24 (season 4)

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The fourth season, also known as Day 4 of the television series 24 premiered on January 9, 2005 and aired its season finale on May 23, 2005.

The fourth season's storyline started and ended at 7:00 AM.

A 10-minute prequel to the season was available exclusively to the American audience with the third season DVD. It was broadcast on Sky One in the UK before the showing of the fourth season in that country. It was also available in UK release of the fourth season DVD.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Contents

[edit] Season overview

The fourth season (2005) is set 18 months after the third season. Judging by the theories proposed for the dates of previous seasons, the events of the day would appear to take place in March 2008.

Jack is now working for Secretary of Defense James Heller after being fired by CTU, caught up in an elaborate terrorist plot which involves both men and the daughter of Heller, Audrey Raines, who doubles as her father's chief policy assistant and Jack's lover (while separated from her husband). Jack must work with CTU and Erin Driscoll, the new Chief Director of CTU and the woman who fired him, to uncover what is happening. Again, one or more moles are revealed to be working inside CTU, aiding the terrorists.

Unlike previous seasons, which focused on a singular threat, multiple enemies, and conspiracies, this season is based around one main enemy, a Turkish terrorist named Habib Marwan who controls a series of Middle Eastern terrorist cells that launch a series of attacks against the United States. This was somewhat accidental; Marwan was originally intended to only appear in six episodes, but the producers were so impressed by Arnold Vosloo's performance that Marwan became the season's main villain, and stayed that way right up to the final hours of the season.

Season 4 takes a different approach in its storytelling. Rather than two large acts, this season is divided into several smaller acts depending on what terrorist threat Marwan came up with.

  1. The kidnapping and planned broadcast of the execution of the Secretary of Defense.
  2. Nuclear power plants across America are sent into a forced meltdown.
  3. Terrorists steal a stealth fighter to shoot down Air Force One.
  4. Jack and Marwan scramble to get a hold of the nuclear football.
  5. The terrorists steal and launch a nuclear missile.

[edit] Major plots and subplots

  • The bombing of a commuter train
    • which allows the theft of a device known as the Dobsen-type Override which could be used to take control of (and meltdown) United States nuclear power plants.
  • The kidnapping of Secretary of Defense James Heller and Audrey Raines
    • which is broadcast over the Internet
    • both hostages were rescued by CTU before their executions could take place
    • the use of the override requires a surge in Internet traffic, presumably to brute-force security at nuclear plants nationwide, as the attempt is masked by the Internet chaos caused by the mass streaming of videos regarding the kidnapping of the Secretary of Defense and his near-execution
  • The override being used, causing a meltdown in the San Gabriel Island reactor
    • Edgar Stiles' mother's death, as a handicapped resident of the island
    • Distracts CTU director Erin Driscoll from checking on her daughter, who commits suicide.
    • in an effort to cover-up their complicity and erase computer records, the defense contractor that developed the override activates an EMP that also causes a blackout over an 8-square mile section of downtown Los Angeles.
  • The resulting turmoil allows a stealth fighter to be stolen from an Air Force base in Southern California
  • The stolen stealth fighter shoots down Air Force One, which is hit and crashes into the Mojave Desert.
    • almost killing President Keeler in the process and elevating the Vice-President Charles Logan under the 25th Amendment.
    • the crash is used to steal the nuclear football from the crash site.
  • A nuclear warhead in Iowa is stolen and fired at Los Angeles before its nuclear code can be deactivated
    • a Chinese national at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles is revealed to be complicit and is captured by CTU. In the process, the Chinese Consul is killed, leading to a serious diplomatic problem with China
  • The diplomatic problem with China
    • the Chinese government begins investigating the raid at the Chinese Consulate and begins to suspect CTU's involvement
    • Logan's administration attempts to frame Jack Bauer as acting against authorization by the US Government
    • David Palmer warns Jack that someone in the administration is trying to have Jack conveniently killed, causing Jack to fake his death with four conspirators: David Palmer, Michelle Dessler, Tony Almeida, and Chloe O'Brian.

