The age of reboots brought us a second final season of â24â. âLive Another Dayâ was released in 2014 â 4 years after the would-be series finale. Day 9 consists of 12 episodes with a unique touch to the last one that completes the full day. In fact, after going through this rewatch, it may have benefited other seasons to trim some of the excess in a similar style. But alas, that was the way we watched network television in the 2000s.
Like Season 8, I had never watched âLive Another Dayâ which made it a fun experience. Set in London, Day 9 also marks the third straight season to take place away from Los Angeles. Filmed on location, the different cityscape, layout, and culture again make me wish they had moved away from LA sooner.
Obviously, Kiefer Sutherland is back as Jack Bauer. Four years after the mayhem of Season 8, Jack is fully on his own, and on the run. Heâs a wanted man â tracked by the Russians and our own CIA. For the first time, he has no allies, and no credentials to bail him out of trouble.
Yvonne Strahovski plays CIA agent Kate Morgan. Strahovski was coming off âChuckâ fame and proves a worthy addition to the cast. As a rebellious Bauer sort of agent, Kateâs interactions with Jack are some of the series finest. I would have loved to watch this partnership more. Kate has a backstory, and her character is fully fleshed out with the writing and acting.
William Devane returns. This time James Heller is the POTUS. Heâs hysterical as always, chewing every line like Charlton Heston. Heller is at the onset of Alzheimerâs, another realistic facet that adds nuance. Tate Donovan plays Mark Boudreau, Hellerâs Chief of Staff and son-in-law as he is married to Audrey (Kim Raver) who we havenât heard from since Season 6. Yikes, trouble is on the horizon when this reunion goes down.
The terror threat involves the compromising of military drones, a realistic and prescient danger. The terrorist leader is Lady Stark (Michelle Fairley) accompanied by her gorgeous daughter (Emily Berrington). Itâs a bit strange but Iâll allow it. And have no fear, Mary Lynn Rajskub as Chloe is here.
Day 9 is tighter with only 12 episodes. Thereâs no room for boring scenes but some of the similar series tropes continue. Different things like Hellerâs health issues and US / UK relations are a nice addition.
24 concludes with 205 episodes (including Redemption) which is a lot. Iâll revisit the series again in a few years, though a complete viewing is quite a commitment. It remains one of my all-time favorite shows, and an influential part of television history.
SEASON RANKINGS
5 â Award winning and for good reason
Redemption/7 â Love the changeup from CTU to DC
4 â A fun season that stays away from the edgier choices
3 â The first of the best seasons
2 â My first favorite season, drags at times but still great
1 â The original is always the best
8 â Still fresh to me which adds rewachability
9 â See Season 8
6 â Literal dogbleep. I will skip on successive rewatches
