Another 24 picspam, for
picspammy 's Fifty challenge. You'll notice that by the characters I've also put the name of the actor/actress who plays them- the acting on this show is consistently beautiful and thus the actors/actresses most definitely deserved a nod.
Very image heavy and there are spoilers up through 8x09- you've been warned!
1. Jack Bauer
played by Kiefer Sutherland
Well, what can you say about Jack really? He anchors the show and although can go over the top to extremes at times, he defines 24 and Kiefer Sutherland is just wonderful. Another thing I love about 24 is the promo shots, which I've used here- they are just great.
2. You Never Know What to Expect
Did you really see any of these moments coming? I love that you never really know what's going to happen, especially in the earlier seasons of the show. I definitely didn't expect to see Teri die at the end of Day 1 and I think that's what really defines the show- no one is safe. Of course some of these shocking moments like Palmer's death or Michelle's seemed rather gratuitous, unnecessary and just for the shock value, but otherwise I love how the show keeps you on the edge of your seat.
3. You Never Know Who You Can Trust
By the later seasons, you always know that there's going to be a mole in CTU or the White House- you just never know who. Some of them were obvious, like Marianne Taylor, others, like Nina in season 1 I did not see coming at all.
4. Despite the Action, There Are Still Very Human Moments
There's all this action and then when you least expect it there's a moment that has you practically in tears.
The CTU Directors/Acting Directors
5. Ryan Chapelle
played by Paul Schulze
At first, Ryan was one of those characters I loved to hate, then when I started actually liking him, he was killed. Typical for 24 though! Anyway, I liked how they portrayed him as just a bit cowardly towards the end- showing that even the good guys have fear.
6. George Mason
played by Xander Berkeley
George: Jack opted to stay in the field. Literally.
I loved Mason, especially in Day 2- he added some much needed humour to the show and I loved many of his quotes. I also really liked the way he left the show- silent clock as he left CTU, his speech to Michelle, and taking over the plane from Jack- a very heroic end.
7. Tony Almeida
played by Carlos Bernard
Henry Powell: Who are you guys? Police? FBI?
Tony: Actually, I'm currently unemployed.
Need I really say anything about Tony? He's one of my very favorite characters and I always loved how they juxtaposed him against Jack's decisions- he was always more human and more emotional than Jack.
8. Michelle Dessler
played by Reiko Aylesworth
Michelle: I'm sorry for my abruptness earlier. It's just... when you walk into a hailstorm, you need to be decisive.
Michelle Dessler is by far my favorite female character on 24- I loved the way she was written. Very loyal, very decisive, very professional and efficient yet also so graceful, emotional and determined. Tony/Michelle is my OTP for this show but I loved how Michelle was never just Tony's love interest but also someone pivotal to the show, especially in Day 3. Reiko was incredible in portraying that balance between fear, decisiveness, regret but also knowing what she had to do.
9. Bill Buchanan
played by James Morrison
Bill is one of my favorite CTU Directors- dignified, accomplished and professional but also that care for the welfare of his staff- plus, he's the only one who really listened to Jack. I thought his death was tragic, but I loved the way he went out, a very heroic death.
CTU/FBI Agents
10. Chase Edmunds
played by James Badge Dale
11. Chloe O'Brian
played by Mary Lynn Rajskub
I love how Chloe's evolved throughout the years- from just the snarky, annoying coworker to someone Jack heavily depends on and is a friend to many. I love her awkwardness and bluntness, it often lightens up the show considerably!
12. Edgar Stiles
played by Louis Lombardi
13. Renee Walker
played by Annie Wersching
Renee- just so flawed yet so awesome. I loved her in Day 7 and in Day 8 she is the most compelling plot- Annie Wersching is a fantastic actress, she's gotten some great plotlines and she is just so good. She's coming a very close second to Michelle as my fave female character on the show.
14. Larry Moss
played by Jeffrey Nordling
Another one of those characters that I started to like only when they were killed! I like how the writers made it clear that there was history between Larry and Renee but never really hit us over the head with it.
15. Other CTU Members
Milo Pressman / Gael Ortega // Curtis Manning / Lynn McGill // Nadia Yassir / Morris O'Brian // Cole Ortiz / Dana Walsh
With the high turnover in cast, it was impossible to picspam all of the CTU members, but these deserved at least a mention.
