Over a year ago, FOX debuted a captivating, innovative new series that will undoubtedly influence the face of television in the years to come.

No, I'm not talking about When Animals Attack, but 24, a hard-edged spy thriller that I -- like most Americans -- missed out on last year. While the show received a great deal of critical praise (and even a few Emmy nominations), it never seemed to catch on with a large audience.

Fortunately, viewers have another chance to catch the first season of this addictive drama: all 24 episodes that aired last year are now available on DVD.

I stumbled on this gem in the video store over break, and, by the end of the first episode, I was hooked. You see, almost every episode in the series ends with some sort of twist or cliffhanger, conventions that make it extremely difficult for addicts like me to press "stop" and turn off their DVD players. My addiction to 24 almost became a problem -- one night, I found myself leaving a party early because I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

What makes 24 different than all other spy/suspense series is the fact that it takes place in real time. That is, the entire season (24 one-hour episodes) takes place over the course of a single day. It is this concept which allows the show to succeed creatively, for it sets the show apart from every other stylized action show that has appeared on the small screen. Moreover, the constantly ticking clock helps build a sense of suspense, which only increases as the hour winds down.

At the center of the series is Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) Agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), a take-no-prisoners superspy who must protect a black presidential candidate (Dennis Haysbert) from assassins who plan to strike within the next 24 hours. If this doesn't sound like a hard enough task, the assassin may be someone from within CTU, as Jack learns from a trusted confidante near the beginning of the first episode. Jack, then, cannot trust even his closest colleagues, as he seeks to get to the bottom of this multi-layered conspiracy. Things get even worse for Jack as the series progresses, when his rebellious teenage daughter disappears. Are these events related? You're going to have to rent the DVD to find out.

The creative success of the series owes much to its rich characters and skilled actors. Sutherland seems in his element playing the tough-as-nails Jack Bauer. Moreover, Haysbert's Senator David Palmer is the presidential candidate we all wish we had. Painstakingly truthful and loyal to his convictions, this tough statesman puts real politicians to shame.

Making the show even more interesting is Palmer's wife, Sherry (Penny Johnson), an intriguing femme fatale who will rile viewers along with Michael Massee's badass Ira Gaines.

Despite its innovative concept and strong characters, the show is far from perfect. If you watch the series in a short timespan, you will probably notice a few plot holes, thanks mostly to the fact that the writers did not plan out the entire season when they started the show (some of these holes may be explained in the second season of the show, though). Moreover, there's a cliched amnesia plotline midway through the series, a development which nearly drove my finger to the fast forward button.

But don't let these small problems stop you from renting 24. It may be slightly flawed, but this riveting series is definitely worth 24 hours of your time.