[edit] Characters of Season 4

See article List of characters in 24.

[edit] Season notes

[edit] Continuous airing

The Fox Network decided to implement a year-round schedule because episodes of the show would be broadcast irregularily due to the fact that Fox had recently obtained the rights to air the World Series for several years. Thus, FOX chose to air all 24 episodes, without any hiatuses, over 19 weeks beginning mid-season—with double episodes airing twice in the first week, and again at the end of the season. Utilizing the extended planning session that this opportunity afforded the writers, they attempted to map out the season like never before, but as the season wore on, they eventually fell back to writing on an episode by episode basis, without any planning or foreknowledge.

This was particularly evident in the way the story was told. Unlike previous seasons, which all began with the discovery of the threat and went through the investigation, the containment of the threat and followed the aftermath, season four began with no one knowing what the threat was to be, and the characters—and audience—were kept in the dark for several episodes.

However, this is debatable, as at least one source has claimed that the writers plan forward 5 episodes at a time, while a newspaper article stated that season 4's later premiere date has allowed the creators to go back to previous episodes and fill in continuity errors and plot holes, making the episode transitions more fluid and realistic.

[edit] Cast

When the season began, every character from the first three seasons was absent except for Jack Bauer, President Keeler (Palmer's Republican opponent in season 3), and Chloe O'Brian. However, as the season went on several characters came back, including Tony Almeida (for 18 episodes), Michelle Dessler (13 episodes), Mike Novick (8 episodes), David Palmer (6 episodes), Aaron Pierce (2 episodes), and even Mandy, the assassin from seasons 1 and 2 (3 episodes).

Season 4 provided viewers with several new characters. One of the new characters, Erin Driscoll, is involved in a subplot that involves her daughter's schizophrenia. Driscoll's daughter, Maya, ends up committing suicide. As a result, Driscoll is forced to leave CTU.

The season also played with the cast line-up in a way no previous seasons had done. The season began with Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Raver, Alberta Watson and William Devane as the main cast. Watson left after twelve episodes, Lana Parrilla — upgraded from a recurring to main character in episode six — was gone by episode thirteen, and Roger Cross was then put into the main cast. Devane then left after episode fourteen since he was filming for another TV show at the time, and then returned briefly later in the season.

Stars

Recurring

Special Appearances

See List of characters in 24 for a more thorough list.

[edit] Depiction of torture

Although torture by both the U.S. and its opponents, had been depicted in previous seasons, there was noticeably more of it in Season 4, and the characters seemed on the whole much less disturbed by it.

In the wake of the real-life Abu Ghraib scandal and similar allegations at other U.S. military facilities housing suspected terrorists, some commentators accused[1] the show of legitimizing the use of torture in the war on terror. Many viewers were upset with the torture of subjects such as Sarah Gavin and Behrooz Araz, who were not hiding anything. They also criticize the show's position that essentially the torture helped exonerate them.

In an interview with Charlie Rose, Kiefer Sutherland commented on the show's use of torture and how it relates to the recent controversies over government sanctioned torture. "Do I personally believe that the police or any of these other legal agencies that are working for this government should be entitled to interrogate people and do the things that I do on the show? No, I do not." [2]

[edit] List of episodes

# US Airdate Prod. Code Time Written By Directed By Screen Shot
1 January 9 2005 4AFF01 07:00 a.m. - 08:00 a.m. Joel Surnow, Michael Loceff Jon Cassar
 Eighteen months have elapsed since the conclusion of Day 3. A commuter train bound for Los Angeles explodes. A man steals a suitcase from a passenger in the wreckage and then kills him.

Jack has been dismissed from CTU and now works for Secretary of Defense James Heller. Jack is involved with Heller's daughter, Audrey, and their relationship is growing serious. Jack is in LA for a meeting with CTU Director Erin Driscoll, who fired him a year ago, but he finds himself alienated at CTU by Driscoll and the new staff when reports of a possible terrorist strike come in.

