845 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

I loved the Africa setting and the child soldiers storyline was surprisingly dark stuff. Scrapping CTU and all the unnecessary subplots it facilitated went a long way towards giving the series a much-needed shot-in-the-arm.

There's things to like about it (an attempt to push Bauer out of the USA, and the ditching of CTU), but they don't negate the central flaws for 24: REDEMPTION. 24: REDEMPTION felt like a poor man's BLOOD DIAMOND. Similar content, but without the emotional involvement or thrills. In fact, 24: REDEMPTION's biggest failing is more or less the lack of excitement. It never really develops the suspense it needs to, nor does it showcase Jack Bauer like it needed to.

Nevermind that it all feels unnecessary. It doesn't seem like it will have much to contribute to Season 7 (after all, it was conceived and written well after the story for Season 7 was pretty much locked-in), and it's sure not very satisfying in and of itself. I mean, sure, it's okay placeholder, but I think they should have delivered way more.

[[dark]]

There's things to like about it (an attempt to push Bauer out of the USA, and the ditching of CTU), but they don't negate the central flaws for 24: REDEMPTION. 24: REDEMPTION felt like a poor man's BLOOD DIAMOND. Similar content, but without the emotional involvement or thrills. In fact, 24: REDEMPTION's biggest failing is more or less the lack of excitement. It never really develops the suspense it needs to, nor does it showcase Jack Bauer like it needed to.

Nevermind that it all feels unnecessary. It doesn't seem like it will have much to contribute to Season 7 (after all, it was conceived and written well after the story for Season 7 was pretty much locked-in), and it's sure not very satisfying in and of itself. I mean, sure, it's okay placeholder, but I think they should have delivered way more.

If it were a theatrical film, sure, but as a bridge between the sixth and seventh seasons (more of a prologue to the latter than an epilogue to the former), I think it delivered.

I've never seen Blood Diamond so I can't comment on the similarities, but the subject matter of children being recruited by an army (for the purposes of detonating rogue mines, no less!) is pretty grim stuff for commercial telly.

I'm aware it was conceived as an afterthought, but doesn't Redemption basically compress the initial idea for the seventh season (or at least the first half of it), which was deemed too expensive and impractical to do, into a two-hour telemovie?

[Harmsway]

If it were a theatrical film, sure, but as a bridge between the sixth and seventh seasons (more of a prologue to the latter than an epilogue to the former), I think it delivered.

I still think it could have been, and should have been, more exciting. I found it significantly less involving than many of the better episodes in seasons past. It just kind of meandered about with lots of story set-up, but never providing a truly thrilling sequence.

What 24: REDEMPTION was, essentially, is Jack Bauer meets RAMBO, but without the climactic action extravaganza. It needed an explosive, kick- finale, full of Bauer doing what he does best.

I've never seen Blood Diamond so I can't comment on the similarities, but the subject matter of children being recruited by an army (for the purposes of detonating rogue mines, no less!) is pretty grim stuff for commercial telly.

Eh, these day's there's so much grim stuff on TV that I think it's more par for the course than an exception.

I'm aware it was conceived as an afterthought, but doesn't Redemption basically compress the initial idea for the seventh season (or at least the first half of it), which was deemed too expensive and impractical to do, into a two-hour telemovie?

Not necessarily. Sure, it carries through with the idea of an "out of America" storyline, but I'm not convinced that the story resembles what they originally intended to do with the seventh season.

[hcmv007]

Alright, I'm posting my summary of the 1st 17 minutes of Day 7, but I am taking a note from the folks at the blogs4bauer site, and making up my own cool names for the characters:


Jack Bauer-Jack or 'The Man'
Renee Walker-Agent Hello Nurse! (She was on General Hospital, maybe she was a Doctor? Nurse? All I know is, she's a hottie.)
Janice Gold-Bowler Girl
Sen Blaine Meyer-Clarence Boddiker
Larry Moss-Dirtnap (He got killed in Dirt)
Michael Latham-Dr. Phlox
Tony Almeida-Soul Patch

Spoiler

8:00:00

The day starts with Dr. Phlox taking his daughter presumably to school, or wherever Denobulans take their kids to at 8:00 in the mornig. They must be late, but run even futher behind once a van slams them not once but twice. Before insurance info can get exchanged, masked men take Phlox and leave his daughter behind. Flash to Capitol Hill where Senator Clarence Boddiker is interrogating Jack about some douchebag named Ibrahim Haddad. Jack admits to violating the Geneva code-not a big deal really, and reminds the Senator what he did to RoboCop. Before Clarence can get his wind back, Agent Hello Nurse! walks in and tells Clarence Jack needs to go with her. Clarence, remembering that Jack defeated RoboCop, lets him go. Agent Hello Nurse! will tell Jack what is going on when they get to the Hoover building. Or wherever their HQ is. At FBI HQ, Bowler Girl tells some putz named Sean that she likes sarcasm, and wants Bauer cleared for entrance. Meanwhile Dr. Phlox looks like . His fingernails are bloodied, and the bad guys have some component. Not the Dobson device, but something else. Goodbye Airlines. Back at FBI HQ, we learn from Dirtnap that a recent string of tech thefts have occurred. It seems Phlox designed the whole security grid himself. And yet the FBI offered no protection, what are they, CTU? Jack is brought in, and is in Agent Hello Nurse!'s office and is told of the CIP, PIC, DDP whatever firewall has been breached. Jack could care less, but is told that Soulpatch is behind it. No way, Jack tells her. If Soulpatch was alive, he would have called Jack and they could discuss whose wife's death was more tragic. Agent Hello Nurse! tells Jack that she dug up Soulpatch's body, and the DNA don't lie. She even brought up the whole China thing again, and Jack seems convinced. Back at the Secret Undergorund Layer filled with liquid hot magma, Phlox's device doesn't work. Soulpatch tells him the new one better work, or he will violate the Geneva convention on him. Better get to work, Phlox. Archer isn't gooing to save your @$$ this time.

