24: Season Six DVD Collection [DVD] [2002]

I'm a huge fan but I have to say that the longer '24' continues the more it's turning into pure hokum. Still wholly enjoyable as long as you can forgive the obvious flaws (time-frame related) and the sheer unbelievable plots and the contrived situations that our heroes find themselves in.Some PLOT SPOILERS ----- this season is over 10 years old as I write, so, sorry.Season 6 begins with Jack released by the Chinese and to be exchanged for information about a Muslim terrorist's whereabouts. There is a nuclear explosion in Los Angles, killing upwards of 12,000 people. Jack is forced to kill a close friend and colleague from C.T.U. Chloe's ex-husband is forced to help the terrorists arm their remaining 'suitcase' nuclear bombs. Jack's father is complicit in the murder of Jack's brother, and the overall plot to attack America with bombs (remember in Season 5 Jack's brother, Graem, was orchestrating a nerve gas attack on America).In the White House, there is a plot to 'overthrow' the President. There is, as usual, an insider spy in the political arena, and at C.T.U. headquarters no less.The Russians are involved, the Arabs are involved, the Chinese are also sneaking about.And the disgraced ex-President Charles Logan is back. Hooray for Greg Itzen who plays Logan, who is the most watchable character of the entire series. Sadly his appearance in Season 6 is all too brief, but he'll be back!Season 6 is Kim-free, but there is an appearance from a semi-comatose Audrey! Audrey! in the latter stages. Don't worry fans she'll be back in the last season of '24', again married to a sorry British actor----- what is it with the Yanks, who love to cast British actors as losers in their films and tv series?It reminds me of the awful practice of the makers of old black and white British B-films of the 50's and 60's who loved to cast a 2nd rate American actor as an American reporter or detective working in England, to try and bump up theatrical audiences----- something for the nostalgic now.Well it's all very tart but beautiful to watch as the whole thing unravels with the highest production values of any tv series 'cept G.O.T. Love it!

This installment of 24 is probably the most controversial ever. In previous seasons, we had to either enjoy a masterpiece of TV thriller series (e.g. Season 1) or a mediocre one (e.g. Season 5). This season has got the elements of both. Let me explain.Season 6 has reached new heights in terms of implausibility. For me, 24 has (in most cases) been a mad race against time where Jack Bauer is beating against the odds one after the other. Unbelievable & unexpected plot twists, sharp dialogue and great characters always got me hooked up to the screen in such a way that my reasoning simply cannot catch up with my emotional involvement with the dramatic condition of the characters. And that during the best instalments - but sadly not with season 6.When the brother & father of Jack were introduced in this season, my reasoning took over and started complaining big time. Is this really plausible? Jack turning against his brother & father? Did they run out of villains and had to resort to his close family? Or is this the same old recipe: "Let's involve someone from Jack's family & love life - yeah, that would work!". And then, it's this "sociopath" grandpa really intending the best for his grandson? And on , and on and on... Well, that just blew it for me. I am always willing to look the other way from plot imperfections for the sake of dramatic involvement & entertainment, but in this case I couldn't. In my view, all plots & scripts have imperfections - always, even in the most famous cinematic masterpieces. And sometimes you do realise them, after you have seen the feature. But if you are really caught up watching, your reasoning is completely bypassed and you simply don't look for them and never realise them. Season 6 failed me on that score, with Jack's family involvement.Now...After Jack's brother is out of the plot (permanently) and Jack's father only temporarily, we are getting back into real 24 territory. This season is action packed like no other with moments that will make you watch the screen with a dropped jaw (for once more). The characters, even though they appear superficial at first, evolve very naturally and become true centerpoints more and more (e.g. the vice president, Tom Lennox & Karen Hayes), Again in true 24 style, you will have doubts about the honesty & morality of the characters - you will feel disorientated with some of them and will question yourself whether (s)he is actually a baddie while appearing as a goodie. And (sadly) once more, you will find that some characters are too smart or too dumb for their own good - which comes as a standard feature of the series but which this time around, is kept at a normal level and is not greatly exaggerated. Not sure if it's just mine, but I have the impression that the cast was acting a bit more convincingly this time around - actually, I found most of the cast brilliant, with the sole exception of that dorky "Morris" character, who I disliked from the word go. Everyone else is acting top notch: Nadia Yassir, Chloe, Bill Buchanan, the two presidents, Tom Lennox, Karen Hayes and of course, Jack, who I found even better than before.Finally, the ending of the series is as always incredible and infallible, to the extent that it made me say to myself: "Oh yes, it's 24 alright". So, I'll keep watching but this one gets 3 stars and no more.

Great series