A young computer hacker named Andrew Paige sees something that he shouldn't on the Internet. Suddenly, he finds himself running for his life as he is pursued by terrorists. Luckily, he is able to warn Chloe O'Brian before its too late.

The Turkish Araz family are not what they seem and it becomes clear that they are heavily involved with the day's events. Meanwhile, Heller has a confrontation with his estranged son.

Jack finds that Chloe is his only ally as he tries to prove that the train explosion is merely a diversionary target.

This Episode won an Emmy.
2 January 9 2005 4AFF02 08:00 a.m. - 09:00 a.m. Howard Gordon Jon Cassar
 Jack pushes Driscoll to reinstate him in the wake of Heller's kidnapping. He finds himself working as a subordinate when the Field Ops team goes to pick up Andrew. Behrooz finds himself torn between his loyalty to his parents and his feelings for his girlfriend as he is sent on his first assignment. Heller tries to comfort his daughter as his captors broadcast their intentions on the Internet.
3 January 10 2005 4AFF03 09:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Evan Katz Brad Turner
 Jack tracks Kalil with Chloe's aid, but is forced to watch helplessly as Andrew is tortured for information. Behrooz pleads with his parents when they order him to bring Debbie to their home for questioning. Curtis uses harsh methods to interrogate Heller's son as Driscoll continues to search for Jack.
4 January 10 2005 4AFF04 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Stephen Kronish Brad Turner
 Jack acts as a bandit and takes hostages to buy Chloe more time to get satellite surveillance. Meanwhile, Chloe must confide in Edgar for help when Driscoll becomes suspicious.

Behrooz discovers just how far his mother is willing to go to insure that their secret mission is successful.

Heller and Audrey attempt to escape from Omar, while Driscoll uses her influence to deal with a personal crisis.
5 January 17 2005 4AFF05 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Peter M. Lenkov Jon Cassar
 Jack and Driscoll agree to work together when the police make a critical error in dealing with Kalil. Heller and Audrey take drastic action in the hopes of avoiding the impending trial. Driscoll makes a deal with Chloe to get her out of the way, while the Araz family faces another problem in their cover-up.
6 January 24 2005 4AFF06 12:00 p.m. - 01:00 p.m. Matt Michnovetz Jon Cassar
 Jack initiates a fierce gun battle with the terrorists as he races to rescue Heller and Audrey before the military strike begins. Dina questions her own dedication to their cause when her husband reveals his plans for Behrooz. Driscoll and Curtis uncover new evidence that points to an even bigger attack by the terrorists. Audrey has an awkward meeting with her husband, and Heller butts heads once again with his son.
7 January 31 2005 4AFF07 01:00 p.m. - 02:00 p.m. Joel Surnow, Michael Loceff Ken Girotti
 Jack takes Audrey to ID the man she recognized at the compound, but the terrorists get there soon after and pin them down. Jack must call on an old friend to help him escape. Heller puts Edgar in charge of dealing with the nuclear override, while Driscoll's daughter takes a turn for the worse. Dina is wounded when she helps Behrooz flee from Navi. Navi's boss orders him to kill his wife and son before the day is over.
8 February 7 2005 4AFF08 02:00 p.m. - 03:00 p.m. Stephen Kronish, Peter M. Lenkov Ken Girotti
 Jack and Audrey hide out with an embittered Tony as Audrey makes a positive ID of the man from the kidnapping. Marianne successfully diverts suspicion from herself, leading Driscoll to torture the wrong person for information. Behrooz takes Dina to a hospital for medical attention, but the doctor becomes suspicious of her gunshot wound and phones the police.
9 February 14 2005 4AFF09 03:00 p.m. - 04:00 p.m. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz Brad Turner
 Jack and Tony are able to trace Dina's location, but Behrooz slips through their fingers. Dina demands a full pardon for her son in exchange for information on the override device. Edgar wrestles with his emotions when his mother is trapped in the path of the nuclear fall-out. Behrooz turns to his uncle for help, but Navi closes in on him before he can get away.
10 February 21 2005 4AFF10 04:00 p.m. - 05:00 p.m. Stephen Kronish, Peter M. Lenkov Brad Turner
 Jack and Curtis finally learn the location of the override device. They try to trap the architect of the terrorist strike before the remaining nuclear plants go critical.

