The complete fourth season of the real-time drama series. 18 months after Day 3, CTU has a new leader, Erin Driscoll (Alberta Watson), a steely government agent who made firing Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), one of her first priorities on taking up command. After the explosion of a commuter train, Jack, who is now working for Secretary of Defence James Heller (William Devane), and who is also romantically involved with Heller's married daughter, Audrey Raines (Kim Raver), suddenly finds himself heading back to CTU for a meeting with Driscoll. Jack believes that the train explosion is a prelude to bigger things to come, and when it seems as if Islamic terrorists are launching an all out assault on the USA, Jack is called back to lead CTU's response. For this fourth series, the rules are still the same: all the action takes place in real time, and the series again follows a single day in the life of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). Fortunately, Jack?s knack of attracting trouble hasn?t deserted him either, and quickly, it?s business as usual. Starting the series with a fresh romance, a different job and one heck of an explosion, it doesn?t take long before Jack is back in action, and he?s soon joined by a mixture of new and familiar faces. To talk about the plot would be unfair, as 24 is consistently a dish best served cold. Suffice to say that there?s a heady mix of plotlines, twists and downright brilliant cliffhangers. Perhaps the cocktail isn?t as fresh as it once was, and there are moments where you can?t help but feel that plausibility is being stretched a little too far. But accepting that is part and parcel of the 24 experience, and arguably part of the fun. That?s because even as it approaches its final stages, 24: Series 4 maintains a tremendous momentum and level of intrigue, and by the time the clock ticks for the last time at the end of the 24th episode, odds are you?ll be thirsting for more. Bluntly, in spite of its flaws, 24 remains one of the most essential shows currently on television--and this series offers ample evidence why.--Simon Brew