24 (season 1)

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24 Season 1

Season 1 promotional poster
Country of origin Flag of the United States United States
Network Fox Broadcasting Company
Original run November 6, 2001 – May 21, 2002
No. of episodes 24
DVD release date September 17, 2002 (Original release); May 20, 2008 (Special Edition) (NTSC, Widescreen)
Next season 24 (season 2)

Season One of the television series 24 was first broadcast from November 6, 2001 to May 21, 2002. The season's storyline starts at 12:00 a.m. on the day of California Presidential primary.

“ Right now, terrorists are plotting to assassinate a presidential candidate. My wife and daughter have been kidnapped... and people that I work with may be involved in both. I'm Federal Agent Jack Bauer, and today is the longest day of my life. ”
—Jack Bauer, introductory monologue for most episodes of the season.[verification needed] Note: in other episodes, Jack says "missing", "in danger" or "targeted" instead of "kidnapped", and did not originally include his wife, Teri.

Contents

[edit] Season overview

Season One (2001 – 2002) takes place on the day of a fictional presidential primary during modern times in an unspecified year.

The season's main plot revolves around an assassination attempt on Maryland Senator David Palmer, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, on the day of the California primary. The central character is Jack Bauer, a former Delta Force operator who is the Director of the fictional Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) in Los Angeles. Bauer becomes professionally as well as personally involved when his wife Teri and daughter Kim are kidnapped by the people behind the assassination.

The season is essentially divided into two acts:

  1. The first act revolves around a mercenary group's efforts to control Jack Bauer and force him to kill Senator Palmer by kidnapping Bauer's wife and daughter. This culminates in Jack's successful rescue of his family.
  2. In the second act, the masterminds behind the plot are revealed and continue with their plans to kill the Senator as well as the Bauer family.

Fox initially ordered only 13 episodes — the successful rescue at the end of the first half of the season was planned as a series finale in the event that the show was not renewed.

[edit] Major subplots

The show rotates between the points of view of each of the five main cast members: Jack Bauer, Teri Bauer, Nina Myers, Kim Bauer, and David Palmer, as well as one main villain - Mandy for the first 3 hours, followed by Ira Gaines, Alexis Drazen (man) and finally Victor Drazen. The day's situations — both ongoing events and the relationships between these five characters and their associates — form the basis for the season's subplots.

  • A mole at CTU is sabotaging efforts to stop the assassination.
  • Jack finds himself in situations where he confronts his complex personal definition of compromise.
  • The Bauer family is rebuilding their relationships now that Jack has moved home after being separated from Teri for 6 months.
  • There are tensions between Jack, his second-in-command and former lover, Nina Myers, and Nina's current boyfriend/rebound relationship and third-in-command, Tony Almeida.
  • Political scandals threaten to erupt, centered around Senator Palmer's son having been accused of killing his sister's rapist in the distant past, 7 years before this season.
  • Kim has a complicated relationship with her kidnappers, particularly the misguided Rick Allen.
  • Teri develops personal problems as a result of the day's stress and revelations.
  • Jack is forced to endure intense personal anguish, as his family's safety is compromised at the same time that he is charged with protecting David Palmer and also locating the mole within his agency.

[edit] Summary

Season 1 starts and ends at 12:00 a.m. PST. The first half of the season centers on the efforts of a terrorist cell led by Ira Gaines to assassinate presidential candidate David Palmer. They kidnap Jack Bauer's wife and daughter in order to force him to aid in the assassination and take the fall for Palmer's death. Jack eventually defeats this cell in the process of saving his wife and daughter, but this only leads to information about a second group of terrorists who had employed the first cell. The second cell is led by those ultimately responsible for the day's events: Andre and Alexis Drazen.

Two years prior to this day, Jack Bauer was sent as part of a classified team to Kosovo on the orders of a secret Congressional panel headed by David Palmer to kill Victor Drazen, Slobodan Milošević's "shadow." In order to keep Operation Nightfall totally secret, the panel never met nor knew the team of operatives, and vice versa, therefore Palmer and Bauer never knew about each other. The Drazens found out about both Palmer's and Bauer's involvement in their father's death (incidentally, Jack Bauer was believed to be the only operative still alive), and the whole assassination plot had been a means to get back at them -- Palmer would be dead, Jack would be imprisoned for the assassination, and his family would be killed.

