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24: "Day" Six

Yancy Street Gang Jan 10 2007 10:15 AM

I figure that 24 deserves a thread of its own, where we can discuss all of the twists and implausibilities. Jack Bauer returns from two years or so of being tortured by the Chinese government. Wayne Palmer (David's brother) is now President of the United States. There's been wave after wave of terrorist attacks, and something needs to be done. That, as I understand it, will be the situation when the series resumes on Sunday night. 24 is one of those shows that I'm "ashamed to admit I like" but I'm looking forward to seeing Keifer Sutherland in action again. It's silly, but it's just plain fun.

HahnSolo Jan 10 2007 12:31 PM

Can't wait. It seems that Buchanan is still in charge at CTU, and Chloe and Curtis are still there. And from the previews, it appears Jack gets a hold of the guy who was pulling the president's strings last season. Don't remember his name, but he played Romano on ER. Though I have not seen them, the first four hours have leaked onto the internet. People on the Fox messageboards have been going gaga over them.

soupcan Jan 10 2007 03:23 PM

Chloe was in Little Miss Sunshine. I'm assuming she was undercover.

Yancy Street Gang Jan 10 2007 03:30 PM

She was also on with David Letterman last week. It was the first time I ever saw her as anyone other than Chloe. It was strange to see her smiling and laughing.

metirish Jan 14 2007 10:11 PM

Damn it...I missed 24 because I watched 60 minutes....damn....

Yancy Street Gang Jan 15 2007 10:24 AM

This season didn't open with the series of surprises that kicked off last year, but it was still fun to see Jack back in action again. I liked the scene where he thought he couldn't get any additional information from Fayed's mole, but Assad quickly proved him wrong. And it's about time we see the President of the United States working in the White House and not in some weird wood-paneled compound in Los Angeles. (We did see a few White House scenes in season 4, I think, when they brought David Palmer in to help out acting President Logan.) It looks like they're saving the biggest shock for the ending of tonight's episode. In the coming attractions we see Jack looking up in horror at something in the sky. 24 is, this year, dealing in a less far-fetched (at least so far) and therefore more terrifying scenario: suicide bombers in buses and shopping malls in the United States. That would actually be even more unnerving than the spectacular but infrequent September 11 types of attacks.

Edgy DC Jan 15 2007 04:03 PM

I watched this with my brother last night. A whole lot of implausibilities. What suicide bomber sits in the last seat on the last train of a subway car?

Yancy Street Gang Jan 15 2007 04:09 PM

An inexperienced one, I guess! (Not that there are a lot of veteran suicide bombers.) My all-time favorite 24 implausibility was in the second season (I think) when a woman in a library glances over her shoulder at a computer monitor, sees a bunch of red numbers scrolling across the screen, and shouts, "They're shutting down the whole Internet!" And of course, that's exactly what they were doing.

soupcan Jan 15 2007 09:32 PM

This president is a wuss. 'Okay we'll give you $25 million and Jack Bauer, is that good enough?' 'Okay, we'll release 100 prisoners if you just stop, okay?' I'm rooting for the weasely aide in this one. P.S. "If I pardon you, you notorious terrorist, for the thousands of innocent lives you are responsible for taking do you promise to be good and help me?'

Sandgnat Jan 16 2007 11:11 AM

Speaking of implausibles, I must have missed something. Otherwise, how exactly does Fayed survive a nuclear blast when he left the building where the suitcase nuke was detonated just seconds before?

Edgy DC Jan 16 2007 11:29 AM

Survival of nearby blasts seemed to be a continuing issue in that episode I caught. A guy comes out of a Chinese torture chamber only to be lit into with similar FOX fetishness by an Arab terrorist, next thing he's trading fists with peeps in the street. The guy torturing you confesses that he's the real guy behind the wave of terrorist attacks, and the government is about to kill the guy who wants to end them and enter a peace negotiation. He gets a phone call amidst the torture and goes to another room to take it. You kill a henchman and escape. Why do you run away to find a phone? Take out the torturer/terrorist kingpin with the chain you were bound by and take his phone. I didn't see a lot of other henchmen around. What's with this show?

