Introduction
Well, I’ve got no creative introduction here other than the fact 24 was a rather good show. Despite ending over a decade ago in 2010, the Kiefer Sutherland led spy thriller paved the way for similar shows to succeed. It also had two spin off series which would always be a sign of a show’s success. So without further ado let’s get into some history about the show.
History
24 first debuted on Fox in 2002 and ran until 2010 with 8 seasons and two different spinoffs. The show used a very interesting format of each season representing a day in ‘real time’ of lead character, Jack Bauer. The show often followed Bauer’s attempts to foil terrorist plots against the US government and President. By using each episode as roughly an hour of Bauer’s life, it really stood out from the rest of the genre. Anyway, naturally the show had a lot of very good action scenes and some great dramatic twists that I may touch on in later entries. So without further ado here are the best episodes of 24 ranked.
10: 12:00PM – 1:00PM (S8, E21)
Kicking off the list of the best 24 episodes is 12:00PM – 1:00PM from Season 8. So in what will probably become a recurring theme, Season 8 may feature a lot on here. Anyway, what makes this episode so good? Well, mostly for its two plotlines. The first is Jack searching for evidence of the Russians involvement in the tragedies. Oh and the second is the ex president trying to neutralise Jack. So there’s a good episode right there…
9: 6:00AM – 7:00AM (S4, E24)
Well this episode is utterly stacked for storylines with at least three resolving themselves. So if it’s not enough that a missile is speeding towards its destination, Jack is also the centre of demand from the Chinese Government to put him on trial. And if somehow that’s not enough there’s at least two relationships which have very different outcomes, so sorry Jack and Audrey fans. Oh and Jack also has help to evade a Secret Service plot against him because this episode clearly needed all the drama for the series finale.
8: 12:00PM – 1:00PM (S3, E24)
While not nearly as stacked with drama as the Season 4 finale, Series Three’s finale is still just as good. What makes it so good? Well, Jack and Chloe’s decision to make a powerful sacrifice dealing with a virus. There’s also a lovely moment of Tony helping Jack for the last time. And that doesn’t even cover Palmer’s interesting new career choice in the aftermath of someone’s death. I mean all I can say is that it puts a cherry on top of a great series finale.
7: 6:00AM – 7:00AM (S5, E24)
The more things change in 24, the more the Series finales remain great. Case in point, the Series 5 finale. So what makes this so good? Well Jack takes the fight directly to the President to prove his involvement in the day’s activities. There’s also a nice moment between Jack and Audrey which naturally gets shattered because god forbid those two catch a break. Anyway, with Jack’s past once again catching up to him which leaves a great cliffhanger for Series 6….
6: 10:00PM – 11:00AM (S9, E12)
Well, this is a massively dramatic episode for all the reasons I’m sure you’re expecting. With yet another world ending terror plot, Jack has to make the tradition of making an unthinkable, grave decision. It also helps that he’s reunited his team one more time to try and avert catastrophe. But yeah the countdown towards the clock hitting zero is really well done, so credit to the show there.
5: 3:00AM – 4:00AM (S8, E12)
At the halfway point of the best 24 episodes list is Episode 12 of Series 8. What makes this episode so good? Well, the high stakes with a much more condensed runtime. With this episode there’s three main storylines. These are nuclear rods being transported through Manhattan, Jack pursuing a lead into a hotel and a Southern probation officer watching information out of Dana. I should also mention Kayla being in danger which technically takes it up to 4…
4: 2:00PM – 3:00PM (S8, E23)
Well this episode has a lot of people who all want revenge for something on someone else. Case in point, Dalia has her sabres rattled by President Taylor, Chloe tests her mettle and there’s something about the Russian President signing an accord. But that obviously takes a backseat to Jack wanting justice while Logan is once again pursuing him. So the more things change in 24, the more they stay the same…..
3: 7:00AM – 8:00AM (S2, E24)
Kicking off the top three best 24 episodes is the Series 2 finale. So what makes this episode so good? Well, Jack and Kingsley are both using traps to lure the other one out into the open but neither of them fall into them. There’s also a lot of using Sherry as bait. Also, just as it looks like Jack is going to get Kingsley, mounting heart problems decide to resurface which only adds more drama to the finale. It also sets up Series 3 as well which always helps….
2: 3:00PM – 4:00PM (S8, E24)
What a shock. It’s another Series 8 episode and this time it’s the finale. So what makes this finale so good? Well, just as heads of state gather at the UN to sign the accords three people at the CTU make a desperate bid to expose a conspiracy. Oh and it looks like justice is going to elude Jack once again and all of this is while Logan and Pillar are sorting out loose ends. So yeah there’s a fair amount of drama in the finale….
1: 1:00PM – 2:00PM (S8, E22)
And the best episode of 24 is….. Episode 22 of Series 8. So what makes this episode the best? Well, Jack’s rogue operation where he kidnaps a high profile target. There’s also Chloe doubting her new supervisor is trustworthy and I mean I’m not sure what she’s worried about. Also there’s obviously pools of blood and knife wounds to flesh the episode out. Oh and President Taylor realises how lonely it can be at the top with power. Something about great responsibility springs to mind…..
What are your favourite episodes of 24? Let me know in the comments below!
