I knew that much before watching season 1 when it debuted in 2001. What I didn't know was how addictive this show is. The story telling is strong. There are enough characters to keep you engaged even when a character has to drive from one location to another. The story really does require all 24 episodes a season to tell. And each episode ends with some of the best cliffhangers ever.

Season 1 takes place on the day of the California Presidential primary. The Bauer family is just about ready to go to bed when Jack gets called into his job at the Los Angeles office of CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit). They have received information on a credible assassination attempt on Presidential candidate David Palmer. Meanwhile, Jack's daughter sneaks out of the house to party with a couple questionable friends and Jack's wife goes out in search of her. As the hours tick by, they all begin to realize what a web of danger they are in.

Season 2 picks up 18 months later. Jack no longer works for CTU, but is called in personally by the President when evidence of a dirty bomb in LA is found. Jack warns Kim, who encounters one obstacle after another in her efforts to get out of town.

3 years later, season 3 finds Jack and Kim working for CTU. This time the danger is a bioweapon and the lead is a Mexican drug lord. Is the weapon already out, or can they stop it? Meanwhile, the President is up for reelection and must deal with internal problems caused by his staff that could end his Presidency.

These, of course, are only the major storylines. Every season also has sub-plots and character arcs to help fill in episodes and make the action more realistic and personal for the characters. Most of these are strong as well, although each season features at least one story that makes me roll my eyes, like Terri's amnesia in season 1 or most of Kim's exploits in season 2. And while there are events that stretch credibility, the show itself is so engaging it really is easy to ignore them.

As the creators and writers have found the pulse of the show, each season has gotten better. Season 3 is by far my favorite with way too many white knuckle moments. That's not to say that the first two aren't worth watching. In fact, you really need to watch every season to fully appreciate the next. Any surviving cast members' stories builds on previous years' stories.

And that's another catch. Not everyone is guaranteed to survive a season. In fact, they have managed to kill off some pretty major players over the course of the years.

Each of these DVD sets is outstanding work. The picture, shot in widescreen but cropped for TV, is back to its original aspect ratio. The full surround sounds nice as well. This along makes preserving them on DVD better then watching them originally. Season 1 was rushed out to help bring in viewers for season 2, so it is a bare bones set. The episodes are on six discs and the only extras are an introduction and alternate ending. Seasons 2 and 3 feature seven discs each and are loaded with deleted scenes, audio commentaries, and behind the scenes information.

I'm normally not a fan of thrillers because I don't like the dark nature of the story and the extreme suspense. I've gotten hooked on this show, however, and I can't get enough. It's one incredibly fun roller coaster ride. If you haven't seen it yet, you won't be disappointed.

It's like a drug, It's got you wanting more ...
Review date: 2005-01-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

24 is undoubtedly the best television show to have graced our screens in the past five years. I watch a lot of movies but it's quite shocking to know that perhaps the best thing I've seen is a television show. With all the qualities of a top-notch blockbuster movie, just ten times (or thirty times for this boxset) the length, this show is virtually flawless.

Season 1 is obviously very good or I wouldn't have been obliged to watch the second and third. The storylines which are seemingly unrelated intertwine fabulously and there are so many twists and turns you'll be on the edge of your seat for the entire ride, but the twists are seldom unbelievable. The real-time formula is fresh and exciting, one of the things which had drawn me to the show in the first place. Emotional and thrilling, this is superb. And it's worth buying this boxset just for the shocker ending to this series.

Season 2 is perhaps weaker but still superb television. One storyline involving Kim Bauer (Elisha Cuthbert) is detached from the rest of the story throughout the entire story and so reduces the quality a little. However the introduction of new, likeable characters and the welcome return of some old ones ensure the show is far from getting boring. The ending of this may be slightly disappointing and surely infuriating for those who were forced to wait months between the television air-dates of seasons 2 and 3.

Season 3 is a return to form, however, and the real-time formula is showing no signs of becoming old, even if it perhaps is less exciting than during the first season. There are, also, no cougars whatsoever in this series, fans will be delighted to know. With some more new characters and more old ones returning, this is similar to season 2 although the 2-part story is as exciting as ever. This season in particular has a body-count unsurpassed by any other television show. The climactic finale is excellent and the emotional final few minutes are so tense I defy you not to shed a tear.

Kiefer Sutherland is excellent as the near-invincible Jack Bauer, and there are endless exceptional performances throughout the series. Sarah Clarke is also a particularly good actress whose talents are shown clearly in the show.

In spite of the fact that logic is often ignored, no characters seemingly need toilet breaks or food and twists can sometimes be slightly too unrealistic, this is pound-for-pound exceptional entertainment. Beware, after the first few episodes you will be hooked until the very final minute. And the beeping clock sound will stay with you forever.

24 is a minter
Review date: 2004-12-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have to say with no doubt that 24 is the best TV programme I have ever watched. It's clever, thrilling, emotive and tense all at the same time, and has you hooked from beginning to end. Give it a try, you'll be converted from the very start. A must buy - it's a minter!

James Bond for liberals...
Review date: 2004-11-18 Rating: 10 out of 10

There are various mediums for art to be represented in. There's painting, film, writing, dancing, music, poetry...and then there's 24. The timer, the split-screen, the orchestra that plays the whole way through: it's a medium in itself. The only thing you've got to do to enjoy 24 is get into it and let it take you on the 24 hour trip that it wants to take you on.

Check out the crying scene at the end of series 3 and the Palmer's view of the nuclear explosion in series 2 - the atmosphere will blow your mind.

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