24 - Season 7 [Blu-ray]

I will start by saying I'm a massive fan, having watched every season of 24. However, after the extended break following the end of Season 6, I found myself a little uncertain as to whether I was interested in the new series. The pre-season episode, Redemption, was good without being brilliant so it would be fair to say I had my doubts about the show. But as each episode of Season 7 ticked over, and mind-blowing subplots emerged, I found myself absolutely hooked again. Some reviewers have criticised the lack of believability in this series. I'm sure there are plenty of holes if you want to look for them, but for me it comes down to the following crucial elements:

1. Entertainment value
Season 7 never lets up from the get-go. It literally leaves you breathless at the end of each hour, yet desperately anxious for the next episode.

2. Acting quality
Every character is played by a strong actor and they deliver consistently. I've never seen or heard of most of the new actors, but they are outstanding in their roles. I won't ruin the story for others but there is only one person I wasn't looking forward to seeing again but they were at least bearable.

3. Emotional response
This is the first series since Season 2 when I have felt such a range of emotions. Rarely do you feel anything other than shock when main characters bite the dust. However, Season 7 has some genuine tear-inducing moments. This is due to the quality of actors and of course the great script. Which leads me to -

4. Script quality
The writers have delivered a quality script for Season 7. There are some brilliant one-liners and some quality exchanges.

All in all, one of the best 24 seasons ever. Arguably as good as Season 2.

I'll get to the point, this series is the best tv on tv, it is brilliant. where lost and prison break lost their way a little bit 24 is just top quality series after series. But it you won't regret it.

It's all change in series 7 of 24 - CTU has been disbanded, Jack Bauer is being questioned about his illegal use of torture in questioning suspects and there is a new president in the White House. We now have President Allison Taylor. She is brilliant - convincing in making tough decisions, yet you can see the struggle within her, particularly in relation to how it affects her family life. We also have another newbie in the form of Agent Renee Walker. She is given full development as a character and I enjoyed watching her struggle with her conscience as her view of what is necessary in doing her job changes.

The initial storyline is whether the US should step in and stop the genocide happening in Sengala (a made-up African country) whilst dealing with a linked terrorist group threatening to cause mayhem in US cities. As usual with 24 there are plots within plots and this series certainly doesn't disappoint with the twists and turns it offers viewers (some where I literally was left speechless at the end of the hour!)

One controversial theme which runs throughout the whole series is the justification (if there is indeed any) of suspects being tortured in order to gain crucial information from them. I thought this issue was handled well and once again hats off to 24 for dealing with something which is currently being discussed in the real, international arena. I found that in tackling this subject the writers were able to develop the character of Jack Bauer further than before.

In this series I did enjoy some of the quieter, more reflective episodes. This really benefitted character development in the series as we had time to reflect on why the main characters acted as they did. If they do make another series (which I'm not sure is necessary or advisable) I think more of these reflective episodes need to be built in as with the current format SO MUCH happens in each episode that it is difficult to recall anything at all when you start to watch the next episode.

On the down sides there were some plot holes and credibility problems with this series (particularly towards the end). Maybe this is inevitable with a series of this scale but it seemed to me that the plot just became a little sloppy at the end. Characters did things that were not credible purely in order to heighten tension it seemed. Additionally, the character of the President's daughter Olivia really didn't work for me. For one thing, even if you were qualified, as the daughter of the President surely you would not be given a position of Presidential Adviser with direct decision-making powers. This contrived nepotism was a step too far for viewers to believe. Plus the character mostly acts like a moody, spoilt teenager for most of the series rather than a savvy consultant. Not someone you would want advising on critical issues.

I love the real-time aspect of the show. But there seemed to have been no attempt to make it look like the main characters had really just been through a grueling 24 hour nightmare shift. I remember this being handled much more convincingly in earlier series.

I thought long and hard about my score and in the end I decided a three was fair. Overall, I would say this series is just for real fans. Entertaining enough but maybe it's time to make this the last series while it is still on a reasonable high.