Review of 24 season 7 (the season overall and the finale)

Well 24 fans, another season of Jack Bauer saving the world has come and gone. I can say that I was overall satasfied with season 7. For those who have been watching and following 24 for the last few years know how good season 5 was. Season 5 was probably one of the best seasons of all, and season 6 in my opinion just had to much to live up to. It was bound to be dissapointing as soon as season 5 was over. Did I enjoy it? Of course, it was still great television, I just think it had far to much to live up to. The writers of 24 definitely needed a chance to creatively regroup and rebound. That chance came with the writers guild strike. If the strike affected any tv series in a good way it was 24. Taking a year off allowed the 24 crew the time necessary to do it right, and dish out one kick ass season.

On that note, they certainly did. I was very pleased with season 7 the minute it premeired. There were some very good creative changes made that gave the season a new feel, while keeping it true to what it is (Please note that if you have not seen any of this season and plan to at any point, there will be spoilers ahead). Day 7 opens up to Jack Bauer in front of the United States Senate. CTU has been shut down and Jack Bauer is on trial for violating the constitution (becasue of some of his past actions towards suspects and etc). Then enters FBI agent Renee Walker who informs Jack of a crisis at hand and that THEY NEED HIS HELP. From there a series of chaos, conspiracies, and terrorist attacks ensue. The season takes place in Washington DC, which I think was a great move (honestly, how many bombs can go off in L.A.?) The audience is introduced to a series of new characters which worked well with the old ones, my favorite being FBI agent Renee Walker, AKA girl Jack. I knew from the moment she walked on screen she was going to be a good character. Throughout the season you see that she is learning from Jack, as she starts to play less and less by the books. To me it seemed kind of like a student/mentor relationship, and a romantic one is definitely hinted at at some moments. I know there are some people out there (splinter 47 and killerman... no hard feelings guys) who wish audrey would come back, but I say screw audrey. Renee is the bomb and is just as kick ass as Jack.

One thing I was worried about and would go back and forth on was the resurrection of Tony Almeida. When I first heard they were bringing him back, I knew it could be really good or really bad. If they explain it well enough, it could be a great plot line, but if they dont and are just bringing him back to try and get old fans to watch (SHIT TONY'S BACK) then frankly, thats a cop out. While I did think the way they explained how he was alive was a little silly, I think they did make the right call on bringing him back. Why? Because he was an excellent 24 villain. My first reaction to Tony being one the bad guys was WTF, but once I thought about it I realized it made perfect sense. Tony was a man just like Jack. The two of them had shared many similar experiences because of their jobs at CTU and suffered similar hardships. Jack lost his wife, Tony lost his wife, the only difference is everything Tony went through caused him to completley break. Tony really is a shadowy reflection of Jack.

As for the finale, I think this really was the first season of 24 were the main threats were not resolved. Sure there have been cliffhangers, but I really felt that there was a lack of closure on things. However thats not exactly a complaint. If season 8 is in fact the final season (which im not sure is true or not 100%), I could understand why they would do that. I think that once day 7 and 8 are out on dvd, they should just sell them as one and call it "48", because thats what it seems like. One of my favorite moments of the finale was when Renee took that final step to truly becoming "girl jack". When she stepped into that room to "interrogate" the main guy behind everything (coach yoast from "remember the titans") I couldnt help but declare out loud "THE TRANSFORMATION IS COMPLETE!". One big complaint I have is the muslim character which they have made way to important. Dont get me wrong, I have nothing against muslims, but I just think 24 is trying to hard not to offend the muslim community by throwing in characters like this that really dont add anything to the story. Honestly, think about it, this was a guy Jack met two hours ago because he was trying to find a suspect, and now he's showing up at Jack's deathbed like there best friends? WHAT? He would just be there and not really contribute anything, like the way he was just hanging around the crime scene with the FBI that one episode like "whats going on" and agent Walker was just filling him in on everything ("well, I probably shouldnt tell you this, but theres this top secret plan, and jack is infected with a bioweapon, etc"). When the doctors told Jack he had a visitor I thought it was going to be his daughter and instead I saw that guy standing in the doorway. Well, despite my little rant there, that complaint is really a small one. Using the spill system, 24 day 7 is a FULL PRICE, totally redeemed itself after day 6. Cant wait for day 8.