In the recent years, TV has seen numerous action properties turned into new series’. While there have been some hits and misses. 24: Legacy shines above the rest.
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Starring Corey Hawkins (The Walking Dead, Straight Outta Compton) as veteran Eric Carter, the series uses the traditional “real-time” from the original 24 series. Carter was a military hero overseas, but he was forced into witness protection after he assisted the former head of CTU, Rebecca Ingram (Miranda Otto), in taking down a terrorist. Now, the two must work together to keep the terror cell from harming anyone on American soil – but they each have some pretty unique personal situations that hinder their pursuits.
Anything aside from that short synopsis could probably be considered a spoiler, and this show is best-viewed with no plot details in your head. Seriously, there’s at least four major plot twists in the pilot episode – it’s awesome.
Hawkins leads a talented cast, and he does a great job taking over for Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer. Having fronted the show for years on end, Bauer will be missed by fans. Don’t let his absence turn you off though, as Eric Carter proves he can carry the show on his own.
The believability of Carter as a lethal asset is much higher than Bauer, as there were times in the later seasons of 24 that you felt Sutherland shouldn’t be kicking that much ass. Hawkins, however, has definitely put in the training to nail the combat scenes. And hats off to the fight choreographer for some really great work.
The core cast of the show – being Hawkins, Otto, Charlie Hofheimer, Dan Bucatinsky, and Anna Diop – all turned in really fantastic performances in this pilot. They found a way to touch on some delicate subject matter, that was often missing from the original series, and make those scenarios fit well into the action theme. Otto stood out as the strongest of the group, and Jimmy Smits was great, per usual.
Speaking of delicate subject matter, that has to be one of Legacy’s highlights. Without losing the action elements that fans of 24 are expecting, the writers found a way to dive into some issues that go a little deeper than kidnapped offspring.
Legacy sets up viewers for a show that dives into the world of PTSD, inner-city crime, and a world that makes decisions based on fear. The episode continually challenges the way we look at these issues, and really gets you thinking about how you react to the people around you on a day-to-day basis. This is a master class in bringing the issues of our world into an action-driven narrative.
Well, done.
Above all, Legacy delivers on the points that true fans of 24 wanted to see again. The action scenes are a little ridiculous, but they’re so much fun to watch. The pace of the show never lets up, and you find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat for the entire ride. Fans will also cheer at the sounds of the ever-ticking clock before each commercial break, which brings back wonderful memories of the original series.
24: Legacy is definitely one of the better shows to premiere this Winter, and fans should strap themselves in for a wild ride. You’re about to see some of the best action in 24 history, and you won’t want to miss a second.
24: Legacy will premiere directly following the Super Bowl this February on FOX, before moving to its regular time of Mondays at 8pm. Official synopsis follows.
Six months ago in Yemen, an elite squad of U.S. Army Rangers, led by Sergeant ERIC CARTER (Corey Hawkins, Straight Outta Compton), killed terrorist leader Sheik Ibrahim Bin-Khalid. In the aftermath, Bin-Khalid’s followers declared a fatwah against Carter, his squad and their families, forcing them into federal witness protection. But a recent attempt on Carter’s own life makes it clear to him that his team is now exposed. To thwart further attacks, Carter enlists REBECCA INGRAM (Miranda Otto, Homeland), who quarterbacked the raid that killed Bin-Khalid. She’s a brilliant and ambitious intelligence officer who has stepped down from her post as National Director of CTU to support her husband, SENATOR JOHN DONOVAN (Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jimmy Smits, NYPD Blue, The West Wing), in his campaign for President of the United States. Decades of sleepless nights and missed anniversaries landed her at the top. With the White House within their grasp, can she truly embrace a new role as First Lady? Or will her love of the action draw her back in? Together, in this fast-paced thrill ride, Carter and Ingram uncover a sophisticated terrorist network that will force them to ask: “Who can we trust?” As they battle Bin-Khalid’s devotees, they are forced to confront their own identities, families and pasts.