Yancy Street Gang Jan 16 2007 11:43 AM

It can't be taken too seriously. I enjoy it because I like seeing Kiefer Sutherland in action, and I like rolling my eyes at the nonsense. It's fun, but ridiculous. (I'm afraid, though, that most viewers don't pick up on how absurd it is.) Another staple of 24 is that the plots are always incredibly complex, and yet require a complex chain of events to unfold in a single day. For example, you need your nuclear expert to be freed from a federal prison and you need to get a special component to empower your nuclear device. So what do you do? You arrange for the expert and the component to arrive at your location within about a half hour of when you need them. Plus, you count on a teenager to pick up and deliver that component to you. Makes no sense at all. I completely understand if somebody bails on this show because it doesn't hold water. It's the reason I couldn't stick with CSI.

metirish Jan 16 2007 12:01 PM

I missed the season opener but I got caught up in less than a minute with the" previously on 24" segment that starts out every episode..and yes it is mindless stuff but it's fun to watch.

soupcan Jan 16 2007 12:04 PM

It's like Raisinets for your brain.

metirish Jan 16 2007 12:51 PM

This article just about sums up 24 for me.. http://www.slate.com/id/2157491/?nav=ais

Johnny Dickshot Jan 16 2007 01:25 PM

]THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN … DEGREE MEN AND THE FOX HIT DRAMA '24' -- Landmark Multi-Tiered Campaign Provides Viewers with an Insider's Perspective of the Emmy Award-Winning Series -- Degree Men has announced an extensive relationship with Fox Broadcasting Company's award-winning television series, '24,' that includes television advertising, original online content, as well as deep retail cross-promotions. Throughout the year-long campaign, Degree Men will power exclusive '24'-themed content that provides viewers with an insider's perspective of the celebrated show. This landmark, fully-integrated effort will feature: · National television advertising that mirrors the look and feel of '24' · Online short films that follow the adventures of Jason Blaine, a rookie at CTU · "Day Zero," a flash-animated series prequel that will delve into never-before-seen events that took place before the series began · In-store cross promotions with '24' DVD releases · Unique interactive experiences at a new website, www.CTUrookie.com <http://www.cturookie.com/> "We're confident this program will redefine entertainment partnerships," said Sam Chadha, marketing director, deodorants, Unilever. "From action-packed television and internet content inspired by the Emmy award-winning series to innovative in-store and Web experiences, the Degree Men integrated activities around this new partnership will deliver arresting, attention-grabbing entertainment." In conjunction with the launch of season six of '24' on January 14, 2007, America will be introduced to "The Rookie," a series of short online films that follow the adventures of the newest member of CTU. The rookie is Jason Blaine, a character who will star in two different storylines, "Coffee Run" and "Get This To …" that will premiere in their entirety exclusively at www.CTUrookie.com <http://www.cturookie.com/> . Additionally, each short film will be turned into a series of episodic national television commercials that end with a "24-esque" cliffhanger. Both long-time and casual fans of the show will recognize that "The Rookie" follows the signature style and high-tension situations of '24.' Rodney Charters, ASC, CSC, who has directed past episodes of '24' and is the current director of photography, directed the films. Various members of '24's' key production crew and stunt coordination teams also participated in the production of the two films. The short films, along with the series of national commercials, were created and produced by MindShare Entertainment and Science + Fiction. At the conclusion of season six, Degree Men will present "Day Zero," an animated prequel to '24' that will delve into the events that took place before the series began. "Day Zero" will be produced by Icebox, a digital content studio specializing in animation , and will be available exclusively online beginning in May 2007. For more information, visit www.CTUrookie.com <http://www.cturookie.com/> . The site provides access to exclusive content, including hi-definition versions of "The Rookie" and other CTU rookie interactive experiences.

metirish Jan 16 2007 01:33 PM

So if I wear degree will I morph into a Jack Bauer type....of course wearing Axe never helped score with the women.

Yancy Street Gang Jan 23 2007 09:14 AM

Jack Bauer's family seems to be a bit on the dysfunctional side. He sees his brother and his family for the first time in nine years, shakes hands with his nephew, nods to his sister-in-law, and then ties his brother to a chair and starts torturing him. I'm curious to know the brother's motiviation. Why was he behind the poison gas attacks last year? Originally those attacks were meant to be carried out on Russian soil, if I remember right. But his plans for this year are clearly against the United States. Next week we'll meet James Cromwell (who I still think of as Stretch Cunningham) as Jack's dad. Too bad they didn't cast Donald Sutherland.

