24 - not very re-watchable

I love 24.... awesome show. But now, sitting down to re-watch Day 3
(on free tv), I find myself disappointed. Since I already know what's
going to happen, and the show heavily relies on not-knowing and
cliffhangers, I find myself rather bored.

For example, I just finished the scene where Jack/CTU are looking for a
bag of "coke" which they believe to be a crystalized virus. The
episode tries to build tension by showing the bag falling to the floor,
releasing the virus into the air, and making the people in the room
sick. Unfortunately, I already know the "crystalized virus" is only
worthless powder and completely harmless. And I know that the
parents/boy are not sick...... no suspense/ no tension.

Minus the suspense, 24 has little else to offer (lacks depth).

EGK...

This is the nature of any serialized show. Individual episodes aren't going

bklyntv...

I agree with OP though, it's worse for 24 than many dramas because 90%
of the people speaking are more caricature than charactor. I know

George Kerby...

Is that like a crispy critter, that 'charactor'?

what's going to happen on rerun of Sopranos, Nip/Tuck or Lost, but I
just enjoy the performances and nuance of the charactors so much I
don't care.

There's not so much to savor on 24, for every Jean Smart/Martha there
are 3 Eliza Cuthberts/Kims.

to hold up as well outside the context of the whole. So, I agree with you
to a point but think the only way to re-watch a show like 24 is on dvd not
free TV. Unless it's a marathon but who could stand to watch a marathon
worth of commercials?

Troy.Heagy...

.

I was watching an 8-hour tape, I had accumulated over the last several
weeks worth of reruns, so it was the equivalent of a DVD marathon. It
still felt "dull" since I already knew what was going to happen next.

.

In contrast, I've watched Babylon 5 multiple times, and yet it still
holds up. It's a very philosophical show, and so it challenges my
intellect & beliefs. I always see something new, even after 3 or 4
viewings. (Ditto other serialized stories like Tale of Two Cities or
David Copperfield... originally published in weekly newspapers.)

EGK...

I've seen all of 24 but never rewatched any of it. I just didn't have the
interest. I agree most of the suspense will be gone but again, it's no
different than a suspense movie. The reason I don't watch it again is
because originally the suspense was able to mitigate a lot of the
ridiculous plot developments. Especially at about the halfway point of each
season. That wouldn't be true the second time around.

I think I could go back and rewatch seasons 1 and maybe 2 now though. Since
I've forgotten much of it.

When you can watch multiple episodes at a time it's not going to be any
worse than any other suspenseful movie. 24 tends to have multiple plots
within the main story arc. Almost like chapters of the story.

:-)

Pete B...

That's because there really isn't a story in any of the 24's, its just a
serious of action. Unlike Babylon 5, which has many stories and much
humor, so you can watch that several times.

Les B. Labbauf...

I have seasons 1-4 on DVD (didn't get to S5) and watched them in a
marathon session to get ready for the new season, so I have no problem re
watching them. Usually it's a year after I have seen them, so it's not
such a problem :)

me...

I watch 24 occasionally on the weekend syndicated reruns. Still a
good show the 2nd time around :)

videonovels...

Yeah you're probably right. I have 24 Day 2 on dvd. I should probably
get rid of it this christmas, while it still has resale value. It's
doubtful I'll ever watch it more than twice.

________
2- | _____] 2258: "Signs and Portents"
time | | ___ 2259: "The Coming of Shadows"
Sci-Fi |__|[_ \ 2260: "Point of No Return"
Achievement B A _B Y\ L\ O N 2261: "No Surrender, No Retreat"
Awards ( \__/ | 2262: "Wheel of Fire"
Winner \______/
A TV NOVEL (available on dvd)

eatfastnoodle...

I agree that season 2, 3, 4, 5 are not really rewatchable, but I think
season 1, especially the first half of season 1 is so intense that even
though I already know that Kim will be rescued in the end and the mole

videonovels...

.

Guess I need to go back and re-watch Day 1. I didn't enjoy it the
first time WGN-chicago ran it, but then again, I was sick during that
marathon weekend so maybe that affected my perception. Maybe I should
rewatch it.

is Nina, I still can't help worrying about Kim's fate while she is
being chased, and worrying about Jack because he seems to trust Nina so
much, as long as an show is good, you will feel the tension even though
you know all the answers.

record hunter...

Why would you *want* to watch it over again? Why not watch something
else? You could, for instance, rent or buy THE WIRE or SLEEPER CELL on
DVD. In a different vein, there's ENTOURAGE

THE WIRE is one of the best dramas that has ever existed in any format.
It is even quite re-watchable. There are two seasons you could watch
now, and the third is due out any day now.

eatfastnoodle...

I agree that season 2, 3, 4, 5 are not really rewatchable, but I think
season 1, especially the first half of season 1 is so intense that even
though I already that Kim will be rescued in the end and the mole is
Nina, I still can't help worrying about Kim's fate while she is being
chased, and worrying about Jack because he seems to trust Nina so much,
as long as an show is good, you will feel the tension even though you
know all the answers.