Tony pushes Dina to reveal more of her knowledge of Marwan, while Driscoll faces another personal crisis with her daughter.
11 February 28 2005 4AFF11 05:00 p.m. - 06:00 p.m. Joel Surnow, Michael Loceff Jon Cassar
 Jack interrogates Paul; shortly thereafter, Paul and Audrey begin to reconcile. CTU learns the identity of Habib Marwan, as he takes personal control of the override in the Rockland building. Curtis escapes his captors in the building as Jack converges on Curtis, meeting him inside. Curtis secures the override as Edgar uses it to stop the meltdowns; Jack pursues Marwan. Maya Driscoll commits suicide in the CTU clinic.
12 March 7 2005 4AFF12 06:00 p.m. - 07:00 p.m. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz Jon Cassar
 Jack and Paul visit the defense contractor who employed Marwan, but the company executives put their own interests ahead of CTU's and take major steps to destroy evidence.

After a grief-stricken Driscoll relinquishes her command, Heller appoints Tony as interim director to oversee the latest crisis.
13 March 14 2005 4AFF13 07:00 p.m. - 08:00 p.m. Anna Cofell Rodney Charters
 Jack and Paul enlist civilian help when they must fight off soldiers sent to kill them by McLennan-Forster. Tensions flair between Tony and Michelle as she assumes command of CTU. Sarah tests Michelle's authority by giving her an ultimatum. Audrey reevaluates her feelings for Jack, while Marwan sets the next phase of his plan in motion.
14 March 21 2005 4AFF14 08:00 p.m. - 09:00 p.m. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz Tim Iacofand
 Jack learns the identity of a man who may be able to lead him to Marwan. He forces Dina to help him in a mock hostage situation that will get him close to the suspect. Michelle calls on Chloe for help when Edgar begins to crack under pressure. Meanwhile, Audrey stands by as a gravely wounded Paul is taken into surgery. Marwan's plan continues as his henchman uses an unwilling pilot name Mitch Anderson to gain access to an airfield.
15 March 28 2005 4AFF15 09:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Joel Surnow, Michael Loceff Bryan Spicer
 Marwan decides to trade Jack for Behrooz in hopes of distracting CTU from his real objective. Tony and Michelle weigh the consequences of the trade, while Curtis reluctantly interrogates Behrooz in order to learn more about Marwan.
16 April 4 2005 4AFF16 10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz Jon Cassar
 CTU raids Marwan's hideout, but he manages to slip through their fingers. Luckily, Jack locates a lead that may help him identify Marwan's next target. Tony becomes suspicious of Michelle's personal life, while Audrey reunites with Paul and learns the extent of his injuries. Anderson closes in on his quarry, as President Keeler searches for words that will comfort the American public.
17 April 11 2005 4AFF17 11:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Duppy Demetrius Jon Cassar
 Mike pushes for the Vice-President to be sworn into office as the White House waits for news of Keeler's fate. Two innocent bystanders are dragged into the fight as Jack and Marwan both pursue a briefcase that contains the launch codes for America's nuclear arsenal.
18 April 18 2005 4AFF18 12:00 a.m. - 01:00 a.m. Joel Surnow, Michael Loceff Jon Cassar
 Curtis brings in a suspect who has critical information about Marwan's next strike. Michelle orders Curtis to use harsh methods to interrogate the suspect, but things get complicated when Marwan sends a lawyer to defend his rights. Logan's advisors begin to worry as he continues to exhibit fear in the face of the ongoing terrorist threat.
19 April 25 2005 4AFF19 01:00 a.m. - 02:00 a.m. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz Bryan Spicer
