User Reviews

"Addictive" is an adjective I've heard many times when talking of certain TV shows. Most recently, dramas like Lost, Heroes and Prison Break have earned that description. However, as compelling as they may be (and they really are) I can wait a few days before I see the next episode of either series, even Prison Break which some have lazily classified as "the new 24". With all due respect, there can be no such thing, and for a good reason: no other silver-screen thriller is based on a real-time structure. That's what sets 24 apart from any other show, and that's why I practically have to watch an entire season (on DVD) in seven days or less: once the frickin' clock starts ticking, it's impossible to tune out.

An episode whose events unfolded over the course of a single day was a trademark of NYPD Blue (and, more recently, Deadwood); having an entire season of a new series last 24 hours, one per ep (the actual running time is 41 minutes; the remaining 19 are occupied by commercials when the show airs on telly), was the most groundbreaking idea in mainstream television since Hill Street Blues introduced non-linear storytelling (a mandatory element nowadays). And it truly paid off.

Ironically enough, the original plan for the series was to make it revolve around a wedding (fortunately, creators Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran realized the format was more suitable for a conspiracy thriller), which is probably the reason the first glimpse we get of the hero suggests a cheerful atmosphere: looking extremely relaxed, Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is enjoying a game of chess with his daughter Kimberly (Elisha Cuthbert) and, minutes later, being tender with Teri (Leslie Hope), the wife with whom he has just reconciled. As in The Sopranos, though, something unexpected and shocking is just behind the corner: not only has Kim snuck out of her room, Jack also receives a phone call urging him to get to work immediately. At midnight? I'm afraid so: Bauer is a CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) agent, and his boss has acquired reliable intel about a possible hit on the life of David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), an African-American Presidential candidate who will be in Los Angeles for the whole day (oh, right, I almost forgot: events occur on the day of the California Presidential Primary). No time for napping, then: Jack has to spend the next 24 hours working on the case. Unfortunately, he has a tendency to ignore protocol, and that doesn't sit well with George Mason (Xander Berkeley), a slimy man from Division who has been asked to interfere with the operation.

The plot is very dense, making the show hard to recommend for those with a short attention span, but anyone willing to take a look will be rewarded instantly: the writing is sharp and precise, the attention to detail unsurpassed, and the suspense is consistently sky-high, mainly thanks to the real-time trickery which considerably enhances the adrenaline level.

Another great quality of this pilot is the characterization: most genre shows (sci-fi and thriller) tend to simply introduce the key players and then define them later on (a textbook example is CSI, where character development is minimal, but then again that matches the show's unique style), whereas the series debut of 24 offers a rich array of fully rounded people, among whom Jack (Sutherland's best role - ever!) and Palmer (the real revelation of the show) stand out for being perfectly described after one episode only (the former divided between job and family, reckless but humane, the latter honorable and endowed with great integrity). A couple of supporting parts border on stereotype (Mason and Tony Almeida especially), but two factors ought to be taken into account: a) this is the first episode; b) there's so much going on most viewers won't even complain about a "flaw" or two. After all, how many network programs manage to begin with a conspiracy, a missing teenager AND a huge explosion - and still have equally satisfying material for the rest of the season?

Tick, tock, tick, tock...

Anyone who's just now discovering "24" should know two things:

One, this broke serious ground in terms of format for its time; there hadn't been a show like this "in real time" and serialized to the hilt.

And two, buckle up, because you're in for an amazing ride.

This is effectively the show's pilot, which has its work cut out for it in laying the groundwork for the day's terrorist threat and introducing all of the characters. And there are plenty of balls in the air. what's evident almost from minute one is that trust is a precious commodity in this government, and the twists are seemingly around every corner. The cast and the tone are spot-o0n, and it's easy to see why this show was a hit.

There are all sorts of ways in which to view this pilot after seeing where this show has ultimately traveled. For years, I'd wondered if the first season would be tame in comparison. But it holds up.

8/10

On the day of the California Presidential Primary, between midnight and 1:00 AM, the spy Victor Rovner sends a message from Kuala Lumpur to USA. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the Federal Agent Jack Bauer has returned to his family and is having trouble at home with his teenage daughter Kimberly, who blames her mother Teri for putting Jack out of the house. Teri and Jack decide to have a serious conversation with Kim, and they discover that the girl has run away home. While trying to solve his domestic problem, Jack is called to his Counter Terrorist Unit by his colleague Nina Myers for a meeting with their chief Richard Walsh, who discloses a menace against the life of Senator David Palmer, who is running for president, and they need to find the shooter. Later, Walsh has a private conversation with Jack and tells that there is a conspiracy in the agency against David Palmer, and assigns Jack to find the conspirators. When an airplane explodes over the Mojave Desert, Jack has one additional issue to worry about.

