had 1 minute before the F-18 blew the platform up and take the most espedient method out of harms way (da boat). Lets be real who would not have taken the boat? Next thing is what about Curtis? While you can assume he is dead, we never truly saw him die (hmnnnn). What I see next is a story line of Jack and 2 women and somehow his daughter being involved in it also. In addition when will they exonerate Fayed? Will the VP still resign if and when the President recovers? Yes what did happen to the Presidents could be Brother-in-law not to mention his sister? Why did the VP go from being a total bad guy to someone kinda likeable?
These are my thoughts after watching this season and like I said January needs to hurry up so we can start the next crazy #$$^*$$ Day (LOL)
By #1 Fan
May 22, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
Here’s the answer to everyone’s angst…last season should have been the last one and they should have blown up CTU…with Jack IN IT of course. This was the best show EVER on TV. But it needed to end when we all still loved it. Now, it’s like a 98 year old aunt, with Alzheimer’s, in a nursing home…time to go!
By Zee
May 22, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
Wow, I was let down by this season. The “mushy” scenes were too long and drawn out. Yet I have to admit the one scene where Morris told Chloe she had crossed the line was good. I believe Jack’s dad will return. I believe his nephew is actual his brother. I think the mom had a thing with everybody.
All will be revealed when Jack gets ready to marry his sister-n-law, after she tells him the kid is “supposedly” his; and during the wedding, Audrey walks down the aisle to stop him. Stay tuned for 24 the soap opera
By channel serf
May 22, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
Everyone here has been chattering about “24” all day and among the many questions the Serf is being pelted with are, “What happened to crazy ex-President Logan?” and “Where did Milo’s brother disappear to?” On the first one, I have no inside knowledge — just a wild hope that if, as some commenters have suggested, Jack does go off the reservation next year, working against CTU and the government, he somehow joins forces with the crazy former chief executive. And that means more Martha, his zany wife. On the second issue, the sudden arrival and disappearance of Milo’s brother, the Serf has a confession to make here. When Chloe first started getting weak and then fainted, it never occurred to me it would be the cliched TV sign of pregnancy (as someone put it so aptly above). This being “24,” which isn’t afraid to kill off major characters and is full of plot twists, I thought maybe Chloe had been weakened by poison. Administered to her by Milo’s “brother” (I assumed he was a Russian spy, in actuality), who pressed it into her skin during that loooong embrace they had. Wacky? Yes. But just the sort of thing they might’ve done on “24” in the old days. Before they decided to turn Chloe into the little woman.
By Agion
May 22, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
I got the Josh is really Jack’s son vibe as well. I think that’s what will bring Jack back into the world of CTU next season.
Chloe’s baby isn’t from Morris. That’s why she didn’t want to talk about it. That baby is Milo’s.
I’m hoping that there are some changes next season, because everything had gotten to predictable now.
By Lewis A
May 22, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
I thought this season was okay, though the idea of Russia attacking us over a microchip was completely absurd. There was no great twist like there usually is…the bad guys were bad and the good guys were good. I liked the complexity of Tom Lenox and VP character…weasley at the beginning but okay at the end.
By Dan
May 22, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
I have watched 24 from the beginning. I still love the show and I liked this season as well.
I think the show is starting to become a victum of its own success. Seems like anytime a show hits it big people start to cut it down.
I’m reading posts on here in which people are mocking the show and making fun of all the different twists. Well, this season was no different than any others. You could pick apart any of the happenings in seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5. Why is it just now that everyone starts attacking the show.
If you don’t like it anymore, just don’t watch it. That way if everything is too “predictable” or in need of “zombies” you won’t be bothered by it.
By Lewis A
May 22, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
I also kind of like that the show has unresolved loose ends. Some people need a hollywood ending with everything in a neat little bundle…not me! I’m also glad Tony Soprano has introduced the morally ambiguous character into US pop culture.
By Lewis A
May 22, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Prediction for a future season: Ricky Schroeder’s character Doyle is back a the bad guy.
By Jeff
May 22, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
We need to see Josh Bauer with his shirt off
By Jeff
May 22, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
We need to see Josh Bauer with his shirt off
By Rachel
May 22, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
ooh yeah, Josh with his shirt off would have been sexy. He’s a cute boy.
By Rachel
May 22, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
ooh yeah, Josh with his shirt off would have been sexy. He’s a cute boy.
By Robert
May 22, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
People, people, people - it’s a SOAP OPERA!!! Yes, it’s got lots of shoot em up bang-bang action stuff in it, but don’t forget what you are watching is pure soap dish material at best. Get a life and get a clue! Here’s next season:
~ Jack disappears for awhile, pineing over his coma-love, Audrey. ~ The chip mysteriously surfaces once again, along with not-quite-dead dad, to once again start WW3 with the Russians, who this time agree to send in their “Jack” to hunt it down once and for all (we’ll show you incompetent Americans how to keel da bad guys!). Nadia falls madly in love with the Russian agent, loses her job as CTU chief, and is replaced by (insert new character here). ~ Josh is revealed to really be Jack’s son, and is held at CTU for the first 5 or 6 episodes for no known reason. ~ Daddy Bauer, with the help of the Chinese, discovers that Audrey is unguarded and arranges for her capture once again (yawn!), which draws Jack back out into the open to rescue her once again (yawn!), only this time he has to battle the new Russian agent’s plan to kill her first, bacause Audrey knows his deep dark secret past. Ouuuuuuu!!!! ~ Cloie (sp) has a miscarrage and has to tell a devestated Morris that the baby really wasn’t his to begin with. (It was Rick’s, from All My Children!) LOL!!! ~ To Be Continued…
By tzmatl
May 22, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
This season should have been called “12” and saved us the agony of wasting the other 12 hours of our lives.
By NASDAQ
May 22, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Trust me guys Next season will have something to do with Milo’s brother. I hope all of you noticed how he just disappeared from that room. He definately had a hand in the events of the day and so did Milo.
By Erik from Atlanta
May 23, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
I left out in my orginal post what I thought of the ending of 24 for Season 6. I liked how it ended a lot. Jack is left pondering his future. It sets up the changes for Season 7.
By Erik from Atlanta
May 23, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
I left out in my orginal post what I thought of the ending of 24 for Season 6. I liked how it ended a lot. Jack is left pondering his future. It sets up the changes for Season 7.