For a show with poor ratings, “24” got some quality guest stars to play roles, which were important, yet small. Hopper didn’t really have a lot to say in the series, probably because the producers realized he had a bad accent. Zeljko Invanek got to do most of the talking, which is good since he actually is from Yugoslavia (Slovenia actually).
Lou Diamond Phillips got paid well for getting shot in the head. He was only in two episodes wasn’t he?
I really enjoyed the 24 episode arc and am looking forward to next season. I agree with all the folks who dug the series and the last episode… Tuesday nights meant that you probably wouldn’t be able to reach ol’ Pezwookiee on the phone.
There is one more thing I’ve been thinking about though. One thing brought up by having Nina as the mole is the role of women in this series. They’re either victims or evil bitches. Let’s examine this:
VICTIMS
Terri Bauer
Kim Bauer
Jamie
Palmer’s Daughter
Palmer’s Speechwriter
The police officer who helped Jack briefly
The daughter of Victor Drazen’s friend
BITCHES
Palmer’s Wife
Nina
Jamie
The Evil Lesbians from early on in the show
The girlfriend of the guy who kidnapped Kim
I know that this is probably over-PC, but it’s just something I noticed. I do hope that Kim gets to kick a little more ass next season. And I thought this series was executed masterfully either way.
post #300! woohoo!!!
Just because Kim had some bad stuff happen to her, she certainly did not play the stereotypical victim. Yes, when she was trying to get help from Dan she was playing the role of victim very well, but by the end of the show she kicked a lot of ass. I would guess that she gets that from her father.
Jack kicks ass. Really. I’m not one for excessive violence (I love the A-Team, where they fire twice as much as Jack and don’t kill anyone) but this was… excellent. Keifer Sutherland did a great job, and I do want him back as the main character next season!
Also, I had thought that many of the Palmer campaign-related scenes were (relatively speaking, of course) boring, but in the past couple episodes it was great- especially when Palmer fired his speechwriter and when Palmer walked away from his wife without looking back (and her frustration when the secret service agents held her back). Very good Fox, and I thank you for keeping such an excellent show (I’ve yet to hear a bad review of it) despite bad ratings- a little more promotion for the show and reruns should fix that right up (Will they reair this past season on FX? They better…)
I had to think long and hard to come up with a contrary example, but the woman that Jack carjacked in the morning was neither a victim nor a bitch. She may have been a victim of Jack’s shenanigans, and Jack may have considered her a bitch for ratting him to the cops, but she was basically a believable character in a tough spot who did what she thought best.
As for reruns,
FOX Sticks to ‘24’ for Stability, But Won’t Do Reruns
Interesting from the link above:
Additionally, Berman says that the show will return next season in exactly the same format and timeslot as it was this season.
“We’re not going to make adjustments to the format,” she says. “It will be one day in the life of our characters played out over 24 episodes. As far as the storyline is concerned, I’m not talking about that yet.”
That goes against everything I’ve heard up to this point, that next season each episode would be self contained one hour, real time. Personally I hope they do the 24 hour format again, just one year later, with possibly Jack working on President Palmer’s security staff.
Zoff says
Woo-hoo! I’m validated by a guy smart enough to write a book about Citizen Kane!
Maybe I’m not sick after all.
Well, thankfully someone was nice enough to tape it for me. Hot damn this really wrapped everything up, didn’t it? There were those of us who knew Nina was a mole way back when, and even didn’t care that Jami ended up being one, too.
Never count on people for money alone, I always say. 
I like the idea of a contained story. I’m kinda disappointed that they’ll be keeping Sutherland on for that, but I do think he’s a fine actor so I am also not complaining! That’s a win-win scenario IMO.
Good work guys.
I guess it’s about time I joined this thread, now that everyone else has lost interest in it. 
I thought the finale was super. I felt like I could see the seams where they stitched the different possible endings onto the body of the show, but that’s not worth quibbling over.
I, like several above, loved the fact that Jack unloaded on Drazen. After his first shot, I hollered out (as I tend to do in situations like this) “Keep firing!” And damned if he didn’t! I felt it was a very in-character thing to do.
Like I did through the entire show, I found myself having to actively suspend my disbelief a few times. Special forces or no, Jack sure had some accurate hand-eye coordination and good reflexes for a guy who’s been awake for the better part of 48 hours. That, and like someone else mentioned, I could’ve sworn the room they had The Mandible in had no video cameras.
Anyway, I haven’t heard anything from Munch about all of this, so I’m hoping everything is well with him.
Hey, buddy, you out there?
Munch, checking in.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again:
When the hell is Bauer going to throw away that finger he cut off at 1:30am?!? It’s probably still rotting away in his pocket.
Reasons Jack Bauer is a bad ass:
Oh, is that the new slang for boobs? 