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View Full Version : Watching 24: instruction manual for the truly dedicated fan


qubit
01-13-2010, 04:50 AM
The instructions below explain the correct way for all truly dedicated fans to watch 24 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285331/). As each episode is filmed in real time, watching it this way will ensure that the series will be watched in real time too. The series will then fit precisely within 24 hours and each episode will be watched precisely within its hourly time slot, as required by the true, dedicated 24 fan!

Obtain a copy of the 24 box set, such as the latest series 7 on DVD or Blu-ray.
Obtain a radio controlled (RC) clock and place it so it can be seen clearly, is receiving the time signal properly and is showing the correct time.
Prepare enough food and drink for 24 hours supply.
Have spare batteries for the DVD/Blu-ray player and TV remote controls.
Have coffee/uppers ready.

Each episode is just over 40 minutes long.

Start watching episode 1 at the start time for the series eg 8am for series 7. Use the RC clock to get the time exactly right, down to the second. This is terribly important.

While the episode is playing, you may adjust the volume, but do not pause, rewind, disturb it in any way or dare move off your sofa, concentrating fully on it until...

...the 24 clock is shown before and after the ad breaks. All you see on the disc is a slight pause between the clocks. The post-break clock will have moved on by 4 or 5 minutes. As soon as the post-break clock shows, pause the disc and wait until that exact time (including the seconds) on the RC clock is showing before continuing. Besides continuing the episode at the right time, this has the side benefit of enhancing the acute anxiety effect of cliff hangers, which are often put here. Remember that cliff hangers are created to enhance your viewing pleasure, not to keep you glued to your seat and help advertisers as you mistakenly thought.

Note that if you fall asleep during an episode, you cannot rewind it to see the missed part and crucially, you must wake up in time for the next clock break! Be especially vigilant during the later episodes. If Jack can stay awake, then so can you.

During the clock break, eat, make coffee, take uppers, answer call of nature etc. Do not be late back under any circumstance.

When the episode has finished (don’t skip the end credits) immediately watch the next one, skipping the episode reminder. Pause it at the point Jack Bauer says the time period for that episode and start it at exactly that time on the RC clock. This also has the side benefit of anxiety amplification.

Repeat the above procedure for all 24 episodes without stopping, swapping discs as necessary. Have the next disc out of the box and ready for a quick changeover.

Should your DVD/Blu-ray player, TV or other hardware item fail during this, fix or obtain replacements and then start watching again from the start of the episode it failed on and crucially, at the start time of that episode, on the RC clock. This might entail lots of anxious waiting for the correct time to come around, but it’s well worth it as a proper fan. This is the one and only time that you’re allowed to break the strict 24 hour requirement.

Congratulations, you have now completed your duty! If you still want to watch the next series of 24 after this, you must truly be a dedicated fan...

Now get some sleep.

qubit
01-21-2010, 06:49 PM
Hey, aren't there any 24 fans here with a sense of humour? <disappointed>

I love ridiculous parodies like this and I'd thought I'd share it. :)

BTW I actually tried watching just one episode using my method and here are my results, scientifically obtained: <wink>

- It really is exactly an hour long; it really is shown in real time
- The pre-ad clock is within a few seconds of the real time
- There's LOTS of ad breaks
- They really suck
- Waiting through the ad break and starting it exactly at the right instant is stressful, especially at the end
- The cliff hangers really bite
- You can't rewind bits you didn't see properly or just wanna see again
- I was actually quite relieved when I finished watching it and enjoyed it less than viewing the normal way
- You'd have to be demented to watch the whole series like this and in 24 hours

I finished watching it a couple of days ago and can confirm that it's up to the usual standard and highly recommend it. I won't give away any spoilers, for people that might want to watch it.

The burning question is now: what do I do with my life until season 8 comes out?? :eek:

crazzycat
01-29-2010, 12:45 PM
the idea of it is really brilliant