“24“. Heart-pumping action, emotion-inciting drama. Saying that it’s one of the greatest TV shows of all time is most definitely a moot point.
Spoiler Alert: (do not read below this line if you plan to view any episodes you haven’t seen)
We’ve seen just about every twist imaginable: CTU Moles, Presidential cabinet moles, the psychos like Sherry Palmer with their own agenda, and the death of main characters (Teri Bauer’s death in Season 1 was confirmation that this show isn’t about happy endings and that anything can happen). We’ve also seen countless nuclear threats, assassinations, bio terrorism, the successful shooting down of Air Force One, and a crooked president.
So now here we are in Season 6, where one nuclear weapon has been detonated in the populated, residential city of Valencia. So why hasn’t this season felt like it’s had any impact? A nuke actually going off in Los Angeles during Season 2 was completely unimaginable. I remember how noble it was for George Mason to fly the nuke out to the desert in order to save all of LA from certain doom. And the subsequent scene where David Palmer watches the mushroom cloud from his plane was especially poignant.
However, this season seems flat because we’ve seen all it has to offer before. Admittedly, my jaw was hanging during episode 4 when the nuke was set off in Valencia. However, the next 9 or so episodes proved that the show has pretty much recycled other story ideas used in previous seasons: The CTU agents that have problems with each other’s working abilities, the inner strife within the President’s camp, the complete disregard for the wisdom of Jack Bauer, regardless of how right he’s been in the past. Maybe it’s the “I’m doing this because I love my country” lines. Also, your future doesn’t look bright if you’re a 24 president. You’ll either be shot in the neck, shot out of the sky, put in a coma from a bomb or stabbed by your ex-wife; it seems very convenient and easy to off a president just to create some drama.
So has 24 outdone itself one too many times? Think back to season 1. It was very simple… an assassination attempt on an presidential candidate and the kidnapping of Jack’s wife and daughter. An old vendetta with some war buddies. Even the filler episodes during that season left me feeling like I couldn’t wait to see the next.
I love the show, and the buildup to the start of season 6 was been great (season 5 being a hard act to follow), but that same track of surprises and twists is unsustainable and has left me feeling like we’ve been here before. Will viewers be unsatisfied if the ‘next’ season of 24 doesn’t outdo the previous one?
This Monday’s episode (7-8PM) actually created some excitement for the first time in a long time. Is Audrey really dead? Will the Vice President be successfuly in his attempt to launch a nuclear strike on a foreign country? Who is the mole in CTU? I’m rooting for the show in the last 10 episodes, but does anyone feel like they’re a slave to the show because of what it used to be? Is 24, the greatest show of all time, destined to die the slow death of so many other shows that preceded it?
the writers know what they’re doing. We’d all be complaining EVEN MORE that the show is too boring if they didn’t raise the stakes each season. You could always NOT watch the show if you don’t think it’s good anymore.
Wow.. killing off Jack anytime before the last episode would be a bad move.. I mean.. haven’t they learned their lesson from killing Almeida, D.Palmer, and Dessler? I’d even venture to say that they had a little more potential with Nina Myers before killing her off (but that’s a whole ‘nother topic). The show has felt flat ever since the way they handled Tony’s death… I thought he deserved more than that.. I would’ve much preferred a happy ending for him and Michelle rather than the shock value of having them die.
Good point..we’ve seen all the surprises..although this thread of Jack vs. his father still has some potential.. They should spin it into a multiseason thread and come correct on the execution of it.
I don’t think you’re being harsh in your views here at all. It’s still a great show but, certainly, the bar was set too high and now everything feels very “old hat”; then again, everything has been done at least once! I hope that, in the future, they find different plot twists and jaw droppers beyond there being corruption in the government (surprise), a mole in CTU (no way.. REALLY??), or a nuclear threat (yawn nation). It seems that these cliches keep us wanting more so it’s real a double-edged sword of sorts.
To me, killing off Curtis definitely hurt the dynamics of the show. I too feel that the season started off really strong and now is a little luke warm. The last two episodes definitely started to simmer things back up but you have to wonder if it’s enough.
From what I understand, the plans are for the show to take a break while movie production ensues. After the movie is released and really penetrates the marketplace, they’re going to do at least two other seasons. Rumors have it that the next big jaw-dropper would be killing off Jack. Whatever the truth may be, one can’t help but to think to himself or herself: is there going to be more depth and engagement beyond the mere shock value and intense action from here on?
I have found Heroes to be a lot more engaging and intriguing now. The buzz surrounding that show is a lot more beyond figuring out “who done it” or “who is the this time”, which is what you see in 24 a lot. I’m not saying the writing has become less than stellar. It’s more like, if you are a very perceptive or over-analytical person, the writing on the wall may seem more like a huge, neon sign. The surprises now are much less potent so it’s only natural that the storyline feels like it has become stale.
Nice write-up. Looking forward to more discussion on this!
Season 6 has been boring ever since Jack shot Curtis.
THey’ve gone through just about all the things that could happen to people and LA.. i’m still watching though
I think you’re too being too hard on this season.. it’s had some dry spots, but overall it’s another awesome season of 24