Review: Just in time, Jack’s back with ‘24: Live Another Day’

Los Angeles Times Television Critic When Jack Bauer left us four years ago, we were sad but not heartbroken. The scaffolding of Fox’s “24,” strong enough to bear controversy and complaint, was beginning to wobble, the show’s take-no-prisoner’s tone worn down by over-use and imitation. Because Jack Bauer is back, in the 12-episode special event “24: Live Another Day,” and apparently not a moment too soon. Watching as “The Following’s” FBI agents, or “Homeland’s” CIA casually go maverick and allow dozens of people to die on their watch, it’s hard not to imagine Jack Bauer objecting, grumpily, like a Woodstock-boomer complaining about his kids spending too much time playing video games So will his return to the new landscape make him seem as old and out of date as “portable” phones with antennas? mary.mcnamara@latimes.com ----------------------------------------- ‘24: Live Another Day’ Where: Fox When: 8 p.m. Monday Rating: TV-14-LV