The White House
16. President David Palmer
played by Dennis Haysbert
Along with Jack, he anchored the show for the first 3 Days and no other president on the show has really matched up to him! He was just amazing and Haysbert portrayed him as being so dignified and so always right- another favorite character of mine.
17. President Allison Taylor
played by Cherry Jones
A pretty amazing president who always tries to do the right thing- it really is too bad we're seeing so little of President Taylor this season- hopefully we will see more of her soon.
18. Lynne Kresge
played by Michelle Forbes
I loved Lynne, and Michelle Forbes is amazing. Great chemistry with the rest of the cast as well, especially President Palmer.
19. Aaron Pierce
played by Glenn Morshower
20. Tom Lennox
played by Peter McNiol
At first one of those love-to-hate characters, but I actually grew quite fond of him over the course of Day 6.
21. Karen Hayes
played by Jayne Atkinson
Karen: My resignation? What have you been smoking?
22. Other White House members
Mike Novick / Evelyn Martin // James Heller / Ethan Kanin
The Family Relationships
Because the already complicated plot is always complicated even more by the family relationships...
The Bauers
23. Teri Bauer
played by Leslie Hope
The reason Jack does everything he does.
24. Kim Bauer
played by Elisha Cuthbert
Especially grown up Kim who understands her father! In the earlier seasons her subplots sometimes bordered on ridiculous; but in Day 7 and 8 she seems to have grown up to be really understanding and compassionate- I like her a lot now.
25. Little Teri
played by Claire Geare
Teri: Jack?
Jack: Honey, we talked about this remember? You're supposed to call me Grandpa.
Teri: You don't look like a Grandpa...
Jack: Couldn't agree with you more.
I know we've only seen 2 episodes of her, but she is just so utterly adorable! Plus she seems to have given Jack something to really live for- I hope we see more of her (but not as being kidnapped, please.)
26. The Rest of the Family
Marilyn Bauer / Josh Bauer // Graem Bauer / Phillip Bauer
The Palmers
27. Sherry Palmer
played by Penny Jerald Johnson
Who doesn't love to hate Sherry? She is rather fiercely loyal and cunning and clever and you never know what's coming next with her.
28. The Rest of the Palmers
Nicole Palmer / Keith Palmer // Wayne Palmer / Sandra Palmer
Nothing like family drama to heighten the stress of the day...
29. Martha Logan
played by Jean Smart
Martha: I look like a wedding cake.
Jean Smart is absolutely brilliant and I LOVED her portrayal of Martha from the very beginning.
30. The Taylors
Henry Taylor, played by Colm Feore; Olivia Taylor, played by Sprague Grayden.
I didn't like Olivia, but I loved Sprague's portrayal of her. The Taylor family drama was a definite subplot in Day 7 and as far as family subplots go, this wasn't too bad and I liked the struggle it brought out in President Taylor- struggle between acting as a mother and wife and as the President of the United States.
The Compelling Villains
It would be boring if the villains were all one dimensional and evil, but what I love about 24 is that the villains are multi layered and very compelling- they were good people once, then something happened to tip them over. These are some that have tugged at my heartstrings the most, but there were many other notable and genius villains over the course of the show, they were as much a draw as the good guys!
31. Nina Myers
played by Sarah Clarke
Nina was brilliant, and I did not see her betrayal coming at all! In Day 1 she was an incredible part of the plot and brought out so many struggles in Jack in the later days- one of the best villains on 24.
32. Marie Warner
played by Laura Harris
This is another plot twist I didn't see coming- who would have thought the sweet little sister was the terrorist! The scene where we found out was simply amazing- the shooting, the 'you really are very sweet', the single tear and then the slightly psychotic look... perfection.
33. Ramon Salazar
played by Joaquim de Almeida
34. Dina Araz
played by Shohreh Aghdashdoo
An absolutely beautiful performance from Shohreh and a real struggle- between her beliefs and her love for her son. I found her really compelling and one of the best so called 'villains' on Day 4, she had so many layers to her character.
35. Mandy
played by Mia Kirshner
I like the fact that she recurs on the series, and is a link between the seasons- plus her very innocent look contrasted with what she does for a living. That moment where she stopped to reapply her lipstick in Day 4 was just so calculating and deliberate it was chilling.
36. Christopher Henderson
played by Peter Weller
37. President Charles Logan
played by Greg Itzin
He was an incredible character and another one of those love-to-hates; Greg Itzin is a fantastic actor.