The first episode of "24" is a promising beginning of a successful series, introducing Jack Bauer. This is the first time that I have watched this show and I confess that I liked what I have seen: a complex and dramatic story, with multiple and realistic characters. Kiefer Sutherland is perfect in the role of a family man and a reliable agent in charge of three difficult missions at the same time: find a killer to protect an important politician; find a traitor in his agency; and find his teenage daughter, who is getting in trouble, while trying to save his marriage. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "12:00"

I was never a big fan of television until I watched 24 for the first time. I got into the series very late. Season 5 ended before I even saw my very first episode. It was an episode of Series 3 that was on my parents DVR (digital video recorder) box while I was house sitting for the weekend. It took that one episode for me to be hook line and sinker into the world of Jack Bauer. And boy was I hooked!! I watched the next six episodes without blinking an eye. The next day I went to Blockbuster and signed up for an unlimited month pass for twenty something dollars and needless to say it has been the greatest blockbuster money I've ever spent. I watched the first three seasons in three weeks. That's 72 forty minute episodes!!! I will say that finding out what happens next is easier on DVD than waiting an entire week. I can only imagine the anticipation of watching Season 6 week to week!! I find it mildly torturous and cruel but I'm going to give it a try and watch it just like the rest of America!! The DVR is set and you can bet I'll be chomping at the bit!!

This is the first episode of the first season of 24. Based off the first episode, this series could be a fun ride. The story seems a little far- fetched and the show has the makings of a silly Bond-like movie, but I think that is the clear intentions of the makers. This episode is light on the action, but we are put into high drama already. The acting seems very good. Kiefer Sutherland and his raspy voice as Jack Bauer seems like an ideal casting choice. I also liked Elisha Cuthbert as his daughter and Leslie Hope as his wife.

In this episode, "12:00 AM-1:00 AM," Jack Bauer is called into his office at the Counter Terrorist Unit where he learns of a possible attempt on Senator David Palmer's life who is running for President. He also learns that his daughter has ran away from home.

Overall, this episode is a good start. I liked how the series is in real time, although I can see why come people may not like it. There are four-five story lines to pay attention to. They are all relatively strong to start off, so that is a good sign.

My Grade: A-

A spectacular, iconic episode to begin the greatest show ever! A++++++++++++++

We are quickly introduced to Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland) who is a stoic, rather humorless mercenary. He is devoted to a family that has had enough of his rather cold being. He is brought into a case that involves the possible assassination of a U. S. Senator who is running for President. Jack must act quickly with no possibility of analyzing the overall scope of things. This promises to be a delight.

I have just started reviewing the show on imdb although I have been a fan for a very long time. If you have read y review of the show overall you know that I took it upon myself to record Keifer Sutherland's for every episode of the show. I just started recording his screen time for season 7. Now I will start reviewing each episode. I will always record his screen time that I recorded, using the stopwatch on my cell phone. Season 1 episode 1: "12:00 am -1:00am" Keifer Sutherland: 21:39 21 minutes and 39 seconds. this is the screen or (focus time) I recorded for Sutherland in the first episode of 24. This is a pretty good number, and as I wound find out as I continued, it is a very good number for scrren time for Keifer Sutherland on 24. Most of the other episodes don't even come close, given the show's tendency toward action soap opera. The pilot of 24 itself is actually a decent episode, because it keeps the main character (Jack Bauer) in the show consistently. It has to since it is introducing the concept of the show and the main character simultaneously. But other episodes of the show have not succeeded at this as much as the pilot does. The only problem I have with this episode is the lack of action. For a show that would become such a fast paced action show, the pilot didn't have any action sequences in it. I get that they were just introducing the show (and in season 1 probably had a low budget) but now days if you are trying to sell an action show, a vital component is to have some sort of action sequence in the pilot. Given that every episode of 24 is an hour, I can let that go. But the show becomes much faster paced as it goes on. One more thing. Why they ever let a guy like Jack Bauer run CTU the first place is beyond me! lol The other people who run CTU over the years make much more sense. Jack Bauer is a field agent. He is not meant to run the place.

I missed watching 24, which has a very special place for me, for the second time! It's one of my favorite seasons and I like the old images. Nina is making me nervous. What happened to Kim and Janet is sad, but Kim is to blame.

But not a terrible start , as a first time viewer i was not aware that the Pilot plot was going to be the plot for the full season, i was expecting things to get solved in the 45 minutes, now i understand why the Pilot was so slow and boring, nothing happen because they need 24 episodes to tell the story.

The concept is cool , 24 episode hour by hour, im going to keep watching because of that, otherwise i would have been stop watching, because the Pilot was Unfortunately boring, except for the last 5-6 minutes !! Its actually the last 5-6 minutes that makes this episode a 7/10 and not a 6/10 The Politician/terrorist plot is absolutely boring as of now, i couldnt Care less about what happen, i was already complaning if this plot was for only the Pilot, but now you tell me there will be 24 episodes about a terrorist and a politician man, OMG how can this bé interesting... Who cares about a terrorist attack on a politician ? Their all bad and corrupt people.

I truly Hope they will find a way to make it interesting, at least the fact he is black and knowing the future History with Obama, i kinda understand why they have to save a black politician ( he represent Hope for black people ) The Plot about the daughter is of course the best one, the only one that matter i feel.

The scenes on the plane were the highlight of this episode with the scenes of Jack daughter Pretty Bad start but with potential !