"Well I'm running out of time here, so don't we just cut to the chase? (breaks suspect's finger) Where's Marwan? (breaks another finger) Where is Marwan?" - Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) interrogating a suspect between 12am-1am
24: Season 4 DVD Review
By Kristen Freilich
WARNING! SPOILERS ABOUND!
24: Season 4 starts with a bang as terrorists blow up a commuter train and kidnap Jack's new boss, the Secretary of Defense James Heller (William Devane) and his daughter Audrey Raines (Kim Raver). Back at CTU, a motley crew of unfamiliar faces sits around the conference table contemplating options. Chloe is the only recognizable face at the table, with her "personality disorder" in tow. Ahhh, some things never change.
During the first hour of season four, Jack confides in Audrey (his lover) that he has put his past life as a field agent behind him because "he wanted something different for his life." But from the moment Audrey and her father are kidnapped Jack is back in the saddle. Against the wishes of the new CTU director, Jack follows along with his replacement at CTU and soon assumes his old position on a temporary basis when his replacement gets shot in the line of duty. Throughout the episode, CTU management predictably vacillates between supporting Jack's efforts, disavowing any knowledge of Jack's actions, and firing and then re-hiring those who support Jack's efforts.
Season four provides one of the best moments in recent television history. During the 2AM episode, Jack forces (at gun point) the lone surgeon at CTU to stop operating on Audrey's estranged and dying husband (Paul Raines) and begin treating a Chinese National shot during a botched kidnap job that Jack led to the Chinese Embassy. Audrey (both Jack's lover and Paul's wife) is standing in the room while Jack holds the gun to the surgeon's head. The surgeon begins treating the Chinese National and Audrey watches in terror as her husband dies on the operating table. Can television get any better than that?
What's missing in season four is a connection to the public. In the past, the general population plays a significant role, whether it be hysterics over a terrorist attack or committing hate crimes. The people of Los Angeles usually interrupt the actions of CTU, either for better or worse. With season four, death, destruction, and hysterics are kept all in the family (two members of the CTU staff have family members die while they are working their shift).
Season four introduces some exciting 24 newcomers. Roger R. Cross as agent Curtis Manning has the brains, brawn, and evenhandedness to last at CTU for a while. Both Shohreh Aghdashloo as Dina Araz and Jonathan Ahdout as Behrooz Araz are equal parts creepy and heartbreaking as the mother/son terrorist duo living a seemingly normal American life. There's some stellar acting from Gregory Itzin as acting President Charles Logan and Arnold Voslo as the evil Habib Marwan also deserves a nod. Unlike past terrorists, Marwan has no family for Jack to torture (which usually provides the terrorists with built-in soft side), yet Voslo is able to find depth in his character.
As a die-hard 24 fan, I was ecstatic to see Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) return to CTU. Fired, divorced, and jailed for crimes against his country between seasons three and four, Jack calls upon Tony for assistance. The faith that Jack places in Tony inspires him to put down the liquor (he was drinking beer before noon from a Chicago Cubs mug) and re-join the ranks of CTU. When Michelle Dessler (Reiko Aylesworth) hits the scene as the acting CTU director and President Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) consults with the new president, all seems right in the world of 24.
The finale of season four is perhaps the first time that Jack Bauer is held accountable for his actions in the history of the series. When acting President Logan gives the ok for Jack to be killed rather than be handed over to the Chinese government, Jack is forced to fake his own death. A season five prequel (on disc 7, under "Season 5") gives insight into what we can expect from 24: Season 5.
The packaging and menus are pretty standard fare: a hint of the 24 theme song and a screen capture actor close-up from the upcoming episode. With other TV shows on DVD, that might be suitable. With 24, however, seeing a screen capture from the upcoming episode can give too much away. If you haven't watched Season 4 yet, don't to look at the individual episode menus too closely.
