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Yes, I know, I still owe all of you updates for the 2 hour season finale. They're coming, I promise, but I had an insane weekend helping my boyfriend move out of his old apartment and into his new condo, and then my house chores were piling up on top of me, so unfortunately, Tony appreciation had to wait. I'm hoping to finish up major updates of at least the Godlike Moments and Almeida Verbatim tonight, but I had to post this latest tidbit RIGHT NOW!!!
I've kept this all very hush hush for the last few days while it was in the works, because I didn't want to go around crowing about my chickens before they hatched. However, due to the generosity and awesome personal connections of one of our newest readers (Hi Kristen!), AIG has managed to finagle AN EXCLUSIVE Q&A INTERVIEW WITH SEAN CALLERY, the genius Emmy Award-winning composer of all of 24's original music. Though we have already acknowledged this in the text of our interview, we will again thank Mr. Callery up front for his time and his wonderfully thoughtful responses to our questions.
As anyone who reads this site regularly is well aware, we at AIG are ardent Callery fans, so it was an extremely great pleasure for me to correspond with Sean Callery personally and learn about how he makes such wonderful soundscapes for us in the show. I've begged him to resurrect Cofell-music for Season 5, so if there is any chance of fan influence whatsoever, IT WILL HAPPEN, Almeida willing! Anyway, this is a great read if you are at all fond of Callery's work on 24 (and who wouldn't be, I mean come on!), or even if you are new to Callery appreciation, the interview gives some great insight into how things work behind the scenes.
We will get back to Almeida appreciation post haste, but for now, I must bask in the glow of Callery.
--posted by Kasia
I'm HOME, finally. I ended up stuck in the US for an extra night when my connecting flight between Las Vegas and Los Angeles was cancelled. I ended up re-routed overnight through Seattle, and thus did not get home until late this afternoon. However, I have now officially watched the finale, twice, and I must say that overall, I echo all of Matt's sentiments. He may be the George Mason of this website, but like the beloved Mason (RIP), though he is a smarmy bastard, he knows how to do the job and always gets it done well :)
I do have a fair amount to say about this episode. Thank ALMEIDA that Almeida survived. I was pleasantly surprised that both Tony and Michelle survived, as I really did not expect it. In fact, I was very surprised that all of the major players survived the day, including Tony, Michelle, Chloe, Palmer and Jack. In my heart, I knew I had to be fully prepared for Tony to die, so that just in case it happened, I would not be too devastated to go on. However, I always held out hope that the writers would stay true to their thematic roots and let Tony live, let him have a little bit of happiness and offer a modicum of redemption to all of those who've sacrificed themselves to keep the innocent safe.
Jack faking his death was great and should give us a really interesting setup for Season 5.
Anyway, it's good to be home and there will be plenty of activity on this site through the coming week with two episodes worth of updates for the finale plus a backlog of debriefs. I am planning a site renovation for the summer as well as another top secret project which I will write more about as it progresses. Site visits were way up while I was away, and I just want to thank everyone for being a part of AIG through Season 4. Tony lives and so does this site! We will be back with a vengeance next January, and you can expect timely and frequent updates over the hiatus to help make the painful wait more bearable with all of the crazy fan features you've come to know and love from this website.
LONG LIVE ALMEIDA!!!!!
--posted by Kasia
YES! LONG LIVE TONY. I told you, man!
Season 4 has come to a close, with the dark horse Almeida not only surviving, but walking away with his true love Michelle. Even though there is no powerful tragedy to any of this, I have to say I'm glad. This season has been undoubtedly rocky and Tony's death would've been both gratuitous and untimely.
I think the best move the writers made in the last few episodes of the season was bringing Mandy back. In my opinion, her s4 appearance has clinched her as the most ruthless and seductive 24 character to ever exist, even more so than Nina. The part where she slips her gun into the back of her skirt and stops at the door to apply her lipstick was sheer DangerSlut gold. (she even managed to get Tony's clothes off - I'm sure the girls are more appreciative of that than I.)
