The End of an Era

ucdmike

It's the end of an era in the world of television next week when the groundbreaking and iconic 24 series comes full circle with the climax to Day 8. It has been one of the great achievements in modern television history

We've had 8 seasons, a video game, a TV movie, many books, a film series on the way and several Emmy and Golden Globes awards collected in the process.

24 (and Jack Bauer) broke every rule. Real time, the clock, the split screens, the complexicities of the plot, killing off main characters, the cliffhangers, the tension and the never knowing whats going to happen next.

I write this in the Television forum instead of the 24 forum as I feel this article is more an appreciation of how the series influenced TV and has become part of pop culture. 24 had a unique concept, a fantastic cast, and a level of suspense that can't be found on many other shows.

The lecacy the show leaves behind is a credit to all those involved in its production over the last decade and I for one would like to thank them for some remarkable television (and a special mention too to the great Kiefer Sutherland)

Richard Dower

Never liked the show, overrated just like Lost....i'm glad it's over.

Richard Dower

Richard Dower wrote: »

..i'm glad it's over.

Likewise, watched an episode for the first time in ages last week, had to laugh at how ridiculous it was.

ixoy

It's long gone its sell by date for me. It was good and relevant once, but no longer.

mstan

ixoy wrote: »

It's long gone its sell by date for me. It was good and relevant once, but no longer.

Actually its probably ending on its best run of episodes (lost writers take note on how to end a show at its peak).

The show really benefited from 9-11 as it premiered 2 months after the attackes when interest on the subject of terrorism was at a high. Hard to believe its been around so long, and a credit to them

RolandIRL

should have ended at season 1. best season imo. just went downhill after that. couldn't bear to watch the last few seasons.
i thought it was more of a 1 season concept.

ejmaztec

24 taught us all something very important, and that was not to trust a living soul, and that the entire population of the planet was out to get you.

SB-08

A truly amazing and groundbreaking show that has the ability to put people on the edge of their seat like no other show I have ever come encountered. It's clear influence in the past decade has not only been seen on various other series but have actually spread and had an impact on the way action thriller films are made which is very rare for a TV show. Easily the most addictive TV series ever made and it's very sad to see it go especially as the past half a dozen episodes of this season have been outstanding television. Overall Season 5 is by far the peak of the programe for me, followed by 1 and 3. But all the seasons bar 6 (apart from the first 4 eps) and the first half of 8 have been brilliant imo. Will be sadly missed - most other shows are just bland and unoriginal in comparison - I'll look forward to the films.:cool:

danh789

Great article!

It's going to be a huge blow for the TV world to be saying goodbye to such a excellent show this week.

The writers of Lost should take note, this is how you bring a show to its end, right at its peak.

FouxDaFaFa

There were 8 seasons?!?!I thought there were about 4 max. Watched season 2 and 3 and really enjoyed them but just kind of drifted away from it. It was great television when I was watching but I would guess that it must be past its prime at this stage.

Elmo

Richard Dower wrote: »

Never liked the show, overrated just like Lost....i'm glad it's over.

Both are actually very different in terms of Drama and Different from each other.

Lost for its flash backs and previous lives even if towards the end the lives of the characters got a bit out of hand.

For 24 the use of split screens in the first 3 season were used effectively to show how different characters were getting on with their storyline as another twist was unfolding, unfortunately toward the last season they misused this technique an awful lot.

Both more cultish than overrated IMO. But lets face it unlike many of the shows Rich likes neither rob from previous series and they are both quite iconic and you will see many of their traits filling the screens of Dramas to come in the future. With 24 redefining the TV Thriller.

Not surprisingly Flash Forward attempted to merge both shows and ultimately failed

ixoy wrote: »

It's long gone its sell by date for me. It was good and relevant once, but no longer.

Totally agree but that is what is so good about US TV it is not afraid to get rid of shows.

