24 Series 4

I have just finished watching 24 Series 4 on Sky One, and despite a mixed reaction from some fans, I personally loved it!

Series 4 starts very differently to the other previous seasons. It's all change at CTU Los Angeles, Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has been fired by new boss Erin Driscoll inserts her authority on the Counter Terrorism Unit. Jack is now working for US Secretray of Defense James Heller (the excellent William Devane) as his head of personal security. Jack has also got himself involved in a secret affair with the Secretay's daughter - Audrey Raines (Kim Raver).

The day starts as the terrorist operation takes shape, with a bomb going off on a train, soon after this both Heller and Audrey are kidnapped whilst Jack is at CTU on behalf of the Secretary of Defense.

They day then takes many twists and turns as Bauer and CTU must avert the terror attack and rescue his new boss and his lover.

This series of 24 introduces us to a plethora of new characters, especially in the early stages. President Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) resigned from office at the end of series 3 and Republican President John Keeler is now the man in power at the White House. There are also many changes in store at CTU, as well as Jack's firing, Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) is no longer involved due to his act of 'treason' in series 3, his wife Michelle has moved onto to pastures new and both Chase and Kim (Jack's Daughter) have left to start a new life.

As a result of these new changes we are asked to invest in some of the new characters. Some of them worked and some of them probably won't be back in series 5.

Overall though, season 4 is fantastic. Its one of the faster paced series, and there are so many plot twists and turns that at times your belief needs to be suspended. It seems the 'real time' aspect has been pretty much overlooked in this series, which is a shame as it then allows you to pick more holes in the action.

Despite all the new characters, 24 regulars will be glad to know that a few of the old faces return to the story throughout the 24 hours.

A gripping series, and I know I'll be back for series 5 after THAT finale.