Even though I was pretty certain from how the arc was going that Almeida would survive being held hostage, Mandy's sadistic, calculating presence kept me on the edge of my seat right until she was taken down.
In fact, the best part of the finale for me, hands-down, was:
Tony: Do it Jack. Do what you have to do.
Mandy: Shut up. Do you really have what it takes to let me kill him, while you're lookin' him in the eye?
Jack: (pause, then very convincingly) Yes.
Mandy: (wide-eyed) I believe you.
That was a classic 24 moment, they played all three characters perfectly. I'm happy that Mandy got her presidential pardon and can live to make her comeback as the 24 enigma once again. Three episodes and she made a bigger impact than a whole season of Mar-yawn.
I'm also happy that Tony lived and had a more passionate make-out session with Michelle. I have to say I thought the "Saunders Situation Part II" bit was a little corny, but I think they played it out how they should've, with Michelle making the opposite decision and choosing to save innocent lives. She was kind of a blubbery mess for the rest of the finale, so at least they had her make one strong decision! The final bit with Jack faking his own death was also a little rushed and unbelievable (in my s4 cynic's opinion!) but it sets up the next season excellently, and as Kat mentioned in an email to me, having him walk into the sunrise like the great TV hero he is was awesome. It will be interesting to see what will happen next year with Jack underground and so many crucial 24 players having left the job entirely. I look forward to it!
All in all, it was about what I hoped for, some great Almeida scenes (including a Mandy vs. Tony hand-to-hand combat duel where Tony can't use his hands!), a tragic ending for Audrey, a smirky political send-off for Palmer ("you played a role, David") and a nice firm Jack-Tony handshake to seal the deal. Even I can't bitch too much about that!
Anyway, stay tuned for updates and debriefs on the finale. And rest easy tonight, fellow Almeidans, secure in your faith and knowledge that Tony will always, ALWAYS prevail.
--posted by Matt
HEY. This is Matt. For those of you who don't know me, I'm basically the George Mason of this website... I make fun of everything, I take credit for AIG successes, but I don't actually contribute anything useful when it comes down to it. I'm just in it for the money. There's money in this gig, isn't there? Eh? Somebody told me there was money.
Anyway, they bring me in when there's literally nobody else that can do the job. And since Kasia's off gallavanting around in Vegas for the FINALE, I'm taking over command of this place, goddammit.
Are you excited? I am. Despite a mostly disappointing season, I think tomorrow night will be great fun. For some bizarre reason I have faith that the writers can come up with a something good and unexpected for the finale - solely because it's the finale and they'll want to impress all their precious "casual fans" who started tuning in en masse this season and enjoying the easy-to-follow, episodic storylines of s4. (coughlosers!)
Now. A word.
Theories abound as to the fate of our Tony. Some say he will die in order for there to be a meaningful, shocking death this season. Some say Carlos will be moving onto other projects next year and will not have time for 24. Some say his story is through, his best friend role has been played out, and the best thing is for the character Tony is to take his place alongside the greats in 24 heaven.
Some say it's obvious.
But I say NO! Almeida will live! He will survive another day, and come back again in season 5 to add depth and attitude to the 24 universe. Have faith, fellow Tony fans. Worry not.
I hereby make the official AIG prediction that Tony will not die tomorrow night. He can't die, man. He's GOD. Got it?
Almeida help us all if I'm wrong.
--posted by Matt
As promised, Major updates for episode 22 have been posted prior to my Vegas departure tomorrow. Unfortunately, I forgot to transfer the debrief transcripts to this computer, so I am unable to post them until my return on Tuesday, by which point the finale will already have aired. So upon my return, expect serious updates on the finale, as well as all remaining debriefs.
In other news, there is a new Carlos article posted in The Man Behind Almeida. In it, there is an encouraging quote from Carlos that has him saying he is still in negotiations for Season 5. This lends some hope to all of us fearing for Tony's life that he may indeed survive. Right now, I give Tony a 50/50 chance of surviving s4. On the positive side:
1) 24 has been renewed not only for a fifth but also for a sixth season. This gives hope because I just can't imagine 24 for 2 more seasons without Tony.
