Day 1: 12:00 A.M. - 1:00 A.M.

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired
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Episode Summary

It is California Presidential Primary Day in Los Angeles and the longest day of Federal Agent Jack Bauer's life is about to begin. Jack has just patched his family back together after a trying separation. Midnight finds Jack playing chess with his teenage daughter Kim. As she goes to bed, Jack gets a call from Nina Myers, his coworker at the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU), telling him to come in for an emergency meeting. Jack has no choice but to report in, but he and his wife Teri learn that Kim has snuck out before he leaves.''''At CTU, Jack learns that an assassination attempt is being planned against Senator David Palmer; the first African-American presidential candidate with a serious shot at the White House. Jack's boss and friend, Richard Walsh, warns him that people in their own agency may be working with those who plan to kill Palmer.''''Teri receives a call from Alan York, whose daughter snuck out with Kim. The two decide to go out looking for the girls.''''A European photographer makes pleasant conversation with a beautiful woman on a plane bound for LA, with explosive consequences.moreless
9.2
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Fan Episode Reviews (49)

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  • Let there be light

    7.0
    "Good"
    By BigDyno, Sep 08, 2011 Report Abuse
    "12am - 1am" is a pretty cool premiere for what is arguably one of the greatest television shows of all time. But unlike many other people, I can't bring myself to give it a perfect rating just for being "the one that started it all."The story revolves around the threat of African-American presidential candidate David Palmer being targeted for assassination. It's implied that Palmer's race is the sole motivation of the terrorists behind this nefarious plot, but 24 hours is a long time to reveal otherwise.Meet Jack Bauer, head of the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit and the main agent assigned to investigate the assassination scheme, along with the possibility of a mole within the agency. And meet his wife Teri, his daughter Kim, and his CTU subordinate Nina Myers. All of those characters will come into play, whether you enjoy their storylines or not.Various plot threads are woven, and there's plenty of suspense and intrigue to get the audience curious and wanting to follow through to the end. George Mason getting shot with a tranq dart is a classic scene that helped the viewers realize just what kind of guy Jack is. And the twist near the end will leave you dizzy.Because this is the pilot, shot long before the show was picked up for regular production, the feel of this episode is a lot different (i.e. more low-budget) from the mainstream "24." The look is kinda dated, the editing is real shoddy in places, and the timer sounds cheap. However, everybody has to start somewhere, and we must all observe how far the show has come. This episode slickly accomplishes everything that a pilot should, but compared to many future episodes of "24," it is far from the greatest.Hourly Highlight:TRANQ DART!!!moreless

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    2 0

  • It's only the first of the lot, and it´s excellent.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Roces24, May 18, 2010 Report Abuse
    24 is the best television show!!!!! It's an incredible TV series with an incredible suspense, excellent plots and unforgettable characters. And the first episode of all is my best evidence. Because it's only the first episode, only the introduction, and you are hooked because of the plot and the continuous twists and turns.

    Jack Bauer is a federal agent who is assigned the protection of the senator David Palmer. He can't trust in anybody because people of the CTU may be involved. And, when this events occurred his daughter: Kimberly escapes from house to a party...

    At the end of the episode, you want to watch more, and more, and more. It's only the first of the lot, and it's excellent.moreless

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    1 0

  • 24 Starts!!

    7.5
    "Good"
    By Dante_Edy, Jun 25, 2009 Report Abuse
    A Good Pilot, but more than thar is diffult to acomplish in a series with this format.

    There will be great episodes, and giving this episode a 9 would be unfair for the next episodes.

    A season means a day, every episode means a hour. This format is a little difficult to managed, but will we see how they overcome this challenge.

    Jack Bauer is the Main character, a Special Agent, with a Family. Is job, which is not easy, is to discover a mole inside CTU. More than that, prevent the assassination of the Presidencial Candidate.

    David Palmer seems a great character, but his story remain to be good. Its unclear what is role. Kim and Teri role still unclear too, only Jack starts with a good role, but this is normal, its only a pilot episode.moreless

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  • The first hour, The first day.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By efc91, Apr 03, 2009 Report Abuse
    It has been a long time since I have seen this show in fact the only time I have ever seen this episode was when it first aired back in the day, so I thought it was a bout time for a 24 rewatch ad here we go. This episode is fantastic it was so very different to what TV viewrs are used too the splitscreen storytelling is unique and it moves the story on quickly. There wasnt as much action as I remember but it was awesome. Basically everything kicks off in the last few minutes. I cant wait to see the rest again. 9 out of 10.moreless

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  • First hour...

    8.5
    "Great"
    By Parricida, Sep 02, 2008 Report Abuse
    So, I have decided to pick up this serie and watch it from the beginning after I saw some episode from season 4. So, it is quite different for me of those few episodes I saw - not many familiar faces but what I most say - I do like it. The first episode of this very promising serie has somehting magical and charming. We do not have yet idea who is who, the char are introduced and the nail it from the first seconds. I just cannot take my eyes off the screen and the motion.. the excitement going on. I am now off to second episode.. and I afraid I won't be able to stop after that too..

    Really promising beginning.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • When Jack is walking into CTU, there are splitscreen shots of him talking with his wife, yet on the close up he has the phone pinched against his shoulder with his head cocked to hold it there, while the wide shot just shows him walking normally holding the phone up to his ear with this right hand. Edit
    • This is the episode in which the clock sound before and after the commercials is different than the sound in the rest of the episodes. Edit
    • Mandy comes from the back of the plane to get her carry on suitcase and retreats. She is next shown changing clothes with the passengers visible through the curtain and she is in front of them. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Both Dennis Haysbert (David Palmer) and Penny Johnson (Sherry Palmer) had supporting roles in the political thriller Absolute Power which starred Clint Eastwood. Edit
    • While Jack enters CTU for the first time, Teri asks him if Kim should see a shrink. In Season 5 Kim does just that, but the shrink instantly becomes Jack's nemesis. Edit
    • This is the second time Kiefer Sutherland (Jack Bauer) and Xander Berkeley (George Mason) have worked together. The first time was in the 1992 movie, A Few Good Men. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Nina: Tony, I need you to do something for me. Tony: For you or for Jack? Edit
    • Mason: You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. Jack: Why don't you explain it to me. You've got five seconds. Edit
    • Jamey: How long is this going to take? Nina: Why? Are we interrupting your social life? Jamey: At least I have one. Edit

  • Allusions

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