845 replies to this topic

[Vauxhall]

Now that we're starting to get quite a lot of information about Season 7 of 24, I thought it would be best to create a fresh thread for discussion. Quite a lot of new information came from an interview with the main production team at Comic Con. Here is what we know so far about the upcoming season (plus a few points about previous years):

- The plot developed by the writers is their third idea for the season. A previous suggestion had Jack Bauer becoming involved in some sort of public uprising or coup in an African nation.

- Most, if not all, of the action will be set in Washington DC.

- Cherry Jones has been cast as President Allison Taylor.

- CTU will be disbanded by the government at the start of the season. Jack will be pulled in front of a Senate Committee to explain his actions over the past few years.

- An alternate ending to Season 6 was discussed in which the day ended with Jack walking away from the cliff and hearing a voice saying "Jack, we have a lot to talk about". Jack turns and sees Tony Almeida - alive and well.

- It was also stressed by the producers that unless we see someone irrevocably dead on 24 then the likelihood is that they are still alive, most likely referring to Former President Charles Logan.

- The idea of filming a prequel to Season 1 was considered, but ultimately rejected as the show's drama is dependent on not knowing which characters survive.

- Josh is not Jack's son, but they did consider making him Phillip's son, and even filmed scenes which confirmed that particular detail.

- There is a chance that Glenn Morshower will return in a very small role as Aaron Pierce to continue his record of appearing in all seven seasons.

[Harmsway]

The African nation suggestion is my favorite. Would be radically different from the now-repetitive 24 feel. The switch from LA to Washington, D.C. is nice, but it's nowhere near as radical as I'd like to have seen.

[Loomis]

I've only seen seasons one to three, and I absolutely loved them (although, for obvious reasons, I don't find it repeatable favourite viewing in the same way as THE SOPRANOS, which I'll be watching again and again till the day I die), but I understand that it's since jumped the shark. In a major way. Is this true? Is it still worthwhile? I also like the idea of 24 in Africa. BTW, is the film still on?

Also, and not to take this thread off-topic, HEROES - yes or no?

[Scottlee]

I've only seen seasons one to three, and I absolutely loved them (although, for obvious reasons, I don't find it repeatable favourite viewing in the same way as THE SOPRANOS, which I'll be watching again and again till the day I die), but I understand that it's since jumped the shark. In a major way. Is this true? Is it still worthwhile? I also like the idea of 24 in Africa. BTW, is the film still on?

Also, and not to take this thread off-topic, HEROES - yes or no?

I'm in an almost similar position, having only seen Seasons 1-4 on DVD so far (I thought the 4th one was just was good as the three before it, incidentally). A lot of people I've spoken to tell me the fifth season is excellent but the sixth one sees the whole Baur thing running out of steam. If 24 has already jumped the shark I would guess from reading message boards that it happened only very recently. Rumour has it the makers have taken note of fan criticism and vowed that Season 7 will feel a lot 'fresher'.

I've not see Heroes (or the Sopranos).

[dinovelvet]

I've only seen seasons one to three, and I absolutely loved them (although, for obvious reasons, I don't find it repeatable favourite viewing in the same way as THE SOPRANOS, which I'll be watching again and again till the day I die), but I understand that it's since jumped the shark. In a major way. Is this true? Is it still worthwhile? I also like the idea of 24 in Africa. BTW, is the film still on?

Also, and not to take this thread off-topic, HEROES - yes or no?

No. Well, I haven't watched it.

Anyway, I don't see 24 as having jumped the shark. Many people said that Season 6 was the worst; I didn't think it was all that bad. It was perhaps "less good" than average, but much like Bond, we like all of them (er, sort of), and one of them has to be ranked last. Say Season 6 is like a Brosnan film compared to a Connery or Craig effort, but at the same time its not like Bauer was driving an invisible car through an ice castle chasing an albino villain with diamonds in his face. I'm not going to say anything specific about it because there are still some great surprises that shouldn't be spoiled for you. To answer your question, yes it is very much worthwhile. Season four is my absolute favourite, you should get started watching that ASAP!
I don't know why using Africa as a location wasn't feasible. I see that "budget reasons" were cited. Eh? Why not pull a Bond and film it in the Bahamas? Hell, 24's Monday night partner in crime PRISON BREAK had several episodes set in Panama and they filmed it in Florida. Yer telling me they can't dress up some small town in New Mexico to pass for Africa? Bah. Still, whatever they have come up with may still be brilliant, so we'll wait and see.

