24

Where does that leave Season 6, then, when the show has stemmed major disasters for five years running and its intensity level of choice is 11? As well-oiled as before, actually, and, judging from the four hours airing over Sunday and Monday, unafraid of edging its parallel-universe America ever closer toward a world war nightmare of mass hysteria.

Unlike most serialized dramas of late... "24" continues to do everything right.

OK - so plausibility is not this show's strong suit. It never has been. This show is about suspense, action and violence. And, as a look at the show's first four hours reveals, all three have been taken up several notches in the series' sixth season.

If all this sounds like "24" has been hijacked by public policy wonks or Shakespeare profs, don't worry. Your show very much remains your show.... It's just that your show got a little smarter.

The series' sixth season begins with an intensely entertaining four-hour, two-night premiere. [15 Jan 2007, p.33]

Season 6 proves that the best part of "24" is its ability to make your pulse race as you sit slack jawed in front of the bastard machine mumbling, "They didn't just do that, did they?"

So just put your intelligence on hold for an hour or four, and you'll be ecstatic at Day 6's beginning.

24's first four hours, airing over two nights, aren't quite as electrifying as last season's opening act.... But none of these problems diminish the pulse-pounding pleasures of watching 24.

The four episodes previewed are far from flawless, but even with their lapses and excesses, I can hardly wait for the next hour.

Much as I am compelled to watch "24," and admire its craft, I find that I can't take it seriously.

This remains a superb, positively riveting TV drama, however repetitive the themes and grandly implausible the scenarios.

Last year's body count also makes some of this year's deaths feel routine; I spent a good chunk of the early episodes figuring out which characters had lived just a little too long, if you know what I mean.

Even in its sixth season, “24” remains remarkably compelling.

What's remarkable is that 24 still finds so many ways to surprise us, to take our knowledge of how things are done and turn it against us.

It's clear that all that has made "24" so huge and deserved a success is on display again in these first smashing episodes.

24's best seasons have always hinged on a central, tantalizing character... This year could finally be Jack's turn to fascinate.... Otherwise, this round of mayhem has little to differentiate itself. [19 Jan 2007, p.67]

These episodes aren't as slam-bang great as last season's first four. But they are scarier, more personal, making it seem as if this time we have more to lose.

The problem with the beginning of "24" isn't the plotting or the rusty acting. It's the pacing, the clunky rhythm of the action-adventure. Thank goodness, the quality of "24" fluctuates, so it has real potential to become great again in future episodes.

No, the thrill isn't gone. "24" remains a wild 'n' crazy roller-coaster ride.

Once again, the producers and writers are creating a show that speaks to and reflects its era more succinctly and dramatically than any other network series.

"24" still maintains some of its trademark intensity, but too often in these first four hours, the show is smack-your-forehead laughable.