38. Tony Almeida
played by Carlos Bernard
The only character I put in two categories- Tony. I don't like the turn he took for the dark side, but his outburst in the Day 7 finale most definitely put things in perspective and his turn brought out such incredible character development for both Jack and Tony. There were defintiely moments where I felt the writers took it a touch too far, like strapping the bomb to Jack, but overall while I hate the fact that Tony is now 'bad' it made for a great Day 7.
The Relationships
Because despite the action going on in the day, the relationships really ground the show and make it all very relatable.
39. Tony/Michelle
Michelle: I'll go anywhere with you... as long as I don't have to cook.
Tony: Sweetheart, if you promise not to cook I will take you with me anywhere.
These two were absolutely incredible. The chemistry, the acting, the plotlines- they were the heart of Day 3 and the one thing everyone was rooting for. The defining couple of the show for me at least!
40. Bill/Karen
41. Chloe/Morris
I love the humour and snark these two brought to the show, and they were a cute touch to Day 6.
Jack's Relationships
42. Jack/Nina Myers
43. Jack/Kate Warner
Kate played by Sarah Wynter
I actually wish Kate had stayed on the show for longer than she did, I really liked her character, that blend between vulnerability and courage- she didn't just sit around waiting for other people to fix things, she took action.
44. Jack/Audrey Raines
Audrey played by Kim Raver
Audrey: Is it true what she said... that you still love me?
Jack: I never stopped loving you. Not for one second.
I love Kim Raver, period.
45. Jack/Renee Walker
Out of all of Jack's relationships, I think this one has the most chemistry and the two definitely click the most- they understand what the other has been through. I really hope this relationship works out, because considering Jack's track record this may not end well.
The Friendships
I love seeing the human interactions and acts of loyalty, and the bonds the characters form over the years- even though we only see a few days of their lives.
46. Jack Bauer/David Palmer
Jack: Mr. President, it's been an honour.
Palmer: Same for me, my friend.
Even though these two only really met on one day, the degree of loyalty Jack has in Palmer is amazing as is the level of trust Palmer has in Jack- just look at the effect of Palmer's death on Jack!
47. Jack Bauer/Tony Almeida, aka The Brotherhood
Jack: I'm calling the only person I can trust.
The way these two characters' relationship has developed throughout the series has been astonishing- from dislike to loyalty to genuine friendship- being the people the other could always trust. They always had each other's backs and took care of each other, and this, for me, is really the most tragic relationship on the show- day 7 was heartbreaking as Tony turned on Jack.
A fantastic fanfic I've read for these two that somewhat justifies the events of Day 7 from Jack's POV is
this, one of my favorite 24 fanfics in a while.
48. Jack Bauer/Michelle Dessler
Jack: Thank you both for everything.
Not to the same degree as Jack/Tony, but these two had an instant alliance going on since Day 2- unlike Tony, unlike Chloe, unlike Renee, Jack never needed to convince Michelle that he was right- she went along with him right away. He promised he'd do his best for Tony, and the level of support these two have had has been great. Judging from Jack's conversation with Audrey about Tony/Michelle, it seemed as if he'd had a talk with Michelle and could sympathize with her when she left Tony- I wish this had been explored more.
49. Tony Almeida/Kim Bauer/Michelle Dessler
Maybe this is one of the friendships I wanted to happen, but there were definite elements of it in Day 3- first of all with Tony always being the one looking out for Kim for Jack, and with Kim going to Michelle for advice about her and Chase. In day 3 it seemed a little like they'd formed a bit of an alliance, and Michelle and Tony were always a little softer on Kim than the others were- I enjoyed seeing it.
50. Jack Bauer/Chloe O'Brian
This is definitely one of my favorite relationships on the show, the development between Jack and Chloe. They really grew to like and trust each other and turn to each other when they need help, and Chloe's the one person Jack can always count on.
That's 50, but a few things I also wanted to mention, most noticably the music on 24. Sean Callery is a genius and definitely deserves a nod for his contribution to the show- it gives me chills sometimes, the music is so good and so perfectly highlights the mood of a scene. Also the directing of the show, and the special effects and stunts- undoubtedly a huge part of why 24 is so good. There were many other characters and friendships I could have added, but overall this was it- and it took forever to make! It was nice to go back over the seasons and see how the characters have developed though- I hope you enjoyed.
Screencaps from: 24tv.de, 24fans.fr, 24.wikia.com, almeidaisgod.com.
Please do not repost images anywhere else!
Enjoy :)