24, for all the talk about the show being ground-breaking, is completely reliant on formula.  Patterns have emerged throughout the seasons, and the 24 fan base has come to expect a variety of things every year.  One aspect that has remained constant is the show's insistence on upping the stakes each and every season, creating bigger conflicts for Jack Bauer and company to overcome.  This culminated last season with the actual detonation of a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles that killed thousands of fictional Angelinos.  Prior to that event, I had wondered whether 24 could possibly raise the stakes any more.  Well, they did, and it may have been the highlight of the season.  From then on out in season 6, however, the familiar patterns bogged down the series, disappointing fans.  The formula was tired, we had seen it all before, and everyone agreed (including the writers) that things had to change going into season 7.

With that thought in mind, I have a suggestion: scale back the plot of 24.  Make the story smaller, hearken back to the relatively simplistic plot of season 1, and place the weight of the conflict on Jack Bauer.  The last few seasons had big plots, with world politics gaining more and more importance.  24 has spent too much time worrying about these political matters.  The funny thing is that Jack Bauer, the main character, couldn't give less of a crap about world politics.  He is reactionary, doing what needs to be done, motivating himself via personal grievances.  Last season, especially, felt disjointed.  Bauer was absent for long stretches in some episodes, with the politics taking center stage.  24 should, first and foremost, be about Jack Bauer.  So, why not put Jack in an impossible, somewhat small scale situation and let him fight his way out of it for 24 episodes.

Season 1 was about two things: Jack rescuing his kidnapped wife and daughter, and stopping an assassination attempt on a presidential hopeful.  It was simple, but it was gritty.  It made personal sense for Jack Bauer, and his investment in the situation wasn't at all murky.  Season 7 is going to take place in DC, and at the outset will have Jack in front of a Senate tribunal (or something like it) facing charges regarding CTU's previous errors.  He will also be investigated by FBI agents.  There will be no CTU.  If, for instance, the story went something like, “Jack must carry out a plan (alone, with only Chloe's help) only he knows about with the FBI on his heels,” that would be a step in the right direction.  24 doesn't need World War III-type threats to be satisfying.  I only hope the 24 producers realize this. 


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)