I am fully aware of just how late to the 24 party I am, having ignored the show for pretty much my entire life despite forever hearing about Jack Bauer and the show's name throughout the years. I never really had much interest to check it out growing up, though I even remember the crazy amount of recognition the show got in magazines back when those were actually a thing people would not only read but actually purchase. The show did start around the time where I was still perhaps a little too young to enjoy it, but over the span of nine seasons, I am not quite sure what took me so long. Perhaps it was the constant disconnecting of cable networks in our home growing up, or also my just sheer interest in video games over most films and television shows as a result of the struggles of watching things.
I am surprised, however, at just how long I have managed to not watch 24, while also never having seen any spoilers or heard anything regarding its ending and events from within the show. Perhaps it was also more popular elsewhere; but now I am starting the show, I really enjoy how I really do not know a single thing about what is happening or what is to come. No references seen online, no scenes mentioned on YouTube, no big spoilers regarding events or its main idea. The whole thing is completely fresh to me, and I love it so far. The idea of a show in which one season is just one 24 hour period for the protagonist is simple but incredibly effective, and from the first episode alone I knew that this would be a show I would enjoy greatly. Particularly as the tensions continued to rise and the chaos just ramped on up without really a single moment for our just introduced protagonist to really process things.
24
The way the show just starts and throws us into this chaos is fantastic. There was no annoying exposition that you would definitely find in a show today where it may take three or four episodes just to introduce the main character and establish some general context regarding them. Nope, not in 24. We experience everything as Jack does, barely getting a glimpse of his character but just enough to get a general idea of how his life is. There is some character context given to us as we see he has a family, and one that itself is not free from the drama and struggles of modern society and parenting. It plays a part into the greater story as we see how he has to handle constant struggles in personal life and work life.
The way it unfolds these events is done really well, there is rarely a moment for the audience to take a break and really relax as the tension continues to rise. Though there is some interesting, and some might call dated despite me loving it, pacing through the form of splitting up the screen to display various characters when they talk on the phone. I loved the way this was done, it really placed us into the places of the characters and showed us their presence physically rather than just relying on constant audio. It allowed for the visuals to have a moment to set up the next series of issues while slowing down slightly to remind us of prior events that Jack must now juggle.
Even a few episodes in I still have no idea of what could possibly be coming. The way this show is structured is just unlike anything I have seen prior; certainly not perfect, but so refreshing in today's film industry where series are thrown out with very little that makes them unique and stand out, particularly visually and in terms of narrative as streaming services throw out content while prioritising as little cost as possible. 24 appears to be shot on film -- at least for now in its first season -- and the result is this really nice dark, warmer toned cinematography that adds to the mystery and gritty nature of Jack's crime riddled world. A shot of early 2000s life as society just exited the 1900s. I do not think the show would have had the same beautiful visuals and editing style if it were released today.
More so due to the fact that the show relies on this really engaging ambience over the scenes instead of constant music that does not fit or silence -- again a sad outcome of modern filmmaking. It reminds me of The X Files where there is seemingly always some background music playing which is just light ambience, adding to the atmosphere that is met with the gloomy visuals. To be honest, just ambient music alone is enough to really grab my attention given my love for the few shows, admittedly much older, that utilised it.
The show managed to pull me in from the very start, and I find that really refreshing. I have recently been starting and continuing many shows as of late, but so few of them seem to really pull me in and hold my attention. They hold a lack of identity for some reason. Though this dive into 24 has me wanting to just binge through it now that the show is over and all episodes are available. I think Kiefer Sutherland's performance and role as Jack Bauer has had an impact that can't be replaced, especially with his very iconic voice that many may recognise from the earlier Metal Gear Solid games. He has this very believable look to him, particularly in his line delivery that seems exhausted, yet still rather collected.
The format of each episode taking place within just a few short hours and each season being a single day is really something. Again referring to the first episode: it all takes place for Jack within such a small single location, yet there is constant moving, constant development, and things continue to get worse. I love it! And it surprises me even more given I have never really been much of a fan of the crime and investigation genres.
Television done right
There is so much emotion and chaos in this show but it doesn't always get translated to the audience, it remains this slow watch despite the pacing of the show itself. It is somewhat relaxing to watch, even. It is the kind of show you can just turn on and wind down to, watching Jack figure things out while the show simply dangles snippets of information in front of you, not telling you anything at all when it is clearly too early, but letting things happen as Jack discovers them; it makes things feel unexpected and fresh. We, the audience, are not looked at like idiots that need everything and everyone explained to us. The show uses dialogue and characters to explain things when it is ready, when it is actually beneficial to the narrative and characters. Why don't shows do this anymore?
Part of me is glad that I took so long to get into the show. Having seen advertisements and snippets of reviews in video game magazines growing up. Seeing the show airing but definitely being too young to appreciate it. Now I'm older, I can see that 24 is a little gem of a show that perhaps is now forgotten in time as modern creations take the reigns on streaming services. You can keep your Stranger Things and your endless Rick and Morty knock-offs, Netflix! I'm going to just sit and watch 24 instead.
