Like Season 8, I had never watched “Live Another Day” 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. He’s a wanted man – 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 “Chuck” fame and proves a worthy addition to the cast. As a rebellious Bauer sort of agent, Kate’s 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. He’s hysterical as always, chewing every line like Charlton Heston. Heller is at the onset of Alzheimer’s, another realistic facet that adds nuance. Tate Donovan plays Mark Boudreau, Heller’s Chief of Staff and son-in-law as he is married to Audrey (Kim Raver) who we haven’t 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). It’s a bit strange but I’ll allow it. And have no fear, Mary Lynn Rajskub as Chloe is here.
Day 9 is tighter with only 12 episodes. There’s no room for boring scenes but some of the similar series tropes continue. Different things like Heller’s health issues and US / UK relations are a nice addition.
24 concludes with 205 episodes (including Redemption) which is a lot. I’ll 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 – Award winning and for good reason
Redemption/7 – Love the changeup from CTU to DC
4 – A fun season that stays away from the edgier choices
3 – The first of the best seasons
2 – My first favorite season, drags at times but still great
1 – The original is always the best
8 – Still fresh to me which adds rewachability
9 – See Season 8
6 – Literal dogbleep. I will skip on successive rewatches
