Editing 24 (TV series) (section)

===Premise===
''24'' is a [[serial drama]] starring [[Kiefer Sutherland]] as central character [[Jack Bauer]], an agent initially with the Counter Terrorist Unit Los Angeles Division (CTU), whose mandate is to protect the United States from [[Terrorism in the United States|terrorist]] plots. The episodes take place over the course of one hour, depicting events as they happen, in [[Real time (media)|real time]].<ref name="realnew">{{cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/110601/Columns/The_real_new_TV_seaso.shtml|title=The real new TV season starts tonight|last=Deggans|first=Eric|work=[[Tampa Bay Times]]|date=November 6, 2001|access-date=May 23, 2011|archive-date=November 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124230636/http://www.sptimes.com/News/110601/Columns/The_real_new_TV_seaso.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> However, commercial breaks are normally used to skip several minutes multiple times, which means that about 17 minutes of each hour is not shown. To emphasize the real-world flow of events, a clock is prominently displayed on-screen at certain points during the show, and there is regular use of [[Split screen (filmmaking)|split screens]], a technique used to depict multiple scenes occurring simultaneously.

In addition to Bauer, each episode typically follows other American government officials from CTU/[[FBI]]/[[CIA]] and the [[White House]], as well as the conspirators who set the events in motion. Because many of these conspirators commit murder for political gain, several of Bauer's contacts are killed as a consequence of government intervention. The grief that Bauer experiences from these deaths is often explored throughout the series. While Bauer does have the utmost respect for most of his colleagues, friends and family members, he always believes himself to know how to provide the best way of saving innocent lives and/or achieving his own sense of justice, often being proven right when taking action.

''24'' is known for employing [[plot twist]]s which may arise as antagonists adapt, objectives evolve or larger-scale operations unfold. Stories also involve [[interpersonal relationship]]s, delving into the private lives of the characters. As part of a recurring theme, characters are frequently confronted with ethical dilemmas. Examples of this are a bombing in season 2, which can only be prevented by blowing Bauer's cover, and an ultimatum in season 3, in which a terrorist agrees not to carry out an attack if a high-ranking CTU official is killed. Also, season 4 is notable for a scene in which two men—one of whom possesses crucial information—are dying in a room with only one surgeon.