Rogue nukes defused and biological outbreaks contained, the fourth season of 24 fails to find a new peril for the population of Los Angeles. Instead we return to kidnapping, with the Secretary Of Defence snatched by Islamic militants and an even more sinister (if equally familiar) threat waiting around the corner.
Not groundbreaking, then, but the trademark suspense, drama and moral ambiguity which now includes the torture of civilians and CTU staff all survive intact. Extra marks should also be awarded for the absence of cougar-bait Kim Bauer, now mercifully pruned from the cast.