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‘24: Legacy,’ ‘Legion’: Familiar faces help
The real world touches three new series — “24: Legacy,” “APB” and “Legion” — in unsettling ways.
Presidential politics and terrorist cells figure in the new “24,” debuting Sunday after the Super Bowl on Fox. The split screens, pounding music and frenetic action still work with startling efficiency.
Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is gone, replaced by military veteran Eric Carter (Corey Hawkins). He and his wife, Nicole (Anna Diop), are living in witness protection when terrorists start wiping out Carter’s comrades.
The Carters go on the run, and Eric proves a dynamic hero. But when the second episode puts him on a ridiculous mission, “24” reminds us it can be as baffling as it is exciting.
The new “24” benefits greatly from three veteran actors: Miranda Otto (“Homeland”) as a risk-taking intelligence officer, Jimmy Smits as her politician husband and Gerald McRaney as the politician’s affluent father. They bring gravitas to this violent story about a race to stop terrorists.
When “24” shifts to Monday, it will be followed by “APB,” a police drama/fantasy about Chicago crime and big money in government. Arrogant billionaire Gideon Reeves (Justin Kirk) buys a police district and takes it private.
He supplies new guns, uniforms and cars. He wows with apps and drones. He vows a revolution by demonstrating money and technology can solve problems.
In this simplistic show, Natalie Martinez offers humanity as a cop who does things the oldfashioned way. Yet there’s more fantasy: “APB” suggests romance for her and Reeves.
“Legion,” starting Wednesday on FX, presents a challenging premiere that asks what’s real and what isn’t. The premiere unfolds like a confusing nightmare with stunning photography and special effects.
Good thing that Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”) mesmerizes as twitchy, troubled David Haller. He has powers he doesn’t realize in this series inspired by the XMen character.
Hold on for Jean Smart as a therapist determined to help David. She helps viewers, too, by giving refreshing coherence to this harrowing journey.