Critical Reaction To 24 (TV Series) - Critical Reception - Season 2

Season 2

Anticipation was high for the second season, as many critics were skeptical whether the writers could come up with another story to carry 24-hours of television. Most reviewers had their fears quelled, as Season Two received positive critical acclaim. Of the second season, Kiefer Sutherland said "Jack doesn't really care anymore." Sutherland continued with, "Whatever boundaries he had last year are pretty much gone now. Last year's promo was great: 'I'm federal agent Jack Bauer, and today is the longest day of my life.' Now maybe it's 'I'm federal agent Jack Bauer, and today is the most violent day of my life."

Entertainment Weekly reported that the writers had "concocted a horrendously topical terrorism story line for their emotionally damaged, trigger-giddy protagonist to tackle. Bauer wasn't exactly Mr. Warmth last season, but now the grieving agent makes Andy Sipowicz look like Andy Griffith" and called the second season an "addictive, adrenaline-fueled thriller". USA Today praised the returning series, saying "What hasn't changed is 24's knack for the unexpected or its ability to pull you into its often shocking world. Believe me, by the end of the first hour, you'll know Jack is back, and you'll be eager to see where he's headed next. Looks like another great day"

In a review of the season, IGN said that "overall the second season moves at a much brisker pace, is definitely topical, contains some excellent performances, and never lets you down in the thrills department." Another DVD reviewer said that "I enjoyed season one of this inventive show. When I found out it had been picked up for another season, the only question left in my mind was "Will they be able to match the first season?" When this season started, I had my answer. They surpassed it with flying colors."

The Kim Bauer subplot received heavy criticism from fans and critics. One reviewer said, "Kim's story arc, as she runs from an overheated domestic situation to an escape from the police to a loony's basement bomb shelter—and worse (almost getting eaten by the aforementioned cougar)—operates almost as the comedy relief for an otherwise unrelentingly grim litany of violence and political turmoil that fills the other major plotlines. As silly as Kim's escapades are on their own, when placed in context, they are almost necessary to put Jack's solemn mission into sharp relief. Of course, you have to treat Kim's story as droll humor for this to work, which may not be the intentions of the producers. If you don't—well, my wife keeps insisting we fast forward past the Kim scenes, because she gets easily frustrated with the younger Bauer's cluelessness. So I'll leave it up to you to decide whether to laugh at Kim or wring your hands in frustration. Fortunately, the rest of the story works pretty well without her." PopMatters said that "Definitely less well rounded, much like last season, Kim’s annoying storyline stumbles from calamity to calamity. Again, she’s caught up in serial dangers, so that her box is always about to break out into chaos: dashing about in her tight little top, she’s always in dire need of Jack’s help (that said, she does eventually come into her own, and proves wholly capable of the sort of “red meat” violence for which her father is infamous)."

One scene in the premiere of Season Two has become regarded as one of the most memorable and shocking in the entire series. The scene involves Jack Bauer bringing a child molester (named 'Marshal Goren') into the CTU offices and shooting him dead. Jack Bauer then crouches down and begins inspecting his head. Bauer then tells his boss, "I'm going to need a hacksaw". The hacksaw line was subsequently parodied in an episode of House.