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Since 24's clock is stopped until January 2009, why not take a look at one of the companion books of the previous seasons while waiting for Jack Bauer and co. to return to the small screen? I had the chance to receive review copies of Seasons 5 and 6 official companion books; each filled with goodies, interviews, less-known facts, etc. The Official Companion - Season 6 even includes a DVD with rare behind-the-scenes content.
Being a fan of 24, I was really interested in seeing what both books had to offer. However, I was afraid that they would be too nice to the end product. Let's face it, Season 5 wasn't that bad (if you forget the Kim scenes) but Season 6 wasn't that great due to the many jump the shark moments. To my surprise, the books admit that not everything was perfect. About Season 6: "The strange transition of Chloe O'Brian from CTU's verbal-sniper to a romance-stymied frowner also had fans outraged. Even Katz admits, 'I think we went to the well too often with the Chloe and Morris troubles. They're both great actors, and I think the story was viable, but we just went there too often. I definitely think something was lost by putting Chloe in this relationship.'" As you can see, the author calls it as it is and provides quotes from the cast and crew to support where the show failed and where it worked well.
Both books offer good episode guides. Each hour is reviewed in a two-page spread that offers the names of the director, writers, and guest cast; a quote from the episode ("I don't know how to do this anymore" - Jack Bauer); a minute-by-minute recap and key events; some background on the episode (including comments from cast and crew); research files that give more background on certain events or info mentioned in the episodes such as the Russian slave trade, safety deposit boxes, chloroform, etc.; pictures; and additional intel. The latter is what interested me most as a 24 fan as it gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the show: "With the death of Edgar Stiles, the episode ends with a silent clock, which is used to honor the death of an important character. He is the only character to get a silent clock in season five." or "Director Jon Cassat reveals that 24 fans Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais (the creators of the BBC's The Office) both shot cameos. Merchant is a CTU tech in episode two, while Gervais did a White House bit about Jack that was never broadcast."
The companions offer an interview with Kiefer Sutherland, bios of the characters, and most of the usual features you would expect in such a book. The Season 6 companion offers a nice take on the alternative endings of the finale that will have spoilers addicts smile a few times at the mention of the possible endings they wrote and the fact that the one featuring the return of Tony that was leaked on the net was scrapped!
The DVD included in the Season 6 Companion is well-done and uses the split screen format of the series. There are three features on the DVD which are:
The official companions are colorful and filled with pictures from the episodes and the behind-the-scene. They are a must-have for every 24 fan.
LINKS
Titan Books 24 ezine/website, which includes some exclusive content such as a chat with the
official companion books' author Tara Bennett.
24: The Official Companion Season 5
24: The Official Companion Season 6
Review by Izzy
Thanks to Titan Books for providing review copies.
