Another long day! This is the second season I've devoted watching in the series that I have now become a fan of. As presumably by tradition, the early episodes are the most explosive and nailbiting. My favorites particularly were the hostage crisis, everyone's dilemma in the Sunshine Hills Mall situation, and the assassination attempt on the Russian president's motorcade. I don't even need to get into how worthy of Stanislavsky everyone was, but I'd like to give my hats off for a perfect choice in casting for Sean Astin who plays the moody and antagonistic bureaucrat in the first 11 or so episodes.
24, Season 5 is 5/5.
- As I have been told by someone, the first story arc is resolved in the 15th or 16th hour of the day (consequently being the 15th/16th episode).
- And after that is resolved, the suspense doesn't ebb in any way as our heroes uncover shocking revelations and must resolve the collateral damage of the day's events in the chill of night. It goes without saying that some of the explosiveness of the early hours of the day are not around, but you nevertheless enjoy seeing the characters undertake their tasks covertly.
- The final episode, I thought would end tragically without denouement but that is probably because I underestimated the hero Jack Bauer's craftiness and sleight of hand. Knowing the cliffhanger ending, and what follows in Season 6, it may sadden people to witness how tragic the character of Bauer actually is. And while it is no secret that the villains are taken to justice, some key story arcs are still left open ended, finishing Day 5 and Day 6 of the series, I can't wait to see where the writers will take Jack Bauer and company... and country in the following seasons.
24, Season 5 is 5/5.