Edgy DC Jan 23 2007 09:32 AM

I don't get this. So the show is really really cool with government-sponsored torture?

metsmarathon Jan 23 2007 09:44 AM

bah, like there's something wrong with state sponsored torture...

Edgy DC Jan 23 2007 09:49 AM

Well, to believe what I read, the populace objects, but to believe what I hear (from David Wright, anyhow), Jack Bauer is the man.

soupcan Jan 23 2007 09:51 AM

Jack Bauer definitely was the man. He's wimped out a bit so far I think. Plastic bag over the head? Please. I need to see him shoot someone in the kneecap before I'm completely convinced.

Yancy Street Gang Jan 23 2007 09:54 AM

="Edgy DC"]I don't get this. So the show is really really cool with government-sponsored torture? Yes. We see government-sponsored torture on 24 all the time. CTU Los Angeles even has an on-staff torturer, a guy named Richards who a few times each season enters the interrogation room with his little case full of torture materials. There have been cases on 24 where CTU staffers have even tortured each other, mainly because they don't have the luxury to wait to see if the person being tortured really is in need of torturing.

Edgy DC Jan 23 2007 10:10 AM

Strange. We are all in an uproar over FOX because their news skews in support of Republicans, but are turning up in overwhelming numbers for a show that normalizes and celebrates activity we're supposedly turning on the Republicans over (among other things). I'm going back to my coloring books now.

Yancy Street Gang Jan 23 2007 10:24 AM

It is strange, isn't it? My viewing of 24 isn't an endorsement of indiscriminate torture by any means, but it may in fact enforce the idea among some viewers that torture is a necessity that ought to be used whenever a shortcut is desired. I do doubt, though, that the Republicans lost Congress over the torture issue. A majority of voters may actually agree with the Bush/Cheney Torture Doctrine. More than anything it's the chaos, and the death toll, in Iraq that motiviated the voters this past November.

Edgy DC Jan 23 2007 10:46 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 23 2007 03:25 PM

I don't know claim that it was the issue of 2006 at all, but it has been an issue during the conduct of this war --- a high-profile one and reportedly one that the populace was against the position that 24 seems to take.

HahnSolo Jan 23 2007 03:18 PM

Two thoughts on Sunday's episode: - I think the presumed terrorists in that detention center will see through Walid (the guy wearing the wire). And if something happens to him, I can't wait for the president's sister to turn into a bitch on wheels. - The terrorists set up all these attacks under the guise that they would break that one guy out to activate the nuke, right? Then he gets out and dies, and all of a sudden as all hell is breaking out, they make a phone call and find someone else to do it? Why didn't they just try to find this guy before?

Yancy Street Gang Jan 23 2007 03:47 PM

Crazy, isn't it? It really takes months or years to put a terrorist plan together, but on 24 they're able to roll with the punches very quickly. Even the fact that they broke the original guy out of prison on the very day that they needed him doesn't make a drop of sense.

Nymr83 Jan 23 2007 04:13 PM

"24" is a right-wing conspiracy to make the torture of terrorists acceptable to the majority of Americans, I was at the secret meeting, needless to say none of you libs were invited.

Edgy DC Jan 23 2007 04:16 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 23 2007 04:41 PM

No need for that sort of name-calling, birthday boy.

Yancy Street Gang Jan 23 2007 04:22 PM

What was really weird about last night's episode was that Jack was torturing his brother simply because he said he didn't know where their dad was! (Now, his brother is in fact a terrorist, but I don't think Jack knows that. We know it, but he doesn't.) This is a troubling precedent. What happens if my sister calls me and says, "I just tried calling Mom at home and there was no answer. Do you know where she is?" If I answer that I don't know, is my sister going to come to the house and torture me? Who needs that?

metsmarathon Jan 23 2007 04:37 PM

i suppose we'll find out that jack knew all along that his bro and pop were knee deep in shit this whole time, but maybe didn't know the specifics - that they were directly behind last year's shenanigans - until now. but really, i don't know. i would tend to think that if your brother and father are big time evil-doers/facilitators, then there's no way in hell jack gets through the FBI-led background checks that allow him to work at a very high level within CTU. so perhaps its a recent development or something. who really knows. its implausible, but in such a way as to draw you deeper and deeper into your suspended disbelief while piling on more than enough of the unbelieveable that even the least mythbustingest amongst us should be able to raise a red flag. but doesn't. i mean, are we really to believe that the bunker under the white house is outfitted with the most up-to-date in high-fashion executive architecture, when it should've been dug out way back in the 50's, and likely isn't the easiest thing to continually refurnish to keep abreast, nay, ahead of the current trends! CTU, i'll accept that they have a super-new, super-cool look to their facility. but a sub-white-house bunker? i dunno...

