As Season 5 of 24 moves toward what I believe will be its inevitably bloody climax, I am reminded of what an old professor said about Shakespeare’s plays. He loved them very much, of course, but was bothered by the time it took to get to the final scene. Mostly, I think the thing that annoyed him was waiting for the climax and then not having nearly enough time to process what followed it (even though he may have seen the play hundreds of times).
Anyone who has seen Hamlet should understand this, feeling that time between the young prince’s death and Horatio’s famous line about angels singing him to rest is like a few seconds. Considering the ponderous length of all that has preceded it, something doesn’t seem equitable about that.
24 brings this kind of Shakespearian baggage to the screen, and not just because of the length of twenty-four episodes we’ve watched this season, but due to all 120 episodes we will have watched (sometimes many times more than once on DVD) going back to Season 1. This kind of extended arc is like a series of acts in an incredibly long play, but really can be more easily compared to the length of a sometimes-laborious novel that we still love to read (and maybe skip more than a few chapters along the way).
In the end we still have our stalwart hero, Jack Bauer, and though he’s lost too many people in previous seasons but particularly in this one, he is now more than ever poised to be like good old Hamlet: ready to take on all comers, to leave the stage littered with corpses, to not only capture the conscience of the king but to bring him down with an unceremonious thud.
Last night we learned that the damaging evidence on the recording had been erased by slimy Miles (Touchy Feely Guy). Jack, Chloe, and company figure this out in a relatively fast manner, and before we know it Jack is giving Touchy Feely the old neck choke and slamming him against the wall. Touchy Feely, no doubt preferring to be on the giving end of such contact, squirms as Karen (Cruella Now In Love with Bill) screams at Jack and begs him to release the little twerp.
Jack reluctantly does so, and Touchy triumphantly tells them he no longer works there. Jack instantly surmises he works for Lowguns, and storms off to join Chloe and Bill.
Meanwhile, in one of the sweetest little moments that are in keeping with the best ones in 24 tradition, Cruella tells off the slime bag Touchy and gives him a swift little bitch slap that he’s been deserving all along. Touchy grabs his coat and briefcase and stalks off into the night of curfew, perhaps heading toward the presidential retreat or to the closest swamp he can slither into. Back in the Sit Rom (Situation Room), they all try to deal with the compromised recording and Cruella cancels the arranged meeting with the Attorney General.
Article comments
1 - Jeff
Excellent point about getting to the finale, and the fact that all the seasons that have gone before seem like part of this season as well.
I like the White Audrey symbolism too!
2 - swingingpuss
Vic, great review of a saga I am losing interest in and yet watching out of habit. A slight correction- Henderson hadnt cut Audrey's arm. Her father's agent had done it for the recording.
3 - i think you're wrong
First of all, to the comment above or below me whatever, Henderson did cut audreys arm for the recording it wasn't her fathers men. Secondly, i think 24 is an amazing show and it takes a lot of work to make something like that seem so real. It's captivating and yes, some points are unrealistic but that is why it is called TV.
4 - Victor Lana
Swing, I saw the episode 3X and it is definitely Henderson who, while holding Audrey prisoner in the hangar at the airport, cuts her artery and trades her life for the tape from Jack.
5 - swingingpuss
You're right Vic, it was Henderson, guess I got mixed up. My bad:)
6 - Victor Lana
That's understandable, Swing. Things are very hectic on the show this season. I find it to be the fastest-paced season of all five, though I still feel Season 1 had the best narrative and most surprises. Now, we're sort of used to what to expect (most of the time).
I really think Season 6 has to be out of the box (and definitely OUT of LA). Jack needs to spread his wings. I also think they should go to a new format: 24 days or something. They need to get out of the 24 hour format and explore new things. It could be a nice change of pace.
And talk about cast changes. M*A*S*H lost McLean Stevenson and Wayne Rogers after Season 3 and everyone said that was too much, but 24 has never been afraid to get rid of cast members. This year a number have already been killed off, and I'm expecting a bloodbath next week (though I could be wrong).
7 - Mary K. Williams
Awesome stuff Victor. You always find these great analogies, eg this week's Hamlet theme.
Mine is in pending right now, but you'll see we picked up on some similiar points.
The Bitch Slap Rules!
8 - Victor Lana
Mary K, the "Bitch Slap" was just not enough for Miles, but I think he will get his in grand fashion. My hope is that he doesn't fly to DC and instead goes over to the ranch. He might get lucky and step in front of a bullet fired by Pierce. If not, when old Jack gets him he's going to wish he were dead.
9 - Mary K. Williams
get yer popcorn ready!!
10 - Victor Lana
Mary K., I am increasingly bothered by Henderson's line to Jack: "You can't touch them but they can touch you." Jack doesn't care about dying himself (Henderson knows that). So what does get to Jack? Family. Friends.
I have a feeling Audrey's shirt is going to turn crimson and little Kim is going to wish she were in jail.
Now, think how ballistic Jack will go if something happens like that.
11 - Mary K. Williams
Remind me Victor, If I'm ever asked to play a role on that show - when wardrobe consults with me - NO WHITE! Talk about your kiss of death!
Yeah, what Henderson said, would love to know what or who is behind Graham and his Gang of Four
12 - Jeff
Hopefully Kim's new boyfriend followed Jack's advice and left the city a long time ago.