24: Season 5

I initially learned about "24" from watching it on the Fox channel during Sunday nights. Having only read a variety of Jack Bauer quotes and hearing much mythology related to the series, I was eager to give it a chance. Of what I saw, it pleased me greatly, but I was still only receiving an unconnected series of episodes relating to Jack Bauer and CTU (his agency). A few months later, I decided that I wanted to watch a whole season at a steady pace to get a true feel for the series. I came onto Amazon and browsed Season 5's page, as I was recommended it by many fans. Seeing it for $20, I made the purchase and eagerly awaited it's arrival in the mail. --- Now finished watching Season 5, I can say with certainty that this is one of the finer shows on television and among the few i'd recommend collecting on DVD. In this season, we're presented with a masterful blend of action, conspiracy, drama, and espionage that doesn't let up until the end. It's amazing experience to compare the progression of events all the way from the first hour to the final hour. The character of Jack Bauer is given an incredible amount of detail here by scenes that illustrate to us his two sides: his professional side and emotional side. The former shows us his unwavering dedication to the United States and why he does what he does, the latter shows us that he is indeed like everyone else with his friendships and romantic relationship. When the two clash, it truly becomes relevant to the story as a whole and the growth of Jack. On the villainous side, there are two masterful performances here by actors Peter Weller and Julian Sands. Weller's "Christopher Henderson" is a man motivated by duty of his country like Jack, but in a fashion that is in all other ways antithetical to the protagonist of the story. Needless to say, they clash with explosive results. Sand's "Vladimir Bierko" maintains a chilling silence about him and manages to instill fear in the viewer without becoming an over-the-top comic book villain. The organization of CTU is given the full treatment as well - we see politics, power plays and personal relationships that formed and will form the way Jack interacts with them in Season 6. Also, I can now vouch for why this season is best for beginners: while it is five years in, not many of the previous plots and subplots have an overbearing presence on the show which necessitates being knowledgeable of past events. In short, it's an excellent way to get into the series, as well as way to spend the evening around the TV to the uninitiated alike. Finally, while there has been some dissent on the new slimmed down packaging for the DVDs, I must say that they are made well enough and damaging them shouldn't be an issue unless you place heavy objects on the empty box.

Awesome TV show

The 5th Season of 24 is my second favorite season of 24 closely behind the thrilling 4th season. Season five is an even more suspenseful and pulse pounding day for Jack Bauer. The season never ceases to amaze me with the greatest introduction I've ever seen and also one of the greatest endings I have ever seen. Although it pained me dearly to see the death of David Palmer, one of my favorite characters (a Democrat who Barack Obama could never hold a candle to) in the show, the revelations that spawned from there which led to the unmasking of a massive government conspiracy that makes Watergate and Teapot-Dome look like little white lies. The brilliance behind Season 5 lies within the fact that while there are many political aspects that exist throughout, the main point of Season 5 is to make people understand that even our government is not perfect and that corruption exists even in the highest levels. It also raises the main question, after watching everything you wonder - how much should the public really know? There's enough corruption within the government to turn the average American exposed to it into an anarchist. This massive conspiracy that is revealed, while the terrorist Vladimir Bierko is very at large and must be stopped by Jack Bauer, the real "bad guy" is someone else and others similar. How much information would you really wish to know, and what information is best kept out of the public's hands? I think in this case, unfortunately James Heller was right. It's best that the public does not know even though Bauer tries to expose it as much as possible. Some people may disagree, but you'll get a chance to form your own opinion afterwards. Aside from all this political and media jargon, the fifth season of 24 is my close second favorite, and there is non-stop action, some amazing plot twists, and a very very dramatic story revolving around Jack Bauer and others such as Audrey Raines. I hope this review was helpful to you.