During the last few episodes, the plot twists revealed many surprises. It was revealed that Bauer's team had only killed Drazen's body double. Drazen's wife and daughter, however, were inadvertently killed, prompting the "eye for an eye" aspect of the plot: as Drazen's family died, so would Bauer's wife and daughter. We also discover that the real Victor Drazen is a top secret, unofficial prisoner of the US government, and the Drazens' primary goal was to free Victor Drazen.

Eventually, in order to satisfy the Drazens, Palmer's death is faked. The Drazens recapture Bauer's daughter Kim and offer to exchange her life for Bauer's. However, Kim escapes and the Drazens soon learn that Palmer is still alive. With time running out on his chance to escape before he is recaptured, in desperation, the freed Victor Drazen tells his mole inside CTU, who is revealed to be Nina Myers, to call Bauer and tell him that his daughter is dead and that the Coast Guard has found her body. Drazen knows that a grieving Jack will attack him, and he believes he, his son Andre Drazen (Alexis having been killed earlier) and their henchmen can kill Jack. Nina is reluctant, knowing that if Drazen's plan fails, Jack will very quickly learn that Kim is not dead and that as Nina had lied to him she must be the mole. However Nina does indeed tell the lie to Jack.

Drazen's plot backfires rather spectacularly, as an enraged Jack kills Drazen's son and guards, and in the process corners Victor Drazen before killing him, after both have exchanged fire in a shootout. Afterwards, Jack Bauer speaks with a member of the Coast Guard to arrange to claim his daughter's body. The Coast Guard informs Bauer that they did not find a body that night. Bauer realizes that Nina Myers is the mole. He calls George Mason and tells him to detain Myers, but Myers, who heard that Bauer had survived, was already preparing for exfiltration by erasing all the incriminating information on her computer. Bauer's wife, Teri, is confused about the events surrounding Jack's attempt to rescue their daughter, and looks for Myers, whom she trusts. Teri realizes that Myers is the mole, however, and Myers ties her up to a chair. Jack comes to CTU and lets them take Myers into custody (as opposed to killing her). He then discovers his wife's body in the chair with a fatal gunshot wound in her abdomen. The season ends with Jack cradling his dying wife in his arms.

The season has a dramatic and unexpected ending: the death of Teri Bauer. Many fans were dismayed by this sudden plot twist, while others applauded 24's genre-defying willingness to unexpectedly kill major characters. The producers also filmed an alternate ending in which Teri, Kim, and Jack are reunited, and another in which Teri is shot, but survives. However, they eventually decided to go with the death of Teri Bauer as the climax of season one. The first alternate ending is available on the DVD boxed set for the season.

[edit] Series timeframe

Although it is not clear which year it is set in, it is known that it takes place during a presidential election year, on a Super Tuesday. As the series presents a fictional story, there is no reason why it should be set in any particular actual year.

The writers have recently stated that events in the 24 timeline take place in the "perpetual now," where dates are never specified by the show and concepts of the exact date and year are left vague and unconfirmed.[1]

[edit] Plots and twists affecting future seasons

[edit] Characters

From left to right: Mandy, Senator David Palmer, Nina Myers, Teri, Jack, and Kim Bauer
From left to right: Mandy, Senator David Palmer, Nina Myers, Teri, Jack, and Kim Bauer

This is a list of the main cast for Season 1. See List of 24 characters for a more thorough list.