8:17:00

[Vauxhall]

Massive spoiler about the death of Tony Almeida in season five, from a member of a 24 message board who has a proven track record of good spoilers. This is all the information I have. Make of it what you will!

Spoiler

Henderson was in on the planned faking of Tony's death. Tony was not.

[[dark]]

Kiefer Sutherland nabbed a Best Actor Golden Globe nom for 24: Redemption - good stuff!

[dinovelvet]

Looks like Kim Bauer can't stay out of trouble

http://celebslam.cel...ha-cuthbert-24/

[Vauxhall]

I'm very excited about the latest news that another of my favourite characters is said to be returning for some of Season 7:

Spoiler

Former President Charles Logan

[dinovelvet]

I'm very excited about the latest news that another of my favourite characters is said to be returning for some of Season 7:

Spoiler

Former President Charles Logan

Well I guess that answers that unanswered question!

[Harmsway]

I'm very excited about the latest news that another of my favourite characters is said to be returning for some of Season 7:

Spoiler

Former President Charles Logan

That just makes me groan. The more returning characters I hear about, the less happy I am. Way back when, I was hoping Season 7 would present a real break from past storylines... and more and more, it's becoming clear that Season 7 is hopelessly enmeshed with them. Meh.

[Vauxhall]

I still feel that based on everything we know so far, Season 7 is likely to be fairly fresh, only briefly touching upon previous plots when relevant. The writers strike allowed the 24 team to fully flesh out the whole season in advance for the first time, so we won't have any ridiculously well-timed reappearances by past enemies (i.e. the Chinese in Season 6) to keep the plot ticking over. I imagine that the return of particular characters for Season 7 are largely tied in to explaining one specific event from previous seasons:

Spoiler

The apparent "death" of Tony Almeida in Season 5

At least the character I mentioned in the spoiler tags of my previous post is one of the most interesting in 24 history. There is absolutely no excuse for Kim Bauer turning up yet again though.

There is also increasing speculation on message boards that the writers have taken the opportunity to tie in unexplained plot points from the very early seasons, such as who hired Nina Myers. I'm not sold on that one yet though. That has been a fanboy wish for years, and is probably recycled rumour.

[dodge]

I still feel that based on everything we know so far, Season 7 is likely to be fairly fresh, only briefly touching upon previous plots when relevant. The writers strike allowed the 24 team to fully flesh out the whole season in advance for the first time, so we won't have any ridiculously well-timed reappearances by past enemies (i.e. the Chinese in Season 6) to keep the plot ticking over. I imagine that the return of particular characters for Season 7 are largely tied in to explaining one specific event from previous seasons:

Spoiler

The apparent "death" of Tony Almeida in Season 5

At least the character I mentioned in the spoiler tags of my previous post is one of the most interesting in 24 history. There is absolutely no excuse for Kim Bauer turning up yet again though.

There is also increasing speculation on message boards that the writers have taken the opportunity to tie in unexplained plot points from the very early seasons, such as who hired Nina Myers. I'm not sold on that one yet though. That has been a fanboy wish for years, and is probably recycled rumour.

I've avoided the Spoiler, but thanks for the rest. I'm more than guardedly optimistic about Season 7--and am confident that Sutherland et al have learned from Season 6. Also that they've taken advantage of the longer lead time they enjoyed because of the writers's strike. If the Bond films can reboot after 40 years, surely 24 can pull it off after only 7.

[Harmsway]

I imagine that the return of particular characters for Season 7 are largely tied in to explaining one specific event from previous seasons:

Spoiler

The apparent "death" of Tony Almeida in Season 5

At least the character I mentioned in the spoiler tags of my previous post is one of the most interesting in 24 history.

Maybe, maybe not. I imagine that explains some of the returning characters, but not all. And I still can't bring myself to like that spoiler you mentioned... it's always struck me as an awful choice.

There is absolutely no excuse for Kim Bauer turning up yet again though.

No kidding.

[dodge]

I imagine that the return of particular characters for Season 7 are largely tied in to explaining one specific event from previous seasons:

Spoiler

The apparent "death" of Tony Almeida in Season 5

At least the character I mentioned in the spoiler tags of my previous post is one of the most interesting in 24 history.

