That would mean Norris was actually on Sutherland's level at one point, which he obviously never was.

I mean, go watch an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger:

"Oh hey, these bad guys are doing something bad!"
*Karate Kick*
"Good job, Walker."

How that shit lasted for eight seasons is way beyond my comprehension.

lol, well im hoping this season Jack will get more fights, I mean his gone to china, probably spent those months in one hell of a tough prison, he must of been able to hold his own.

Only one man defeated Chuck Norris and that was Bruce Lee.

I have all 3 of those books that are out, and what I've read of the first one, it seems alright, but I have been far from diligent in my reading.

Most definitely looking forward to watching the next season, what a birthday present, season premiere starts on my bday, ftw!

I sort of think that Jack Bauer probably became some sort of an ambassador there in China. He was probably hired in a role as instant population control. I mean, what better way to get rid of overpopulation than have Jack Bauer loose in your country. They probably won't show any of this this coming season, but we all know that's why Jack Bauer is no longer an enemy of the Chinese.

Are you talking about the Declassified novels? If so, there's a fourth one that just came out at the end of December (the day after Christmas, to be exact). It wasn't supposed to come out until later this month, but I guess they decided to move it up in case people wanted more Bauer before the premiere.

So far I've read the first one and about 1/3 of the second one (I started it back when I had jury duty in the summer, but I haven't read it since :(), and I think they're great, especially if you like the older episodes.

Boxing Day? Or is it called that? I should start reading the novels, is it important to read them in sequence or can I just start with which ever is the best out of the lot of them?

Well, from the two I've read so far, it's best to read them in order. The second makes reference to the first one, and even takes place a year afterwards. I'm not sure about the other books, though I figure they probably should be read in order as well.

Apparently, there are a few places where a leaked copy of the first hour is floating around. I have seen it on tvtorrents and on mininova. Has anyone watched this and can vouch for it's authenticity? If so, how is it?

From Entertainment Weekley:

The Pop of King

'24': So Good It's Scary

Even longtime viewers will be spooked by the new season's surprisingly real take on terrorism

By Stephen King

Most viewers of 24 will want to know one thing above all others: Is the upcoming season of Fox's groundbreaking experiment in serial TV (father of Lost, grandpappy of Heroes and Jericho) as good as last year? Let me put it to you this way: There are more thrills and suspense in the first four hours than most series can pack into a single season. Or an entire run of show, for that matter. I got those four episodes from EW Central Command and planned to dole them out over the course of maybe a week. Instead I ended up watching all of them that same night. Day 6 (at least so far) is like a book you can't put down...even though there are times when you may want to.

The reason is simple enough. This time the story spun out by Joel Surnow, Howard Gordon, and their co-conspirators seems, if not real, then dismayingly possible. Season 5, distinguished by Gregory Itzin as President Slimeball (and let's not forget Jean Smart as his long-suffering, screw-loosey wife), was almost extinguished by the creaking plot. Sentox? Really? It doesn't sound like nerve gas; it sounds like something you buy at the drugstore to combat athlete's foot or hide those embarrassing facial blemishes.

This time the threat — and no, I'm not going to tell you what it is — seems too plausible. When I got to the shocker that ends episode 4, I could understand Jack Bauer's expression of disbelief; it's a perfectly human reaction to what has just happened. And yet at the same time I'm sitting in my office chair and thinking, This could really happen. And at some point, it probably will. I suppose my reaction was intensified by having just finished Nelson DeMille's excellent novel Wild Fire, which deals with a similar scenario, but mostly it was that clear and persuasive sense of plausibility. 24 doesn't always achieve that, but when it does, it's the best thing on TV. Really, no one does the old ''We're surrounded by enemies!'' bit better than Fox. Bill O'Reilly's going to love this baby.

24 is a perfect example of why some serial TV works and some doesn't. The audience will come along for the ride, but it requires certain things as a quid pro quo. One is an element of believability (which ABC's Invasion never supplied). Another is what producers sometimes call ''a clear through-line.'' What this high-toned bit of jargon actually means is simplicity (NBC's Kidnapped threw that out in the first five minutes of its abortive run). Another is a high emotional temperature (which ABC's The Nine managed for exactly one week before lapsing into soap opera torpidity). Continuing stories have to run hot. How 24 has managed this kind of heat for six seasons is beyond me.

