TV series 24: Season 1 – Episode 1
This is a synopsis, commentary and review of the TV series 24: Season 1 – Episode 1, which occurs in the time frame of 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM. This episode of 24 was directed by Brad Turner. For a complete list of all the stars and directors from all 195 episodes of 24, please click here.
This episode of 24 begins the groundbreaking, popular TV series that will run for eight seasons. Kiefer Sutherland, as will always be the format, begins with a brief comment about the time of day the episode occurs in. In this first episode, he also announces that this is the day of the California presidential primary and that events occur in real time. We then go to scenes of Kuala Lampur, and to the inside of a building where a man opens a suitcase with a computer inside. He transmits a file via satellite and then hard knocking on his door begins. We then flash to a formal party where a man gets a call telling him that Senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) is the confirmed target. We then flash to the California campaign headquarters of Palmer. Palmer is meeting with his assistant Patty Brooks (Tanya Wright) as his wife, Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson) serves coffee.
Then it’s off to the home of uber-agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), who is playing a board game with his daughter, Kim Bauer (Elisha Cuthbert). Jack then has a conversation with his wife, Teri Bauer (Leslie Hope) about Kim. They decide to confront Kim about her attitude, and go to her room – but she’s left through the window. Jack gets a call from his partner at CTU, Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke). He must go in to work ASAP.
Kim is riding with her friend, Janet York (Jacqui Maxwell), to meet two guys: Dan and Rick.
Jack arrives at CTU and asks Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) for all background on Palmer. Kim and Janet arrive at the furniture store where they are to meet the guys and Janet goes inside the closed store with Dan. Kim introduces herself to Rick. Rick grabs a 6-pack and they head inside the store.
Richard Walsh (Michael O’Neill) arrives at CTU and meets with Jack alone after a brief meeting with several agents. Walsh tells Jack there is likely a spy in one of the agencies – quite likely at CTU. He also tells Jack how critical it is that Palmer is not assassinated. Finally, he tells Jack that George Mason (Xander Berkeley) will be coming over from Division.
We flash to a quick call between palmer’s assistant and Martin – the notable photographer flying to LA to photograph Palmer. After his call, the young lady in the plane seat next to him strikes up a flirty conversation about Palmer.
Jack meets with George Mason, who tells Jack the assassin is European, probably German. Jack and Mason don’t get along well. Jack asks Mason to get permission to give Jack a source. Mason fakes the call, but Jack knows it. Jack goes and gets a tranquilizer gun and a binder and then goes and shoots Mason with a tranq dart. Jack uses blackmail to get Mason to cooperate better.
Teri gets a call from Alan York (Richard Burgi) – the father of the girl Kim is out with. He’s worried about his daughter.
It comes out that Nina is sleeping with Tony, and used to sleep with Jack.
Jack asks CTU tech Jamey Farrell (Karina Arroyave) to find/hack a password – off the record. Jamey does it – it’s Kim’s email password: LIFESUCKS. Jack calls and tells Teri. Meanwhile, Kim is making out with Rick.
We go back to the plane with the photographer and young lady. The two of them are getting along well.
David Palmer is flirting with his wife and rubbing her feet when Patty comes in with a call from reporter Maureen Kingsley (Devika Parikh). (I think it’s important to note how deeply in love with his wife, David Palmer is at 12:30 in the morning.) Palmer gets upset and hangs up.
Nina calls Alan York and tells him that Kim was meeting Janet and then going to the closed furniture store. York asks if he can accompany her to the store – and she agrees. The four kids are about to head for a party, and Kim says she must go home because mom sent her 5 messages. Janet doesn’t want to leave, so she gets in Dan’s van. Rick opens the sliding door and tells Kim they will drop her at home. Kim agrees. (And thus begins her long series [over years] of bad decisions and problems for her parents.)
Back to the plane where the man, Martin, and the woman, Mandy (Mia Kirshner), are getting frisky in the lavatory. Martin goes back to his seat.
Jack awakens Mason and asks him where the tips came from – again. He then tells Mason he has proof of Mason’s illegitimate activities. Mason gives Jack the information.
On the plane, Mandy goes to the rear of the plane and injects a stewardess in the neck, knocking her out. We’re shown that Mandy has a security key card – just as martin realizes his card is missing. Mandy grabs a stowed suitcase and uses part of it to encircle the plane’s emergency exit. She then gets a black, heavy suit out and puts it on. She then retrieves a bomb from a fire extinguisher and attaches it to a counter. As the bomb counter clicks down, she dons a helmet and goggles and then pushes a button – blowing the door off and sucking her outside. Then, as she floats down, the plane explodes. Teri calls Jack and tells him about Kim, and being with York. Jack is about to go to her when Tony tells him about the 747 being bombed over the Mojave. Jack stays at CTU.
Kim asks Dan to turn the van towards her house, but he refuses – Rick won’t help her. Both guys tell her to just relax…
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