2) Right now, it seems so utterly obvious that Tony is going to die. Given that in the past, 24 usually has avoided the obvious route, it's entirely possible that all this is misdirection for Tony's survival.
3) The aforementioned quote from Carlos about being in negotiations for s5 and s4 having a "surprising" conclusion.
On the negative side:
1) I could definitely see the writers killing Tony simply to feed the tradition of a "big and shocking death" at the conclusion of every season.
2) The decision of Michelle and Tony to leave CTU and be happy together is begging for a tragic end to one of these two characters.
Like we said, it's 50/50 at this point. I really hope the writers have realized how important Tony is to the success of this show and how many fans they will alienate if they kill him.
Well, that's it for now! Everyone, enjoy the finale. My thoughts will be with Matt, Kat, all of you and Almeida on Monday, my last night in Vegas. I do know that Matt plans to post memos and debriefs while I'm gone, so Almeida Be With You until my return!
--posted by Kasia
Hello! In the aftermath of last night's massive episode, I know that all of us loyal Almeidaists are of course concerned for Tony's life. It's pretty much a given that once Michelle and Tony decided to leave CTU together, one of them was destined to bite the big one. My hope is that the writers are setting us up to think this, and plan to pleasantly surprise us all for once by letting both of them live, start a life together and Michelle to have Tony's baby. But somehow, I just don't think it's gonna go that way.
I won't say too much else on the subject of this episode for now, because I am anticipating serious debriefs over the next day or two, and I want all thoughts there to be fresh. I will committ to posting updates and debriefs for this episode, because it was so huge, before I leave for Las Vegas. So this will likely mean Thursday.
A couple of other things: thank you to Balfour, who pointed out the "Almeida Is God" sign shown in the audience at the end of Carlos Bernard's appearance on Cold Pizza. I actually didn't notice this earlier because when I played this clip, I was mostly just listening to the dialogue and wasn't watching it. Imagine my excitement when I saw this! Here is a shot:
This sign was neither made nor carried by anyone affiliated with this site. All of the staff of this site live far, far away from LA. However, I am now definitely wondering if whoever did make this sign and carry it into the studio for Carlos's appearance reads this website. If this is you behind the AIG sign in this picture, I invite you to identify yourself by writing to us.
And finally, Fox has signed a deal with the producers of 24 for a fifth and sixth season. You can read about that here. That's all for now, but stay tuned for more updates soon.
--posted by Kasia
Happy Holy Day to all. There is a new Carlos video clip for download in The Man Behind Almeida - his recent appearance on The Carson Daly Show. Thanks to 4924CTU for keeping us up to date on Carlos media.
AIG has also recently learned that Carlos Bernard will star in a miniseries on NBC this fall called "10.5 Apocalypse", which is a sequel to last year's popular miniseries "10.5". We don't want to contemplate the implications of this for the future of Tony on 24, but regardless, you can read the full article about NBC's fall lineup here.
--posted by Kasia
Happy Holy Eve to all. Quick update on a few key issues. First, updates for Episode 21 are finally posted just under the wire, including Godlike Moments, Almeida Verbatim and 2 chats in 24 Mega-Fandom, which encompass a down-to-business chat with Kat and an esoteric chat with Matt.
Regarding the AIG Store, even though I said we would be re-opening, it's not happening. The AIG Store in its current incarnation is now officially closed for business. I have received a lot of e-mail over the last couple of weeks about the store, so I thought I should let you all know that it won't be coming back and why. Basically, here's the situation: CafePress.com, the store host and product supplier we were using, has a policy against what they term "unauthorized use of third party images" on products. This includes any material that the store owner does not own the intellectual property rights for. What I was doing with the Almeida t-shirts featuring Tony screencaps violated their policy. My intent with these shirts was not to profit from someone else's intellectual property, but rather to spread the joy of Almeida fandom. Previously, CafePress has been rather lax about enforcing this policy, but recently they have been extremely diligent in cracking down on this type of
usage of third party images. Therefore, I regret to inform all of you that we will no longer be selling t-shirts and other items with pictures of Tony on them. I am truly sorry to all our readers about this.
