A new trailer for season 7 of '24' (preview video below) was released recently, reminding everyone that it won't be long before Jack Bauer, modern-day hero of American television, returns to our living rooms and bedrooms via the boob tube. There's a lot of the same footage from the first trailer (released a few months ago), but also a lot of new goodies to feast your
eyes upon. Jack Bauer is about to make a triumphant return into our lives.

However, before season 7 begins, Jack Bauer is scheduled for a brief visit in a little over three weeks. What I'm talking about is '24: Redemption', the two-hour season 7 prequel set to be shown on November 23. 'Redemption' begins with a brief prologue showing a young boy being kidnapped at night and drafted as a soldier into the militia. Originally entitled '24: Exile', the movie depicts a troubled Jack Bauer in turmoil and moving from place to place trying to find somewhere he can be at peace. Set in the fictional nation Sangala, Jack finds himself caught up in a military coup. Meanwhile, in the United States, it is Inauguration Day, where Allison Taylor is being sworn in to office.

As you may have read in previous press releases, the original plan for season 7 of '24' was that it would begin in Africa, but producers weren't happy with the story and went back to the drawing board. Beginning the season in Africa would have also called for '24' to move away from its 'real time' format for the first time as Jack Bauer would need to go to the US before the end of the season, what is typically a 15 hour flight. Thus producers decided to just integrate the storyline in a two-hour prequel to the seventh season.

A longer '24: Redemption' trailer/preview video was leaked last July. However, it's clearly unfinished, which you can tell from the horrible voice over. An official but shorter preview of the movie, which aims to bridge the gap between the end of season six and the start of season seven, was eventually released a few weeks later.

'24: Redemption' Official Full Trailer / Preview Video

Watch '24: Redemption' Online Video

'24' Season 7 will begin and end at 7:00 a.m. and will start airing in the United States in January 2009. The initial back story will feature Jack Bauer on trial for his actions in the pursuit of justice after he arrives from his African soul-searching / adventure. Meanwhile, a major national security incident occurs when the firewall responsible for protecting America's government computer infrastructure is breached.