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The End of An Era – The Last Season of 24

JJT — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:00:30 +0000

Last week, the rumors about the impending cancellation of 24 became truth. This season–the eighth–will be the last one for what is my favorite television show. The show was pioneering with its real-time format, and in the first five seasons, some of the plot twists were truly unexpected.

I will certainly miss the show, but the last three seasons have admittedly been alternately good and bad, action-packed and ponderous. While this season has had some excellent character development in the relationship between Jack Bauer and Renee Walker, it has also introduced one of the the worst 24 subplots involving Dana Walsh, played by Katee Sackhoff.

This season has shown the limits of a drama that has reached a certain maturity in its story. Basically, the writers have been hard pressed to come up with a new challenge to Jack Bauer. Add to that its increasing cost and a desire to take the show to the big screen, and the decision makes sense.

So, it is with a heavy heart that I will take in the rest of Season 8. I look forward to the finale and other happy returns in the theater. Besides, imagine how much more foul-mouthed Jack could be on the big screen?

24 Season 8 Starts in 10 Days

JJT — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:10:36 +0000

After the holidays, my other favorite time of year has arrived. It is time for the premiere of 24. On Sunday, 17 January 2010 at 8:00 PM, the 24 geekfest will commence. My anticipation is starting to build.

The usual rules still apply while watching 24:

Do not bother me during an episode.
- No calls will be answered.
- No emails will be written.
- No tweets will be made.

Weekend Rundown

JJT — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:40:50 +0000

Yesterday, I thoroughly enjoyed the Ravens victory over the Titans. On some level, it seemed to remind me of the 2000 Playoffs where the Ravens travelled to Tennessee and left victorious over a heavily favored foe. Personally, my grandfather’s last visit to Baltimore and his only Ravens football game was the Titans game back in October. I am by no means a religious man, but I am going to postulate that there was some divine intervention at play.
Throughout the weekend, I was quite productive. Many things were done around and outside the house.
Tonight, I am getting together with some friends to watch the premiere of the 7th season of 24. I am pretty pumped for the return of Jack Bauer.

Never Have Truer Words Been Drawn

JJT — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:45:49 +0000

My anticipation of the premiere of 24 continues to grow. Thanks to thejacksack.com, I have other ways to corroborate my enthusiasm. (There have been three sets of e-cards like the one below.)

I have never watched nor cared for Heroes. With the return of 24, though, I now have no reason to ever consider it.

24: Season 7

JJT — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:37:00 +0000

In less than one week, I finally get to quench my entertainment thirst. The new (and seventh) season of 24 begins with a two night premiere.

As the biggest 24 geek, I will be firmly planted in front of my TV, watching the DVR recording of this bit of awesomeness.

24: Redemption

JJT — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:35:20 +0000

Finally, after waiting to hear and read something about the upcoming 24 two-hour movie, my questions were answered while watching football yesterday. Needless to say, my 24 geekdom is totally jazzed for this.

The return of 24 coupled with the final season of The Shield, and I just might turn into a minor couch potato this fall

The Cell Phone: A Faustian Bargain

JJT — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:59:55 +0000

In my recent rash of book reading, I finished 24 and Philosophy. One of the essays–”How the Cell Phone Changed the World and Made 24″–details the effect that modern technology has in our harried lives.

One of the more interesting quotes from the essay was:

“We understand the necessity of schizophrenia, quadrophenia, or
whatever it takes to get you through the night. And we only understand
this because we have the necessary accessory to the splintered
life, the cell phone.

The phone that keeps us together. Keeps our illusions tabulated.
Keeps our data, our dates, our birthdays, our important memos, our
urgent must-do lists. Keeps us amused with games in between all that
seriousness.”

So, for all of the benefits that modern technology–and the cell phone–have brought us, it has also made our lives more splintered. We are always expected to be available at all times. We have indeed made a Faustian bargain with these little things we use every day.

24 Season Two: The Musical

JJT — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:43:03 +0000

After a brief interlude of navel-gazing, here’s something more entertaining I spotted via MeFi yesterday.

24 Season Two: The Musical Indeed, satisfying the need of every 24 fan everywhere as they await Season 7 in early 2009! Note the appearance of the infamous cougar.

I have to even admit that the MP3s at the site were pretty entertaining.

Feeding the Need

JJT — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:09:48 +0000

While I was preparing for my time at jury duty last week, I decided to buy some books in advance of my interminable wait. My book purchase was going to feed a need–specifically, my need for some 24. The writer’s strike postponed a new season of 24 until January 2009, and much like any addict prevented from enjoying their vice, I am suffering a bit of withdrawal.

A bit of Googling gave me a couple of leads, and I promptly hit the local Barnes & Noble. I picked up the following 24-themed books:

The first two and last books of this list are works of fiction, and I will admit to the last book being an impulse buy. The third book, though, has been an interesting read. Very similar to another book I have–The Simpsons and Philosophy–it takes the issues and characters in the show and examines them through various essays applying different philosophical ideas and notions. So far, it has been quite enjoyable.

I will admit to a bit of fanboism here, but I really miss my usual Monday night ritual and truly needed something to fill the gap. The fiction novels were very quick reads, and it was nice to partake in some mindless reading, something I have not done in a while.

Delusions of (Fake) Grandeur

JJT — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:48:39 +0000

I have often professed my love for 24 here on this blog, but I can assure you that I had nothing to do with this news report. Even I would not stoop to such a level.

The best quote:

“Sullivan followed and tried to assault him, according to charging documents. He’s a terrorist!” Sullivan shouted, according to charging documents. My name is Jack Bowers [Bauer] and I work for the FBI and the Secret Service. My wife and family was kidnapped by the president and terrorist,” according to charging documents.”

Hell, I would at least get the plotlines right of the different seasons and get the character’s name right. I would have at least made it a bit more realistic by having the JackSack.