24 (TV Series) 11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. (2002) User Reviews

The longest day comes to an end

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 21 January 2008]

There are two kinds of season finales: the ones that are good but not particularly edgy, used prominently in sitcoms (see most seasons of Friends and Seinfeld), and the really shocking ones that prove how audacious the show is willing to get and leaves the audience overwhelmed as they eagerly wait for the following batch of episodes. The epilogue of 24: Day 1 belongs to the second category.

Everything is at stake now: with the mole's identity (Nina Myers) exposed and Kim's fate uncertain, Jack is headed to the Port of Los Angeles for the final showdown with Victor Drazen, while David Palmer makes a tough but necessary decision regarding his marriage. As for Teri, she has no idea of what is happening to her husband and daughter and shares the news of her unexpected pregnancy with Nina. That can't end well...

Like few other programs (Desperate Housewives among them), 24 is able to surprise viewers until the very last moment of the season. Exactly how it ends is not up to me to tell (although few people are unaware of how things turned out in the first series' climax), but it's fairly safe to say the outcome is so bleak three different endings had to be filmed (the most optimistic one is included on the DVD).

As a matter of fact, the whole episode is quite violent, possibly the most violent of the entire season, with the final confrontation between Jack and Drazen (Dennis Hopper, still magisterial) particularly bathed in primal brutality: it's a brief but very intense moment that perfectly sets the mood for what will come next, and it allows Sutherland to appear at his most vulnerable and desperate, making Hour 24 one of the best in terms of performances. The same goes for Dennis Haysbert, who started the day worried about his life and ends it fully in control, after a last devastating conversation with his unreliable wife (Penny Johnson, the best female manipulator the small screen has ever had).

All in all, a great ending: aside from a little misstep in the day's second half (that stupid amnesia subplot), the first run of 24 was a practically perfect mix of entertainment, suspense and real emotion, a fact that makes the last minutes of the series more harrowing than the usual TV thriller. If there were any skeptics in the beginning, chances are they will have changed their mind by now: 24 is great television. Be warned, though: it's also very addictive.

The best episode of 24. PERIOD.

[crazyrabbits · 10/10 · 7 July 2006]

While the first season of 24 had it's up's (the first 12 episodes all formed the most cohesive plot of the show's run) and it's down's (Teri's unnecessary amnesia plot), I don't think any fan of 24 can deny that this is one of, if not the best, episodes of the entire season. 1.24 has it all: deception, miscommunication, suspense, action, pathos, and what will arguably be the greatest surprise ending ever in the show's history.

Continuing from the previous episode, in which Jack foiled another assassination attempt on David Palmer's life from the Drazens, Jack decides to trade himself for his daughter, but Nina Myers (a.k.a. Yelena) discovers that Palmer is still alive, and worse yet, since Kim escaped in the previous episode (and she safely gets away from the docks in this episode), the Drazens have no more bargaining chip. Nevertheless, the Drazens have Nina call Jack when he gets to the docks to tell him that Kim is dead. The Drazens think this will break Jack's spirit, but instead, this leads to what is arguably the greatest pier shootout in history, as Jack goes commando and drives a van barreling right into the Drazens' hideout, and single-handedly wipes out every occupant in the vicinity, including both of the Drazen brothers. It is here that we really see how Jack has been affected by the events that have transpired over the course of the day, and how he is finally letting it all out in one big orgy of violence.

In addition, we also find out that David has won the California Presidential Primary, and that he will be sworn in as President, an event that causes David to re-evaluate his relationship with his wife Sherry. I have never had any problem with the acting on the show, and this episode is certainly no exception. Dennis Haysbert and Penny Jerald both give excellent performances as David informs Sherry that he won't take her on as his running mate, and you can feel the emotions on the actor's faces.

Still, the best part of this episode is how it absolutely blindsides you. Jack has killed the bad guy, saved the Senator twice, and can now go back to his family. Of course, it's never that easy. Jack finds out that Nina was the one who killed Jamey earlier in the day, and he realizes that he was being played all along. This leads to an insane shootout in the CTU parking garage as Jack and Nina exchange gunfire while driving towards each other. In the end, though, it is Mason's calm advice that keeps Jack from killing Nina, and the ironic thing is that Nina had already hurt Jack by killing a person that he loved. It is in the final moments of the season where we find out just how needless Nina's actions were, as Jack finds Teri dead in the CTU communications room. It was so shocking that fans of the show even refused to believe she was dead, but there was nothing that could be done. I dare say that Kiefer Sutherland gives his best performance of the series to date, as he goes from anger to vengeance to elation to sadness and grief all in the span of a single episode.

