The Best Episodes Written By Joel Surnow

Every TV Episode Written by Joel Surnow Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

  1. Background image for Calderone's Return: The Hit List - Part 1
    9.2/10(5 votes)

    #1 - Calderone's Return: The Hit List - Part 1

    S1:E4

    The team moves to protect Crockett and his family from an assassin, hired by Calderone to re-empty the void he left behind.

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  2. Background image for Day 5: 4:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.
    9.1/10(10 votes)

    #2 - Day 5: 4:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.

    S5:E10

    Logan wrestles with his conscience when he learns that Martha is riding in the motorcade with the Suvarovs. Audrey convinces Curtis to take action as Lynn continues to abuse his authority. Jack learns that an ex CTU agent, Christopher Henderson, works for a company which is connected with the nerve gas.

    Director:Tim Iacofano
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  3. Background image for Day 5: 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M.
    9.0/10(11 votes)

    #3 - Day 5: 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M.

    S5:E4

    Jack is captured by the terrorists, who use Derek as leverage to force him to compromise CTU's assault operation. Logan refuses to give into the terrorist demands as the time of the co-signing of the treaty draws near. Martha tries to tell her husband of the evidence she uncovered about her phone call with Palmer, but Walt interferes with her efforts. A new representative from District arrives at CTU and begins to undermine Buchanan's authority.

    Director:Brad Turner
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  4. Background image for Day 5: 2:00 A.M.-3:00 A.M.
    9.0/10(10 votes)

    #4 - Day 5: 2:00 A.M.-3:00 A.M.

    S5:E20

    After stowing away aboard the flight containing Henderson's contact and the incriminating recording, Jack finds himself having to deal with a pilot who refuses to cooperate. Martha begins to break down, and Mike becomes suspicious of what she is hiding from him, while Logan tries to calm his financial backers.

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  5. Background image for Day 5: 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.
    8.8/10(11 votes)

    #5 - Day 5: 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.

    S5:E5

    Jack returns to CTU and has an emotional reunion with Audrey, while Curtis tracks the Russians and the stolen nerve gas. Walt sends in a hit man to silence Jack. Chloe discovers that Spencer has his own agenda at CTU. Walt convinces Logan to have Martha institutionalized when she tells them of the attack on her.

    Director:Jon Cassar
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  6. Background image for Day 5: 7:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M.
    8.8/10(10 votes)

    #6 - Day 5: 7:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M.

    S5:E13

    Jack and Lynn must take action when they discover that the nerve gas is breaking through the protective seals that are keeping the CTU survivors alive. Chloe wrestles with her grief over Edgar's death, while Tony contemplates revenge against Henderson. Martha bolster's Logan's spirit as he wavers under more political pressure from Gardner.

    Director:Brad Turner
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  7. Background image for Day 2: 7:00 A.M.-8:00 A.M.
    8.8/10(18 votes)

    #7 - Day 2: 7:00 A.M.-8:00 A.M.

    S2:E24

    Jack and Sherry Palmer prepare for a dangerous meeting with the head of the war conspiracy at the L.A. Coliseum; David Palmer sits in as the Cabinet waits for confirmation of the Cypress Chip's invalidity; the air strike on the Middle East draws nearer; the conspiracy goes to an old agent to put Palmer out of play.

    Director:Jon Cassar
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  8. Background image for Day 7: 9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.
    8.7/10(10 votes)

    #8 - Day 7: 9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.

    S7:E2

    Since Jack Bauer has been pulled from his senate sub-committee hearing to assist with the deadly domestic threat and the investigation of former colleague Tony Almeida, his new undefined role is to help secure the nation. Meanwhile, President Allison Taylor presides over the escalating time-sensitive dilemmas linked to the unrest in Sangala. Chloe O’Brian and Bill Buchanan are on hand this season as well as FBI Agents Renee Walker, Larry Moss, Janis Gold and Sean Hillinger to cope with the unthinkable events

    Director:Jon Cassar
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  9. Background image for Day 4: 3:00 A.M.-4:00 A.M.
    8.6/10(13 votes)

    #9 - Day 4: 3:00 A.M.-4:00 A.M.

    S4:E21

    CTU scrambles to forge an alibi when a Chinese representative produces evidence of American involvement in the raid on their embassy. Audrey gives Jack the cold shoulder, while Palmer and Logan clash over the consequences of Palmer's decisions. Jack and Curtis close in on Marwan as the countdown for the missile launch moves ahead.

