24 Series 6 started on Sky One

[Donachiel]

Well, Series 6 (or day 6, as it is fashionably known) of the Real-Time Terrorist Thriller, 24 started with a two-episode, two-hour mini-marathon, last night on Sky One. And it is definitely off with a bang!

Now some of you may not have watched these episodes, so I'll try not to spoil it too much. However, some spoilers may be involved. So please, if you don't want it spoiling, then don't read on.

I'm obviously going to get some flak from some of the 24 nay-sayers for even watching this show, but like it or loathe it, 24 is quite possibly a new breed of TV series, and a show whose popularity should be taken seriously. The only thing more interesting than the series itself, is the debate of whether the series is just "shameless entertainment" or "Republican Propaganda"(1)? And are either of these things wholesome viewing in this day and age?

Not people to steer clear of controversy, the 24 series writers have frequently developed story-lines that are both thrilling, real and scary. However, most of the events that take place are very 'real' terror situations, none of which have ever happened on US soil.

In recent times, we have all seen the effects of Fear-mongering and its use in political agendas. But set in a post 9/11 America, is 24 just another tool to keep people scared, or is it just a clever use of the suspension of disbelief, in order to entertain?

Granted, 24 seems to do what many other thriller series fail to do, keep their viewers 'thrilled'. Even when the plot lines get a bit thin, usually around halfway through the series at episode 15/16 (Sentox gas in series 5, indeed). But 24 has always tried to humanise its characters in ways that most thrillers forget, often following the story-lines of their office politics, family backgrounds and personal problems. The use of realism keeps people coming back for more where a series like 'Invasion' failed to keep people believing in the imminent threat of an Alien Invasion (just writing the major premise of the plot makes me giggle). The constant feel of closure that comes at the end of the series may also lead us to understand what could be the nail in the coffin of the plummeting ratings for 'Lost'.

Jack Bauer. Here to chew gum and kick ass...
And he's most definitely out of gum.

The use of torture is a key element in the show, having Jack Bauer kill, torture and coerce information out of the enemy, giving the sense that because of the current situation torture is OK to save the 'greater good'. This is not a very wholesome view, and makes Jack Bauer possibly one of the darkest TV heroes in history. However, although very capable, and willing to torture, Jack Bauer has seemed to grey and wither as the series has progressed. All this torture and conflict has seemed to take its toll on his character, and the very humanity that was at the centre of his story-line. This is a character that has lost all he has fought for, having seen his wife killed by his one time colleague and mistress. Having to choose between his daughter's lover and an enemy with vital information. This is a guy who wears some deep scares (all too visible in this sixth series).

Overall, the constant use of impossible decisions is a central theme to the show, with each current seasons new President (they seem to go through them very quickly) having to make an impossible choice between saving the lives of a few hundred people over the prevention of thousands, maybe millions of deaths(2).

Obviously, the Producers of the series are used to selling us an idea with the show. Take the 10 minutes prequels that started with Series 5. For those who don't watch the show, Sky One aired these episodes weeks before the series starts as a taster of what's to come. As the show is in real time, it is obviously hard to 'fill in the gaps' of what has gone before. However, in reality these episodes are nothing more than carefully designed Toyota adverts. Both prequels featuring a chase scene involving the sponsors current selling machine. The overall effect being, once you have seem the prequel, you must buy a Toyota Rav4 when you absolutely, positively have to get away from terrorists.

So, yes. 24 is very much an "Official Cultural Product of the War on Terrorism". And Republican figures have shown their association with the show. Who wouldn't want to be a part of the Jack Bauer, badass against terrorists franchise? But surely this just makes for good viewing, not political knowledge(3)? As a bridge between Muslim-fearing masses and peaceful Muslim communities, most definitely not (even if they do have scenes as in series 4 when two Muslim Americans fight side-by-side with Jack Bauer, stating "we live here to" - brings a tear to the eye... sniff!)

Personally, I think you would have to be a little simply to believe that what you watch on TV could, and is, going to happen. However, some people are a little simple, and the shows popularity is scary (with another 2 seasons that Kiefer Sutherland has signed up for, and a 2 hour movie due in 2008)(4).

So what does Day 6 have to offer. Well, Jack is back - looking a lot less healthier than we have seem him before. One wonders how he is to survive 24 hours of none stop gruelling gun fights and gun shot wounds. Then we remember, "didn't he die in a early episode of series 2, then go on to get the bad guys"? So, really, there should be no worries there, as Jack proves his worth at the end of episode 1, pulling a stunt not seem since his days on the 'Lost Boys' (not to spoil it too much).

As a bold move for the show, the start of the series is post terror attack. Meaning that many attacks have been made on US soil, and the Counter Terrorist Unit are trying to bring the bad guy in. All pure fantasy of course, but compelling viewing, and quite gripping from the start.

This time, the American Government (you remember, all his pals, the President and all the people Jack have saved through 5 series of terror attacks) have agreed to hand him over to the bad guys, in order to locate the main terrorist! Yeah, cheers guys, thanks for nothing!

A fine addition to the shows cast include Alexander Siddig as terrorist, turned good guy (surely, this must be a set-up to a fall) Hamri Al-Assad. Siddig is best known for his role a Julian Bashir in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, but has recently been seem in geopolitical Thriller 'Syriana'(5). Hamri Al-Assad is one of those characters that will have an interesting story arc, and may very well turn out to be the bad guy we thought he was at the start of the show. Definitely one to watch.

Some of the regulars are back. Bill Buchanan, Jack's boss. With the help of big geek, Chloe. An interesting return is the Character Milo, last seen in series 1, now one of the senior managers at CTU. This series also promises the inclusion of Jack's dad Phillip Bauer, played by James Cromwell.

Fans of the Office should also keep an eye out for a brief cameo of series co-creator Steve Merchant as a CTU operator. I have no idea why he is there, but there he is. Bizarre!

References:

(1) "Countdown with Kieth Olbermann" transcript from 16/01/2007
(2) 24 (TV Series) - Wikipedia. Storytelling and visual style
(3) "The Evolution of Jack Bauer" - Time Magazine. Sunday Jan 14 2007
(4) 24 (TV Series) - Wikipedia. 24 The Movie
(5) "Syriana" - IMDB (Internet Movie DataBase)