24

It's such a new day on Fox's 24, it might almost be a new show. This ingeniously entertaining drama always gives us a new set of villains for each seasonal crisis. But this year, it's also giving us a brand new set of heroes. Fortunately for Fox and fans, the things that have been changed are, by and large, improved -- and the most important things have been left alone. [7 Jan 2005]

The new crew is an intriguing bunch. [9 Jan 2005]

New plot, new cast, same Kiefer, same excitement. [2 Jan 2005]

Viewers who never saw it or gave up after the first season now have a chance to get a fresh start. '24' is not as richly woven as 'The Wire' on HBO, but it is still one of the best shows on television. [7 Jan 2005]

'24' seems to have smartly reinvented the intriguing formula, getting itself back on track for what could be the best season to date. [9 Jan 2005]

With Bauer's audience-alienating daughter, Kim (Elisha Cuthbert), sent packing, the snazzy new cast members should keep the series moving at a nice clip.

'24' remains the same show, perhaps even a better show than last season. [5 Jan 2005]

The first three hours have all the edge-of-your-seat thrills that marked the show's first season. [9 Jan 2005]

24 is its usual self - a terrific mix of doom-laden thriller and workplace drama. [7 Jan 2005]

The show seems to have a light step this season without the heavy-duty silliness of Kim ... And it is refreshing to see many new faces at CTU. [8 Jan 2005]

You may well have misgivings about yet another season for this show, particularly with Haysbert out of the picture. ... But the plot, which involves the abduction of a high government official, will absorb viewers once again.

As '24' quickly revs up the anxiety and action on the new season, the show is still flashing its taut, characteristic strengths: distinctive real time storytelling, tighten-the-vise tension, compelling split-screen visuals and sudden, sometimes shocking, outbursts of violence. All of it pushed at a dazzling pace and built around Sutherland's grim, courageous antihero with the hair-trigger volatility. [7 Jan 2005]

'24' remains one of the most enjoyable dramas on TV. [7 Jan 2005]

So far no amnesia bouts or cougar attacks. And no Kim! [9 Jan 2005]

The fourth day in the life of '24' begins slowly but gathers momentum through the second and third hours, promising another satisfying thrill ride for those willing to get on board. [3 Jan 2005]

This should be solid, action-packed stuff. Where it flattens out is that with Bauer involved -- and even if CTU wants nothing to do with him, he's going to put himself in the middle of all of this -- you know things are going to work out and too often you know how they'll work out. It takes nearly all of the tension away from a series that trades on suspense. [7 Jan 2005]

At its very best, '24' creates an almost tactile sense of tension that no show can match. From one harrowing moment to the next, your pulse races and your skin prickles with apprehension. On the other hand, the show's gimmicky structure forces its writers to keep the plates perpetually spinning, and they often aren't up to the task. [5 Jan 2005]