On the other hand, that's absolutely the case with 24. Thinking about the show doesn't destroy the show, but it makes it less fun. 24 has really one purpose: pack as much action and edge-of-your seat moments as possible into 24 hours of television. The trick is to somehow manage that while creating a competent story that doesn't fall apart, making sure there are characters you would hate to see die, and making sure the "personal" moments don't feel cheap.
The fifth season has two things that the rest of the seasons I've seen don't have: a story that is mostly plausible within the confines of what 24 has defined as plausible every step of the way and zero awful plotlines. Somehow, none of the episodes feel like stalling for time. And there's definitely no "Kim getting attacked by a cougar" in this season.
This season has probably the best acting of any season. 24 has never been a show with particularly great acting. That changes this season. The standout of the season is Gregory Itzin, playing Charles Logan. I'm not sure anybody else could play a president who could seem so much like a weasel one minute and terrifying the next. He also plays desperate beggar so well it's almost painful to watch.
Kim Raver is also terrific as Audrey Raines. If I'm being honest, Mary Lynn Rajskub has never impressed me as an actress even if I like her character, but she definitely nails the scene where she watches Edgar Stiles die. Similarly, Louis Lombardo makes us care about a character who is basically just exposition throughout his screentime.
The fifth season could also be called: "Who's guest starring in this episode?" Because seemingly all the supporting characters get played by either good or recognizable actors. Sean Astin, Peter Weller, Connie Britton (who is severely underused), Kate Mara, C. Thomas Howell (Ponyboy), Henry Ian Cusick (AKA Desmond from Lost), Ray Wise (whose name might not ring a bell, but the guy is in everything), and Mark Sheppard. Good guest stars help elevate the writing, which is somewhat necessary in a show like 24 which is not too great at developing characters.
If there's one glaring thing that left me with a bad taste, it's that early Charles Logan and later Charles Logan don't quite make logical sense. I can't think of a conceivable reason that Logan and Cummings aren't both in on the plan. Logan's shock at Cummings' plans - and if I re-watched maybe Mike Novick was in the room whenever this was happening - doesn't make sense to me. Why doesn't Cummings know Logan's in on the plan? Either way, it's a small thing and it doesn't really matter to me anyway since I was already spoiled on Logan being a traitor.
Every list that I've search has the fifth season as the greatest season of 24. To be honest, not all that much is different from other seasons. It still relies on some of the same narrative tricks (detrimental family member leading to downfall, villain somehow escapes to further the plot of the show TWICE, etc.) and it's attempts at making us care about the characters' personal lives remain futile. The personal lives almost completely depend upon the actor so thank god that Itzin and Jean Smart are so good in their roles or the presidential marriage would have been a drag.
But this just goes to show what tight plotting, good acting, and constant action can do for a season. There's no repetitive storyline, no plot point seems irrelevant or annoying, and each episode seems important. Also, the show was willing to kill off major characters. They've killed off President Palmer, Michelle Dressler, Edgar Stiles, and Tony Almeida but not really. (I'm already spoiled that he comes back.) So I have to agree with every list on the internet that the fifth season is the best.
Grade - A
Playlist
1. "Sober" - Childish Gambino
2. "10538 Overture" - Electric Light Orchestra
3. "Autumn Sweater" - Yo La Tengo
4. "Feel Right" - Mark Ronson feat. Mystikal
5. "Green Fields" - The Brothers Four
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