Finally, as we all know the Season 4 finale will be airing a week from tomorrow. Unfortunately, I will not be here for it. I'm going to Las Vegas with my boyfriend from May 20 to May 24, so I'll be watching the 2 hour finale on tape the day after it airs. This site will be on hiatus until I get back from Vegas on the 24th, but I'm sure I'll have plenty to say about it upon my return. I just didn't want anyone to be alarmed that nothing's been posted about the finale until mid next week.
--posted by Kasia
Happy Holy Eve to all! Quick update to report that I have managed to make some more headway on Season 3 Tony Screencaps. Episode 17 5-6AM has been posted in the Gallery. Also, Cast Spotted Log has been updated. More soon.
--posted by Kasia
Quick note that Cast Spotted Log has been updated to include the awesome sighting of Yusuf Auda in "Lost" this week. Compatriots: The Approved Jack Bauer/David Palmer Fanlisting has also received a renovation, so check it out today!
Also, we've discovered this tidbit which suggests that NBC is interested in luring "24" away from FOX for the fifth season. The content of the tidbit is as follows:
Rumor du jour: Fox's '24' may be heading to NBC
Is Fox's "24" headed for NBC? The New York Post reported this morning that the struggling network is interested in Twentieth Television's Kiefer Sutherland drama, whose four-year deal is up after May 23's season finale. The Post story quotes an anonymous source that says NBC has expressed its interest in "24." This season the show has averaged a shade under 12 million viewers an episode, its best season ever. The odds still remain Fox will keep the series, despite an expected increase in its licensing fee, but if it does make the switch it wouldn't be the first show to do so: "Grounded For Life" aired on Fox for two seasons before it jumped to the WB in February 2003, and "JAG" aired its first season on NBC before moving to CBS for its final nine seasons.
To read the original article, click here and scroll down to the last item.
Let me just say that I really hope this doesn't happen. I've expressed my distaste for FOX's pressure on the producers of "24" in the past, but if the show jumps to NBC, it will be even worse. We can kiss the show we know and love goodbye if it moves to NBC, which is one of the older, more conservative networks. Luckily, the chances of FOX letting "24" go to NBC are extremely low. FOX made the show what it is and I sincerely doubt that the powers-that-be would let what has become their flagship dramatic offering go to another network. After all, FOX believed in 24 even when the ratings were crap and managed to turn it in to a huge success. They won't let it slip away.
--posted by Kasia
AIG has just learned that Carlos Bernard has been nominated for an Imagen Award, which honours positive depictions of Latinos in TV and film. Carlos was nominated in the best supporting actor television category and is up against Adam Rodriguez (CBS' "CSI: Miami), Freddy Rodriguez (HBO's "Six Feet Under"), Mark Consuelos (Lifetime's "Missing") and Danny Pino (CBS' "Cold Case"). GO CARLOS GO! To read the full article, click here.
We also came across this Q&A that Kiefer Sutherland did with the London Independent. Click here to read.
As always, thank you to our news correspondent Jon for the info.
--posted by Kasia
Just a quick post to report that this episode actually inspired me to do updates immeeeeeediately! So the site is now brimming with up to the minute Godlike Moments, Almeida Verbatim, Famous Last Words and an all-new enthusiastic debrief posted in 24 Mega-Fandom. Enjoy!!!!
--posted by Kasia
It's BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCKKKKKKKKKK!!! Finally, 24 has gotten good again. We have a hell of a debrief coming up for you later this week and I get some time to do the updates, but in the meantime...
