Joel Surnow

Season 5 represents 24 at its apex. The opening sequence sets the tone for an unpredictable journey to the end of the day. While previous seasons have been willing to sacrifice a character to heighten the stakes, those who are eliminated in this season are more than secondary characters. While the deaths are consequential and establish the significance of the threat, the revelation of depth and center of the day's events is the height of the series enemies. While previous seasons have featured a domestic group using a terrorist threat to further national interests, the revelation that the President is complicit and central to the plot elevates the back half of the season beyond the need to foil the attack. The season features a cohesive narrative that more naturally transitions between the initial threat in the first half of the season and its resolution in the conclusion. The various subplots do not distract from the core focus in the threat and enhances the emotional impact of the seasons events. While characters are sacrificed, Aaron Pierce and Curtis Manning's position is elevated and Chloe continues to evolve. While CTU leadership continues to be a trope that the series utilizes to present obstacles is more seamlessly integrated into the main plot and moves the narrarative forward.… (more)

The transition between the original trilogy and the rest of the series is marked by this season. After the third season closed out the major plot points that defined the early run, this season sets the trajectory for following seasons. Outside of Jack and Chloe, the early episodes feature a new cast, and familiar faces are slowly reintroduces as the season progresses. This allows the new characters to become defined and appreciated. Like the previous seasons, there is a shift between the first and the second half of the season, but the peril is consistently dire throughout. The early smaller focus on the terrorist family, the kidnapping of the Secretary of Defense allow the viewer to acclimate to the new tone of the season and allows Jack to transform from the bureaucrat to the super agent of the past. The relationship with Audrey, and the consequences of his actions that destroy his relationship and his hopes of a quiet life leave him at the end of the season as he was at the end of the first. The strength of the episode lies in how organically the various threats faced by the nation organically flow from each other give one of the most coherent narratives throughout the entire day. The weakest and most disruptive plot involves Driscoll's daughter, but it allows her to gracefully exit the show while maintaining a degree of humanity that otherwise would not be earned based on her actions. The introduction of President Logan allows for the return of President Palmer and the redemption of Mike Novick. Logan's passivity and indeciveness are emphasized, and strongly contrasted to Palmer, but there is enough hinted at that will payoff in future seasons.… (more)

The third season builds on the momentum of the previous seasons and concludes several character arcs. The season centers on a biological threat and Jack's efforts to prevent its release in LA and elsewhere. As before, there is a marked transition between the two halves of the season. The direct threat and a far more formidable opponent elevate the back half above the first. The second half also features a successful small-scale narrative focusing on the effects of the attack on the hotel. Previous characters who have exhausted their usefulness have their narrative concluded, drawing the era defined by Jack's wife's death and President Palmer to a close. The season has done the least service to Palmer, whose otherwise sterling character is sullied by his actions and choices. Compared to the previous season, this season is far tighter with fewer nonsensical plots. While action is clearly at the forefront, moments of emotional depth are naturally incorporated that elevate the season.… (more)

Jack begins the season broken after Terri's death, however a nuclear threat against LA quick resurrects CTU's premier agent. As the threat is magnified in the season season, the shock factor increases, beginning the jaw dropping moments for which the series would become known. The first half of the season focusing on preventing the attack is more straightforward and action-oriented. The second half dealing with the political fallout of the attempted attack is far more interesting and does more to develop President Palmer's character. Like the first season, Kim's plot would have been stronger if it were more compact and connected to the primary plot.… (more)