It’s the beginning of May, and it feels like the television season is starting all over again. Here’s why: Jack Bauer is back Monday night at 8 p.m. for the two-hour premiere of “24: Live Another Day.”
As a fugitive who’s been hiding out in Eastern Europe after killing Russian diplomats, Jack (a tightly coiled Kiefer Sutherland) is now a wanted man. But does that stop him from storming CIA headquarters in London to rescue someone near and dear to him? Hardly.
The action starts immediately with CIA agent Erik Ritter (Gbenga Akinnagbe, “The Wire”) and his associates strolling through East London toward an abandoned factory while, on the show’s characteristic split screen, headquarters receives information that a “high-value suspect” is nearby.
Guess who that might be? In no time, Jack is kicking major butt and reminding us why he is one of TV’s greatest action stars. “24: Live Another Day” has the kind of heart-stopping suspense that makes it impossible to look away to tweet. Bauer’s arrival has not only the CIA spooked but the White House as well, as President James Heller (William Devane) is in town to conduct treaty negotiation with the Brits, and his chief of staff, Mark Boudreau (Tate Donovan), hopes no one notices the guy is losing his marbles due to rapidly advancing Alzheimer’s.
The producers keep the two stories cooking, with CIA boss Steve Navarro (Benjamin Bratt) offering Jack, once he is captured — uh, on purpose — some measure of assistance before the White House gets its hands on him. From there, it’s a breathless race to the end of the first hour, as Jack goes about his business with relentless abandon. The only CIA agent who seems able to match him is actually about to get transferred — Kate Morgan (Yvonne Strahovski), whose husband’s treachery has tarnished her reputation.
It’s a star-making performance, but Strahovski is just one of the fine actors in this, the show’s best cast. Bratt exudes the same low-key charisma that was his stock in trade on “Law & Order.” As the impaired president, Devane conveys a dignified vulnerability that lends unexpected poignancy to his scenes with Raver.
This is a 12-week “24,” so loyal fans can expect twice the action in half the time. You won’t want to miss a minute.