Day 2: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

The second season of "24" begins with a gripping and intense episode that sets the stage for another day of high-stakes action and drama. The episode opens with Jack Bauer, now disillusioned and struggling with the loss of his wife, being called back into action to prevent a catastrophic nuclear threat against Los Angeles. The urgency of the situation is immediately apparent as CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) scrambles to respond to the credible threat. The direction is sharp, with a real-time format that keeps the tension high and the pacing brisk.

Bauer's return to CTU is met with mixed reactions from his colleagues, highlighting the personal and professional challenges he faces. The episode delves into Bauer's emotional state, showcasing his vulnerability and the burden of his previous experiences. His determination to thwart the nuclear threat is palpable, and his interactions with CTU staff reveal the complex dynamics within the team. The narrative effectively balances action with character development, providing a compelling start to the season.

Meanwhile, President David Palmer faces his own set of challenges as he navigates the political implications of the nuclear threat. Palmer's leadership and decision-making are put to the test, revealing the pressures and responsibilities of his position. The subplot adds a layer of political intrigue to the episode, exploring the ethical and strategic considerations in responding to a national crisis. Palmer's character is further developed, showcasing his integrity and resolve.

Critics have praised the season premiere for its strong narrative, character development, and intense pacing. The direction and cinematography are lauded for maintaining the high level of tension and urgency that the series is known for. The episode successfully reintroduces familiar characters while setting the stage for new conflicts and challenges. However, some have noted that the relentless pace and constant tension can be exhausting. Despite this, the premiere sets a promising tone for the second season, with high stakes and compelling character arcs.

There are no spoilers. You will find out about Kim soon enough.

I loved this show when it first aired. After rewatching it, I didn't realize how much of an annoying brat Kim is. She never listens to ANYONE . And always makes the worst possible decision. Can't she ever once just listen to her father. God forbid she coulda just got out of LA. But no, that would be too easy.

Kim is the real terrorist in this show. I've lost count at how many people are dead because of her and it's only the beginning of Season 2!!

It's a great show. I'm finally watching it again for the second time. I forgot how good it was... Just Kim... ugh.

Well they sure didn't waste any time unloading a new threat on the U.S.; this premiere opens with just that very discovery, carrying with it a somber tone as the Palmer administration works to sort out the specifics. But in general, this is a more muscular show, boasting improved sets, characters who have their own defined spaces and a story that feels very appropriate for a post-9/11 America. And its hero, still reeling from his wife's murder, doesn't want any part of it. But, true to this newly-established formula, there's no getting out of this. After being dragged back in to CTU, Jack Bauer is freshly-shaven, steely-nerved and ready to go.

And things are about to get dark.

8/10

Relentlessly compelling and suspenseful, the first season of 24 stood out as the finest thriller series viewers had seen in a long time, its terrorist storyline getting more relevance after 9/11. Following such a pinnacle of tension and drama with an equally good second year (or day) was going to be tricky. Fortunately, the second series starts as splendidly as the previous one ended.

It's been 18 months since the tragic events of Day 1, and things have changed considerably: David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) is now President of the United States; CTU is run by the unpleasant George Mason (Xander Berkeley); and Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), still distraught by the loss of his wife (cue a fully grown beard) and unable to have a proper bond with his daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert), is no longer an active federal agent. At least until he receives a phone call from Palmer, who asks him, as a friend, to take care of a potentially lethal situation: a nuclear device that will probably explode in Los Angeles within the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, a woman named Kate Warner (Sarah Wynter) begins to get suspicious regarding the Middle-Eastern man who is about to marry her sister (Laura Harris). Could he have something to do with the threat?

Bigger and bolder than the preceding season, Day 2 is also more interested in crafting realistic, three-dimensional characters, as shown by the fact that the entire first half of the episode is used to make Mason come off as a more likable person than he was in Season One, emphasize how Palmer is more concerned with people than power and show how miserable Jack's life has become. It is this attention to detail, strengthened by the real time, that sets the show apart from most other televised thrillers. Well, that and the omnipresent suspense, also a product of the narrative structure.

And let's not forget the performances: Haysbert keeps up the good work he did previously, Cuthbert is truly affecting, while Berkeley and Carlos Bernard succeed in portraying their characters in a more sympathetic light than before. As always, though, the real focus is on Sutherland, and he doesn't disappoint once: extremely touching in one scene and shockingly brutal in the next, he injects Bauer with a moral complexity that is bound to conquer audiences, especially when Jack comes up with a very unorthodox way to get the job done and says to a very disgusted Mason: "That's the problem with people like you, George: you want results, but you never want to get your hands dirty.". That line isn't just a summation of Jack's methods, it also serves as a description of the series: gritty, occasionally merciless and willing to explore some really dark territories. Unmissable.

Session II probably moves faster than Session I, with more political drama, Nuke etc. But Kim related events are kind of unnecessary distraction. Could very easily omitted to make it more solid. In session-I, Kim and related events had a direct link to the main story, where it is none. So other than extending the length, it has no other purposes. Touched many sensitive things, including terrorism and middle east countries. But it handled it nicely without being prejudiced to some particular community. It would be better if Jack is shown a little more mortal. His inhumane capacity to absorb physical pain and fight back capacity is little over the top, like Rambo, Arny style action heroes. Otherwise it a decent and fast moving story with good overall acting, though most of the females looks exceptionally unattractive and rough skinned :-(