Great Show! Maybe slow on the Inspector Gadget Scenes in the Plots! Very one gets kidnapped or held for hostage and when they inevitably escape, they are always heading back to CTU and always get captured again only seconds after they tell someone at CTU they are enroute. Squeezing each show into an hour fails to coincide with the travel involved. Traffic is backed up at times unless they need to be somewhere. How can CTU have hundreds of Tactical units on the ready, yet they continue to fire the the smartest CTU Employees, only to bring them back to CTU to work, usually less than 24 hours. As far as the numerous spies in CTU, that scenario is way over board. I had a TS/SCI Clearance for 14 years in the Military. They did a background on me from Birth and the same thing every 5 years. President Reagan had us all sign contracts that we would not speak of an classified information for 70 years after we were discharged.Wait til I am 110 years old to write my book! Everything I know will not be classified by then. CTU is like the Obama Administration where all the Experts are ignored and the President is busy caring for Muslims/Gay People. Also Transvestites being able to use any rest room they want. The Pedophiles will be shot on site and Obama will be sued for his ignorance! Will Obama let his daughters go to restrooms alone with Pedophiles and Child Molestors? Obama Voters took 8 years to figure out they are a bunch of Muslim Supporting Socialists! What Sex a Person Thinks they are has nothing to do with where they can decide to use the bathroom! Simple Problem is add another restroom for "All Others including Gays, Lesbos, Men who think they are women and women who think they are men! And anyone who keeps changing their Minds or have no idea what they are today or will be tomorrow? I digress. As far as 24, get a Retired Military Person for accuracy and Satellites do not sparkle in the Sky when they are watching you from Space! That was a Bridge too far!. .

The shocking opening moments of the fifth season of 24 literally blew away everything that we've come to know about the show. Alliances are challenged, close friends are lost--all the while Jack Bauer tries to keep his sanity and find out who the real culprit is behind one of the most trying days in American history. The cast is perfect, the storyline is compelling, and the action is never ceasing. This season had by far the most suspense as well as the most cliff hangers. After I finished watching an episode, I usually wanted to go right to the next and watch it right away! There is, however, a big plot hole in the season. The fate of Evelyn Martin and her daughter was never covered, and I found that unfair; an entire episode depicted their plight, and I feel it should have been resolved, whether she was killed or left alive by Henderson. Any show that can make a person sympathize with someone while viciously rooting against them (i.e. Logan) is a stupendous show. 24 delivers all of that and more, with its best season to date. 9/10

It's hard to fathom that Vice President Logan at first barely had a spine to be the leader of the country when he had to be sworn in as President after President John Keeler was unable to continue his role of serving the country after Air Force One was shot down by a domestic terrorist. It was actually extremely funny that President Logan looked as if he had his head cut off from the rest of his body after he was sworn into office from Season 4. He clearly wasn't ready to run the country as President of the United States. He looked like a glorified middle manager. It was refreshing seeing President David Palmer come in as an advisor. He showed the dynamic leadership we expected a president should represent. It's amazing that as an actor, I sure wish we had a President in the same manner in which Dennis Haysbert portrayed. John Keeler represented a fairly decent president from Season (Day) 4 although it was very brief. And then from all the conspiracy and assassinations that had occurred that had victimized President David Palmer, Tony Almeida, Michelle Dessler and almost Chloe O'Brien, it was almost hard to image that President Charles Logan was behind it all. He looked spineless and appeared to be a weak leader from Season 4. And then was this power mad egotistical evil man that almost pulled it off while watching all of Season 5. To a degree, I have a love/hate relationship with Jack Bauer. Yes, he stops at nothing to save the day and is indeed a patriot. The bad thing about him is that too many people directly and indirectly die because of him. I like the fact that despite being an extremely elite federal agent and former Army Delta Force Operator, he is an extremely emotional and conflicting guy deep down inside. He misses his wife and daughter dearly and despite loving what he does as a field agent because it keeps him busy. Deep down Jack Bauer is very miserable inside. It was nice seeing Jack Bauer step down from being a field agent and working for James Heller (Secretary of Defense). I only watched bits and pieces of 24 while it was on television. I enjoy this series very much and look forward to binge watching Season 6.

While I do find this series somewhat addicting, I find that watching the episodes in quick succession to have pluses and minuses. On the plus side, I avoid the frustration of having to wait a week to see what's going to happen but on the minus side I find myself noticing that the story never really changes; i.e. someone or someone's at CTU are always getting charged for treason, fired or killed. Jack's body counts are higher than what you might expect from a small nuclear blast, and the guy barely every gets more than 30 seconds of praise before he's arrested, abducted or cast back into yet another crisis. I still maintain that I'm glad I didn't watch this series right after 9/11 as well as remain critical of the series for thinking it was appropriate to release such a series at that time, but can't deny that the series is addicting. I just hope to heck that what we don't know that really goes on isn't nearly as horrific as portrayed by the writers of 24.