One thing I also enjoyed throughout the show was that the action scenes didn't take place at the end of the episode, like they happened to do in nearly every other episode of the series, which I thought allowed more room for the characters to interact and react to situations.

I have seen this particular episode of 24 at least three times during my life, and every time I have viewed it, I have never noticed any discernible plot holes or errors. Yes, there is a flashback in the final moments of the episode as Jack is holding Teri's lifeless body and remembering their past experiences, but it is the only such instance of a flashback occurring on the show, and it works to great effect here. Again, everything just clicks, and from the use of the split-screens to the acting and direction, it is quite a sight.

Bottom Line: I believe (in my opinion) that this is the finest episode of the show's run. There isn't anything before or since that has come close to conveying the right balance of action, drama and emotion in such a small time frame. I am giving this episode a 10 out of 10. It is definitely a winner, and representative of what "24" is all about.

The Tragic End of the Longest Day of Jack Bauer's Life

[claudio_carvalho · 10/10 · 29 October 2007]

On the day of the California Presidential Primary, between 11:00 PM and 12:00 PM, Jack Bauer drives to the docks to trade himself for Kim. However, Nina leaks to Victor and Andre that Kim is safe and sound, and Victor orders her to tell Jack that they have killed Kim. Instead of being dazzled and confused, Jack is driven by his anger, breaks in the hideout and after a long shootout, he kills Andre, Victor and their men. David Palmer breaks definitely his relationship with the arrogant Sherry. Nina tries to escape from CTU destroying all the evidences, and Teri sees her speaking in German. Nina executes Teri and is captured alive by Jack.

The last episode of the First Season of "24" is one of the best and certainly the most tragic and dramatic. I was completely deceived by Nina, in one of the best twists I have ever seen in a film. The cold blood of Nina killing Jamey and Teri is amazing, but in the bad sense. I expected that Jack put a bullet in her forehead, but the author preferred to leave Jack grieving his loss. Unfortunately David Palmer is not real since a politician with his integrity and honesty is found only in fiction. His disappointment with Sherry, telling that she forgot how to be a mother, a friend and a wife, is one of the greatest moments of this show. The commercial alternative end on DVD is pure garbage. I found "24' one of the best TV series I have ever seen, and I got so addicted that I have seen the twenty-four episodes in about four days. Along the last weekend I saw eighteen episodes. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "23:00"

THE standard for how to write a compelling series finale

[jjpscott01 · 10/10 · 20 May 2017]

I will refrain from spoiling anything in case you've been living under a rock for the past two decades, but the finale of the first season of 24 rocked the television world in 2002. At the time, TV was the not the "cinematic" experience that it is today. This ending to what was already a compelling first season for the series, manages to break your heart and keep you on your toes at the same time. It is paced brilliantly and allows us just enough "space" to think back on Jack's last 23 hours. It dials the intensity up to 11 with Jacks final encounter with the Drazens and then allows your pulse to settle for a short moment before it sends you out with an emotional wallop. The whole thing felt very real and well thought out. Keifer Sutherland's portrayal of a broken man holding on by a short thread is nothing short of brilliant. Do yourself a favor if you never watched this series and lock yourself a way for a weekend to experience season 1 all at once. You will feel exhausted when its all over but in the best way possible.

A truly complicated finish

[Mr-Fusion · 10/10 · 19 April 2017]

This season finale had a lot to live up to with all that's happened thus far, and as for how ell it delivers . . . with nothing short of flying colors. Between the domestic lives of the Palmers and the Bauers, plus a mole in CTU, it's just one bombshell after another. By now, Jack's credentials as a badass are well in order, what with his two-gun assault on the Drazen hideout. And Kiefer Sutherland's tasked with three different scenes of emotional intensity, nailing every one of them. The stakes were already high when the episode opened - and they stayed right up there until the bitter end.

