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24 - Season 1 (DVD)
by lionel123
Little did we know as thoose words blasted out of our television screens, the level of quality and sheer entertainment we were about to allow into a small figment of our lives, not only for the next 24 hours but 'in real time' the next decade. 24 Is a brillant series, perhaps the best thriller type series of its kind to have ever been ... maed. All too little do you see in the 21st century a long lasting series programme grip you with the such vigour as 24. Not only do the producers write a plot that only insiders could predict, the quality of acting throughout 99% of the product is sheer perfection.
For thoose who aren't aware of the back drop to season 1, Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is a father to Kim (Daughter, Elisha Cuthbert) and a husband to Terri (Leslie Hope). Jack is a federal agent for the Los Angeles 'Counter Terrorism Unit' better known in the drama as CTU. Jack is portrayed as a brillant agent, ferocious in the interview, well drilled as a result producer and whilst implimenting the same scale of love into his family as he does into his work.
Kim Bauer (played by Elisha Cuthbert) is the typical late teen daughter. Partial towards her more leniant dad and as bitchy as possible with her mother Terri. There are reasons for the air of disagreement between the two though. Previous to season 1 Terri had split up with Jack for numerous reasons, citing work and general relationships issues as the reason for the split. This didnt go down well with Kim who blames her mother for the relationships failure and thinks her dad Jack had every right to be angry with Terri.
Terri herself protrays as the kind and loving housewife, that just wants her family to get back to the 'old times'. She does however come across as a person that isn't very confident in herself or her own ability and at times she comes across as quite weak as a person. She's aware that Jack does love her, but still has second thoughts in her head as she suspects that Jack slept with someone else whilst they were on there 'break'.
Day 1 also provides a deepening storyline outside of Bauer heaedquarters. Day 1 is based upon the 'Presidential election' in which budding president to be David Palmer attempts to make his way into office. Things are not clean cut however as a series of setbacks interupt the progress of the day. David Palmer is portrayed as a man of morales, a man that has passion and a man that is set on doing things 'right' in his life. As the season goes on we see a man become embroiled in a conspiracy storyline involving the death of the man who raped his daughter and his son trying to cover up the fact that he did it.
Thats not all however, it turns out that the whole Palmer family have been keeping the secret from David, which only fuels the ever burning fire of dissapointment he feels at being kept in the black over such a big issue for such a long period of time. David Palmer decides, much to the dismay of son and meddling wife Sherri that it would be better to come clean to the press before the secret gets leaked to the press and effects the chance of Palmer becoming the president. Things are not easy for David though as his wife and son both turn against in him. David accuses his wife of trying to make things worse through lying. As the day goes on we see the storyline between the 4 un-ravel.
The 3rd segment to the storyline, belongs in CTU itself. Jack is a man that finds it hard to trust the people around him. But he does put his trust in long time work partner 'Nina Myers' a college of which he as worked with on many projects and is the person that Jack had a fling with whilst his marriage was on hold. Nina comes across as very helpful and attempts to do everything possible in her power to help Jack, in some cases lying to her new boyfriend Tony Almeida. Nina and tony play a big part in virtually all of the storyline.
I dont want to reveal too much too those who haven't seen the season before, so ill keep my summary brief. Jack goes through a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the day, protecting his runaway daughter and wife Terri from everything that's thrown at them, whilst being the courageous agent he is, trying his hardest to un-cover the details of a terrorist threat against the potential to be president David Palmer, saving lives and managing to keep himself alive despite seemingly looking like defecting the terrorist criminals.
We see a truly up and down storyline with twists and a never ending catalogue of entertaining events throughout the 24 hour day. Watch out for the earth-shattering ending, with the biggest twist of all and the emotional downfall Jack has to go through in the series after season 1.
24 season 1, is a truly epic piece of storyling portrayal, with some fabolous acting from all members of the 24 community. I once said 24 was like a bag of Malteasars, once you open it you just can't stop yourself from going back.....
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24 - Season 3 (DVD)
by Jeikobu88
Jack is back for Day 3 - this time, the threat is biological. Jack worked undercover as a drug addict trying to bring down Ramone Salazar, one of the drug underworld's most dangerous criminals. Imprisoned and facing trial, Salazar has a way out - through his brother Hector. Jack must fight against his own drug addiction, which he is ... trying to kick and against the threat of a weaponised virus being unleashed in major US cities.
Kim is in a relationship with Jack's partner, Chase Edmonds, and is trying to convince him to tell Jack about the two of them. But he isn't sure he has the courage to do so, knowing how protective Jack is of his daughter.
Meanwhile, in Washington, President Palmer, recovered from an attempt on his life 3 years previously, is in a race to stay in power and faces a political crisis when his opponent gets personal with his girlfriend and also has to try and maintain the biological threat.
Season 3 is by far the best yet, with drama all round. Can CTU survive it's toughest day to date? Or will morale cave as Tony and Michelle fight to maintain their relationship, Jack fights against his habit and the President fights against political pressure. It's a race against time and only Jack Bauer can save the day.
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24 - Season 2 (DVD)
by Jeikobu88
Having tragically lost his wife at the hands of double-agent Nina Myers, Jack has retired from CTU and is in search of reconciliation with his daughter, who still is confused at the sudden loss of her mother. Suddenly, Jack gets a call from CTU who have discovered that terrorists on US soil have possession of a nuclear warhead and intend ... to use it before the end of the day. Back in his old job, Jack must struggle between his emotions to get revenge for his wife's murder and to save millions of lives from the imminent nuclear threat. Simultaneously, David Palmer, now President, faces a crisis of his own alongside the threat of the warhead, as members of his own administration set out to remove him from office.
A stunning second series, with every episode so full of twists each one feels like an M. Night Shyamalan film. Great performances all round. Elisha Cuthbert seems to drag her feet yet again however as Kim Bauer, but other than that, some great acting and heartfelt, tense storyline.
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