[Nimsworth]

- An alternate ending to Season 6 was discussed in which the day ended with Jack walking away from the cliff and hearing a voice saying "Jack, we have a lot to talk about". Jack turns and sees Tony Almeida - alive and well.

Part of me is glad that that didnt happen due to how ridiculous that seems...

...but DAMMIT I'd love to see Tony back again!

[Matt_13]

I would love to see the return of Almeida. I miss him.

[RevolveR]

Tony coming back would be really cool. I wonder what the chances are that it might still occur and the writers were just saving it for season 7? Any thoughts?

Either way, getting out of LA and ditching CTU is definitely good for the longevity of the series. And anyone who hasn't seen seasons 4 and 5 is missing out. The two best IMHO!

[Harmsway]

I've only seen seasons one to three, and I absolutely loved them (although, for obvious reasons, I don't find it repeatable favourite viewing in the same way as THE SOPRANOS, which I'll be watching again and again till the day I die), but I understand that it's since jumped the shark. In a major way. Is this true? Is it still worthwhile?

Well, Seasons 1-5 are solid stuff and all worth checking out. But after watching Season 5, where the whole 24-thing was starting to wear a tad thin, I said, "They're going to have to do something really radical with the next season." And with Season 6 they didn't (and they had a great opportunity, too, with the big cliffhanger at the end of Season 5). And so all the 24 cliches stand out even more, and to make things worse, the season became increasingly predictable and uninteresting as it went on. If Season 6 needed a word to sum it up, it's "forgettable."

That's why it's nice to know they ditched CTU for 7 and switched locales. But I think it might take a little more than that to give this franchise some life again.

[hcmv007]

I've only seen seasons one to three, and I absolutely loved them (although, for obvious reasons, I don't find it repeatable favourite viewing in the same way as THE SOPRANOS, which I'll be watching again and again till the day I die), but I understand that it's since jumped the shark. In a major way. Is this true? Is it still worthwhile? I also like the idea of 24 in Africa. BTW, is the film still on?

Also, and not to take this thread off-topic, HEROES - yes or no?

24 cannot jump the shark, b/c Jack Bauer would jump in and kill the shark.



IF-Tony Almeida is alive, there better be a damn good explanation. For Logan there is a CHANCE he is still alive.


It seems that Jack will be in DC to answer for his "aggressive interrogation" techniques. But hey, if Audrey is still a vegetable, then Season 7 will be da bomb! But I will miss Aaron Pierce and Bill Buchanan, though. The real time format works well-and yes, you can make stories fun and exciting still using that format-DON"T CHANGE IT!

[dodge]

Outlook is good for a Tony comeback. Observation based on my increased mastery of Hollywood doublespeak. Per USA Today, the producer puts it this way: "Tony's alive in our hearts, and that's all tha tmatters. To say anything definitive either way would run the process." He'll be back!

[sharpshooter]

I certainly hope that will be the case.

[HawkEye007]

I agree with hcmv007, if Tony is somehow still alive there better be a good reason an explantion behind it.

For one, I am glad that they are disbanding CTU and moving to DC. LA was getting tired and boring. I think it would be cool if Jack joined some other covert organization within in the government. One where normal rules do not apply would be great. Also I think it would be cool if Jack lead a team of some sorts, kinda like The Unit or GI Joe. Anything will be better than this past season.

[RevolveR]

What we will probably see at the start of Day 7 is Jack now doing some other type of work not involving counter-terrorism, however events will transpire that bring him back into the fray. The problem with this is its too predictable and its kind of been done before.

What they need is something so new that we can't just sit here and guess at what it will be!

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

What they need is something so new that we can't just sit here and guess at what it will be!

Agreed, that's why the African coup idea seemed really really cool.

Granted the way I would envision that is Jack living peacefully in his remote colonial mansion when several villagers come and ask for his help overthrowing Mobutu. Jack naturually refuses but is then drawn into the fray making it the exact same as every other season just with quite a few more black characters.

Still...really really cool.

