Posted on 03 May 2010
By Sean Willey
After eight seasons of 24, Kiefer Sutherland and company will finally call it quits. Fortunately for fans of the Fox sitcom, a film is in the works.
After 9/11, TV adopted an anything goes philosophy and viewers were willing to accept it. 24’s groundbreaking format features seasons which take place in one day, and all the action occurs in real-time. The show is renowned for its use of split-screen technology, giving it the potential to advance several plotlines at once. With 177 total nominations and 20 wins, including two Golden Globes and 18 Emmys, 24 has solidified itself in TV history.
Ultimately, 24 will be remembered for its central character, Jack Bauer – a parallel to James Bond. Reviving his career through Jack Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland has created one of the most distinct characters ever. Creators Robert Cochran and Joel Surnow’s vision to intertwine a diverse cast of characters around the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) agent has created a cult-like following. While punches and politics are big, the real attraction to the show is its underlying philosophy: our lives are filled with sacrifice.
Bonded by patriotism, Jack has lost everything, including his wife, friends, and daughter (for a couple of years). Day-after-day he is thrust into a scene that pushes his humanity to the edge.
In season one, fans were propelled through an assassination attempt against presidential candidate David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert). After Jack’s wife Teri (Leslie Hope) was killed by his right-hand woman Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke), all seemed hopeless. Season two returned with another terrorist plot, and allowed for a terrifying look at just how far Jack was willing to go to save his country.
Season three saw the evolution of the sassy Chloe O’Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub), Jack’s eyes and ears within CTU. Instantly a fan-favorite duo, Jack and Chloe’s friendship has survived every situation imaginable. As Jack dealt with his own demons, the season saw two office romances evolve. Jack learned one valuable lesson: in his job, you can’t get attached.
Arguably, the most action-packed season of 24 was followed by the lowest-rated season, number six.
After six seasons, everyone knew Jack could kick ass. Therefore, Cochran and Surnow decided to mix it up.24: Redemption, the made-for-TV movie filmed in Africa, transcended the show in a more diplomatic direction, dealing with the issue of human rights.
Virtuously forced out of retirement in season eight, Bauer again uncovered an international conspiracy. Set in New York City, the most climatic point thus far has been the romance of Jack and Renee. Now, with only five episodes until the finale on May 24, and a severely pissed-off Jack, there is no telling how far he will go for justice. The season has masterfully explored the difficulty of establishing peace in a complex and changing world.
When news broke that 24 wasn’t renewing its contract with FOX, fans were hurt. Sutherland and the creators also just couldn’t let go, so they decided to launch Jack Bauer onto the big screen. Billy Ray (State of Play) has completed the script, which could go into production later this year. The only details given: it will abandon the real-time aspect and an entire day will take place in just two hours.
Hold tight Jack, the longest days of your life are almost over.
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