We begin with signs of problems everywhere; terrorism has brought the national security threat level to Red. But this being 24, it’s actually all normal. And other occurrences we accept as normal - Wayne Brady/Palmer (D.B. Woodside) is now our President. Karen Hayes (Jayne Atkinson) has a new job - she’s now a national security advisor to the President. She also has a nicer hairdo and a husband, Bill Buchanan (James Morrison)!
So far, we have not seen any signs of Mike Novick, but there is a new advisor in town, Tom Lennox, played by Peter MacNicol, whom I remember best as nutty attorney John Cage, Calista Flockhart’s law partner on Ally McBeal. So far, he has none of Gage’s little ticks or other oddities. However, he is shaping up to be someone who will challenge CTU. We do not like this.
Speaking of CTU, I don’t recognize anyone except for Bill and Curtis. Actually they are not even at CTU, instead they are both on their way to meet Jack. (I know! Amazing! More on that in a moment.) Oh, but here is Chloe O’Brian, looking smart with longer hair and a darkish suit-type outfit. Yeah Chloe! And not far behind is that roughish, charming, ball of fun known as Morris O’Brian (Carlo Rota), Chloe’s surprise of an ex-husband. Evidently he decided that CTU and/or Chloe needed him more than the shoe department of Saks Fifth Avenue. Yeah, and there’s that dude Milo (Eric Balfour). I know he was shown at CTU back a few seasons ago, but I don’t really remember him. It’s going to take a bit for me to stop thinking of him as Gabe, Claire Fisher’s druggie boyfriend from Six Feet Under.
There’s also some chick named Nadia, who, though not annoying actually, seems to be mildly butting heads with our Chloe. We don’t like that. But she speaks Arabic, s’pose she may be useful as this already long day progresses. The phone still rings the same way, but I see no Red Shirts/White Shirts or obvious security type gents strolling the halls. We’re looking forward to their uniform choice.
So, what exactly IS going on so far? Well, of course, we all remember that Jack Bauer was being held (and presumably tortured) in a nasty Chinese prison. And, we also know that he will overcome that situation, but how?Here’s how: A terrorist baddie named Abu Fayed is willing to help the U.S. by ‘giving’ them this other terrorist dude named Hamri Al-Assad - in exchange for Jack Bauer. Supposedly Jack killed Fayed’s brother a while back, and Fayed wants his pound of flesh. And what flesh he gets!
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Indeed, where are the other four? Bet you a Grande Cappucino that our boy Jack's going to start looking for them. Way to go, Jack!
2 - Mat Brewster
You're quite the work horse, Mary. That was a very long (if quite fun) rundown. This will be my first season of actually watching the show in its television run (as opposed to DVD.) I'm not sure I'm up to having to wait for new episodes!
3 - Mary K. Williams
Well we can have the coffee regardless. Even though Jack will rule entirely.
4 - Mary K. Williams
Thanks Sir Brewster. It WAS long, huh? Next one's should be much shorter. Even though (as you know) I can get a little wordy ; )
5 - Mat Brewster
I was really expecting you to dish on what Jack was wearing, and how he should really exfoliate after he get back from Chinese prison.
6 - Matt
I thought Kal Penn was a real weak link of these early hours. Stick to comedy, Kumar.
7 - Victor Lana
Note to Matt: I agree Kal was weak, but he has managed the funniest line of the first four hours when he fumes about the way his name is said. Now all we need is for them to bring back Behrooz (from Season 4). I'd say he's still in the van with Curtis, but we finally know where Curtis is for a change.
Note to Mary K: I wonder if Audrey got herself a new white coat yet.
8 - Mary K. Williams
Mat -
I actually WAS going to talk more about wardrobe and cosmetics.I had a hard time with these 4 hours.
9 - Mary K. Williams
and to Matt (Not 'Mat')
I thought Kal did OK, I'll look forward to seeing him in further dramatic roles.
And Vic- Wasn't Jack wearing white after he got out of that Chinese outfit? I hated how he had his shirt buttoned right up to his eyeballs. Looked like the ultimate nerd.
10 - Victor Lana
I think that button-up collar was a metaphor for death. You dress up a corpse, sometimes in white. It was like Jack was ready for death.
11 - Nancy
Attorney Karen Palmer? That reads as though she is the sister of one of the two brothers who are and were Commander-in-Chief. I was also under the impression Chad Lowe was in this. Evidently not, or perhaps not yet.
12 - Mary K. Williams
Nancy, it should read that way. I actually spelled it out a couple sentences further in.
Chad Lowe is supposed to be appearing, as well as other notables; James Cromwell, Powers Booth, Rick Schroder, even Gregory Itzin and Jean Smart are stopping by for more fun and intrigue in this Season Six.