TV Review: 24 – 9:00-10:00PM

Posted by Josh Radde (josh@filmschoolrejects.com) on March 17, 2009

“24″ Airs Monday Nights at 9/8c on Fox

Synopsis: Jack is trying to clear his name after being set up for Ryan Burnett’s death with the assistance from Renee, who leads him to Senator Mayer’s estate. At the White House, Ethan and President Taylor’s daughter Olivia have some contrasting opinions.

Review: And the award for most constructive use of a bulldozer goes to: Jack Bauer for trapping a dude inside a trailer by pushing it over on to its side. The award for most constructive use of a knife goes to: Jack Bauer for stabbing a bad guy and then moments later removing it so that he can use it to hijack an SUV. And finally, the award for most poignant quote in an episode of “24″ this year goes to: Jack Bauer for pointing out to Senator Mayer that one of the biggest regrets of his life is that the world needs people like him – people that will do anything to get the job done, including ruining their own families and maybe costing dozens of innocent people their lives to protect the masses. It was a good episode for Jack. For everyone else, not so much.

The recurring theme of this season has been Jack’s humanity (or lack thereof). Several times over the course of the season, Jack has been judged for being a robot, for being the type of unfortunate person “the world needs.” He’s had his wife’s death thrown in his face more often than in season’s past and has shown some real remorse for the way his daughter can’t even look at him. Last week one of my reader’s, Amani, pointed out that Elisha Cuthbert is tentatively scheduled to come back to the show in the closing moments. This could be a great way to close out the season: Jack’s “redemption” which started with the TV movie that aired last year could be complete with Jack re-connecting with a family member. Those who remember Kim Bauer’s last appearance in season five know that things did not end amicably between them – so much so that she needed the accompaniment of her therapist when seeing her father was back from the dead – and frankly I don’t blame her. But if this show can get Elisha Cuthbert back (who, frankly, is not doing much these days anyway) and if next season will be “24″’s last, I can’t think of a better way to go out. This series began as a father going to any length to protect his daughter and would only be fitting if it ended that way as well.

As for the rest of the episode: good fight between Jack and Quinn; I hate that Jack will be blamed for yet another murder (because you know he’ll get out of the charges with one phone call to Moss); and I dislike the tension brewing between Ethan Kanin and Olivia Taylor, it seems so unnecessary at this point of the season. But since it’s mid-season, this is where the writer’s throw in all the pointless crap. This is when character’s get attacked by cougars, where people have “temporary amnesia,” where we debate whether or not the villain’s son is actually Jack’s son instead of his brother’s, where previous characters like Sherry Palmer come back and inevitably get killed to further no plotlines.

To copy the slogan from the NBA – The Mid-season of 24: Where “Amazing” Happens.

Next week: Tony and Jack have to stop a weapon from being used. Never seen that before, eh?

Read More: 24 Recaps

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