24 Finale

Let me start by saying I have been watching the show 24 since the very beginning. I have been an ardent fan almost always. I got really disappointed during the second half of Season 6 (the previous one) because of the whole father-son (and brother) dynamic. I couldn’t really buy into the idea that Jack was running around doing all he did for the last 20 years because he was some kind of wounded child trying to earn his father’s approval. That didn’t make sense to me. Beyond that, they tried to introduce a sentimental side that just didn’t fit with how they have trained me to watch for the last 5 years. To me, the show ran off the rails there a little.

Once again, I was disappointed by the second half of this season. It’s not that the show went off the rails for me again. It’s just that is slowed down to a dull and slow moving coast and finally came to an anticlimactic halt. It was lame…REAL lame.

24 is known for pushing the limits. But it didn’t. There are a bunch clichés that it played into (and often has). I have always been okay with the clichés because the show was so amazing. For example, at the end of the season we find that some rich white guy is behind it all again. Oh brother! Give me a break. You want to be ground-breaking and controversial? Think of something else. There are more, but I’ll leave it at that so I don’t get stupid emails about being a hate-monger or something. 

I think they should have ended the show after season 5 or 6. What should have happened is that the season finale should have been a real kicker-of-a-cliff-hanger. This would have concluded with an actual 24 movie (in theaters) in which Jack gives his life at the end to save the day. BAM! That would have been an amazing and dignified ending to the show. There’s just no way I’m going to buy into the idea that Jack is going to retire to the Poconos or something.

So 24 will start again next January. I have always learned that success is defined by succession. Will they ruin the show idea and legacy? It’s counting down. We’ll see….