Which brings me to the real shocker and how I think this show found its nerve and really caught fire on TV: that fade to black on the gutsiest ending there can be. There were enough major players to kill off here that I can safely say someone dies without spoiling it. But it's the person they chose that's the real punch to the solar plexus and served to define Jack Bauer from here on out.

Those aren't cojones, those are grapefruits.

10/10

Why the f#ck some people are voting this episode with 1?? This is going beyond me!

[jigsaw-91 · 10/10 · 2 November 2013]

This episode is excellent and is probably the best season finale 24 has ever had. But there is a problem. This episode had a weighed mark (9,3 or 9,4 if I don't fail to remember it) but when I made my comeback here, I found myself into the madness and anger when I saw that this one had a SO UNDERRATED AND UNAPPRECIATED MARK OF 8,3!!! WTF??? I understand that some people could not love or like this show. I understand it and all my respect to that people. But when I saw that this thing on every masterful episode of the show (S2 - 15 & 24, S3 - 18, S4 - 24, S5 - 1-12-24, S6 - 4...) I realized that some group of people or someone with several accounts is making bad and injury to the ratings of this show. I'm not going to believe that episodes that are considered the best of the best and at this time in 2013 were sill being loved to all the viewers are now at so low points even in comparison with other transitional or even weaker ones that have their mark.

Please, a note in a movie or episode or anything could guide people to watch it or not or even to voting it positively or negatively. But, please, don't manipulate people and not to vote 1 just to see a legendary episode fallen.

The only thing you will make is to force people not to trust in web pages like this and to stop having it in consideration to vote a show. And this could be so sad...

Gut Wrenching Ending

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 4 October 2018]

This is a really incredible conclusion where the forces at work come together. When Nina leaves Teri in that room, my first thought was, "Why doesn't she just shoot her?" Well, I guess we got the answer to that. Jack's final confrontation with Dazen and his boys is excellent. Also, Kim's escape is remarkable. Nina and Sherry are really the worst of the worst. I'm wondering now how much of this episode will move into the next season. I was hoping for closure, but it's not there. Anyway, this is a remarkable first season for this show. I don't know, however, how much staying power I have.

Great final

[kaspercmhermans · 9/10 · 19 July 2020]

Great final with an amazing twist at the end. Though I have one complaint. Kim's escape (also episode 1.23). Is she an amazing swim talent or anything, that she can stay that long under water while untying her wrists and then make sure that she's out of sight when she comes up? Would be better if she 'just' escaped while running. Probably added as a bit of action to make it more dramatic, even more, but not at all believable.

Also in hindsight I have a bit of questions about Nina earlier in the season. Like informing her supiriors that Jack was heading to the compound.

But still, amazing first season. Hope there will be more like this. (Yeah I'm late to the party).

Season One

[zkonedog · 8/10 · 4 July 2019]

This first season of 24 is probably the only one that actually uses the "24 hour" convention as it was originally intended. It isn't the best season of the show, but it is the most well-paced. A great jumping-off point for the entire concept of 24 before it really goes down the rabbit hole.

Entertaining but I guess some plot flaws are there too!

[SaifOVGU · 9/10 · 14 May 2020]

Alright, from the very 1st part of season 1 till the 24th part, I never felt bored or loosed my concentration at all. Every second is thrilling and full of plot twists. Episode 24, i think is THE best episode of season 1. Yet I believe I spotted few flaws.

1. When Jack fake Nina's death, she head back to CTU. And Almeida was there and they both held in a room which was black. That means, no surveillance camera. Then how the hell it was recorded when NINA killed Jamey.

2. NINA obviously had so many chances to take the shot against Jack. Why she helped him all the way to that place to kill Gaines where his family was held hostage for the first time? She could've easily ambush her or setup a trap to assassinate Jack!

3. When Nina get caught at the very last scene by Jack, she told I don't work for Drazens. That also doesn't make any sense because she was clearly talking to them all the time.

To be honest, I really loved the character 'Nina Mayers' throughout the whole season and now I hate her the most. I never thought she would be the dirty agent or mole! Like, just see how she helped Jack. Why all on a sudden, she just wanted to get him killed? Just a hour back, when George Mason didn't approve to let jack know that his family again recaptured, Nina's reaction was like: 'What the hell are you doing? Why you're not telling jack that his family isn't safe!'

