Take 4 TV: All in a Day's Work

Happy New Year, everyone! And with the dawn of a new year comes the dawn of a new take on Take 4. For the next several reviews, I'm going to be focusing on DVDs of some popular (and some not-so-popular) television shows. I have a ton of these in my list, so thought I'd give them the attention they are due.

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24: Season Four (2005)

What's Going on Here?: Jack Bauer, no longer working for the Counter-Terrorist Unit (CTU), comes into contact with former co-workers on an assignment for the Secretary of Defense, for whom he now works. His relationship with the secretary's daughter is put to the test as another ugly day unfolds in Los Angeles, one cliffhanging hour at a time.

Disc Space: We're talking six DVDs here...seven if you want to watch the bonus disc.

How is This Season Different?: Jack is on the outside looking in, no longer a part of CTU, which makes for some interesting conflict. We also have a fresh batch of folks working at CTU...although viewers of Season Three will remember Chloe O'Brian, who still works there.

Bonus Time: Added features on the six main DVDs include deleted scenes and cast/crew commentary. The seventh disc includes more (much more) deleted content, documentaries on two of the larger action scenes in the series, and the 24 minute-long episodes that formed the "Conspiracy" mini-series that were created as a promotion to send to subscribers' cell phones. Main thing to look for on this disc, though, is the 13-minute bridge/prequel to Season Five. Got me in the mood to watch the new series starting in mid-January. Also, there was a preview for the 24 video game...which I only watched part of because I didn't want the game ruined for me. Apparently, it takes place between Seasons Two and Three and fills in some of the info gaps that come up during that time period.

Random Trivia: Each episode is supposed to take one hour of real time, but in actuality, three minutes are gradually added to the timer during the commercial breaks. The last three minutes of air time are used for viewing commercials, station identification, and scenes from the next episode.

In So Many Words: Bill Buchanan: "Chloe, we don't have time for your personality disorder!"

And What Did We Learn Today, Class?: 1) Behind the bad guy you're looking for, there is probably a bad-der guy. Or girl. 2) If the first six hours of your day suck...be prepared for the next 18 hours to really bite it hard. 3) Trust Jack.

Curt's Take: "Must See" - Not a big surprise, since I've considered each of the seasons to be a "Must See," with Season One bordering on "Buy. Watch. Repeat." For those of you not familiar with what 24 is all about, each season is in fact a single day in the life of Jack Bauer and his associates. Season Four, for example, runs from 7am of one morning through 7am of the next morning, with each hour comprising a single hour-long episode. I've never seen a story with so many twists, turns, adrenaline surges and cliffhangers. Each episode has at least one "Oh, crap..." moment for the audience, and the makers of the show try their hardest not to let the viewers get too far ahead of the characters regarding knowing what is going on. I wouldn't start out with this season (although my mom got hooked on it when I brought the DVDs home over Christmas break). Instead, go check out Season One. Just commit to watching the first two discs (eight episodes), and see if you aren't hooked. Then you just have three more seasons to make it through before Season Five starts later this month...good luck.