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vashti1999 · 01-07-2005, 10:33 AM

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com

Big, big hand for new clock

Friday, January 7th, 2005

24. Sunday & Monday, 8 p.m., Fox.
Three and a half stars out of four

After an eight-month absence, the real-time adventure series "24" returns this weekend - with a fourth season, with a vengeance.

By holding back "24" until January, Fox has enough episodes to run the show weekly throughout the May sweeps. Not only that, but enough left over to kick off the run with a pair of two-hour shows, presented Sunday and Monday nights at 8.

That allows for an unprecedented amount of momentum before "24" settles into its new night Mondays at 9. Viewers who watch the dual episodes - and all viewers should, because "24" remains one of the most enjoyable dramas on TV - ought to be hooked for the long haul, wondering how Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer will save the world again, one hour at a time.

Because the new narrative is established in the opening minutes, it's not spoiling anything to reveal that the fourth season of "24" begins, so far as the lives of the characters are concerned, 18 months after the last one ended. There's a new boss at the Counter Terrorist Unit, Erin Driscoll - whose first order of business, apparently, was to fire Jack for his heroin addiction.

But as "24" begins, Jack is as happy as we've ever seen him. He's in love with Audrey (Kim Raver), a romance that's kept under wraps because her father, James Heller (played by William Devane), is secretary of state. And because the Fox promos already have made this clear, it's no secret that, very early into this season of "24," Heller and his daughter are kidnapped by terrorists.

This, of course, sends Jack straight into the fray, whether or not he gets any authorization or assistance from his old friends and adversaries at CTU. His scenes with Alberta Watson, as CTU chief Driscoll, are especially fiery.

Sutherland has mastered this show's emotional rhythms, and can maintain a fever pitch without continually going over the top. Every bit his match, this season, is Devane, whose combative attitude as the kidnapped cabinet member gives "24" the most intensity it's ever had when Sutherland himself isn't on the screen.

Adding to the tension is this year's uncomfortably topical plot: a stateside terrorist cell of Mideast terrorists, fronted by a seemingly respectable middle-class family. Nestor Serrano plays the father, deep-voiced Shohreh Aghdashloo plays the mother and Jonathan Ahdout plays the conflicted son.

Other new players include Lukas Haas and Aisha Tyler, as an ambitious scientist who worms her way into the CTU investigation. Missing in action, at least for the first four hours, are several familiar faces - and in the fourth hour, sadly, we get an echo of one of the show's all-time low points when Driscoll's clinically depressed daughter calls in, off her medication and causing a significant distraction when she suddenly disappears.

Let's just hope she doesn't end up being chased by cougars - and that "24," this season, keeps its focus on the main characters and story lines. With a start this strong, there's no reason to stray.

01-07-2005, 10:33 AM	#1
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Big, big hand for new clock New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com Big, big hand for new clock Friday, January 7th, 2005 24. Sunday & Monday, 8 p.m., Fox. Three and a half stars out of four After an eight-month absence, the real-time adventure series "24" returns this weekend - with a fourth season, with a vengeance. By holding back "24" until January, Fox has enough episodes to run the show weekly throughout the May sweeps. Not only that, but enough left over to kick off the run with a pair of two-hour shows, presented Sunday and Monday nights at 8. That allows for an unprecedented amount of momentum before "24" settles into its new night Mondays at 9. Viewers who watch the dual episodes - and all viewers should, because "24" remains one of the most enjoyable dramas on TV - ought to be hooked for the long haul, wondering how Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer will save the world again, one hour at a time. Because the new narrative is established in the opening minutes, it's not spoiling anything to reveal that the fourth season of "24" begins, so far as the lives of the characters are concerned, 18 months after the last one ended. There's a new boss at the Counter Terrorist Unit, Erin Driscoll - whose first order of business, apparently, was to fire Jack for his heroin addiction. But as "24" begins, Jack is as happy as we've ever seen him. He's in love with Audrey (Kim Raver), a romance that's kept under wraps because her father, James Heller (played by William Devane), is secretary of state. And because the Fox promos already have made this clear, it's no secret that, very early into this season of "24," Heller and his daughter are kidnapped by terrorists. This, of course, sends Jack straight into the fray, whether or not he gets any authorization or assistance from his old friends and adversaries at CTU. His scenes with Alberta Watson, as CTU chief Driscoll, are especially fiery. Sutherland has mastered this show's emotional rhythms, and can maintain a fever pitch without continually going over the top. Every bit his match, this season, is Devane, whose combative attitude as the kidnapped cabinet member gives "24" the most intensity it's ever had when Sutherland himself isn't on the screen. Adding to the tension is this year's uncomfortably topical plot: a stateside terrorist cell of Mideast terrorists, fronted by a seemingly respectable middle-class family. Nestor Serrano plays the father, deep-voiced Shohreh Aghdashloo plays the mother and Jonathan Ahdout plays the conflicted son. Other new players include Lukas Haas and Aisha Tyler, as an ambitious scientist who worms her way into the CTU investigation. Missing in action, at least for the first four hours, are several familiar faces - and in the fourth hour, sadly, we get an echo of one of the show's all-time low points when Driscoll's clinically depressed daughter calls in, off her medication and causing a significant distraction when she suddenly disappears. Let's just hope she doesn't end up being chased by cougars - and that "24," this season, keeps its focus on the main characters and story lines. With a start this strong, there's no reason to stray.
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