This episode recap contains spoilers and the word “terrorist” quite a few times.
Think about what you did yesterday. Rubbish wasn’t it? Sure that new top you bought in preparation for Friday night looks great and the chicken and bacon wrap you had for lunch was probably the best thing you’ve ever eaten but you probably didn’t even try to assassinate anybody. I doubt you even interrogated a single person? Don’t worry though, 24 is back. For another day, 24 little hours are set to bring us action, subterfuge, explosions, car chases, foot chases, gun fights, office politics, not a single toilet break and of course, Jack Bauer.
It is a strange series, 24. Some of the names, faces, terrorists and Presidents change but essentially, we’ve been watching history repeat itself for 7 years now. While we’ve learned how to spot the subtle signs of treachery and the bead of sweat that shouts, deceit, nobody in 24 land has even bothered. Golden rule, Jack Bauer knows everything. Yet after almost a decade of saving the free world, he still has to do things the hard way and the hard way kicks arse.
Day 8 and Jack has recovered from the life threatening condition of last season and is living the cosy life with his granddaughter in New York. Desperate to abandon his terrorist chasing, butt kicking past behind for good, Jack has decided to move back to L.A with Kim and her family. Not so fast Mr. It isn’t long before trouble finds him and drags him back into a world he knows far too well.
A former informant is upset because the members of his terrorist cell are trying to kill him, boo hoo. He tracks Jack down and demands immunity in exchange for information on an assassination plot to kill an Arab leader, currently in Washington for a UN summit. It is agonising to watch as Jack desperately tries not to get involved. I enjoy seeing him relentlessly hunt down villains as much as the next man, woman or child but this time I felt he needed a break. Give him the first few hours off then let him get stuck in.
Contact with CTU requires Jack to get the suspect to a nearby helipad where he can be picked up and pumped for information. An axe to the chest and helicopter explosion later, Jack sources info on someone close to, Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor), President of the Islamic Republic.
Hassan and his family are in Washington to sign a treaty allowing an American inspection of his homeland. Slightly off putting is the casting of one of India’s most recognisable actors, as an Arabian President and the dissimilarity between him and his family. They look nothing like each other. They might as well have cast, me, Liza Tarbuck, Beyonce, Tony the Tiger and Nick Jonas.
CTU has been recommissioned and it’s shiny. Almost too shiny, I’m already starting to wonder if the glossy walls and glistening screens are this season’s obligatory mole. The humans are as incompetent and self involved as ever. New director, Brian Hastings (Mykelti Williamson) fills the job description of “pig headed, stickler for the rules” brilliantly. Word to the wise Hastings, Bill Buchanan: dead, Ryan Chappelle: dead, Tony Almeida: insane, Erin Driscoll: daughter dead, George Mason: dead, Larry Moss: dead. All former CTU directors, none of which trused Jack to get the job done and look where they are now.
Files are found on the computer of a reporter intimately close to Hassan, which implicate her in the assassination attempt. Ignoring the advice of both Chloe (yep she’s back too) and Jack, Hastings is unwilling to consider another suspect and after some persuasion allows the pair to conduct their own investigation but offers them no support.
Now, I realise the futility of the question before I even ask but how is a retired agent with no jurisdiction or official power, given a free reign to chase and potentially kill terror suspects? The answer of course is, because it’s Jack Bauer you idiot! But still…
Farad Hassan is so at odds with his brother’s political and personal westernisation, he is revealed as one of those involved in the plan to murder him.
So strangely, we know what to expect. There will be twists and turns, decoys and double crosses. The main threats will change and change again and by tomorrow (in 24 time) we’ll probably be back where we started again. Personally I’m waiting for Ethan Kanin, President Taylor’s Secretary of State, to show himself as the slimy two faced liar I’ve had him pegged as, for no particular reason, since last year.
Jack Bauer fact for week 1: If everyone listened to Jack Bauer, the show would be called 12.
