24: Live Another Day

Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in “24: Live Another Day”; photo courtesy of the Fox Network

“24: Live Another Day” (Fox)

Jack is back and he is a jumpin’ Jack flash as he sets up business on the streets of London. It has been four years since we have seen the adventures of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) and his return has been more than overdue. To make it even better this return of Jack Bauer to the Fox Network for a twelve-hour series, also includes Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub), Audrey (Kim Raver) and James Heller (William Devane). Having those familiar faces back with Jack just warms the heart.

In this new adventure Jack thinks someone is going to try to assassinate the President of the United States, James Heller while he is on a diplomatic mission to London. He enlists Chloe to help him prevent this. While trying to be heroic Jack is chased by a group of American agents headed up by Kate Morgan (Yvonne Strahovski) and Erik Ritter (Gbenga Akinnagbe).

It all means exciting, nail-biting tension is back on our TV screens. There are other shows which feature heroic missions with dauntless leading men but there is only one Jack Bauer. He’s the man who can evade every twist, recover from every wound, and do it all with charm. This is the role Sutherland was born to play and he makes the most of it.

All of the “24” trademarks are back including the ticking clock, the multiple split screens, and the pounding musical score. It only takes a few seconds into the first hour to know that everything good from the original series is back and in this new one. It remains to be seen if the romance between Jack and Audrey is still on the table since this time out she is married to her father’s Chief of Staff Mark Boudreau (Tate Donovan).

Still the important relationship has and always will be the friendship between Jack and Chloe. If she weren’t back in this new series there would be a gaping hole that couldn’t be filled. Chloe has been a fan favorite from the start and her quirky personality personifies the show.

So get ready to be royally entertained as Jack Bauer takes his show on the road to London. This locale gives a new boost to the series and gives us some new scenery to enjoy. That plus the basic concepts of the series make “24: Live Another Day” an old home week television treat. The series premieres on Monday, May 5 at 8PM on Fox.