24 Season Eight – CliqueClack Preview

Going into his eighth really bad day, to say that “Jack is Back” wouldn’t just be a cliche or a retread marketing slogan, it would just be plain annoying. Annoying … but oh so true. 24 has had its good days, average ones, and some were just down right bad. Moving out of LA to Washington last year breathed new life into the series, and I believe the move to New York City will continue that trend. The new cast also brings new obstacles, and possibly new allies for Jack as he once again tries to save the universe. This preview contains some SPOILERS, but nothing serious.

I like the idea of Jack settling down. He starts this season babysitting his granddaughter. Babysitting!! It’s not long, however, before he gets dragged right back into the middle of things. This time, it’s a plot to kill Kamistan (Afghanistan stand in, one would think) President Omar Hassan (Slumdog Millionaire’s Anil Kapoor). Hassan is in negotiations with US President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) at the UN. His brother Farhad (Akbar Kurtha) thinks he’s getting too far in bed with the Americans, and he has a wife who thinks he’s getting too far in bed with someone (I’m not naming names, but I’m digging Jennifer Westfeldt as a reporter with some ulterior motives).

CTU is back as well, at least the New York chapter. Chloe O’Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub) is back in official government employ, though her … erm … personality is leading to some serious conflicts with new boss Brian Hastings (Mykelti Williamson). Considering Hastings comes off as a man with his priorities not in line with reality, who minds Chloe being herself? Katee Sackoff and Freddie Prinze Jr. round out the Counter Terrorism Unit staff as analyst Dana Walsh and Field Agent Cole Ortiz. We don’t get enough of his backstory, but, unfortunately, way too much of hers. I’ve never thought these random side-story arcs that have little to do with the overall story (see: Sean Austin‘s Lynn McGill) were worth the time we spent with them. Hopefully they’ll get her back on track quickly.

My favorite addition to the cast last year, Anne Wersching’s Renee Walker, shows up a couple of episodes in. To say that she’s had a hard time adjusting to her new, post “First Day With Jack” experience would be an understatement. She and Jack shared a great dynamic last year, and while their relationship is strained early, I expect they’ll soon work through their (read: her) problems. This year’s most exciting addition (because I have to hold judgment for now on Sackoff, because of her character), is David Anders, who shows up late in the “Four Hour Premiere Event.” We don’t know much about him yet, but come on … it’s Julian Sark!

Quite a bit has been made this past year of whether or not Jack will live to see the end of this day. For the record, I’m betting against the man that seems to beat all of the odds. I don’t know if his character could ever really stay away from it all, and I don’t see him driving a desk. Prinze hasn’t yet proven here that he could take over the reigns, but I think he’s the best alternative we’ve seen in a while.

24 begins its eighth day on Sunday, January 17th, with the first two hours, and then moves to its regular day the following Monday night with another two (the regular timeslot is 9:00PM Eastern). It’s got some competition, starting with The Bachelor (and later Dancing with the Stars), Two and a Half Men/Big Bang Theory, Life Unexpected, and Heroes (later there Parenthood).

Clacked by Ivey West
on Jan 06, 2010 @ 13:00 EST5EDT