While Season 2 is still the best season of 24 for me, Season 5 is very close 2nd. I can see why this season is so beloved by fans of the show and consider it the best. I still think Season 2 is slightly better but this 5th Season surprised me in a lot of ways. It carries over certain things from the previous season and handles of a lot of different threats that pushes Jack Bauer to the limit. And it ends on a very satisfying conclusion I didn't expect to happen.

Having just finished watching the latest series of 24 I admit I am completely blown away by it! For me, series four was quite a poor show, so I was a little worried when series 5 was released as I wondered whether it would be another series four, or a return to the golden gems that series one and two offered. Fans of 24 can relax - this is entertainment at it's best! Without giving too much away, this latest series gets off to an explosive start, and is definitely shocking. I challange anyone to watch the first hour and not be left staring at the screen thinking.... "oh my god!" Jack's certainly got his hands full with presedential conspiracies, and difficult relationships with his daughter, Kim Bauer (who thankfully keeps her appearence brief) and Audrey Raines. Beware, this season of 24 is the most brutal yet, and Jack is certainly a man on the edge, who has nothing left to loose and will go to ultimate lengths to get the information he wants. This series is the best since the first one aired, and be preapred to get the hankies at the ready as the writers brutality claims record body counts amongst old favaroites. Kiefer's acting is as fine as ever, and he delivers another cracking performance as the ex CTU agent who keeps having the mother of bad days. This series of 24 is excellent for supporting cast as well. Look for Sean Astin, and an excellent turn from Robocop's Peter Weller (although the temptaion to mutter you're coming with me... dead or alive is rife) but 24 excells itself after a poor previous season and gives us a white knuckle ride that will leave you twitching in your seat, bleary eyed and spending too many hours in front of the telly. So buckle up, and watch the best series yet of 24. Your only question after watching this should be... how can series 6 get any better?

Fast pace gripping action political thriller blended with also humane emotional elements of love, commitments and sacrifices

... ob das noch zu toppen ist? In dieser Staffel ist wieder mal alles enthalten was wir schon von 24 gewöhnt sind und natürlich auch zu Recht erwarten, aber es kommen auch ganz neue und überaus spannende Komponenten hinzu und so kann man insgesamt sagen dass diese Staffel ein brisanter, actiongeladener und durchaus gewagter Politthriller ist, der eine leise Ahnung all dessen vermittelt was wohl vielleicht tatsächlich in den Machtzentren dieser Welt abläuft. Und so gibt es diesmal neben diversen Anschlägen und Terror-Bedrohungen tatsächlich auch einen intelligenten Handlungsstrang, der alle Geschehnisse miteinder verknüpft und erst am Ende überschaubar wird und eine große Verschwörung aufdeckt. Der amtierende Präsident ist nun Unsympath Charles Logan, der schon in der 4ten Staffel vereidigt wurde und in der ersten Krise nicht gerade mit Kompetenz und Handlungsvermögen brilliert hat, stattdessen aber mit beängstigender Feigheit und überdimensionalem Geltungsdrang. Dass dieser Mann seinem Volk und der Welt also nicht Gutes bringt war zu erwarten und der Verdacht erhärtet sich in der 5ten Staffel. 24 zieht hier mutig eine direkte und ganz eindeutige Parallele zum überaus fragwürdigen und zu recht kritisiertem Bush-Regime, was an sich schon sehr gewagt ist und daher große Bewunderung verdient. Es verwundert umso mehr dass diese Staffel in den USA überhaupt ausgestrahlt werden durfte. Kritik am Regime ist dort ja nicht so gern gesehen. Jack Bauer, der ja Ende der 4ten Staffel seinen Tod vorgetäuscht hatte und seitdem untergetaucht war kehrt zurück um seiner ehemaligen Kollegin und Freundin Chloe zu helfen, die auf der Abschußliste von unbekannten Terroristen steht. Unfreiwillig wird er in eine große Verschwörung verstrickt und zum Sündenbock für eine schreckliche Tat gemacht. Nicht mit Jack Bauer!!! Wir alle wussten es ja schon, übermenschlich und heldenhaft meistert Bauer einfach jede Situation, McGyver dagegen ist ein Witz, kann er noch so tolle Sachen aus einer Schnur, einem Kugelschreiber und einer Büroklammer basteln. Die bereits mehrfach kritisierten Folterszenen fand ich weder störend noch unnötig, eigentlich nichtmal besonders überzogen. Ich denke sie waren sogar eher harmlos dargestellt. Ich will gar nicht wissen, wie es in Krisensituationen in in größter Zeitnot wirklich zugeht. Bestimmt aber setzt sich niemand mit einem Kamillentee zum Verhör mit einem Terroristen und fragt höflich "Wer hat dich beauftragt?" und gibt dann bei einem natürlich ebenso höflichem " Tut mir sehr leid, aber das kann ich Ihnen nicht sagen" einfach mit einem "Na gut, da kann man wohl nichts machen" auf??? Zu denken, dass all das nur reine Fiktion wäre und mit der Realtität gar nichts gemein hätte wäre einfach nur naiv. Folter gab es schon immer und wird es solange es Menschen gibt leider auch immer geben. Im Mittelalter hatte sie Hochkonjungtur und auch heute ist sie noch ein altbewährtes Mittel um an wichtige Informationen zu kommen - überall auf der Welt und leider nicht nur in Filmen Und ich finde auch dieses Thema greift 24 sehr gut auf. Heiligt wirklich jedes Mittel den Zweck? Collateralschaden? Eine moralische Gradwanderung und Jack Bauer schafft immer wieder den Spagat da er ein Mann von absolut festen moralischen Grundsätzen ist aber einfach einen wirklich schlechten Tag hat. Und damit es nicht eintönig wird müssen wir uns leider auch von einigen Lieblings-Charachteren verabschieden, wenn es auch anfangs schwer fällt. Dagegen rücken andere Personen jetzt mehr in den Vordergrund, so z.B. allen voran die Datenanalystin Chloe O'Brian, der Secret Service Mann Aaroin Pierce, CTU-Chef Bill Buchanan und Stabschef Mike Novick. Und wir werden endlich nicht mehr von Kim Bauer genervt!! Wenn das mal nicht ein echter Zugewinn ist;-)) Die Staffel ist sehr dynamisch und spannend aufgebaut und endet gemeinerweise mit einem Cliffhanger - auf die 6te Staffel kann man also schon sehr gespannt sein!!! Übrigens, wer die Pause bis zur 6ten Staffel überbrücken möchte, dem kann ich nur "24 - The Game" für die PS2 empfehlen!! Hier kann man mal selbst Jack Bauer sein und Terroristen jagen ... und das eben ganz nach Jack Bauer Manier;-))

