So now we know what makes this fourth season of 24 different from the previous three installments: it's not Jack Bauer's really long, really bad day--it's Audrey Raines' really long, really bad day.
In case you've lost track (or haven't been paying attention), let's review what Mrs. Raines has been through so far today:
1) Kidnapped by terrorists.
2) Attempted double suicide with father via asphyxiation.
3) Husband accused of collaboration with aforementioned terrorists.
4) Husband tortured by boyfriend.
5) Husband shot.
6) Boyfriend kidnapped by terrorists.
And we still have nine hours to go. Compared to Audrey, Jack is actually having a good day.
That aside, the show's writers have actually devised a clever way to keep things interesting. In previous seasons, there was only one major crisis to be averted, accented by a several small personal emergencies that might or might not end up leading back to the "A" plotline.
In Day 4, it's just one major disaster after another, which results in an element of surprise, but also in ever increasing incredulity among the viewers. From the get-go, it appeared that the kidnapping of Secretary of Defense Heller was going to be the primary crisis to be dealt with.
But wait--it turns out that was only the inciting incident. Just like that, the focus shifted to the meltdown of more than 100 nuclear reactors around the country.
But wait--that was only a diversionary tactic as well. The current crisis apparently involves a man posing as an Air Force pilot who is about to take off in what appears to be some sort of stealth aircraft. So far, there has only been talk of a "target," but it's pretty clear that said target is likely to be Air Force One, on which we've seen the President and his staff throughout the season.
But wait--the promos for the next episode promise a twist so shocking that "it will change everything."
How much longer can we willingly suspend our disbelief?
Apparently, at least until next week.
Article comments
1 - Al Barger
I'm not finding the suspension of disbelief very hard. Granted, this is an especially ambitious terrorist, with this many balls in the air, but it's all hanging together pretty well.
Perhaps the worst one problem I've usually had with suspending disbelief with this series has been the amount of pure physical punishment Jack absorbs, and keeps going. He's in a plane wreck, gets a stick through his leg, gets tortured to death and brought back, then walks it off. They've been much more reasonable this season with how much beating up Jack can take.
2 - Temple Stark
What's been most striking so far about this series - despite all the pre-show talk - is how completely ineffective every single instance of torture has been.
The kid. The mom, Defense Secretary's son, Audrey's husband Paul, the hot CTU lady who was fired. Every single instance - yielded nothing. One would almost think they're trying to make a point here.
3 - Al Barger
Note also that they have specifically tortured at least THREE totally innocent people this season.
4 - SFC Ski
I had to last night's episode, unfortunately. Looks like I will be waiting for the Season 4 box set, jsut like I have watched the past 3 seasons.
5 - Sean Hackbarth
But when will we see Kim?
6 - T-Square
Hopefully never!
7 - Eric Olsen
I think the writing this time has been astonishing and we have been glued longer and harder than any other season - more detailed realism involving the characters, too. Jack is less the superman this time and is getting more help.
The one element of disbelief that is starting to creep into my mind is cost: this is one expensive terrorist operation and I wonder how it is being funded. there would absolutely HAVE to be a money trail for something as extensive as this
8 - Temple Stark
Osama was / is a billionare.
There are at least three "I call bullshit" moments in each episode. Still really enjoyable.
9 - Eric Olsen
the money issue is really two things: where would so much money come from? And, there would have to be a trail of this much moving around
10 - SFC Ski
Well, Eric, it's that the money transactions would not necessarily say, "MOney From Terrorists" on the tag.
The Treasury Dept has some interesting parts to play in GWoT as well as criminal money laundering.
11 - Eric Olsen
I'm saying once some of the players became known, including the big defense contracting company tha waged private warfare against an agency of the federal government and the city of Los Angeles, they would have swarmed over every dime
12 - David Meek
Previous comment: "What's been most striking so far about this series - despite all the pre-show talk - is how completely ineffective every single instance of torture has been."
This is mostly true, with one glaring exception -- the captured terrorist from the start of the season (who we never see again). Jack puts a slug into his thigh, and finds out that the (initial) target was Heller. Even so, I'm in agreement with the fundamental point.
13 - Aaman
It looks like they dropped the early Internet meltdown storyline - or morphed it into a subplot of the nuclear meltdown storyline.
Big plothole - nuclear devices have gone off in the States and it's life as usual on LA streets? Then again, maybe it would be life as usual on LA streets.
And we've lost, permanently, the Iranian MILF:( and the painful kid & the exasperating CTU head - but Cloey's back::)