DVD Review: 24 - Season Six

By June L. Dec 4, 2007, 17:11 GMT

At the end of Season 5, Jack Bauer was kidnapped, beaten, and taken captive in retribution for his involvement in a raid on the Chinese Consulate eighteen months earlier. Now, there\'s a new president, Jack Bauer is missing, and the U.S. is under siege from terrorist attacks more threatening than anything we\'ve ever encountered! There is only one thing that can save the nation?Jack Bauer must die. ...more

“Day 6” (as Season six of 24 is called,) begins 20 months after “Day 5” or Season Five.  Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is released from a Chinese prison through a deal made by American President Palmer (DB Woodside) and in return he is expected to allow himself to be traded to Abu-Fayed (Adoni Maropis).

The trade, which will result in Jack’s death is supposed to provide information about the person who is believed to be responsible for the suicide bombings of the last eleven weeks, Hamri Al-Assad (Alexander Siddig.)  In the first couple of episodes, Jack discovers the bad guy Assad is actually a good guy and Fayed is the one responsible for all the terrorist activities. And so it goes from there, a roller coaster ride of action and adventure.

It is always tough to follow a stellar season such as “Day 5” of this series was, and maintain the same level of intensity, curiosity and entertainment.  “Day 6” is disappointing in that it has too much. 

Not happy with the success of Day 5, or perhaps not trusting that a single theme is compelling enough for the viewers, for whatever reason Day 6 is massively overdone.  It is a good story basically, but has too many side lines, or crooked paths leading the audience’s attention away from the main plot. 

There is so much going on, it makes the entire series premise of 24 hours seem somewhat ridiculous.  It is amazing to watch, but very difficult to follow, zipping in and out of storylines and situations at a lightening pace. 

The 24 Season Six is presented on 7 discs, with a wealth of goodies for the fans.  There is commentary or deleted or alternate scenes for almost every episode.  Some have all three special features. 

The commentaries are good, and interesting to hear, as they give insight into intentions and production.  In the screener set, the entire disc seven is a treasure house of special features. 

It includes a Season 7 (Day 7) preview, more Extended or deleted scenes, featurettes  “Master Illusionist: 24’s Special Effects Make-Up”; “24 Season 6: Inside the Writer’s Room”; 24 Season 6: Opening With a Bang”; a “Cameo” with Ricky Gervais; “24 Webcast Diaries”; “24 Mobisodes: Day Six Debrief”; a public service announcement from Kiefer Sutherland, “24 DVD-Rom Exclusives,” “The Technology of 24” and Prison Break Season 2 Premiere episode preview.  

A little less torture, a little less shock value action, and a little more attention to the story, the MAIN story would make all the difference in the quality of this season.  It is not bad, just disappointing after what the viewer has seen in Day 5. 

Perhaps Day 7 will retrieve the well crafted storyline that viewers have come to expect, and allow the excellent actors to shine again in scenes that showcase their abilities.

24 - Season Six is now available at Amazon and AmazonUK. Visit the DVD database for more information.