They should never have got rid of the phones iconic ring tone

Elmo

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

There were 8 seasons?!?!I thought there were about 4 max. Watched season 2 and 3 and really enjoyed them but just kind of drifted away from it. It was great television when I was watching but I would guess that it must be past its prime at this stage.

If you didn't get to Season 5 you should really check it out, the first few episodes will dissappoint but Both the New President and First Lady are excellent in their roles.

Minstrel27

It is a shame that 24 isn't being simulcasted istead of Lost.

ixoy

SB-08 wrote: »

Overall Season 5 is by far the peak of the programe for me, followed by 1 and 3.

Season 5 was excellent. Season 6 was so bad in comparison that I had to stop watching, lest I tarnish its memory.

krudler

whiteman19 wrote: »

should have ended at season 1. best season imo. just went downhill after that. couldn't bear to watch the last few seasons.
i thought it was more of a 1 season concept.

I watched the 1st season and loved it, missed too much of the 2nd to continue and just never got back into it, agree it would have been amazing as a 1 season show, same as Prison Break, damn US networks and their inablility to not bleed a show dry and let it run its course naturally.

Has Bauer not just learnt to turn his phone off at night now? a season where he's in bed until 3pm and misses half the stuff would be brilliant

Ivan

Wait, there was a movie? oO

Minstrel27

There will be.

JP Liz V1

Both Lost and 24 finished now so what new shows will take their iconic places :rolleyes:

Minstrel27

As I didn't watch Lost I don't have much of a gap to fill. I hear good things about Treme so may give that a go.

Degag

Ivan wrote: »

Wait, there was a movie? oO

Yes, but it didn't have a theatrical release.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24:_Redemption

murrayp4

Glad the right-wing pap is finished .

ktc1

For a show that started out being revolutionary, for me it became formulaic very quickly:
Multiple moles in CTU, poor security leading to murder/assasination, multiple layers of bad guys, everything happens in LA (for 6 seasons?) and so on. Jack became a very one note character as well. The sheer amount of reveals/twists and turns in one day almost became incredible. Quantity does not equal quality.

I was a big fan of Season 1 until the wife's amnesia incident, it jumped the shark right there. I stayed until the end which was excellent, shocking and unexpected. I started watching Season 2 and gradually got bored. Dipped in and out at the start of subsequent series but never got the love back.

abouttobebanned

Please god...will we ever see a finale to the simpsons?!

juma

ucdmike wrote: »

It's the end of an era in the world of television next week when the groundbreaking and iconic 24 series comes full circle with the climax to Day 8. It has been one of the great achievements in modern television history

We've had 8 seasons, a video game, a TV movie, many books, a film series on the way and several Emmy and Golden Globes awards collected in the process.

24 (and Jack Bauer) broke every rule. Real time, the clock, the split screens, the complexicities of the plot, killing off main characters, the cliffhangers, the tension and the never knowing whats going to happen next.

I write this in the Television forum instead of the 24 forum as I feel this article is more an appreciation of how the series influenced TV and has become part of pop culture. 24 had a unique concept, a fantastic cast, and a level of suspense that can't be found on many other shows.

The lecacy the show leaves behind is a credit to all those involved in its production over the last decade and I for one would like to thank them for some remarkable television (and a special mention too to the great Kiefer Sutherland)

And what about Lost!

Elmo

juma wrote: »

And what about Lost!

In fairness posters have mentioned Lost. It is the end of an era for High-concept drama. We will see in the next few months what influence will remain on US television from both of these shows.

danh789

juma wrote: »

And what about Lost!

Oh my God it really irritates me when people compare an epic show like 24 to the muck that is Lost. Im too lazy to argue my point but I think the following article sums up my opinions!

http://www.tv.com/is-24-better-than-lost/story/3844.html

Richard Dower

Lost and 24 were BOTH muck.

Elmo

Richard Dower wrote: »

Lost and 24 were BOTH muck.

Now, now. Richard just because no one will lament the end of an era for the numerous copycat TV programmes you watch as soon as they finish (which will hopefully be next year).

If you are going to call something muck you should at least give some reason .