Tuesday, January 20, 2009

24 Season 7: 12PM-1PM Quick Review

This week's episode of "24" was a less-stirring Bauer Power Hour than the previous 4 installments. Okay, so we have to put up with the occasional set-up episode to get the bigger payoffs later on, I get that. But somehow, I feel like the way things developed, there could have been a great deal more danger and action mixed into the proceedings. The showdown at the Sangalan Prime Minister's home could have been a brutal conflict. There could have been a car chase after Emerson (with Renee Walker being held hostage). And what's with the bright-yellow getaway truck Emerson insists on using? Why not paint a sign on the side saying "FBI, FOLLOW ME!"? Or better yet...


And another thing- a very big gripe I have with the producers: what's with the silent clock after Jack "shoots" Renee Walker? We all know she didn't get shot and that she didn't die. Are we supposed to worry that she won't be able to dig herself out of the shallow grave Bauer has made for her? Or are we meant to worry about her life being in danger very soon? It doesn't make sense to use the most sacred of "24" traditions on something like this. Have we had a false-positive with a silent clock before? This is the Teri Bauer-death clock, people! We can't just throw that at some redheaded hussie who's gonna make it out alive next episode. Unless... nah! I don't buy that she's a goner. There's too much chemistry between her and Jack.
Okay, rant over. This was a sub-par episode. No kill-count, maybe a couple of "Dammits," no manpurses and FBI boss Larry Moss is all whiny at the office over a pesky Justice Dept. dude. Yeesh, next week has a lot to make up for after tonight's show.

ONE MORE THING: I think we'll find out soon that Renee Walker was faking her anger at Jack. She knew all along that he was a good guy, but she went on her own (shook off Larry, etc.) to find out for herself what the gig was, and to help out Jack. She completely played along (perfectly too). That's good character work if it turns out to be the case.

13 comments:

TheJackSack said...

UPDATE: Charles Trotter informed me that the clock wasn't completely silent- you could hear Renee Walker breathing. I'll rewatch it on hulu and give further reactions soon.

Brian Pelts said...

This may be splitting hairs, but it wasn't a TRUE silent clock. If you listen, you can hear her gasping for air, which (to me, at least) lets the producers off the hook.

Brian Pelts said...

Dammit! Too slow.

TheJackSack said...

Hahaha, that's funny, Brian. But thanks for confirming what Charles told me. That's encouraging information.

Ivan said...

Oh, the elephant is great. Spot on!

Anonymous said...

They are just playing with the fans, goddanmit!

I LOVED IT! =D

TheJackSack said...

@Ivan, thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

@ammodytus- Who knew 24 was such an HVAC-inspired show?

Anonymous said...

I totally agree, I'm going to be pissed if they wasted a silent clock.

Also, at the very end of Day 6, you can hear the ocean during the "silent" clock.

Peter said...

Most of the "silent clocks" haven't been silent.

Following Teri Bauer's death there was a quiet howling wind with footsteps.

The silent clock following George Mason's departure had faint music accompaniment.

Pained breathing and a heartbeat can be heard in the foreground following David Palmer's assassination attempt.

For Ryan Chappelle's execution, the silent clock had a train whistle.

Day 6's silent clock was accompanied by the sound of ocean waves crashing into the shore.

Palmer didn't die with his silent clock at the end of Season 2.

The silent clock following David Palmer's assassination attempt at the end of Day 2 and the silent clock during Day 7 as Renee is being buried alive were used to create tension and highlight the seriousness of the situation. Both clocks are accompanied by the sound of breathing.

Quoted from http://24.wikia.com/wiki/Silent_clock

Anonymous said...

wow, I wish I was as observant as you guys! Very impressive! If anybody needs to catch up or rewatch- check it out on Fancast. 24 on Fancast

TheJackSack said...

Excellent points, Peter- thank you for putting that all together. As it stands, the silent clock is not the "heroic death tribute" but rather a dramatic device. In that regard, I think the showrunners overdid the use of the clock. Was anyone here honestly worried about Renee Walker dying?

Anonymous said...

Is is SO good to read the shining wit and wisdom of Adam and to again feel the warm cameraderie of Jackophiles ( nothing dirty there) after such a long dry spell.
I'm having my jack-sack removed from the covert CTU mothball storage depot, retreiving my Beretta and Springfield ( until the new admininstration tries to confiscate them and they go back into hiding ) and getting set for another great season of escaping my (actual) wretched and sorrow-filled everyday life....
thanks for keeping the dream alive here. I will try to...
DAMMIT!!!! Wait!!!!
tink...teeenk...tink.... teeeenk...tink...teeeenk...

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