As for Jack, of course he finds his way back into the thick of things: defying expectations, pissing off superiors. And there’s a determinedly delivered “Put me through to the president” in your future, viewers. Sutherland, who has become as expert at communicating pain as Harrison Ford, as adept at mumbly resolve as Eastwood and Willis, and as believably unstoppable as Schwarzenegger, is also comfortable enough in his career-defining role that he even takes a few chances with some cracks in our hero’s armor. We get hints of deep shame, an unexpected lack of nerve interrogating a suspect and, in one scene, a teary breakdown — all of which do their part in keeping Jack human in times that call for the superhuman. During one moment of weakness, though, Jack mutters, “I don’t know how to do this anymore.” Yikes. If Jack of all people needs a pep talk, we’re in bigger trouble than I thought.
24 | FOX | Four-hour season premiere Sun., Jan. 14, 8-10 p.m. & Mon., Jan. 15, 8-10 p.m. | Regular-season airtime Mon., 9 p.m.
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