Season 5 represents 24 at its apex. The opening sequence sets the tone for an unpredictable journey to the end of the day. While previous seasons have been willing to sacrifice a character to heighten the stakes, those who are eliminated in this season are more than secondary characters. While the deaths are consequential and establish the significance of the threat, the revelation of depth and center of the day's events is the height of the series enemies. While previous seasons have featured a domestic group using a terrorist threat to further national interests, the revelation that the President is complicit and central to the plot elevates the back half of the season beyond the need to foil the attack. The season features a cohesive narrative that more naturally transitions between the initial threat in the first half of the season and its resolution in the conclusion. The various subplots do not distract from the core focus in the threat and enhances the emotional impact of the seasons events. While characters are sacrificed, Aaron Pierce and Curtis Manning's position is elevated and Chloe continues to evolve. While CTU leadership continues to be a trope that the series utilizes to present obstacles is more seamlessly integrated into the main plot and moves the narrarative forward. ( )