Jack Bauer did it! He came back for a couple of hours on Sunday night in a television film that found our hero outside California for the first time. However, fans may take “24: Redemption” for a rather straightforward production that has little in common with the character’s previous adventures, as their interest in African insurgents and coups is rather limited.

And one has to admit that the best thing about the production aired by Fox last night was the affair going on inside the United States government, that saw its first female leader in the person of Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones).

Thus, although “Redemption” aims to bridge the series’ Season 6 and Season 7, the elements that it introduces are sometimes hard to swallow. But TV viewers should get used to such an approach, as most of the features, including storylines and characters, will also be present in the show’s new season, scheduled to premiere in January.

The film picked up approximately three years after the moment where Season 6 left off, following Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) on an African journey in the fictional country of Sangala. There, Jack helps an old pal, Carl Benton (Robert Carlyle) run a school for young boys, established in order to endow rescued soldiers with both instruction and education. Jack soon discovers that a group of rebels is menacing the order in Sangala and he decides to take measures. In the meantime, he is visited by a government representative who brings him a subpoena demanding him to show up in the U.S. and testify upon the torture methods he once made use of.

Back in the U.S., President-elect Allison Taylor faces a dilemma with regard to a coup planned by General Juma (Tony Todd), whose projects are financed by a two-faced businessman (Jon Voight).

“Redemption” is enjoyable and while some may not understand its purpose, others take it as an appetizer for what is yet to come: the best dish out there.