Maybe, maybe not. I imagine that explains some of the returning characters, but not all. And I still can't bring myself to like that spoiler you mentioned... it's always struck me as an awful choice.

There is absolutely no excuse for Kim Bauer turning up yet again though.

No kidding.

Fair question: if you're wrong on this one, are you prepared to admit it?

[Harmsway]

Fair question: if you're wrong on this one, are you prepared to admit it?

Wrong on what?

I've made no call regarding Season 7, and I can't wait for it to pick up. But there are things that leave me concerned - including the big spoiler, which you've avoided - but that's hardly allowing for any verdict on the season overall. My concerns could very well end up as minor niggles with an otherwise wonderfully engaging season.

[killkenny kid]

Looks like Kim Bauer can't stay out of trouble

http://celebslam.cel...ha-cuthbert-24/

In the words of Luke Skywalker..........NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[hcmv007]

7 days until Jack Bauer is Unleashed...


To celebrate I have come up with a list of things to do this week to celebrate:

Monday-Go to work! You need money!

Tuesday-If someone ticks you off wet a towel and twist it.

Wednesday-Sleep with a coworker

Thursday-Break it off with said coworker

Friday-Raid a foreign consulate. If one is not close to where you live, raid an Oriental Restaurant

Saturday-Talk like Jack Bauer day!

Sunday-Shoot a friend in the thigh and watch 24 on Fox!






Note-if you take this post seriously you need help. I'm seeing a shrink already

[Vauxhall]

Monday-Go to work! You need money!

Hmm, failed already.

Seven more days here in the UK now (although we don't seem to get the first four hours over two nights...) Some taglines that the Sky TV spots are treating us to:

ON THE SEVENTH DAY HE WILL NOT REST

ON THE SEVENTH DAY THE DEAD WILL RISE

[dodge]

Fair question: if you're wrong on this one, are you prepared to admit it?

Wrong on what?

I've made no call regarding Season 7, and I can't wait for it to pick up. But there are things that leave me concerned - including the big spoiler, which you've avoided - but that's hardly allowing for any verdict on the season overall. My concerns could very well end up as minor niggles with an otherwise wonderfully engaging season.

Well, I interpreted your remark on Kim Bauer as a call: you seconded the opinion with your remark 'No kidding' that there was absolutely no reason for her return. I asked if you'd be prepared to retract that remark IF her performance was first-rate (not likely) and/or if her appearance was established as essential.

[Vauxhall]

I'm very excited about the latest news that another of my favourite characters is said to be returning for some of Season 7:

Spoiler

Former President Charles Logan

It seems what I read may have jumped the gun on this one. Apparently this is yet to be decided by the show runners. It is now said that the character may have shot scenes, but it is undecided whether they'll slot into Season 7.

By the way, I've seen very positive reviews of the four hour season premiere. Great news.

[dodge]

I'm very excited about the latest news that another of my favourite characters is said to be returning for some of Season 7:

Spoiler

Former President Charles Logan

It seems what I read may have jumped the gun on this one. Apparently this is yet to be decided by the show runners. It is now said that the character may have shot scenes, but it is undecided whether they'll slot into Season 7.

By the way, I've seen very positive reviews of the four hour season premiere. Great news.

V, what are the dates for the premier?

[Vauxhall]

V, what are the dates for the premier?

For you lucky people in the US, the first four hours are tomorrow night (Sunday 11 January) and Monday night.

The UK gets the first two hours on Monday.

[Professor Dent]

Just watched the first 17 minutes of the season from the Redemption DVD. Looks incredible! Nice to see Washington DC as the location this time around.

[dodge]

Tonight's the night! I've seen two most encouraging signs: a rave review in TV Guide and a mere 2-1/2 star review in People (which translates into 4 stars for anyone with class.) Thank God, the wait is over. I'm prepared for anything...even for Kim Bauer.

[Professor Dent]

Even Kim Bauer, dodge? I saw her on a recent magazine cover (the name escapes me now) & she looked quite lovely. I'm looking forward to tonight with some giddy anticipation.

[Vauxhall]

Enjoy all! I hope to be viewing the season pretty much at the pace of US television, so I won't have to wait too long to watch episodes in the UK.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Am I the only one who really hates 24 right now? In light of the Bush Administration's disastrous torture policies, Jack Bauer's refusal to feel guilty about "extreme interrogation" puts him in league with Gonzales and his ilk.

[jaguar007]

Am I the only one who really hates 24 right now? In light of the Bush Administration's disastrous torture policies, Jack Bauer's refusal to feel guilty about "extreme interrogation" puts him in league with Gonzales and his ilk.

It's just a bloody TV show.

[Mr. Blofeld]

Am I the only one who really hates 24 right now? In light of the Bush Administration's disastrous torture policies, Jack Bauer's refusal to feel guilty about "extreme interrogation" puts him in league with Gonzales and his ilk.

It's just a bloody TV show.

True, but the justification for the Bush torture memos basically boiled down to, "Hey, if Jack Bauer can do it..."

[Matt_13]

Damn, forgot to set the dvr so I missed all but the last 5 mins, but it looked pretty solid to me. The end stunt with Jack jumping was awesome. Will try to catch it online tomorrow.