 Chloe is unexpectedly thrust into fieldwork when a woman reports that her boyfriend may be part of the terrorist conspiracy. Jack and Curtis find their latest efforts to trap Marwan thwarted by the Secret Service, who have orders to arrest Jack for insubordination. Mike calls on ex-President David Palmer for help as Logan continues to display a lack of leadership.
20 May 2 2005 4AFF20 02:00 a.m. - 03:00 a.m. Peter M. Lenkov Bryan Spicer
 After Logan authorizes Palmer to take charge of the crisis, Palmer sanctions Jack and Curtis to infiltrate the Chinese Embassy on a covert operation to capture a suspect. Tony and Michelle continue to bump into each other's personal lives, while Buchanan expresses anger at being kept out of the mission. Jack faces Audrey's wrath when a medical dilemma places Paul's life in jeopardy.
21 May 9 2005 4AFF21 03:00 a.m. - 04:00 a.m. Joel Surnow, Michael Loceff Kevin Hooks
 CTU scrambles to forge an alibi when a Chinese representative produces evidence of American involvement in the raid on their embassy. Audrey gives Jack the cold shoulder, while Palmer and Logan clash over the consequences of Palmer's decisions. Jack and Curtis close in on Marwan as the countdown for the missile launch moves ahead.
22 May 16 2005 4AFF22 04:00 a.m. - 05:00 a.m. Matt Michnovetz, Duppy Demetrius Kevin Hooks
 Jack finds that his efforts to bargain with Marwan for the location of the missile strike are futile. Heller pushes his son for information when CTU discovers that he may have had contact with Marwan before the attacks. Logan finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between Palmer and the ambitious Speaker of the House. Tony and Michelle explore their rekindled passion for each other, but their hopes for the future may be short-lived when a familiar player enters the game and takes a hostage.
23 May 23 2005 4AFF23 05:00 a.m. - 06:00 a.m. Sam Montgomery Jon Cassar
 Mandy uses Tony as leverage to try to force Michelle to aid in her escape. A Chinese security operative captures and interrogates one of the CTU agents involved in the raid on the embassy. Palmer and Logan argue over the option of evacuating all major cities that may be targets for the missile.
24 May 23 2005 4AFF24 06:00 a.m. - 07:00 a.m. Robert Cochran, Howard Gordon Jon Cassar
 As the missile speeds toward its destination, Mandy cuts a deal with Jack and the President to give up Marwan's location in exchange for a full pardon on all of her crimes. Tony and Michelle share a happy reunion, but Jack finds his relationship with Audrey shattered as she makes her feelings known. Logan's advisor suggests a drastic course of action when the Chinese government demands that Jack be handed over to them for trial. Palmer tries desperately to warn Jack of the danger against him. Jack's life changes forever as Tony, Michelle and Chloe help him to evade the trap set for him by Secret Service.

[edit] Trivia

  • Most Turkish names used within the series' season 4 are originally Arabic or Persian imports to the language, or nonexistent within the Turkish language. The names are used in their original pronunciations, which also are not Turkish, and are in the middle eastern framework(ex: Habib). Nonexistent names such as "Marwan" may also be imported from Persian or Arabic by the creators; their origins do not belong in Turkish language. The letter "w" doesn't even exist in the Turkish alphabet.
  • The Turkish language is written in latin script, but posters behind "Marwan" during his broadcast speech were written in arabic script.

[edit] External links

    24
    Seasons: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6
    Merchandise: The Game | The Soundtrack | Conspiracy
    Organizations: Counter Terrorist Unit | Operation Nightfall | Second Wave
    Characters: Jack Bauer | Tony Almeida | David Palmer | Chloe O'Brian
    Michelle Dessler | Teri Bauer | Kim Bauer | Bill Buchanan
    Nina Myers | Charles Logan | Wayne Palmer | Audrey Raines
    Minor characters
    Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../2/4/_/24_%28season_4%29.html"
    In other languages