Silent clock

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The Silent clock refers to an event on the television show 24.

As a part of the show's "real-time" format, a digital clock in yellow typeface is displayed at the beginning and ends of each commercial break as well as at the end of each episode, in order to keep the viewer informed of the current time within the 24 universe. The clock is normally accompanied by a distinct "tick-tock" electronic sound that resembles a heartbeat. The Silent Clock refers to those instances where the normal "tick-tock" sound is omitted and no sound is heard.

It was originally designed to conclude a season, but the concept changed after George Mason left CTU for the last time.

[edit] Explanation

Around four or five times per episode of 24, a digital clock, accompanied by a distinctive tone counting the seconds, appears in the middle of a split-screen shot to mark the resumption of the program from a commercial break. Also, a small clock appears at the bottom of the screen several times per episode. This is typically silent, but is not considered a silent clock event; it is either a marker for important events or more simply a method of keeping track of time for the audience (as the show is broadcast in real-time). The clock appearing without the tone definitely adds to the overall effect that the audience feels for the situation, as it symbolizes a difference from the norm, and so sticks out in the audience's mind.

The Silent Clock occurs following an emotional event in the series, as the normal "tick-tock" would be intrusive to the emotional shock of the viewer after some tragic event has concluded the episode. Over the course of the series, it became a way to honor significant characters upon their deaths. To many fans, it is considered the highest honor a character can receive from the show upon dying, and has only been used five times among the numerous times the clock has been seen and the various characters that have died.

[edit] Past Silent Clocks

• Day 1: At 11:59:57 PM, a silent clock marked the death of Teri Bauer and the final seconds of the show's first season. Although her death probably occurred minutes earlier, the audience finds out about it at that time.
• Day 2: At 9:35:56 PM, a silent clock was displayed as George Mason departs CTU for the last time after handing the directorship over to Tony Almeida. Although he had not yet died from the effects of his radiation poisoning, the clock foreshadowed the inevitable. He would later die while saving Los Angeles from a nuclear bomb.
• Day 2: On the final episode, a silent clock was played at 7:59:57 AM (accompanied by strained breathing from President Palmer) after an attempted assassination on President David Palmer. This was most likely meant to leave viewers hanging as Palmer reappeared on the show in the Day 3 opener.
• Day 3: At 6:59 AM, Jack Bauer was forced to kill Ryan Chappelle, earning him a silent clock. The "tick-tock" sound was replaced by the sound of a train in the background.
• Day 5: Edgar Stiles, after looking for a missing CTU agent, was unable to get to a secure area before he succumbed to the effects of nerve gas that was released in the CTU air ventilation system. A horrified Chloe O'Brian looked tearfully on as Edgar fell. His death and the deaths of 55 additional CTU staff at 6:59 PM marked the fifth time that the silent clock was used.

There is some question on whether Tony Almeida (who dies during season 5) was actually killed, as there was no silent clock. Carlos Bernard has not commented about his character when faced with this question.