Comments on: GOODNIGHT, SWEET PRINCE…

By: Right Wing Nut House » ONCE MORE INTO THE BREACH, DEAR JACK

Right Wing Nut House » ONCE MORE INTO THE BREACH, DEAR JACK — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:35:00 +0000

[...] As I see it, the show this year is entering very dangerous territory for a long running drama; how do you top what you did the previous year? For 24, the answer last year was to shrink Jack’s universe by killing off his closest friends, making his quest to bring down the bad guys almost a personal vendetta. I commented last year at the cold blooded way he killed Palmer’s assassin as well as his execution of Henderson and thought that this marked a divergence for the character: [...]

By: Anwyn’s Notes in the Margin » Finished TiVoed 24

Anwyn’s Notes in the Margin » Finished TiVoed 24 — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 05:53:48 +0000

[...] Late to the party, I know. I watch a lot of TV during the season, some less hot but still watchable shows get recorded and left till the summer, and 24 is a newcomer–this was my first season. And it was awesome. Kiefer Sutherland is fan-frickin’-tastic as Jack Bauer, and although the rest of the show at first had me struggling to suspend disbelief regarding the technical wizardry, timing, and inhuman task management of these people, I soon learned to forget all that and go along for the ride. [...]

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:11:29 +0000

I’ll add my thanks to others for your excellent commentaries this season. I’d like to add one additional thing to your idea that “there were two points [where] the character of Jack Bauer changed forever” and that those two points were the murders of David Palmer’s assassin and Henderson. (Since both of those murders would qualify as such under the Geneva convention, I think that’s the yardstick we’d have to use.)

For me there was another important difference in Jack’s character this season, and that was his hesitancy dealing with Henderson. I had never before noticed Jack thinking twice before doing something. Part of his appeal is quick, correct decision making on the fly. If only we could all be so … right! But with Henderson, Jack was never quite sure whether to trust him, or not to trust him. To me this helps to explain, if not apologize for, his decision to shoot Henderson at the end. By attempting to kill Jack, Henderson played his hand: they were absolutely not on the same side. In the end (and I do think Henderson is dead) 24’s U.S. is probably the better for Henderson’s absence.

I wonder whether we will see a slightly broken Jack next season. Maybe a little more indecision, and perhaps a bit of yearning to let another hero take up the mantle and save our democracy from a slow creep towards shadowy totalitarian control?

By: sam harris

sam harris — Mon, 29 May 2006 03:55:37 +0000

I enjoy your blog each week since my son turned me on to it. I believe Jack gunned down Dennis Hopper at the end of day 2 or 3. Hard to keep it all seperated in my mind.

By: dan

dan — Sat, 27 May 2006 01:56:09 +0000

Rick- at first i thought that the next season would continue the day after but now after what you had said it seems that it will take place a little later afterwards. Any predictions how the next season will begin?
By the way- thanks for all the excellent summaries and commentaries through this season. they have been great, either provoking us to think more or making us laugh. I cant wait to read them next season. Thanks again.

By: Jennie C

Jennie C — Fri, 26 May 2006 15:11:32 +0000

Peggy: We have to wait until January because Fox touts the show as the ”non-stop” season. That means they can’t run it over Christmas because _everyone_ goes on hiatus at Christmas (as it’s on Monday this year, it’s a good thing).

I agree about Mondays spent anticipating the show. I used to do that on Fridays with _Joan of Arcadia_, but alas, no longer.

Rick: I agree about the two ”murders,” (though Henderson definitely *meant* to kill him), but assuming Buchanan remains at CTU, I think they can deal. I think Buchanan, while sometimes appalled by it, realizes that Jack’s utter ruthlessness is sometimes necessary.

I’ve been wondering if Audrey will think that he simply disappeared again. But on my second viewing, her distress at his vanishing seems real. I think she really knows that something awful happened to him.

Besides the ”big sister” in season 2, I think Audrey is the best match for Jack. I can’t remember that other gal’s name, but she was one tough lady (sold out her sister when she found out she was bad).

By: Badge 2211

Badge 2211 — Fri, 26 May 2006 11:24:19 +0000

I’m not so sure Henderson is dead. Jack’s not done and Henderson is important to the series if they want to resolve Graham and co.

I found it way too convenient for the PO Rooney to witness the execution and the set-up could’ve been for the successful disappearance of Henderson, like Bauer before him.

I think Weller could be heavy next season and would give a tremendous boost for “24″, the writers could use another angel, a Fallen one instead of an Avenging one.

By: Peggy Scolaro

Peggy Scolaro — Fri, 26 May 2006 00:50:07 +0000

This was my first season, too, but with the very opening 2-hour episode, I became instantly hooked and have not missed a single show since. My entire schedule revolves around Monday night at 9:00! Mondays immediately became my favorite day of the week. It was great when the realization hit on Sunday night, “Tomorrow is 24!” or during a Monday, while teaching class, to look at the clock and think, “Only 8 hours and 17 minutes until 24!” This week was enormously satisfying in many ways: Martha’s smirk as Logan was led away with federal marshalls was delicious, and Jack’s tender reunion with Audrey was so touching. However, I have to admit that I was devastated with the ending when Jack was captured and kidnapped; I so wanted our hero to be able to enjoy at least a little down time with Audrey, or, hey, how about a nap? But when the words “Returning January 2007″ appeared on the screen, I stared in disbelief and frustration. It never occurred to me that we would have to wait so long for the new season. The long stretch of Mondays betwen now and January now seems almost unbearably bleak. Today my first disk of Season One arrived, so I’ll be watching Jack’s adventures from the very beginning, hoping I can stretch all seasons out until January. I look forward to checking out your blog in January. Thanks for your great commentary!

By: goddessoftheclassroom

goddessoftheclassroom — Thu, 25 May 2006 21:43:00 +0000

Rick, you’ve created a moral/ethica; puzzle for me.

I don’t remember the shooting of Palmer’s assassin; I thought Jack shot him in pursuit.

As for Henderson, he did “shoot” Jack, knowing the gun was not loaded. In a perfect world, Jack would have arrested Henderson and turned him over to the courts, but Jack know Henderson’s guilt is beyond dount and skips ahead to execution. I don’t quite see it as fitting the definition of murder. If Henderson had willingly surrender to Jack on the sub and then Jack shot him, I would have agreed with you, but as it is, I do think that Jack can still work within CTS.

Remember the killing of the guy in Season two (”I’ll need a hacksaw”)? Now that was murder, I’ll grant you. In Jack’s world, the ends–protecting America–justify all means.

Goodness, I love this show!

By: Wickedpinto

Wickedpinto — Thu, 25 May 2006 20:59:35 +0000

I would watch the show, but not much, it was your reviews, and clear adoration for the show that made me think I should actually pay a little more attention to the show, and I did, and I realized I really liked it. 24 has one more viewer in me, thanks to you.