Edgy DC Jan 23 2007 04:44 PM

The sub-White House thingie has been re-done and vastly expanded in the past decade. Personally, I don't know how the enitre Elipse, as well as Lafayette Square, doesn't collapse

Yancy Street Gang Jan 23 2007 04:48 PM

I think in the world that Jack Bauer lives in, the White House bunker probably gets a lot of use. They might as well keep it modern and up-to-date.

HahnSolo Jan 30 2007 09:40 AM

So-so episode last night. 24 every season seems to have some "filler" shows to keep the story going, and this was one of them. Walid getting beaten was just too obvious, which leads me to wonder if HE is actually involved with the terrorists. And the previews for next week which give a lot away are simply infuriating. One thing I just thought of from last week. Jack's brother tells him that he and his father tried to do everything to get him released from China. However, before last season, Jack was "dead" for more than a year. Then he came back for one day before being taken to China. So if he was not somehow involved, how would he know where Jack was? Shouldn't Jack have suspected something when his brother said this?

Sandgnat Feb 06 2007 11:38 AM

I thought 24 did a good job last night of bouncing back from a somewhat disappointing episode the week before. Anyone else thinking that Jack's brother's kid is really Jack's?

Yancy Street Gang Feb 06 2007 12:20 PM

Yes. I was thinking that just this morning. Also, Rena Sofer looked a lot hotter just a few years ago on Ed than she does this year on 24 and Heroes.

soupcan Feb 06 2007 01:07 PM

I could write this show. -I knew that the CTU dude was the 'programmer' they were going to after, like three weeks ago. -Jack's nephew is DEFINITELY his son -Jack's father killing his brother? Called it. Here's a prediction - the president's sister's (who are the Palmers supposed to be anyway - the black Kennedys?) Middle Eastern boyfriend is going to turn out to be a bad dude.

Yancy Street Gang Feb 10 2007 08:50 AM

From the Daily News: ="OWEN MORITZ"] Defense bigs ask '24' to cool it on torture BY OWEN MORITZ DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Saturday, February 10th, 2007 The grossly graphic torture scenes in Fox's highly rated series "24" are encouraging abuses in Iraq, a brigadier general and three top military and FBI interrogators claim. The four flew to Los Angeles in November to meet with the staff of the show. They said it is hurting efforts to train recruits in effective interrogation techniques and is damaging the image of the U.S. around the world, according The New Yorker. "I'd like them to stop," Army Brig. Gen. Patrick Finnegan, dean of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, told the magazine. Finnegan and others told the show's creative team that the torture depicted in "24" never works in real life, and by airing such scenes, they're encouraging military personnel to act illegally. "People watch the shows, and then walk into the interrogation booths and do the same things they've just seen," said Tony Lagouranis, who was a U.S. Army interrogator in Iraq and attended the meeting. "The kids see it, and say, 'If torture is wrong, what about '24'?" Finnegan said. The show's co-creator and executive director, Joel Surnow, 52, a self-described "right-wing nut," seemed stunned by the complaints, but gave no hint that the torture scenes would be toned down - or shown not to work. "We've had all of these torture experts come by recently, and they say, 'You don't realize how many people are affected by this. Be careful,'" Surnow conceded. "But I don't believe that." Kiefer Sutherland, who is reportedly paid $10 million a year to play agent Jack Bauer, admits to being "anti-torture" and "leaning toward the left." He says he tries to tell people the show "is just entertainment." Joe Navarro, an FBI interrogation expert who was at the meeting, said he wouldn't want anyone like Bauer on his team. "Only a psychopath can torture and be unaffected," he said. "You don't want people like that in your organization. They are untrustworthy, and tend to have grotesque other problems." Bauer, as a counterterrorism agent, has just 24 hours to stop a terrorist plot endangering the U.S. and invariably chooses torture to force suspects to divulge critical secrets.