[Vauxhall]

I've got a bit more new information:

- The producers very briefly considered making Tony the villain for season seven, therefore causing Jack a huge dilemma of where his loyalty belonged. This was never planned in a great lot of detail though, and was quickly rejected.

- Gary Oldman has been approached to play one of the season's major villains.

[sharpshooter]

Is Tony coming back in any shape or form in season 7?

[dodge]

A Canadian connection? I hadn't heard this one before:
source:http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/04/12/24s-seventh-season-possible-plot-leaked/#



Radio-Canada (one of Canada's major national networks) reports that Jon Cassar, one of the show's producer and director, revealed in an interview with the Kansas City Star that next season's plot may feature Quebec separatists as the terrorists.

[Vauxhall]

Is Tony coming back in any shape or form in season 7?

Nothing has been officially said one way or another. It hasn't even been confirmed that he's definitely still alive in the world of 24. It was just mentioned that the producers have certainly considered bringing him back.

Radio-Canada (one of Canada's major national networks) reports that Jon Cassar, one of the show's producer and director, revealed in an interview with the Kansas City Star that next season's plot may feature Quebec separatists as the terrorists.

I have, in fact, heard that Quebec comment before from Jon Cassar and I believe that it was a joke that has been taken out of context. Guess we shall see though!

[sharpshooter]

I always thought there was plausability in Tony being alive.

A: He could of just been heavily sedated by the drug
B: He was not given a silent clock

I could imagine Tony waking up in a morgue and escaping. Living a secret undercover life, allowing him to grieve Michelle's death.

He may be ready to re surface soon. I certainly hope so.

Edited by sharpshooter, 02 August 2007 - 10:27 AM.

[hcmv007]

According to his website, James Morrison (Bill Buchanan) will be back for Season 7 after all. Wahoo!

[Vauxhall]

According to his website, James Morrison (Bill Buchanan) will be back for Season 7 after all. Wahoo!

I've also heard that Morris O'Brian (Carlo Rota) will be returning in some capacity for at least part of the upcoming season.

[Vauxhall]

Apparently the filming for season seven has been delayed even further. More information can be found here.

[Matt_13]

http://tv.ign.com/ar...2/812908p1.html

Looks like Wayne Palmer is still alive afterall.

[Vauxhall]

Does anyone know much about Janeane Garofalo? I've just read that she has been cast as an FBI agent sent to investigate Jack Bauer in the upcoming season.

[HawkEye007]

I've seen in her in a few things, The Truth About Cats and Dogs jumps to mind. They were mostly comedic type roles, or drama roles with a comic edge to them. Not sure if I can picture her as an investigator of some type. I have also heard she is really liberal. She may end being like an ACLU type person investigating Jack for torturing terrorists for the past 6 seasons. It will be interesting to see what she does in any case.

[Vauxhall]

More casting news suggests that Colm Feore will be playing the First Gentleman opposite Cherry Jones' President, and Rhys Coiro will play a member of an anti-terrorism taskforce.

[dinovelvet]

Does anyone know much about Janeane Garofalo? I've just read that she has been cast as an FBI agent sent to investigate Jack Bauer in the upcoming season.

Its off-the-wall casting, to say the least. She was mostly known for being comedienne in things like Reality bites, The truth about cats and dogs, but then went all political and started spouting liberal stuff on anything from The West Wing to that liberal radio network to the Henry Rollins show. So basically she could play anything from the comedy relief character to a political nazi.
Funnily enough, I thought that if Mary Lynn Rajskub left the show but they still wanted to keep the Chloe character in, she'd be the perfect replacement.
Anyone know if Rick Schroder is returning? I thought he was a good addition to the cast, they left his fate ambiguous (gee, imagine 24 doing that!) by suggesting he might go blind or be able to save one eye.

[RevolveR]

Hopefully the character of Mike Doyle does NOT return in any large role. He wasn't strong enough IMO to be featured for another season. I wouldn't mind seeing him make a guest appearance in an episode though, as long as it fit.

It's one thing if they have to force good characters back onto the show, such as Tony. But they shouldn't go out of their way to bring back weak ones. Just a thought.

[Professor Dent]

Does anyone know much about Janeane Garofalo? I've just read that she has been cast as an FBI agent sent to investigate Jack Bauer in the upcoming season.

I saw an article in the USAToday on it a few days ago. This one boggles the mind.