[edit] Starring

[edit] Recurring

[edit] Special Guest Stars

[edit] Episodes

Series # Episode # Title Directed by Written by Production Original airdate
1 1 "12:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m."  Stephen Hopkins Joel Surnow & Robert Cochran 1AFF79 November 6, 2001
It's the eve of the California Presidential Primary. Jack Bauer's daughter, Kim, sneaks out of the house to go out with friends. As Bauer's wife, Teri, searches for Kim, Jack is called in for a meeting at CTU Los Angeles in response to a threat on Senator David Palmer's life that is believed to take place within the next 24 hours. Bauer discovers that there may be a mole inside CTU. Senator Palmer gets a disturbing phone call at his downtown Los Angeles hotel. 
2 2 "1:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m."  Stephen Hopkins Joel Surnow & Michael Loceff 1AFF01 November 13, 2001
Jack's plans to find his daughter are sidetracked when he gets a call from CTU's Richard Walsh, who is being stalked by assassins connected with the David Palmer hit. Mandy passes the ID card of the dead photographer to Ira Gaines, the man leading the assassination plot. Kim realizes that she and Janet York may be in danger, while Teri Bauer and Alan York search for them. 
3 3 "2:00 a.m.-3:00 a.m."  Stephen Hopkins Joel Surnow & Michael Loceff 1AFF02 November 20, 2001
The files on Walsh's key card finger Nina as a dirty agent. Kim and Janet try to escape from their captors while Teri and Alan York continue their search. 
4 4 "3:00 a.m.-4:00 a.m."  Winrich Kolbe Robert Cochran 1AFF03 November 27, 2001
Jack follows a lead from Walsh's card. At CTU, Jamey and Nina decide to go against George Mason's orders and help Jack. Kim is handed off to Ira Gaines' men. Janet is taken to the hospital. 
5 5 "4:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m."  Winrich Kolbe Chip Johannessen 1AFF04 December 11, 2001
Palmer meets with Maureen Kingsley, who explains that she has two separate sources accusing Keith Palmer of murdering his sister's rapist. Kim and Rick are taken to Ira Gaines' compound on the outskirts of the city. Jack finds an unidentified body connected to Gaines in the trunk of a car. Alan and Teri wait in the hospital as Janet undergoes surgery. 
6 6 "5:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m."  Bryan Spicer Howard Gordon 1AFF05 December 18, 2001
Jack and Teri are briefly reunited at the hospital, where Jack warns the doctors not to let anyone near Janet. Ira Gaines contacts Jack and tells him that he has kidnapped Kim. Jack must follow Gaines' orders if he wants to ever see his daughter again. Teri leaves the hospital with Alan to continue searching for Kim. Palmer discovers that his entire family has been keeping secrets from him, but he needs them if he is to come clean before Kingsley breaks the story herself. After Jamey helps identify the body from the car, Nina calls Teri to tell her that the cadaver is the real Alan York. 
7 7 "6:00 a.m.-7:00 a.m."  Bryan Spicer Andrea Newman 1AFF06 January 8, 2002
Acting on Gaines' orders, Jack returns to CTU to interfere with the decryption of the key card. He then is ordered to kill Nina Myers. Teri escapes from Alan's imposter long enough to be captured by more of Gaines' men. 
8 8 "7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m."  Stephen Hopkins Joel Surnow & Michael Loceff 1AFF07 January 15, 2002
Nina and Tony realize that Jamey is the mole inside CTU and is communicating with Gaines. Using instructions and equipment from Gaines, Jack gets in to see David Palmer's appearance at the San Clarita power plant. Jack soon realizes that the terrorists plan to frame him for the assassination. 
9 9 "8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m."  Stephen Hopkins Virgil Williams 1AFF08 January 22, 2002
Sherry tries to convince Maureen Kingsley not to run her story. Jack is taken into custody. Kim and Teri encounter more problems at Gaines' compound. Nina and Tony pressure Jamey for information about the assassination plot. 
10 10 "9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m."  Davis Guggenheim Lawrewnce Hertzog 1AFF09 February 5, 2002
Teri gets ahold of a cell phone and calls Jack, giving him clues to her whereabouts. An Acting Director, Alberta Green, arrives at CTU and declares Jack a fugitive. Jack follows a lead from Jamey's computer to a Los Angeles businessman named Ted Cofell. 
11 11 "10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m."  Davis Guggenheim Robert Cochran 1AFF10 February 12, 2002
Jack poses as the driver of Cofell's limo and soon interrogates the businessman on his family's whereabouts. Jack then runs into Cofell's contact, Kevin Carroll: the man he knew at the hospital as Alan York. Nina and Tony grow more concerned about the possibility of another mole inside CTU. Andre Drazen, Gaines' superior, orders the deaths of Kim and Teri. 
12 12 "11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m."  Stephen Hopkins Howard Gordon 1AFF11 February 19, 2002
Jack Bauer makes it into Ira Gaines' camp, but Gaines quickly finds out and chaos insues. When David Palmer tries to talk to Dr. George Ferragamo, his son's therapist, he soon discovers that there are men inside his own campaign that are willing to commit murder in order to protect him. 
