24 - Season Five (Slim-Pack) starring
Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn
Rajskub, Kim Raver, Jean Smart,
James Morrison (II)
Back To Its Political Roots
Arguably the series best season to date, season 5 of 24 literally starts with
a bang and never lets up, with an intricate executive-level conspiracy to
control Central Asias oil supply. Piling crisis upon crisis in an esca lating
series of deceptions, twists, and deeply hidden agendas, the day -long
ordeal begins with a devastating political assassination connected to a
disgraced former CTU agent (Peter Weller) and a radical group of Russian
separatists (led by British actor Julian Sands) threatening to release lethal
nerve gas in Los Angeles to protest a U.S./Russian treaty about to be
signed by President Charles Logan (Gregory Itzin). As Logans unstable
wife Martha (Jean Smart), Secret Service agent Aaron Pierce (Glenn
Morshower), and chief of staff Mike Novick (Jude Ciccolella) gradually
uncover the conspiracy, CTU maverick Jack Bauer (series star Kiefer
Sutherland) emerges from self-imposed exile to aid his CTU colleagues in
a life-threatening quest for the truth. Meanwhile, CTU chief Bill Buchanan
(James Morrison) is thwarted by an inexperienced, overbearing superior
(Sean Astin) and an executive takeover of CTU led by Homeland Security
chief Karen Hayes (Jayne Atkinson), forcing Bauer and his CTU loyalists to
go dark and work independently to honor the memory of a slain friend and
leader. Also figuring in are CTUs resident hacker-nerd extraordinaire,
Chloe OBrian (played to perfection by Mary Lynn Rajskub), Bauers
estranged daughter (Elisha Cuthbert), and his beloved CTU co lleague
Audrey Raines (Kim Raver). Pivoting on a declaration of martial law and a
mysterious cabal of unnamed conspirators, Day 5 shocked even loyal 24
fans with a high body count including several important supporting
characters. It all adds up to an exc eptional season that earned Sutherland
a well-deserved Emmy (for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series),
equally deserving Emmy nominations for Itzin and Sharp, and an Emmy
win for co-executive producer Jon Cassars direction of the riveting season
premiere. And while the breathtaking twists of 24 dont always hold up to
intense scrutiny, these 24 episodes (running about 43 minutes each) are
tightly written and flawlessly directed with an involving emphasis on thriller
plotting and dramatic focus on the complex and operatically tragic
relationship between President Logan and his traumatized wife. Add it all
up, and youve got an addictive reason to look forward to season 6. --Jeff
Shannon On the DVDs
Discs 1-6 contain four episodes each, with several episodes including
optional viewing of extended or alternate takes of selected scenes. A total
of 12 full-length episode commentaries are provided by 24s primary cast
and crew, allowing listeners a comprehensive appreciation of the series
extended family of talent, along with a wealth of production anecdotes,
revealing observations about plotting and character, and a welcome
overview of individual personalities and contributions. Disc 7 is packed with
features, beginning with a season 6 prequel that offers a tantalizing
glimpse of things to come, with an interrogation and escape scenario set
seven months after the events of Day 5; by comparison, the season 6
trailer offers little more than a recap of season 5. The featurettes are all
well-crafted and worth a look, beginning with a Supporting Players profile
of 24s extended cast (including some surprising glimpses of their off -
screen hobbies and activities); a detailed documentary about 24s
innovative and hard-working camera crew; a profile of music composer
Sean Callery, who demonstrates his versatile mood-setting techniques; a
detailed exploration of the Presidential Retreat set with production
designer Jonathan Hodges and colleagues; a 100th Episode Reel wi th
tightly-edited clips from seasons 1-5; and a sampling of cast and crew
photos from 24: Behind the Scenes, a picture book published in November
2006. Kudos to Sparkhill Productions for continuing to provide 24 bonus
features as well-made as the series itself. --Jeff Shannon Beyond 24:
Season 5
More Edge-of-your-Seat TV DVDs
24: Seasons 1-5
24: Behind the Scenes (Paperback)
Stills from 24: Season 5
While Season One of 24 focused much of its attention on President David
Palmer, Seasons 2-4 saw the Oval Office by and large take a back seat to
the missions of Jack Bauer and CTU. However, Season Five brings some
of the attention back to the sitting U.S. President (this time Charles Logan)
and ends up with a much more well-rounded storyline.
For a basic (non-spoilery) plot summary, a group of Russian terrorists
threaten to release canisters of nerve gas in the U.S., leading Bauer to be
reprieved from his thought-to-be death in order to help stop the crisis. As
CTU begins investigating the terrorism, however, it quickly becomes clear
that the terrorists are working with a high-ranking government official, and
the conspiracy begins to be unraveled.
To be honest, at first I was skeptical of all the focus on President Logan, as
didnt like his character and wasnt sure that he could command the camera
as well as his predecessor Palmer. However, by the end of the season,
Logan is easily the most enjoyable/interesting character on the show. His
acting, along with his wife, chief of staff, and head of security, really gives
the show the Presidential presence it lacked since that first season.
Of course, there is still more than enough of Jack Bauer and his fellow
CTU agents (Audrey Rains, Bill Buchanon, Edgar Stiles, Chloe OBrien,
etc.) to go around, which means that intense drama ensues in every single
episode. The writers have an amazing way to take a character that looks
like a creep (think Tony Almeida and George Mason in the early seasons)
and, by the end of a few episodes, have him become a noble hero, and
that tradition continues in this season as well.
The only knock I have on this season is that the cliffhanger endings of
each episodes arent quite as shocking (e.g. Nina Myers doesnt appear out
of nowhere). However, I think that was more of a creative choice by the
writers, as the story is actually more coherent that any season besides the
first one. Instead of seemingly changing the plot of the show with every
episode, Season Five slowly crescendos until the big finale.
So, fans of 24 can purchase this season with confidence knowing that they
will still get their action, drama, suspense, and some great twists and turns
along the way.
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