“I think I’m the only friend you have left.”
Pain is a fundamental aspect of the 24 universe, whether it be physical pain due to an ass-kicking by Jack Bauer or the very real and deep emotional scars that are ever present in our characters’ psyches. From the opening sequence of Live Another Day, we see the guilt and the stress and the exhaustion across Jack’s face, and we know that the years have not been kind to him.
Jack Bauer has been through a hell of a lot, which is already an understatement in and of itself. Live Another Day seems intent on emphasizing the history of TV’s best badass, the way every event has taken a toll on his psyche and the way certain memories can come back to haunt him. Cheng Zhi is representative of one of the worst periods in Bauer’s life, the one and a half years of torture at the hands of a merciless villain, and you can see the flood of memories pouring through Jack’s head when he hears the voice on the recording. This stays with you.
“I can assure you: full immunity is not on the table, but your hand is.”
24 has always utilized a similar formula across each season and, for the most part, has done it well. Of course, you’d think by the time a ninth season rolled around, there’d be significant diminishing returns, but it’s not the case because Live Another Day is managing to feel fresh and exciting as it progresses. Take, for example, this episode, one which features a bundle of vintage 24 elements that complement a story that’s barreling toward its finish.
“The only death on my head tonight is yours.”
With that line comes one of the most badass Jack Bauer moves ever. In a scene that’s quite a surprise, given there are still three episodes left, he pushes Margot al-Harazi out a window through which moments before, her son fell through on his way toward a long plummet to his death. Just like that, the supposed Big Bad of Live Another Day is wiped out, and the season’s taken another turn.
“Wake up the bitch.”
Throughout this episode, we see a Jack Bauer who goes through an emotional journey, starting out more aggressive than usual before denial, hurt, and eventually acceptance seep into his demeanor. Most of the time, he’s been able to pull a rabbit out of a hat and figure out how to solve seemingly impossible problems, but here, he’s helpless as both the President of the United States and a respected colleague walks away to his death.
This episode has Jack Bauer driving like a badass through the streets of London, punching random dudes on the street, stealing cars and stealing from homeless people, and narrowly avoiding a bunch of huge explosions while transporting the dying daughter of a terrorist–who, by the way, wants to kill her daughter–away from a hospital that was just hit by a drone strike. A+
One of the constants for any series about a character like Jack Bauer is the idea of collateral damage, the idea of those around him being hurt by his actions, even if he’s choosing to do the right thing. That’s law enforcement and crime for you, and this week, Kate Morgan’s strung up and tortured as Jack attempts to get his information.
Well, 24 is on quite a roll right now, isn’t it?
One of the most aggravating things about the show in the past has been its penchant for dragging out storylines beyond any semblance of common sense, wringing character situations past the point the audience has any interest. Here, though, Live Another Day is using its 12-episode season to cut down on much of the unnecessary business, and it’s better off for it.
When Jack Bauer sets out to do something, he’ll do it. Even if it means shooting a few innocent people in the leg, shooting several marines, and taking hostages, he’ll always be out there, fighting until his last breath. When he’s on, man, is he fun to watch.
After a quick-moving premiere, 24 eases up on the throttle a bit as it starts to shade in the various characters and their places in this world. “1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.” starts to fall back into some annoying patterns, but it’s still an enjoyable episode.
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