最後に、大統領を仕留める方法は予測して視ていました。 そして、大団円後、最後の最後にかかって来る電話にも予想が着いていました。 前作シーズン４であれだけ頑張って周囲を騙したのに、生き返りが相当に稚拙です。今作、あれだけ頑張れば、世界諜報機関の注目を集めるでしょう。というより、全国有名人です。仮にこの最後の最後の場面でそうならなかったとしも、いずれはどこかでこうなった筈です。世界を舐めてはいけません。当たり前です。 しかし、面白かった。

Season Five of 24 exceeds in almost every area over ALL (that's right ALL) other TV shows. Let me put it this way, Season Five of 24 has raised the bar so high that it is no longer fair to compare any other TV show to it. AAA Hollywood action movies hope to reach the exceptional high quality that 24 has set this season.It has a wonderful cast of actors who not only bring the characters to life but actually make you believe that these absolutely horrific circumstance may occur in a single day, which is no easy task! It starts with an almost unprecedented season opener that I have ever had the pleasure to witness. I remember I was eating my dinner when I stuck the first disc in my DVD player and hit the play button. 5 minutes or so into the episode my jaw dropped to the floor with half chewed food still in my mouth (my brother did not appreciate that very much) and I couldn't close my mouth for the next 10 minutes (By that time my bro. had had enough and left the room). After watching that episode, I couldn't help but think to myself that the plot can only go downhill from there because how can you top that? Well the next few episodes completely blew that theory out of the water. There is a constant stream of twists and surprises that are both completely unpredictable and very satisfying. Half way through the season it got so good I seriously wandered if it was illegal for any TV series to be this good. Season Five is absolutely phenomenal! If you haven't seen any of the previous seasons and are wandering whether that would hinder your almost imminent enjoyment of this fine work then you would be glad to hear that the season premier has a small recap at the beginning of the episode that does a very good job at bringing you up to speed and summarises pretty well, the events that led to the certain state of affairs that the characters are already in. Yes, you would understand this season better if you saw the previous season/s first but it will NOT hinder your enjoyment if you didn't. This season got 5 Emmy Awards including Best Drama. Go buy the DVD. MMK