13 13 "12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m."  Stephen Hopkins Andrea Newman 1AFF12 February 26, 2002
Jack Bauer has a final confrontation with Ira Gaines. David Palmer plans to talk to the DA about Dr. George Ferragamo's murder, but Carl Webb tries to stop him. At CTU, Nina Myers discovers that a second assassin has arrived in Los Angeles, which means that Palmer's life is still in danger. 
14 14 "1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m."  Jon Cassar Joel Surnow & Michael Loceff 1AFF13 March 5, 2002
Jack Bauer returns to CTU, but is not authorized to see his family. Tony Almeida refuses to tell Alberta Green and Ryan Chappelle what he knows about Jack's activities. Nina Myers escorts Kim and Teri to a hospital, but comes across evidence that they may still be targets. David Palmer discovers a link between himself and Bauer, and decides to take matters into his own hands. 
15 15 "2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m."  Jon Cassar Michael S. Chernuchin 1AFF14 March 12, 2002
Jack and Palmer finally meet face to face and they decide to work together to track down those who are seeking revenge on them. Teri and Nina have a revealing conversation about Jack at the safehouse. 
16 16 "3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m."  Stephen Hopkins Robert Cochran & Howard Gordon 1AFF15 March 19, 2002
Keith arranges a secret meeting with Carl Webb. Palmer's assistant Elizabeth Nash realizes who Alexis Drazen really is and immediately comes forward. Teri and Kim must flee the escape house with Andre Drazen's men in pursuit. 
17 17 "4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m."  Stephen Hopkins Michael S. Chernuchin 1AFF16 March 26, 2002
Teri must rely on an old friend for help. Kim goes to Rick's house in hopes of finding a lead. Jack sets Elizabeth up for a sting against Alexis but things don't go as planned. 
18 18 "5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m."  Fred Keller Maurice Hurley 1AFF17 April 2, 2002
David and Sherry clash over the handling of the evidence against Carl Webb. Kim finds herself in a sticky situation with Dan's brother. Jack poses as Alexis and meets with a stranger who has vital information, but an agent with a grudge from Jack's past picks a bad time to get even. Teri and Dr. Phil return to the Bauer home, inadvertently putting themselves in further danger. 
19 19 "6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m."  Fred Keller Joel Surnow & Michael Loceff 1AFF18 April 9, 2002
Nina tries to warn Jack about his family's disappearance, but Mason hampers her efforts. Teri explores her home in hopes of regaining her memory as Drazen's assassin closes in for the kill. Kim finds herself in the middle of a botched drug deal, while Palmer breaks the story about Keith to the press. Jack and Mason investigate the area where the power was to be turned off. 
20 20 "7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m."  Stephen Hopkins Robert Cochran & Howard Gordon 1AFF19 April 16, 2002
Kim is taken to jail when the cops don't believe her story. Jack stumbles onto a secret detention center, and arrives just in time to bluff Andre and his men out of freeing a prisoner who is being transferred in. Jack confronts the prisoner, and is shocked to learn his identity. 
21 21 "8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m."  Stephen Hopkins Joel Surnow & Michael Loceff 1AFF20 April 23, 2002
David Palmer wins the primary, taking not only California, but all eleven states. Kim realizes she needs Melanie's help in getting out of prison. Jack and DeSalvo are ambushed by Andre Drazen's men. Jack offers Alexis Drazen in exchange for his own freedom. 
22 22 "9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m."  Paul Shapiro Joel Surnow & Michael Loceff 1AFF21 May 7, 2002
Ryan Chappelle refuses to trade Alexis for Jack, so Nina turns to David Palmer for help. Palmer and campaign worker Patty Brooks leave the senator's celebration party- alone. Unbeknownst to Jack, Kim has been re-captured by the terrorists. 
23 23 "10:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m."  Paul Shapiro Robert Cochran & Howard Gordon 1AFF22 May 14, 2002
Palmer overrides Chappelle and Alexis Drazen is exchanged for Jack. At the docks, Victor and Andre try to prevent the critically wounded Alexis from dying. David Palmer has a surprise announcement for Patty. The Drazen's contact Jack and threaten to kill Kim unless he goes back into the city and assassinates Senator Palmer. Andre Drazen takes a call from his secret source inside CTU, who fully updates him on the situation. 
24 24 "11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m."  Stephen Hopkins Joel Surnow & Michael Loceff 1AFF23 May 21, 2002
David Palmer has disturbing news for Sherry. Nina, conspiring with the Drazens, calls Jack and proceeds to lure him into a trap. Thus, Jack heads to the docks for an emotional, but unnecessary, showdown with the Drazens. Teri and Kim are reunited at CTU but even there they are not entirely safe. 

[edit] References

  1. ^ Looking for clues on the set of '24' - From Inside the Box - Zap2it

[edit] External links

Wiki 24 has information related to: Season 1
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