EPISODE ANALYSIS: 24

I have chosen to analyze one of my all time favorite show 24. 24 Is a hectic show with multiple plots taking place in each episode, and story line that twists and turns. In terms of analyzing the episode it is one that does not follow the standard scrip of other programs. The beats were all over the place in terms of time as were the acts themselves. The first act was a total of 13 minutes with 7 beats. The average length of the beats was 2 minutes and 13 seconds, with the shortest beat being about a minute and a half and the longest being just under four minutes. Act I seems to have the most consistency with all of the beats being close to the average.

Act II is the second longest act with duration of 10 minutes. However, this act has fewer beats than the first. Act II also has a beat lasting 5 minutes and 10 seconds, almost double the average beat. The averages of the beats of Act II is around 3 minutes.

Act III is the shortest of all of the acts lasting only 7 minutes. The beats also have a small average length of 1 minute and 44 seconds. Act III is similar to Act II and IV in that the three of them have only 4 beats.

Act IV is just a bit longer than Act III being 8 minutes long. This is a strange Act as there is essentially one extremely long beat with three less than average beats. The longest beat is 5 minutes compared to the 1 minute and 50 second average.

It seems as if there is an “A”, “B”, and “C” plot. The “A” plot begins with the assassination of  x-president David Palmer. This happens in the second beat of the first act. From there the story begins. The show follows six characters and their reactions to the death of President Palmer. All of the characters reactions take place in the rest of the beats of Act I.

Plot “B” beings with Cloey calling her old colleague Jack Bower and reintroducing him into the story as the main character as he once was. Although plot B is revealed after plot A it takes over as the main plot and sets up the rest of the season. Plot B takes place starting in the beginning of Act II and finishing with the last scene of Jack killing the man who is the person who forced him out of hiding.

Lastly there is Plot “C” which is a shorter plot, but one that is still important. Plot C involves Cloey and her being chased by the assailants. Plot C also takes place in the second act and is the rising action of the episode. Plot C is resolved in the beginning of the fourth act when Jack comes to her rescue.

After the show is over we learn a few of the answers to the main questions. We learn that the assailants are trying to kill Cloey because she knows that Jack is still alive. We also learn that may also be the reason behind the assassination. However, what the audience is left without knowing is who is trying to find Jack and why do they want to bring him out of hiding. It seems as more issues and questions where left open by the end of the show. I believe this is because this is the first episode of the season thus it must draw in an audience.

“7:00 Am to 8:00 Am.” 24. Fox. Television.