24 began its seventh season with hero Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) facing a senate hearing for past misdeeds as part of CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit). Thanks to his exposure to a bio-toxin, it ends with Jack in hospital near death as his daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) looks on, and agrees to save him.
Tighter Writing Makes For A Better Season
Thanks to a writer’s strike, writers at 24 had a full year in which to fully plan a storyline, something that has never been done in the show’s history. The planning has led to a faster-paced more thrilling, drama.
The twists this season included the return of a character thought dead in Tony Almedia (Carlos Bernard). When last we saw him, he was dead. We find out that someone was able to revive him, and he’s been working for the bad guys all along. As the plot advances viewers find out he’s also working with Bill (James Morrison) and Chloe (Mary-Lynn Rajskub) to bring down evildoers led by General Juma (Tony Todd) of Sangala.
Juma was testing a bio-toxin on his people; and our hero Jack is exposed while trying to get it back for the FBI.
Towards the end of the season came a twist that shocked long-time fans of the show: good guy Tony Almedia turned bad. At one point, he left Jack for dead after denying him treatment for the worsening illness. In the finale viewers find out Tony was playing both sides in the name of vengeance for his wife’s death.
24 Season #7’s Endless List Of Great Performances
24 is an ensemble show that’s often eclipsed by Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) because he’s the main character. That wasn’t the case this season because the ensemble was strong. Everyone turned in equally strong performances.
Carlos Bernard as Tony Almedia had a tough task. He had to bring a character back from the dead, and make it believable. He went against previous perceptions of his character as the stereotypical, good guy and made him an interesting bad guy. In the end, the viewer could sympathize with his motivations. He did it for love, to avenge his wife’s death.
Annie Wersching as FBI Agent Renée Walker did a great job. Viewers got a sense of her personal conflict between doing what needed to be done to get answers, or playing it by the rules and taking longer to get information. The cast featured several big-named stars. John Voight as the insane Jonas Hodges topped the list. Cherry Jones did an excellent job playing both the first female President Allison Taylor.
The great performances are because of the writing. As much as the story was about Jack facing another horrendous day it was also about the personal costs. And 24 is at its best when the storyline is personal.
Cliffhanger That Wasn’t a Cliffhanger
Fans of the show know that 24 is known for its season-ending cliffhangers. Season #5 featured Jack on a slow boat to China, viewers didn’t know if he lived or died. Season #6 was a cliffhanger that wasn’t a cliffhanger featuring Jack looking over a cliff and into an uncertain future. It left questions, but it wasn’t as thrilling as previous season finales.
Season #7 was along those same lines, with the final scene of Jack lying comatose in a hospital room. The viewers know Jack will survive, that much isn’t a cliffhanger. But what’s going to happen to Tony? Or to the group Tony represents? What about Renée, whose final scene with Janis (Janine Garafalo) showed her leaving her badge on a table?
Viewers have to wait until January 2010 to find out the answers to these questions. In the meantime, relive the action of seasons 1-7 now available on DVD for sale or rent.
