Maybe my expectations were low, but I was impressed by the two-hour 24 "prequel" to the seventh season, "Redemption." Here are a few thoughts on why I liked it:
- For whatever reason, it's still strangely comforting to see Jack Bauer back on TV, doing what he does best (picking off the bad guys, saving the good guys, enduring torture, etc.).
- Kids. Little African kids are at the heart of Jack's major struggle here and while it might be a manipulative tactic, it definitely worked in getting me to care about the story.
- Overall, and especially toward the end, I was on the edge of my seat, stressing out about these people and yelling at my TV again, as though it were the first season of 24 or something. I love that this show is back to having that effect on me.
- I really like this new lady president, right down to her cemented hairdo. She just seems smart and no-nonsense while still being warm and trustworthy.
- It doesn't hurt that the guy playing her son is rather hot, in a pretty-boy kind of way.
- Even for people unfamiliar with 24, or those who have been doubting the quality of the show in recent years (as I have), this two-hour "event" could actually stand on its own as a TV movie. You don't necessarily need to know Jack's history in order to get what's going on and there's a definite ending that lacks major cliffhangers.
- Ha! In the previews for the upcoming season I love Chloe's "I'm just a stay-at-home mom!" line. Awesome. Can't wait to see her (and Tony Almeida!) again.
Oh! And diverchick wrote me to say that "about 35-40 minutes into the show, there was this scene where Jack's friend Carl calls Jack. The number that pops up on the phone is 310-597-3781." Apparently if you call that number, Sprint gives a code for a free ringtone. The pass code is "24." Thanks, diverchick!
Did you watch this 24 prequel? What did you think?
Photo courtesy of Fox
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See by Chloe
Miss Sixty
I have to say, I watched the first season and half of the second, and then totally bailed. I no longer understand the 24 attraction, but I'm glad to hear that they put some extra effort into this. Maybe it bodes well for future 24 seasons?
1i really loved it! i was a bit apprehensive about africa being the setting, but i liked it. the suspense was back, and it just sucked me right in. i had that "yelling at the tv" reaction too, which is what i love about 24. and then theres always my jack bauer love
2loved it, was yelling at my teli as well
and was covering my mouth
with my blanket (it's chilly here in London)...
Jack is getting old... his lines are so deep, especially with dirt on top makes it even more noticable. but still his actions are hot
just a shame he doesn't want to go back... To Kim! What's up with that?
3i don't know what you people are talking about. i didn't like 24 but i haven't even seen any episodes, then I fell in love with tv-shows, saw like 40 of them and a year ago saw a banner on the side of a bus advertising 24, decided ok, i bet i might like it now if i liked lost and others... downloaded it and ouch, was addicted, watched all 6 seasons in a row during just one month... and had a 1.5 yeat vacation (which is not good). hearing the clock sounds was very comforting...
4I was SO happy to see Jack back. While this was less on the action than the typical 24 episode, I think the exposition was a fantastic lead-in to the new season. I was sorry to see Robert Carlyle go, but I loved that he got to say the first "dammit" of the season.
5First off, for all you Popular fans... I'm sorry is it just me who got a giggle out of Carly Pope's character being called "Samantha"?
And I liked it. It could've used some Chloe (she is my fave), but I liked the movie, and am looking forward to the season.
6totally hated the portrayal of the UN peacekeeper as a yellow-bellied, self-serving, betraying coward. Romeo Dallaire, the Canadian UN general who served in Darfur did everything he could to help the people there, and tried to get world attention for the atrocities there, and to help the citizens long before H'wood celebs discovered the cause. To see the peacekeeper so mocked upset me so much it made it difficult to focus on the rest of the show. The idea that the guy was such an idiot that he didn't believe that it was possible that someone was recruiting child soldiers?? It was idiotic. And, maybe it's my knee-jerk white liberalism, but I hated hated hated another portrayal of poor black people having to be saved by the white man. Yuck.
And, sadly, I love 24. Really. I say all this as a fan.
7I agree to an extent with Keiren. It was pretty absurd that a UN peacekeeper wouldn't know the appalling epidemic of militant groups recruiting child soldiers. It would've been more believable if he was an average American tourist.
Anyway, apart from all that I really enjoyed Redemption, and it was so nice seeing Jack Bauer back to doing what he does so well (kicking terrorist ass)! I really didn't him to be taken back to Washington as 24 would have been incredible this season if it had been set in Africa.
The almost annoyingly inquisitive kid that pretty much clung to Jack Bauer did a really good job!
Also, cheers to all the ads for Malaria No More. http://www.xdrtb.org/
I have to confess that anything set in Africa is predisposed to my liking. I have no idea why.
8the hot son is Eric Lively, Blake Lively's older brother.
9I was hoping you were going to write something about last nights show Buzz. Thanks!
I loved it! Not that that's a surprise.
The president's son IS a hottie. No we have
two on the show. Three actually now that Tony's back. Wonder how that happens?
The season preview looked AWESOME and I can't wait for it to start!
10I'm so glad 24 is back. I love the show. I really enjoyed the two hour premiere. The previews with Chole had me smiling. So glad she's back.
11I am so excited Almeda is back. I loved him. And I loved how Jack did that knee move and killed the guy. Oh Jack.
But I found Carly Pope SO annoying "who is that? What did he say? Are you talking to Sam? I refuse to let you talk to him! Tell me everything!!!!" My god- what a shrew- the worst example of a psycho nagging wife.
12I love love love Jack Bauer.. soo sexy. Equally happy to see Chloe and Tony. but wow, the trailer: "I swear to god I will kill you, and this time you'll stay dead."
i can't wait til January!
13I know I am late, just got around to watching this on TIVO, and OMG! I can not wait for 24 to start up again. I really couldn't remember how the last season ended...but how exciting! When did Tony become a bad guy?
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