24: A Major Character Returns for Season 7

[Buffy Summers]

24: A Major Character Returns for Season 7

September 19, 2007

The 24 producers know that season 7 can not, under any circumstances, be a disappointment. If the beloved franchise drops the ball on a second season in a row, than the show may as well pack up and go home. With that in mind, it looks as if FOX and the 24 team are pulling out all the stops in preparation for next season. Throughout the summer, casting news has permeated the 24 landscape and today comes the biggest announcement yet. If you don't enjoy being spoiled, read no further. Really, this news is going to ruin a big early season surprise on 24. I can understand, however, if the enticement is too much and you just have to click that "Read More" button.

Tony Almeida is back! That's right, the man who we all assumed was dead is returning at the beginning of season 7 to surprise both fans and Jack Bauer alike. Carlos Bernard, who plays Mr. Almeida, has always been a fan favorite and the 24 producers have occasionally grumbled about how they handled his supposed send-off.

Here's confirmation from an official FOX press release regarding 24's January 13-14 two night premiere: "With CTU dismantled, the show's setting moves to Washington, D.C., where Jack Bauer faces trial for his actions in the pursuit of justice. Bauer's day gets off to a shocking start when former colleague Tony Almeida (played by Carlos Bernard), last seen in Day 5, returns after being left for dead by a terrorist conspirator in CTU's infirmary."

It had been speculated that Almeida would make a surprise appearance in the waning moments of season 6, and apparently the producers kept that option open, but it was ultimately scrapped for what turned out to be a largely unsatisfying season finale. The decision to bring Tony back into the fold early in season 7 is a darn good way of appeasing loyal fans turned off by the events of season 6.

Tony Almeida lives!


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: TV Guide

Source: 24: A Major Character Returns for Season 7

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

David Fury definitely has taken some stuff he learned from Joss to that show hasn't he!!

 

[nerd4hire]

Because of the back from the dead thing, right? Howard Gordon, who I believe is even higher up in the 24 power structure also did Joss time. Between the two of them, yeah, they should know the ropes as far as bringing a character back.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

Because of the back from the dead thing, right? Howard Gordon, who I believe is even higher up in the 24 power structure also did Joss time. Between the two of them, yeah, they should know the ropes as far as bringing a character back.

Yup, because of of that.

Having said that, of all the characters to bring back, i'm glad it's Almeida. I loved his character. The only other character it would have interested me to see would have been Palmer.

 

[goldenboy]

Hmm..

Question: Please tell me Tony will be returning to 24 as Jack's partner and not, as I am increasingly suspecting, the main villain. He can't be, right? Right?! Go USC! "” Chip

Ausiello: Let's examine the evidence: As I previously reported in AA, 24 producers earlier this summer briefly toyed with the idea of making Tony the big bad of Day 7. That idea was quickly jettisoned, and soon after Gary Oldman was invited to come aboard as this season's evil mastermind. A deal couldn't be struck, so the show was forced to devise a Plan C. Or so they'd like us to believe. What I think is that they reverted to Plan A and, when Carlos Bernard resurrects Tony, it won't be as an angel. It's just a hunch.

Ausiello on 24, Greyà¢â‚¬â„¢s Anatomy, Supernatural and More! - Ask Ausiello | TVGuide.com

 

[The Arcane]

I think the reason why the idea was quickly thrown out originally was because, short of some sort of brainwashing storyline, Tony going to the dark side would have been received very negatively by the fans of 24. Not to mention the fact that it makes no sense given his character history. Turning all Wesley style badass merc, maybe. Evil? Not Tony.

Great news that they have brought him back though. I'd always believed that there was enough of a loophole in how we left his "death" to allow them to change their minds. Glad I was right.

 

[goldenboy]

It is hard to imagine Tony going over to the dark side. Obviously, he went a little bonkers after Michelle died, but still...short of another blackmail scenario or some kind of evil chip in his brain...