RABBIT HOLE (2023) – Kiefer Sutherland is back doing what he does best
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

I will be honest and say that the only reason I watched this series is its star, Kiefer Sutherland. He has been one of my favourite TV actors during the early 2000’s playing the super-agent Jack Bauer in the 24 TV series. The series ended in 2010 after 8 seasons with a rather unfortunate ending for our hero, making us believe (hoping for) the series to be revived. That never happened although there was a rather dismal attempt in 2014 with a smaller scale 12 episodes series 24: Live Another Day. But the magic was gone leaving us to accept the inevitable fact that we will not be seeing any more of Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer. Then, I read about this new espionage series with Kiefer Sutherland in the lead and wielding a gun Jack Bauer style, called Rabbit Hole, and I was sold!
Rabbit Hole starts off a little rough and uneven but it got better as the series progressed. Kiefer plays John Weir, a private spy who has spent much of his adult life trying to uncover a dangerous plot to take over the world through the control of all sorts of private data of individuals in the internet. While John is no Jack, he possesses many of his personalities and style, so this felt nostalgic and satisfying to watch. He is aided by an unlikely and dysfunctional team that somehow manages to help him through the turbulent situations. Meta Golding who plays the female member of the team, Hailey initially starts off irritable, but her character develops into someone far more likeable as the series progressed. I thought she and Kiefer had chemistry. Charles Dance is probably the only other big name in the cast and as always lends an air of sophistication to the mix. The villain of the piece is not revealed until the end in a closing act that wraps things up reasonably well, although I did feel the story writers took an easy and lazy approach with the last minute introduction of a super capable accomplice that gave our heroes a trump card.
Rabbit Hole may not be among the best or most exciting TV espionage series made, but it has a charm of its own and enough surprise elements and likeable characters to keep us following the series till the end. Plus, it was great to see Kiefer Sutherland in a role that is reminiscent of his greatest role as Jack Bauer in the 24 series. That alone is reason enough to catch this series.