24 - Day 8: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Review

- FOX 

SPOILER ALERT:   Significant plot details follow. 

24 has a history of inconsistency, especially in its early episodes. A story arc that lasts no less than 24 hours is long for any TV series so most of its missteps are excusable early on. Regardless, however, each episode still needs to be interesting to watch and provide ample realistic set-up. Here, in the fifth episode of season eight, the show’s plot is still unfolding and becoming more complex by the minute, even though most of it will be forgotten later on. That’s conventional with nearly all television shows, though even more so with a program such as 24. Unfortunately, season eight seems to be having a little trouble getting its footing right and not all of it is working as well as it should.  A very enjoyable, fresh and dramatic main plotline is marred by some silly and sloppily written storylines that tag along. This, of course, makes for episodes that feel very unbalanced.

Last week finished strongly and promised unique interactions between Jack and the damaged Renee. With its tense and well-acted scenes, I’m happy to report that  8:00 PM – 9:00 PM’s main plot continued this narrative in a fashion that was, for the most part, quite fun to watch.

First, however, let’s get to the things that were not fun to watch. Yes, I’m talking about Dana Walsh’s laughably useless side story. What an unfortunate position Battlestar veteran Katee Sackhoff is in. The actress who once played the brash and short-tempered Starbuck has assumed the role of a character taking orders and nearly tearing up as she’s thrown against the wall by degenerate white-trash. What’s more, she must excuse herself from her job in the middle of an undercover operation for Jack and Renee to meet up with him at her own apartment. The fact that CTU would allow her to even leave the building during a time such as this is completely unbelievable on its own. Apparently they don’t care. So, she submits to her ex and the story gets worse from there. When she arrives, Kevin has the audacity to demand that Dana steal information from CTU so he and some guy named Nick can make off big time… sigh… Please, writers, either wrap this story up, or tie it in. Hell, I’d consider the whole plot redeemed if Dana would just put a bullet in Kevin’s head next week and have her deal with things from there on. You have one last chance with this one.

Anyway, on the villain side of things, little worth mentioning occurs, despite the fact that the episode begins with Farhad Hassan on the phone in mob boss Sergei Bazhaev’s posh restaurant. While the conspiracy against President Hassan deepens and beings to spread to his country of Kamistan, the ramifications of such happenings aren’t clearly defined yet. As Farhad’s phone call progresses, a military contact is introduced, as well as potentially a new side plot that could have legs. But, the conversation is quickly silenced as Serfei enters the room inquiring about his payment in exchange for nuclear weapons. Conveniently, it’ll take five hours for Farhad’s funds to be transferred, and 24’s mid-season event will undoubtedly tie into this fitting occurrence. In an effort to pacify Farhad for a few hours, Sergei gives Farhad a private room and a couple of prostitutes to hang out with. Enjoy!

President Hassad has his own share of troubles in hour five, finally catching word of political strife in his homeland. To calm the uproar he begins efforts to penalize the conspirators and naysayers, though President Taylor has issues with his ways, and worries about the fate of her peace treaty as a result. While it makes sense in practice, Taylor will have to offer some compromise here, as Hassan must be allowed some reaction to chaos back home.

Thankfully, the meat of the episode more than made up for some disappointing side stories. Renee, fearless and tolerant, is subjected to unrelenting questioning by a Russian mob outlet to get her back undercover. Even when things get tough for her, she remains forceful in her ways, and is successful in the end. It is revealed that she has a disturbing past with a Russian contact named Vladimir, a history that could create an interesting and compelling dynamic if handled correctly. Renee’s part in the show makes the sometimes senseless sequences in the eighth season of 24 worth watching, and, just as she stared down at the barrel of the gun in the final few minutes of the episode, unsure of what would happen next, I too am uncertain of what direction the show will go in the next few episodes. It’s anyone’s guess from here.

RATING FOR 24 -DAY 8: 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm (OUT OF 10) 

24 – Day 8: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Review

- FOX

Following an impressive act is hard to do. 24’s seventh season has been largely revered as one of the better entries into the 24 canon, and, while it introduced so many radical changes and new characters, the core formula was still there and the show delivered on almost every front. Featuring a breakneck pace and a story that never slowed, season seven had more than its share of memorable moments, shocking twists and lovable villains, and it quickly became one of my favorites.

It’s been eight months now since the satisfying and emotional conclusion of season seven, and, after a finale such as that one, the show could have gone in any direction. Ambiguous though understandably predictable, it effectively closed the curtains on a stellar season, leaving fans hungry for more.

In some ways, the premiere of 24’s eight day is very similar to season seven’s. New characters and sets abound, making for a fresh opening that gives the show a whole different ‘feel’ to it. And, just like last season, the writers have to explain and introduce a lot in just two hours; on show and in real time. Therefore, the premiere is mostly exposition, and that’s understandable. There’s a new locale, new CTU, new members of staff - heck, Jack’s even a grandfather now! Just as we enter a new decade, 24 itself experiences many dramatic changes.

Admittedly, things are pretty predictable, and, for the most part, serve primarily to get the audience familiarized and oriented with the story and new characters that dot each frame. By 24’s standards, this is not surprising. However, since the writers have so many new devices this time around, it’s going to take some time before the story can really kick into gear and find that quick pace 24 is all too well known for.

And it seems that even Jack Bauer himself is taking things slowly. At least for a little while. For the first time in, well, ever, we find him happy – relaxed, on the couch while he spends the afternoon with his granddaughter, channel-surfing. It’s an adorable and sharply written scene that works on so many levels, showing us that Jack Bauer finally has something to live for – a family. At the beginning of the episode, Jack even agrees to move back to Los Angeles with his daughter, Kim, and the rest of her company. But this is 24. A show where things never pan out correctly. Something has to happen to set things off, and, sure enough, a match is struck and a wild fire begins, with Jack reluctantly thrown into the midst of it all.

In just two hours, we’re taken on a mad dash through the streets of New York, watch Jack dodge bullets and narrowly escape death (naturally), and witness sloppy criminals at the United Nations. It’s a typical start to a bad day and one that’s destined to get worse. Along the way we see a few familiar faces mixed in with a sea of newcomers, though, for the most part, character interactions play off quite well. Teri and Kim Bauer are seen, along with her husband Stephen, who offers little, if anything to the episode. Jack’s own family has the potential to become an interesting side device to be used later on, so long as Kim doesn’t find herself captured or stalked by mountain lions (shudder). At the shiny and ultra-sleek CTU offices elsewhere, everything, save for one character, is new. Snide comments run amuck, and the banter seen throughout the employees is reminiscent of those who habited the CTU of the show’s earlier seasons. The director Brian Hastings, played by Mykelti Williamson, is a gruff an impatient figure - a man of speed. And, oddly enough, it is Chloe O’Brian herself who can’t keep up. Rough around the edges and not in tune with the quick ways of NY, she finds herself overwhelmed and unable to please Hastings. Dana Walsh, played by Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff, takes light in her troubles, donning the know-it-all persona that Chloe had held for some time, though is much more outward in her adoption of it. The two have some fun screen-time together and the contrast in expressions between the two actresses is well played.

While it’s predictable to a fault, 24’s eighth day starts on a strong note. Sure, there’s nothing out of the ordinary here, and it may take a while before the plot gets some legs, but that’s to be expected with a show such as this one. A lot was covered in two hours, but, as mentioned, none of it was unexpected, and the whole thing needs more ‘meat.’ In the first two hours, the eighth season of 24 seemed to only get its shoes on. From here, however, it needs to start running.

RATING FOR 24 -DAY 8: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (OUT OF 10)