'24' Jacks up the action in fifth season

[vashti1999]

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

'24' Jacks up the
action in fifth season

Friday, January 13th, 2006

by David Bianculli

Four stars


24. Sunday and Monday nights at 8, Fox.

When "24" returns for its fifth season, it doesn't just hit the ground running.

It hits the ground like a bullet train, then soars into space with the speed and determination of a guided missile.

Fox sent out the first four hours for review, and they zipped by in what felt like four breathless minutes. No surprises will be revealed here, because they're all too good to spoil. My only job, at this point in the season-long day that is the narrative thread of "24," is to let you know whether this fifth go-round for Kiefer Sutherland's overworked and presumed-dead Jack Bauer possibly can match what has come before.

Four hours in, living up to past standards no longer is in question. Setting new ones is what's going on here, as "24," partly by cashing in on our knowledge of and commitment to previous seasons and characters, gets off to its best start ever.

At the end of last season, Jack was facing life in prison, or worse, at the hands of the Chinese, and avoided extradition by faking his own death and going underground with a new identity. It's now 18 months later, and except for the people who helped Jack escape, he's still presumed dead by everyone, colleagues and family alike.

What's safe to reveal is that all of Jack's closest confidantes - former President Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), CTU agents Tony (Carlos Bernard) and his reunited ex-love Michelle (Reiko Aylesworth), and sulky computer genius Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) - are onboard as we begin season five. Other familiar faces, including Kim Raver as last season's love interest, Audrey, are back, too.

It's also safe to say, because it's established immediately, is that Jack, unknown to them all, has established a new life as Frank, a day worker hiding in nowhereville (actually, Bakersfield) with a new lady friend, Diane (Connie Britton), and her teen son Derek (Brady Corbet).

In no time at all, even by the standards of the fast-forward world of "24," Jack is given a compelling reason to resurface - and the roller coaster begins again, this time seemingly without any brakes.

Other new faces introduced early include Jean Smart as Martha Logan, the fragile First Lady to last season's still-in-charge President Logan (Gregory Itzin), and Sean Astin as Lynn McGill, a new authority figure who oversees CTU. As for other old faces, let's just say that Edgar (Louis Lombardi) is back for now, and others are set to arrive later.

Don't worry, though. This year's opening four hours, presented Sunday and Monday night in a welcome compact bunch, will have all those faces - old and new - whizzing by in a blur. Don't miss this year's "24."

And don't blink, and try your best to breathe.

[sarastiles]

it is said that 2 people will be killed off in this season!