    Director:Kevin Hooks
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  10. Background image for Day 2: 9:00 P.M.-10:00 P.M.
    8.5/10(17 votes)

    #10 - Day 2: 9:00 P.M.-10:00 P.M.

    S2:E14

    Jack and Kate try to break Marie's resolve so they can learn the location of the bomb. Palmer confronts his ex wife with the information that Stanton gave them. George finally steps down as director of CTU and hands the position over to Tony. Kim discovers her host's deception.

    Director:Jon Cassar
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  11. Background image for Day 3: 12:00 P.M.-1:00 P.M.
    8.5/10(12 votes)

    #11 - Day 3: 12:00 P.M.-1:00 P.M.

    S3:E24

    Jack and Chase must make a powerful sacrifice when dealing with the virus. Tony is able to help Jack one last time before he is taken into custody, while an angry victim seeks vengeance on Saunders. Palmer makes a surprising career choice in the wake of Sherry's death.

    Director:Jon Cassar
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  12. Background image for Day 4: 7:00 A.M.-8:00 A.M.
    8.5/10(14 votes)

    #12 - Day 4: 7:00 A.M.-8:00 A.M.

    S4:E1

    Eighteen months have elapsed since the conclusion of Day 3. A commuter train bound for Los Angeles explodes. A man steals a suitcase from a passenger in the wreckage and then kills him. Jack has been dismissed from CTU and now works for Secretary of Defense James Heller. Jack is involved with Heller's daughter, Audrey, and their relationship is growing serious. Jack is in LA for a meeting with CTU Director Erin Driscoll, who fired him a year ago, but he finds himself alienated at CTU by Driscoll and the new staff when reports of a possible terrorist strike come in. A young computer hacker named Andrew Paige sees something that he shouldn't on the Internet. Suddenly, he finds himself running for his life as he is pursued by terrorists. Luckily, he is able to warn Chloe O'Brian before its too late. The Turkish Araz family are not what they seem and it becomes clear that they are heavily involved with the day's events. Meanwhile, Heller has a confrontation with his estranged son. Jack finds that Chloe is his only ally as he tries to prove that the train explosion is merely a diversionary target.

    Director:Jon Cassar
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  13. Background image for Day 4: 1:00 P.M.-2:00 P.M.
    8.5/10(13 votes)

    #13 - Day 4: 1:00 P.M.-2:00 P.M.

    S4:E7

    Jack takes Audrey to ID the man she recognized at the compound, but the terrorists get there soon after and pin them down. Jack must call on an old friend to help him escape. Heller puts Edgar in charge of dealing with the nuclear override, while Driscoll's daughter takes a turn for the worse. Dina is wounded when she helps Behrooz flee from Navi. Navi's boss orders him to kill his wife and son before the day is over.

    Director:Ken Girotti
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  14. Background image for Day 4: 5:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M.
    8.5/10(13 votes)

    #14 - Day 4: 5:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M.

    S4:E11

    Jack and Curtis finally learn the location of the override device. They try to trap the architect of the terrorist strike before the remaining nuclear plants go critical. Tony pushes Dina to reveal more of her knowledge of Marwan, while Driscoll faces another personal crisis with her daughter.

    Director:Jon Cassar
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  15. Background image for Day 7: 8:00 A.M.-9:00 A.M.
    8.5/10(10 votes)

    #15 - Day 7: 8:00 A.M.-9:00 A.M.

    S7:E1

    Following events in 24: Redemption Jack is pulled from his senate sub-committee hearing to assist with the deadly domestic threat and the investigation of former colleague Tony Almeida, his new undefined role is to help secure the nation. Meanwhile, President Allison Taylor presides over the escalating time-sensitive dilemmas linked to the unrest in Sangala. Chloe O’Brian and Bill Buchanan are on hand this season as well as FBI Agents Renee Walker, Larry Moss, Janis Gold and Sean Hillinger to cope with the unthinkable events

    Director:Jon Cassar
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  16. Background image for Lady Cop
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #16 - Lady Cop

    S1:E5

    A crooked cop is willing to murder to ensure that his new partner won't blow the whistle on his operations.

    Director:Russ Mayberry
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  17. Background image for 7:00 A.M.-8:00 A.M.
    8.4/10(26 votes)

    #17 - 7:00 A.M.-8:00 A.M.

