24: Day Four, 9 - 11 a.m.
After Sunday night's high-octance, ratchet up the intensity two hours, I guess maybe I went into these two episodes expecting too much. Don't get me wrong--I still enjoyed the show and I'm hooked for all of day four (I've also managed to convert two new fans in my parents--esp. my mom who is now hooked!). I think the thing is that the first two hours were the dramatic hook and now we're slowly starting to get to know more about these characters, what their roles are in the new day and slowly setting up things that will pay off in later hours of the day.
I know a lot of people have made a big deal out of Jack's impulsive decision to stage the robbery in the convenience store to keep the terrorist there. And while it might seem a huge leap of logic had Jack had a couple of hours to sit around and think about it, it does make sense in the context of the clock is ticking and I've got to save my boss and the woman I love. Sure the plan doesn't make much sense, but this is 24 where we've made a six or so episode jaunt to Mexico that didn't seem to make much sense at the time. At least the robbery angle can be resolved and tossed aside quickly without it creating too much impact to the overall picture.
I also found myself thinking it's good that terrorists don't watch any repeats of American TV or get our movies over there. Heller mentions that he needs his medicine for his heart condition and ten minutes later he's faking a heart attack. Also, the logic of leaving only one guard on the guy--when from the chase scene it's obvious he's got quite a few men who could guard Heller and his daughter--made me wonder as well. I also wondered if the overall goal Heller would have here wasn't to get Audrey free, so why not separate? It would give the terrorists far more to worry about and it might mean one of them gets free.
Also, I guess no one who works at CTU can have a normal family. In an attempt to maybe show the human side of Driscoll or maybe to show why she's so harsh, we find out she's got a daughter who is schitozphrenic and doesn't always take her medication. I guess at least one person per season has to have some major family conflict come up to serve as a distraction. But it's also good to know that the fun in dysfunctional doesn't just extend to CTU people, but also the terrorists. Growing up, my parents never asked me to eliminate a girlfriend because she knew too much. Of course, my parents weren't terrorists either. But, yet, we still get along. I can only imagine that Behrooz just earned himself a lifetime of therapy. And can you see him taking home a girl later in life and telling her, "Don't drink the tea until we're sure Mom likes you."
So, day four is off to a good start. During season one, a friend of mine said he couldn't imagine watching more than two episodes in a row because the show was so intense and so much happened. I have to agree. I think part of the reason they went with the four hour premiere was so we wouldn't have a week to go--what the hell?!? about Jack's convience store robbery gambit. And while I loved the four hours in two nights gimmick, I have to admit that I really like my
24 in hour-segments. After two hours in a row, I found myself looking at the clock way too often after the show ended, wondering just what might happen next in my day. Thankfully, I haven't yet had a day nearly as intense as any of the four Jack Bauer has faced.
The Amazing Race
Show of hands--who else out there wanted to see Adam's diving suit burst and see him fly about like in an old Looney Tunes cartoon? I have to admit I was on the floor laughing when he couldn't go underwater in the diving suit. And how much you want to bet the guys at the Fast Forward were yanking his chain by making him complete the task. At the very least it gave them a story to tell about the stupid tourists for the rest of their lives.
You know, I think the Race needs to find a way to eliminate a couple and send them directly to therapy. I, once again, refer to Jonathan and Victoria. Of course, they may win the million bucks and spend it all on therapy or the divorce, one of the two. Seriously--is there a couple out there that communicates less? And they sure don't communicate in loud voices. Also, we are slowly seeing Hayden unravel. I knew she was a witch with a capital b with this thing started, but we're now seeing part of her true colors. Basically, what it's come down to is two team of one--Rebecca is one since Adam is about useless and Aaron is the other since Hayden is, well, Hayden.
posted by Michael Hickerson at 1/12/2005 08:34:00 AM |
|