Last — and here's the genius part — continuing series must provide some degree of closure; the audience must feel they are getting somewhere. One of the reasons Lost may have suffered in the ratings this season (although suffering in TV is relative, and many struggling shows would kill to have Lost's ratings) is because it somehow misplaced that sense of things rushing toward some sort of conclusion. Even Fox's Prison Break (a column on this wonderful and hilarious show is forthcoming) provides that sense of closure; at the end of the first season, the main characters broke out of prison (well, duh). Now that the actual prison break's over, season 2 should be titled Show Me the Money.

I would argue that 24 is a genuine New Thing Under the Sun, not really a serial at all, but the world's first überseries. Each season is, in effect, a 24-week ''episode'' in the adventures of Jack Bauer...and while we're on the subject of Jack, let's not forget Kiefer Sutherland, who is now probably the best male actor on TV (although young Mr. Skeet Ulrich from Jericho is a comer).

24 also remains fresh, I think, because it is regularly watered by the blood of supporting characters — the sort who used to be considered eternal. This grisly but effective ritual began with the murder of Jack's wife, Teri Bauer (Leslie Hope), in season 1 and reached its apogee last year, when writers and producers knocked off lovable teddy bear Edgar Stiles (Louis Lombardi). And just when you thought there was no one else worth mourning...along comes another of these shockers this year.

Is 24 my idea of perfection in long-form TV? Indeed not. Just the most successful so far. That doesn't protect it from the occasional loopy plot twist (Kim Bauer and the cougar, case closed), the rather more frequent detour into the TV equivalent of Disney World (I couldn't believe who's president this time), or the sense — it usually sets in between episodes 16 and 20 — that the writers are stretching their material until it's almost thin enough to read a newspaper through. There's also a queasily gleeful subtext to 24 that suggests, ''If things are this bad, why, I guess we can torture anybody we want! In fact, we have an obligation to torture in order to protect the country! Hooray!'' Yet Jack Bauer's face — increasingly lined, increasingly haggard — suggests that extreme measures eventually catch up with the human soul.

One note to 24 writers and producers: Mary Lynn Rajskub (sulky as ever, but looking remarkably pretty this year) is still one of the best things about the show. So let me close by doing my best John Wayne imitation: ''If ya hurt the little lady, you're gonna answer to me.''

And I mean it.

Posted Jan 04, 2007 | Published in issue #915 Jan 05, 2007
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It would be interesting if Stephen King wrote some episodes of 24.

xman25

2 first episodes of new season is out =)) rumor is that the first 4 have been leaked.

Yeah, they've been leaked. ;_;

One of my friends started watching the first episode, and told me Jack was in it... I blocked him for the rest of the week. =p

Did you block him with...a Phoenix Shield? :tpg:

But seriously, this leaked shit is garbage, and I'd never watch it. It's one thing to download a show after it's already aired (and even then only if you missed it or really want to see it again), but to watch something before then is just stupid to me.

My boyfriend got me all 5 seasons (for xmas and my b-day), and we're just watching them all or something. It'll take FOREVER... but man its just awesome and I'm glad the show's running strong still!

Uh, why not start with Season 1? It's just as exciting as the later seasons, and then you won't have spoilers for the previous ones.

This is like reading the latest Harry Potter book and skipping the first ones, simply because everyone else is reading it.

Ah, well, if you've already started last season, might as well pick up with Season 6.

The good thing about 24 is that each season is its own self-contained story.

I just figured if you're watching it for the action, each season is just as exciting as the next.

Yeah, Phoenix Shield has been activated. I think I heard Chloe say, "OH NO NOT A PHOENIX SHIELD!" The leak would ruin my epic countdown timers I have going. =p This week still has to be all about anticipation. We cannot let those with weak sauce start discussing the events that are to unfold already. Gotta wait for that double double Bauer hour.

ONE MORE WEEK.

Nah you are insane if you start watching from Season 6 even if you caught up wth some eps from Season 5. You just are screwing yourself dude. DO NOT DO IT. I REPEAT DOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOT.

OSHIT, IT'S BZ! I don't think we've chatted much since... the last season of 24!! Nice to meet you again. =p

AH SNAP. My girlfriend won every season on DVD. I swear this is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I've watched seasons 1-3 in the past 2 weeks, and am currently on the 7th hour of season 4. CAN I FINISH SEASONs 4 AND 5 IN 1 WEEK -

Indeed it is. And indeed you will.

He doesn't have choice, Jack will hunt you down if you do.

I'm planning on getting the all the seasons, now that christmas is over ebay is super cheap.

Alright, they better be making a new gender, because I'm revoking your dude license.