12:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.

"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...

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.

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"

The pilot episode of "24" sets the tone for the entire series, introducing us to Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), a dedicated and resourceful agent with the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU). The episode begins with Bauer being called in to prevent an assassination attempt on Senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), a leading presidential candidate. This immediately establishes the high-stakes nature of Bauer's work. Concurrently, Bauer's personal life is thrown into chaos when his teenage daughter, Kim (Elisha Cuthbert), sneaks out for a party and is kidnapped. This dual plotline of political intrigue and personal crisis serves as a powerful hook, showcasing Bauer's struggle to balance his professional responsibilities with his personal life. The direction by Stephen Hopkins is sharp and efficient, keeping the tension high and the narrative tightly wound. The use of split-screen techniques to show simultaneous events adds to the real-time urgency, a hallmark of the series.

A standout moment in the episode is Bauer's tense interactions with his colleagues at CTU, particularly Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke), which hint at complex, possibly problematic, internal dynamics within the unit. These scenes set up a subplot of suspicion and mistrust that will permeate the series. Senator Palmer's storyline is also introduced, revealing that he is facing a significant political scandal. This subplot, while secondary to the main plot, adds depth to Palmer's character and provides a broader context for the political stakes involved. Critics have noted the effectiveness of the pilot in establishing the show's premise and characters, though some have pointed out that the rapid-fire introduction of multiple plot threads can be somewhat overwhelming. Nevertheless, the episode is successful in creating a compelling and suspenseful narrative that leaves viewers eager for more. The performances, especially by Sutherland, are strong and help ground the otherwise high-octane plot in emotional reality.

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