How much have you ever accomplished in one day? Caught up on all that paperwork? Got around to reading those classics on your list? Had a bit of a movie marathon?

Pfft, that’s nothing! Well, to Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) anyway. In 24 hours, the former CIA Agent accomplishes more than you could ever dream of in a lifetime.

Saving the world, torturing terrorists, going undercover and a whole lotta explosions are all in a day’s work for this man. And he does this for er… 8 days. No, not in a row! It’s still pretty impressive though, right?

If you’ve never seen 24, perhaps you might be unfamiliar with the format of the show.

I’ve had friends genuinely ask me why the show is titled “24”. And their reaction to my answer is always the same: “Oh! That makes sense.” Yes, 24 is so-called due to it’s format. Each episode is 60 minutes long (including commercials) and each season is 24 episodes long. You see what I’m getting at here? Perhaps the show’s most defining and indeed appealing features is the fact that it takes place in real-time. The multiple intertwining storylines are perfectly facilitated by the show’s frequent split-screen shots, something which has become 24’s most recognisable trait. That, and the simple “Beep, beep, beep, beep” that accompanies every episode (before and after commercial breaks, and one right at the end). I’m not ashamed to say that this simple sound is enough to get me excited. And once you get invested in the show (if you’re not already), I’m sure you’ll feel the same way.

In terms of plot there’s a lot going on. And I mean A LOT! The colossal amount of twists and turns the writers manage to pack into one season is something that must be applauded. Yes, it’s completely over the top, and some people might not fancy that. Those looking for something completely realistic may be out of luck with 24. Because, as close as it feels to the real thing sometimes, there’s still no denying that the storylines can be completely bonkers. But hey, for me that’s a good thing. And there’s plenty of people out there who will agree with me. Sure it’s over the top, but so what? That’s what makes it such damn good television!

Every season has more or less its own individual plot. This is something that is great about the show. You really could start watching it from any season. In fact, the first season I watched was Season 2 (still my personal favorite) and within an episode or two, I was in the loop and completely hooked. Without giving away plot details from any season, I will say that there is always lots of action, lots of backstabbing, lots of deaths, and there always seems to be a goddamn mole! The show is renowned for its epic plot twists, and by God it’s left me speechless on more than one occasion.

At times, 24 definitely feels like a one-man show. Obviously Jack is the main man. Things seem to revolve around him, and it is undoubtedly him who always saves the day in the end. However, the supporting characters should not be neglected. In fact, there is a heap of superbly crafted characters in the show. From first US black President David Palmer (he’ll always be the first American black President in my mind. Sorry Obama) to good agent/bad agent Nina Myers, there are some utterly brilliant characters to love. This is something which gave the first five seasons such a spark. We got to know these characters, cared for them and loved them. These seasons thrived on the supporting characters, and didn’t rely on Jack quite as much as the later seasons. Sure, Jack is fucking awesome. One of the biggest badasses in television history (You can quote me on that), but sometimes he can’t carry the show all on his own.

From Seasons 6 to 8, they threw some new characters in our faces and got rid of most of the old ones. Sure we still had Chloe and random appearances from some of our old favorites, but the new characters could never fill in the gaps. Although there are still good things to be said about the last 3 seasons, they could never match the older ones in terms of emotional connection with the characters. If that’s the sort of thing you’re looking for, you might want to give up on the show at the end of Season 5. It’s not like Lost or anything, where you have to watch the entire show through in search of a satisfying conclusion. Each season stands up well on its own, and ultimately it’s about the eight separate 24-hour journeys, rather than one big cohesive storyline.

As much as it might seem like I’m bashing Seasons 6 to 8, I still very much enjoyed them. Alright, 6 is undoubtedly the weakest of the bunch, and if you were to give up on it I would totally understand. It has some very good moments, like every season does, but ultimately the plot is pretty lame. 7 and 8 are much better in that domain, and 8 in particular is often like a “Greatest Hits” collection of all the previous seasons.
Essential watching for die-hard fans of the show.

All in all, 24 is one my favorite TV shows of all time. I bought some of the boxsets years ago, and became instantly addicted. If you don’t want a show that will eat up all your time, perhaps avoid 24 for the time being. But, if you want become totally invested in something intense, exciting and utterly thrilling, then 24 is right up your alley. I heartily recommend you to watch it on DVD. There’s nothing quite like ploughing your way through a season in a couple days. Trust me, it’s awesome.

Apparently there’s a big screen feature in the works, so keep an eye out for that.

You almost feel sorry for poor Jack, who never seems to get a chance to grab a burger or catch some Zs. Oh well…

   -- Joe O'Brien