24 Season 6 Prequel

24 is by far one of the best TV series I have seen so far. There are some flaws nevertheless but all in all well done to crew and actors/actresses specially my favorite Keifer. I can't wait to see the new season and what's happening to the hero and what will be the thing that he has to save day from ;-) Since most of the characters I have become familiarized with died in season 5 and it happened so unexpectedly at the beginning ,which very much reminded me of Mission Impossible, and it cause a feeling of loss,I hope they had come up with more interesting characters to fill in the gap. It is not a bad idea to give some flash backs to how Jack Bauer actually got into special forces at the first place.

We have to have this bit of information on the ruthlessness of the Chinese, as Jack goes silent despite the beatings and torture he endures. He is whipped and stabbed and prodded. It will be interesting to see what is left of him as this next season will feature him again.

Excluding the introduction, the Season 6 prequel take place approximately seven months after Day 5 and thirteen months before Day 6, or about eight years after Day 1.

Jack is being tortured with electric shock by several guards. The supervisor Wu San is concerned and informs Cheng Zhi that they are still unable to extract information from him regarding a Chinese government agent who they believe is working for the United States. Cheng disregards the warning and tries again to force Jack to identify whether Hong or Li is the American informant; Jack remains silent, and is thrown back into his cell.

Shortly thereafter, a white man with covert operations gear enters the cell after the muted sound of sound-suppressed gunfire. He is followed by a second soldier: it is a rescue operation. The first man assures Jack that he will be safe soon, and even looks at a photo to confirm it is him.

They lead him through an outdoor complex to a concealed vehicle after shooting a pair of sentries. After a brief car chase between the American agents and Chinese military, they manage to evade the Chinese and come to a dark field where the men tell Jack that they will have a transport ready to pick him up shortly. The two soldiers then summon a man by the name of Hong Wai, who had been concealed behind wall, to greet Jack. Hong Wai is immediately recognizable as one of the men that Jack had been questioned about earlier, regarding the mole in their government.

As Jack flinches and nods in recognition of Hong, several flood lights come on, and Chinese military vehicles swarm on the scene as well as hidden guards appear from the bushes. Cheng Zhi walks into the field and thanks Bauer for his help in identifying Hong, who he had apparently suspected all along.

Jack discovers that he has been set up by Cheng. Zhi then executes Hong with a single shot to the head, and thanks the mercenaries for their role in the set-up, promising them that money will be transferred to their Swiss bank accounts. The guards are then ordered to return a distraught Jack to his cell where he will continue to be held prisoner.

No-frills appetizer for season 6; Jack's being tortured for information by the Chinese, there's a sudden rescue operation, and a final twist (trying not to give away spoilers). It's obviously best seen before watching the new season; and I missed it ten years ago, so some of the shock/thrill is diminished in seeing it now as a series footnote.

But it does the job of amping you up for what's coming, and that's really the main objective.

7/10

Just when you thought you couldn't wait for season 6 to come, the trailer is released which doesn't help. The trailer only makes you more eager for the actual season.

The Prequel doesn't show you much that you wouldn't already know. But has the essential characters needed to still make it 24. Jack and of course the Chinnese leader who was responsible for his capture.

Three minutes of the prequel are taken up by footage from season 5 showing his capture, designed no doubt to jock your memory, like we hadn't forgotten!.

It definitely sets you up for the up coming season, and eases your desire for 24 slightly, well at least you can see the Prequel and the trailer over and over.