The List: #4 24

#4
Number of Seasons (To Date): 6
Years Active: 2001 - Present
Network: FOX

It wasn't too long ago that 24 would have been at the top of this list. The series is exciting, has some great plot twists (sadly, there are a few not so great ones as well, but the good outweighs the bad) and amazing action. This was one of the first serialized dramas I started watching, and pretty much set the stage for my changing taste in TV. So why is this no longer #1? We'll get to it.

24 is presented in (almost) real-time; each hour (42.5 minute) long episode represented one hour of time in a day in the life of Jack Bauer. Each season is comprised of 24 episodes, and covers one full day. Bauer works for the Los Angeles division of the CIA's Counter Terrorist Unit, and every year (day), he has to diffuse a threatening situation. Over the course of the days, Bauer has to deal with double agents, "ticking clock" threats (great for drama, but not very realistic, no matter what Justice Scalia says) and saving his daughter from some outrageous situations (cougar attack!).

This series has plenty of strengths; most of the actors, especially Kiefer Sutherland (Bauer), are in top form. The terrorist plots are challenging to the protagonists, and there are plenty of times when the villains score major victories over Bauer and CTU. There is plenty of good drama that is derived not only from the CTU vs. terrorists stories, but also the internal politics in CTU AND the terrorist circles. Unfortunately, in later seasons, the writers tried to create some non-work-related drama (example: Chloe's pregnancy) that didn't really work well. I don't know if it was because a pregnancy doesn't really compare to a threat of a nuclear bomb going off in LA or if the dialogue relating to said plots just isn't written well, but these storylines just don't work as well.

24 is a cultural icon; the audience has grown by large amounts every year, and it has garnered significant critical acclaim. But in its position as such a prevalent aspect of society, it has become a lightning rod for controversy due to some of its subject matter. This is a subject that would work better in a post series devoted to the show, but let's just say that there is no shortage of debate over the morality of this show. I guess the only thing that I will say about it right now has to do with whether or not 24 endorses torture. There is plenty of it on the show, and it often leads to the heroes getting the required information just in time. However, it is clear that years of torture have taken their toll on Bauer, who slowly becomes more and more withdrawn over the course of the series.

Up next: #3...