    S1:E8

    In order to save his wife and daughter, Jack is ordered to deliver a briefcase to a man at Senator Palmer's rally. Realizing this man must be the assassin, Jack struggles to find a way to protect both Palmer and his family. Back at the CTU, Nina and Tony think they have found the traitor within the midst.

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  18. Background image for Day 2: 8:00 A.M.-9:00 A.M.
    8.4/10(21 votes)

    #18 - Day 2: 8:00 A.M.-9:00 A.M.

    S2:E1

    It's been a year since Jack lost his wife, and the emotional toll includes estrangement from his daughter Kim, who is now a live-in au pair for a troubled family. Jack is no longer with CTU, and no longer interested in that line of work - until he's summoned directly by President Palmer. The situation: terrorists have planted a nuclear device somewhere in Los Angeles and plan to detonate it within 24 hours.

    Director:Jon Cassar
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  19. Background image for Day 4: 12:00 A.M.-1:00 A.M.
    8.4/10(13 votes)

    #19 - Day 4: 12:00 A.M.-1:00 A.M.

    S4:E18

    Curtis brings in a suspect who has critical information about Marwan's next strike. Michelle orders Curtis to use harsh methods to interrogate the suspect, but things get complicated when Marwan sends a lawyer to defend his rights. Logan's advisors begin to worry as he continues to exhibit fear in the face of the ongoing terrorist threat.

    Director:Jon Cassar
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  20. Background image for Day 6: 4:00 A.M.-5:00 A.M.
    8.4/10(11 votes)

    #20 - Day 6: 4:00 A.M.-5:00 A.M.

    S6:E23

    In order to prevent a war with Russia, the White House orders a trade of Jack's nephew for the circuit board, and puts Jack in custody so he cannot stop the exchange.

    Director:Brad Turner
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  21. Background image for Lombard
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #21 - Lombard

    S1:E22

    Crockett and Tubbs must protect a reluctant witness from his prior employers -- the Mafia family that wants to silence him.

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  22. Background image for 1:00 A.M.-2:00 A.M.
    8.2/10(29 votes)

    #22 - 1:00 A.M.-2:00 A.M.

    S1:E2

    Teri receives a phone call from Alan York who says his daughter, Janet, is a friend of Kimberly's and is also missing, so the two parents join forces to try and find the girls. Even as Jack is secretly called out of the office and given an encrypted key card containing information on the Palmer hit that could lead him to a dirty agent within his organization, the explosion of a 747 over the Mojave Desert becomes yet another piece in the puzzle.

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  23. Background image for 6:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.
    8.2/10(23 votes)

    #23 - 6:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.

    S1:E19

    Alexis' contact turns out to be a power company worker who was being paid to shut off the electricity to a power grid out in the middle of an empty field. As Jack and Mason follow up on that lead, Kim's search for information lands her in jail, even as Palmer's press conference disclosure could ultimately put his own son in jail.

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  24. Background image for 8:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.
    8.2/10(24 votes)

    #24 - 8:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.

    S1:E21

    Jack's fears are proven true when Andre Drazen breaks into the underground facility to rescue his father. With Jack as his prisoner Victor calls CTU, but Mason tells him he doesn't negotiate with terrorists. Desperate to buy some time, Jack tells Victor that his son, Alexis, is still alive. Back at the police station the police finally let Kim go, but her drive to CTU doesn't go as planned.

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  25. Background image for 9:00 P.M.-10:00 P.M.
    8.2/10(24 votes)

    #25 - 9:00 P.M.-10:00 P.M.

    S1:E22

    Jack has Nina connect Victor Drazen to a hospital phone so he can talk directly to Alexis. Nina then advises Palmer of the situation. Palmer urges Mason to arrange the exchange Drazen proposed: the return of Jack for the return of Alexis. Although Alexis is delivered, Drazen holds onto Kim and tells Jack he needs to do one last thing if he wants to see his daughter again.

    Director:Paul Shapiro
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Joel Surnow Ratings Summary

"Calderone's Return: The Hit List - Part 1" is the best rated episode written by Joel Surnow. It scored 9.2/10 based on 5 votes. It was directed by Richard A. Colla. It aired on 10/19/1984 and is rated 0.1 points higher than their second-best episode, "Day 5: 4:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.".