"Paul Levinson's It's Real Life is a page-turning exploration into that multiverse known as rock and roll. But it is much more than a marvelous adventure narrated by a master storyteller...it is also an exquisite meditation on the very nature of alternate history." -- Jack Dann, The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History

Monday, July 14, 2014

24 Season 9 Finale: For Whom the Silent Clock Tolls

Well, in the powerful, heartbreaking, excellent Season 9 finale of 24 just on Fox tonight, we finally get a real silent clock.  And though President Heller collapsed in last week's coming attractions, the silent was not for him but for Audrey.

Before we get to that, let me first say what an outstanding performance William Devane gave throughout this whole 9th Season of 24, but never more so than tonight.  His "I'll forget" speech, given to the British PM about Audrey and everything as he makes his way to board Air Force One back to the U.S., was one of the best ever delivered on 24, and Shakespearean in its harrowing, haunting beauty.

Jack's relationship with Chloe was also brilliantly played out tonight - and Kiefer Sutherland's acting was as outstanding as ever in this role, too.   It makes perfect sense that Jack would turn himself over to the Russians to free Chloe.  And this certainly leaves open lots of room for another season, which I hope we'll see, someday - next year or soon after would be my preference.

Kate was a strong character throughout but tonight was not her best hour. Not because Audrey got fatally wounded right next to her - this was not Kate's fault - but because she didn't do anything to help Jack in the aftermath.   Why didn't she look into what was going on, if Jack didn't tell her, and have the CIA mount some sort of supporting attack on the Russians, so Jack as well as Chloe could be free?

A part of Jack wanted to die - hence the gun he put to his head before deciding to vent his rage on Chang and his men, and the sword on Chang's neck - and a part of Jack no doubt also wanted to be taken prisoner by the Russians.   But he still asked Chloe to look in on his family, and someone in Kate's position should have been looking out a little more for Jack at the end.

This season vividly showed that 24 still has the juice it had for its first eight seasons, and maybe even more.   The jumping ahead 12 hours for the last segment worked just fine, meaning the 12 hours for the season worked as well as the 24, maybe even better.  24 is second to none in adrenalin and plots that are both complex and fast moving, and I say bring on some more.  This season hasn't slaked my interest in this narrative in the slightest, it only stoked it.

See also 24 Season 9 Hours 1 and 2: The Sheer Intelligent Adrenalin Is Bac... 24 Season 9.3: Shades of Disloyalties ... 24 Season 9.4: Brass Tacks and Strong Women ... 24 Season 9.5: Jack and Audrey .. 24 Season 9.6: Expendable In-Laws ... 24 Season 9.7: Silent Clock in President Heller's Future ... 24 Season 9.8: Clearing the Deck ... 24 Season 9.9: The Reason for No Silent Clock, Misleading Coming Attractions, and the New Villain ...24 Season 9.10: Every Card on the Table ... 24 Season 9.11: Partial Redemption

And see also Season 8 reviews: Hours 1 and 2 ... Hours 3 and 4 ... Hour 5 ...Hour 6 ... Hour 7 ... Hour 8 ... Hour 9 ... Hour 10 ... Hour 11 ... Hour 12... Hour 13 ... Hour 14 ... Hours 15-16 ... Hour 17 ... Hour 18 ... Hour 19... Hour 20 ... Hour 21 ... Hour 22 ... 24 Forever!

And see also Season 7 reviewsHours 1 and 2 ... Hours 3 and 4 ... Hour 5... Hour 6 ... Hour 7 ... Hour 8 ... Hour 9 ... Hour 10 ... Hours 11-12 ...Hour 13 ... Hour 14 ... Hour 15 ... Hour 16 ... Hour 17 ... Hour 18 ... Hour 19 ... Hour 20 ... Hour 21 ... Hour 22  ... Hours 23-24  

And see also Season 6 reviews: Hours 1 and 2 ... Hours 3 and 4 ... Hour 5 ... Hour 6 ... Hour 7 ... Hours 8 and 9 ... Hour 10 ... Hour 11 ... Hour 12 ... Hour 13 ... Hour 14 ... Hour 15 ... Hour 16 ... Hour 17 ... Hour 18... Hour 19 ... Hour 20 ... Hour 21 ... Hour 22 ... Hours 23-24


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