24: Season 7, First 4 Episodes Review

24 season 7 premieres in a couple of days. It's been long coming. The writers' strike impeded its release into the wild by one full year. Now, finally, FOX is ready to unsheathe Jack Bauer. I have watched the first four hours of 24's seventh season, and I'm here to report that true 24 fans will get the 24 they're used to. The first four hours, interestingly enough, are not as good as the first four hours of season 6 (say what you will about the disappointment of that season, but the first four episodes were great), but one gets the feeling that it's building to bigger and better things. Of course, this could be wishful thinking from a staunch 24 fan. Let's all hope not. I fear that parts of the 24 audience will be underwhelmed by what they see on Sunday and Monday, but I think the episodes are solid enough to warrant continued viewership. FOX certainly hopes so.


Season 7 picks up a couple years after the events of season 6, and a couple of months following the events of 24: Redemption. Jack is brought in front of a senate hearing. He has to answer to accusations of torture. Jack will be indicted, it is clear, but before the proceedings can finish, Jack is summoned by a comely FBI agent to assist in a national crises. I didn't know FBI agents could walk in and interrupt senate hearings with such ease, but I guess we can let it slide.

A rogue, domestic terrorist organization has gained access into the government's infrastructure – roads, traffic lights, air traffic control, the water supply, etc. Early in the episode, we find out that Tony Almeida is the leader of this terrorist organization. Jack is informed of this, and from there, the season gets off and running.


I don't want to give away much else away. Just know that these four episodes feel like a precursor for the events to come, more so than the beginning of previous seasons. There's nothing wrong with this, but viewers looking for crazy action right out of the gate might be disappointed.

One worry, that may permeate throughout the season, is that the plot points unearthed during 24: Redemption threaten to undermine a great deal of the suspense of season 7, especially in these first four episodes. I think 24: Redemption, in this respect, was a mistake, especially how they introduced Jon Voight's character. But, the jury is still out on this.

24 is back. It's not a slam dunk so far, but anyone who enters the season with an open mind will find enough to their liking to stick with it.

source:http://www.buddytv.com/articles/24/24-season-7-first-4-episodes-r-25575.aspx