Argh! I feel like, that's not only in drama but also in our real life. People are like this. They act like they're very trustworthy but in reality they are nothing but a '2 faced snake!'

Views on Season one of '24'

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 1 November 2019]

These comments refer to the whole first season, not just the final episode

It is the day of the Californian Primary to decide who will be the Democratic Party's candidate at the upcoming election and somebody wants front runner David Palmer to be assassinated. Their plan involves kidnapping the teenage daughter of Jack Bauer, a senior officer in the LA Counter Intelligence Unit (CTU) in order to force him to do their dirty work. He is unsure who he can trust; there may be traitors within CTU and others are too 'by the book' to ask for help... it will be the worst day of his life. Tracking down those responsible and keeping Palmer alive will not be easy and each time it seems something is going right there will be a setback that makes things worse. Away from the action there are political machinations within Palmer's campaign when an incident involving his children threatens to be made public.

When '24' first aired I was unsure about the concept of a show taking place in real time over the course of twenty four hours... it may rely on plot driven contrivances, such as key events happening every hour on the hour, to keep the tension high but it works. Every episode contains solid action and somehow keeps raising the tension. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout; even in the final minutes. Kiefer Sutherland is in great form as Jack; a career defining role. He gets solid support from the rest of the cast; notably Sarah Clarke, as colleague Nina Myers; Dennis Haysbert, as Senator Palmer; Leslie Hope, as his wife Teri and Elisha Cuthbert as his daughter Kim. Overall this is a fine first season that is a must see for action/thriller fans who want more than can be delivered in a movie without skimping on quality.

sad ending

[Ascola · 7/10 · 28 October 2006]

Having watched "24"s first season for the second time now I'm not as impressed with the ending as I was when I saw it for the first time. I keep wondering what else the writer's could have done. Obviously they could have added a happy ending as they show in the brief alternative ending which is included on DVD. But that one doesn't feel very convincing either.

The first twelve hour part of the first season feels stronger than the second. In this last episode Jack saves Palmers life for the second time but I can't help almost being with Sherry here - he wouldn't have to save his life if he hadn't come near him in the first place.

Whereas this isn't true for the first attack on Palmer roughly twelve hours earlier, the second attempt on his life seems weakly motivated from the point of view of writing. It's also good to have Mike Novick about who's right agreeing with Sherry that the "charade" about the senator being dead is a political fault, and it's not really convincing that David Palmer only is full of gratitude and concern about his life saver Jack.

The other thing is that Sherry becomes almost unbearable when listening to her the second time, which luckily is also the growing opinion of her husband who confronts her with the consequences and finally ends it. I'm grateful for that.

Nina turning out to be the mole and Teri dying are two extremely surprising and shocking elements watching them once, but are they strong enough to also convince watching them twice? Nina was so good as Jacks support in the CTU - just like Chloe O'Brian later will be (although a completely different character) - isn't it asked too much from this character and the so far fine performance of Sarah Clarke to be turned around like that? and isn't the same true for the death of Teri? hadn't there been a chance for a happy ending which wouldn't be just a cliché? to me there's an arbitrary taste about it. The writers favorite solution of killing their characters - as we will see later so many more times - might be a better solution than to let them live happily ever after but maybe it shouldn't be the only possible ending of everything.

Also, there is a lot of other things in this episode which later we will see returning again and again, and it doesn't change the elements much that different people will play them then.

Still it's always enjoying to watch the first seasons actors again: Leslie Hope, wondering what kind of lover she would have been for Jack in the seasons to come had she survived; Sarah Clarke; Elisha Cuthbert; Dennis Haysbert; Carlos Bernard whose character Tony is only starting to form in this season and will become so much more important and central in the later seasons; and, if you ask me, on top of them all Xander Berkeley with a fine if not brilliant performance. Well, not quite above the whole crowd.. If you're a fan of Kiefers which a "24"-fan usually is (and I am no exception), best scenes are of course where he's in. (Even if his added commentary on the DVD-edition - read from some strange teleprompter or whatever - is lousy..)