Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Disk 3 is the crucial one.
Being a big fan of this show I was thrilled when season one was released on DVD. In my opinion, the episodes on disk 3 are most important (and also most entertaining) to all viewers, whether you are watching this series all over again or just watching it for the first time, because not until now does its intriguing plot begin to unfold, and boy does it unfold in a brilliant manner. I had to watch episode 12 twice in a row and enjoyed every minute (yeah, some pun intended) of the initial and intense confrontations between four main characters, Jack/David and Teri/Nina. We rarely see television actors perform their roles this well, trust me. Actually I gotta say that I am kind of disappointed about Penny Johnson being cast as Sherry Palmer and Vicellous Reon Shannon as Keith Palmer, but I am totally amazed at the performances of Kiefer Sutherland, Dennis Haysbert, Leslie Hope and Sarah Clarke, as Jack Bauer, David Palmer, Teri Bauer and Nina Myers, respectively.
Rating:  - All In A Days Work...
As a television viewer, I tend to watch shows that break all the rules, in terms of plot and execution. Any program that promises to break "New Ground", I am willing to give it a fair shot, I mean after all most shows on T.V. today, have a certain "sameness" to them. How many cop, lawyer, medical shows can their be? 24 has become one of my favorite shows, for the simple fact that for most of its first season, it kept me interested and entertained Its real time aspect was the hook, but the storyline and pulse-pounding weekly cliffhangers, kept me coming back week after week.Special Counter Terrorism Agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) and his team, learn of an assination plot to kill Senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) on the day of the California Presidential Primary. Fellow Agent Nina Meyers (Sarah Clarke) tells Jack that their is also a mole within the Counter Terrorism Unit that is working against them. Jack's wife Teri, (Leslie Hope) is out looking for their missing daughter, Kim (Elisha Cuthbert), who snuck out of the house, shortly before Jack got the call to report to work.. Throughout the season Sutherland puts in some amazing work as Bauer, as does Haysbert as Palmer, who has some family problems of his own to deal with, as the day wears on. Of the female cast members, Cuthbert and recurring guest star, Penny Johnson Jerald, as Palmer's wife Sherry get high marks from me. Every hour brings with it at least one surprise. As a whole the idea and story sustain itself very well. Even when some episodes aren't quite as good, as others, the show is STILL better than most stuff on the tube. I am not bothered at all by the serialized aspect of 24. As I said, as long as it stays a quality show, I plan to stick with it. There were a few mis-steps, among the quality stuff. Casting Dennis Hopper and Lou Diamond Phillips in the series as Guest Stars was lopsided at best but can be overlooked. The DVD box set allows you to catch up with all of the first season action of this great show...But the set is not as good as it could (or should) be. In an effort to woo potential viewers for season 2, FOX rushed the set into production, so the set is lacking in some areas *The episodes "Previously On 24" recap segments have been edited out of the set for some reason.
*Kiefer Sutherland's introduction appears on disc 6/ The 2nd season preview promised on the box, offers nothing in terms of footage, just generalities that don't say much/the preview and introduction are one and the same and why put it on the last disc? It's a bit misleading, if you ask me.
*The only real extra (again on the last disc) in the set is an alternate ending to the last hour. All I can say is, the ending that was used, makes for a better conclusion to the first season Thank goodness the producers used the one in the final version instead of the alternate one. The other ending has a commentary option from one of the show's creator's
*There's a booklet included that give a summary of each hour of the day (ho-hum) The show gets a 5 star rating for sure, while the set, gets just 4 Recommended just the same. I have high hopes for season 2...The clock continues to tick...
Rating: - The Best Show on Network TV
It's very fortunate that FOX had the guts to give this ground breaking and unique show such a publicity push and made it the networks prestige show. It certainly deserves it. Putting the first season on DVD was an even better idea, as 24 enjoys the support of a loyal group of viewers.24 is a collection of 24 hour long episodes, that takes place in chronologic order over one day. Sounds crazy, and it must have seemed even wilder to TV execs who think putting a gay character on a comedy show is a big "risk". 24 comes together wonderfully however, continuity problems a distant memory. The day is centered around anti terrorist agent Jack Bauer, played expertly by Kiefer Sutherland (who deserves the Emmy award). Jack becomes embroiled in a complex and fiendish plot which involves Serbian mercenaries, a soon to be President African American, and Jacks own family. Senator Palmer is a great presence, but his devious and ambitious wife is even better. The story has many twists and turns, while the show stays sharp to the very end. Nothing is as it seems, traitors and tricks abound throughout the 24 episodes. The last episode is one of the best hours of television you are ever going to watch, with Jacks final confrontation with his arch nemesis, Victor Drazen (Dennis Hopper). I don't want to give anything away, but the finale proves that this show is not afraid to take risks that other series would never dream of. Season 2 on October 29th. Buy the DVD to tide you over until then.
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