24

Provisional rating after 14 episodes: It is definitely not "the best series of all time", as the copious advertising campaign tried to make us believe, but only a slightly above-average miniseries, in which three storylines are artfully put together to make it enough for 24 episodes without the viewer feeling bored. So far, this has worked out, but otherwise there is nothing groundbreaking in terms of plot. Using multiple windows looks good, but again nothing new under the sun. And most importantly – the biggest attraction – the action taking place in "real" time, takes a beating. Not only do some situations take on an unlikely dimension, but the frequent five-minute jumps look weird. Sure, in the US, these jumps are used for five-minute commercial breaks, where obese Americans learn what weight-loss product to buy, and at the same time can feel that something is still happening in the fictional world of Jack Bauer. The commercials end and they're still in real-time, except Jack has moved his car three miles or gone to the bathroom during those five minutes. Meanwhile, we Central Europeans have to watch in dismay as entire blocks of time disappear before our eyes, with the TV channel spicing it up with commercials. But enough with the snark. 24 is a well done job, which didn't impress me (yet), but as a one time, to kick back and relax, why not? Let's see what the next episodes bring. (2004.03.12)