I think the writers of 24 made the mistake that thinking bigger is better and trying to emulate all the good stuff early on. We dont need bigger and shock double crosses. Just a good story with interesting characters, and not stratospheric danger. What made the first so great was it was Jack saving ONE man, not millions but just one guy. Yes the concept was so new and ground breaking which of course lies fondly with us all and after 7 days, it’s hard to get exited about the actual concept now. However just ramping up the danger and the tech is not the way to go to sustain. Its a very clever concept, so you need to stay clever on the story, which they have failed completely in recent seasons.

So we wait with baited breath for next year I guess and the film to follow. I actually think the film could work really well. Now that the show format has been gotten used to, for me at least its been about the pacing and what Jack will do next and this can easily still be done in a film environment. It can work without the ticking clock I think.

I do miss the characters of Michelle, Bill, Audery, Mason, David and Sherry Palmer as each had an important role to play, be it at the White House or at the pressure-environment of CTU. Was it a big mistake by the writers to kill off these strong characters to shock 24 fans? Hmm… that’s debatable but at least the strong duo featuring that supreme computer operator (Chloe) and the all-American action hero who never goes to sleep or require the toilet (Jack) remains.

As to when Sky 1 will broadcast the new series next year, fingers cross it will be only a few weeks after the US transmission. Don’t like the idea to wait around a couple of months or else I will be forced to download!

Still, I really enjoy the show no matter, it’s less so recently. I think the change of scenery will help especially if it’s city based. All the other locations despite being based in LA were mainly on the outskirts and industrial estates. despite the shows format which meant, it always had good pacing, the bare locations and endless traveling, did slow the show some. It needs to get back to it’s roots and keep it central. Well more so anyways, since it’s in real time, it has always been ‘central’.

The thing is, after the last season where by we had no CTU, it looked as though it could have been great. CTU got waaaay to clever and convenient and just got boring as nothing couldn’t be done. I mean commanding a million satellites within minutes? Puhlease! But the way last season was written, it still didn’t work either, so I just about prefer CTU being back. Though for them to be dragged through the mud and dismantled, and now back and running is stupid and would never happen. In this day and age and counter terrorist unit being shut down? rubbish.

But as I said, I still look forward to the show, and despite no date being given for the UK, it wont be more than 1 or 2 weeks behind i can guarantee that. It’s been like that for a few years now, and with Flash Forward and House only being one week in front in the States, FINALLY, the TV studios are realising that if they want to stop people from downloading shows, then stop showing them months after they’ve been on in the USA.

The big question is, will I watch it on TV or wait for the Blu Ray release and go ape and get it all in over a few day. This year was the first time I’ve watched it on TV and I have to say, I didn’t like it. Waiting for a week before we got to see the cliffhanger answered was horrid, and was a great reminder as to why I have always waited for the DVD release. In the early years it was better as the DVD came out during our shutdown at work in August. Season 3 was watched in a little over 2 days!!!!! Hey I was single and had nothing else to do. Now though it’s not out till October/November so it is a long wait. waiting also means I cannot talk to Elton out it! So i dunno, but atm, I might go back to waiting for months. I’ve done the same for so many other series. House, Fringe Frasier back in the day and have only just got into The Wire, so I have 5 seasons to watch as quick as! Next will be The Shield, so it’s in my blood to wait.

So we’ll wait and see. I’ll feel out the first few episodes and see how it goes.

Oh and FOX? DO NOT replace Jack. The show will die in it’s arse if you do. Day 8, no day 9.