HOLY FUCK PIERCE!!! When I saw Pierce emerge from that White House Hallway, I very nearly cried tears of joy I was so happy to see him. I've found s4 to be such a disappointment with so few real surprises that Pierce made my freakin WEEK! I LOVE YOU AARON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tony's Skank returns, and not a moment too soon. It was high time we had some decent T/M action, and boy did we ever. It was a short scene, but what it lacked in time it made up for in intensity. Michelle's hardened marble facade has finally melted, and in that one moment when she asks Tony if he loves his skank, she gave herself away. The heaving bosom and moist eyes clearly say: I STILL LOVE ALMEIDA. But then again, who doesn't?
Great Novick/Palmer action. Palmer is still Palmer and forgives Mike for his heinous betrayal without a second thought. It's so great to see Palmer and Novick working side by side again, something I never thought I would ever live to see. Good job writers, you have managed to escape complete suckitude!
But the moment of glory was Paul Raines' untimely death. This issue, which was explored at length in season 3 using multiple plot devices, including Jack putting a gun to Chase's head and pulling the trigger, Ryan Chappelle's execution and Tony's moral dilemma of Michelle vs the Country, comes back once again. It always reminds me of the Ani Difranco song "School Night" where she says "What kind of scale compares the weight of two beauties, the gravity of duty or the groundspeed of joy / What kind of gauge could quantify a nation, what kind of equation could I possibly employ?"
What kind of equation could Jack possibly employ? He had to weigh saving the husband of the woman he loves against saving the country from an imminent nuclear attack. He's screwed either way, because no matter what he did, he was wrong in some way. But once and for all, it is clear both to Audrey and to us which side of the line Jack is on -- that of "the greater good." When Audrey was screaming at him that she hated him, you could see his heart breaking, but yet his steely resolve stood firm. The words "I'm just doing my job" never sounded so hollow and for ONCE something actually goes the way it should have in s4 -- Jack is destined for solitude and tragedy, never to know the love or closeness of another woman, because he's betrayed the human part of himself too many times in the name of his country. I love it. That was the essence of Jack Bauer, distilled down to the last 5 minutes of this episode. If somehow the writers can keep up this level, the final arc of s4
might just end up halfway salvaging the Season. Bravo!
--posted by Kasia
Happy Holy Day to all! The missing debrief for Episode 19 (1-2AM) has been posted in 24 Mega-Fandom. I accidentally overwrote the update I posted on Friday. In summary, we were pleased to report that AOL TV named us a Best of the Web Killer 24 Fansite. We were pleased to announce that there is a new site on the Almeida Is God Fan Network, so visit Hearts & Minds: Approved Fanlisting for the Jack Bauer/Tony Almeida/Michelle Dessler Relationship. We were angry about the fact that Tony and Michelle have become complete non-entities, background characters who are not being utilized, and that the introduction of Bill Buchanan is taking away all the juicy scenes from Tony and Michelle.
Ugh, I hate losing work. Anyway, April has also been archived now.
--posted by Kasia
Happy Holy Eve to all! I'm way too freakin' lazy to archive April right now. Anyway, quick update to say I came across this review of our website today on supercrime.org:
I was searching SkyNet the other day for the latest "Jack Bauer body count" and came across simply the greatest Tony Almeida fansite on the net. Although the font and color scheme make my eyes bleed, the content is fantastic. Pages like Tony Almeida's Godlike Moments and Principles Of Almeidaism (based on the 10 Commandments) confirm AIG's supremacy in the world of Tony Almeida fansites, while The Top 24 Most Memorable Deaths Of 24 and 24 Mega-Fandom : Total Fan Insanity (discussions of each episode) place it among the 24 fansite elite. Rounding out these fabulous offerings is the largest collection of buttons and images…ever. Overall, AIG is a highly recommended site, especially as a touchstone for your sanity when you find yourself obsessing a bit much about 24…
Hilarious and welcome review of our site, fansite elite, wow... how I have dreamed to hear those words. :p As far as the whole bloody eyes thing is concerned, that's all a matter of taste. I happen to like my blue and grey colour scheme, though have been thinking of some new concepts. Regardless, we're pleased that the folks at supercrime.org liked our site. After all, it's all about the content.
--posted by Kasia
