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by Frederic Germay
It really does feel as though this season has gone full circle, doesn’t it? Jack is back at “I can’t do this” stage again. Fortunately, that might be a good thing, seeing as many believe the writers got most of it wrong this season. Now that 24 has effectively returned itself to the position it was after its best season yet, it has a second chance at redeeming a series that seems dangerously close to exiting this world via the sad route that The X-files took in its later seasons!
The first hour of this powerful finale was understandably less intense than the second half. I felt that most of the first half of the first hour was wasted on finishing some lingering plot threads, and setting up the literally explosive final hour. That being said, I think that the writers spent way an unnecessary amount of time on Doyle and Josh. Perhaps the reason for that was to fully assert Doyle’s human side, since many viewers were left wondering if he had a human side after he took away little Bauer Jr. Anyways, Philip Bauer bested Doyle by predicting what Doyle’s actions would be, and as a result Doyle may have lost vision in one or both eyes. This physical impairment may later help Doyle in his spiritual quest for answers.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but it is becoming increasingly evident that the writers are trying to compare VP Daniels with President Bush. In a surprisingly supportive stance for the Bush campaign, it feels as though 24 is trying to portray the difficulty of the presidency and provide a positive stance on the justification of Bush’s seemingly pro-war antics.
Concerning Karen and Bill, I am extremely pleased that their characters received a happy ending, and I am also pleased that former enemy Lennox had a hand in their happy retirement. It seems as though Karen is becoming the new Chloe and Bill is becoming the new Chloe.
Speaking of Chloe, I was severly disappointed by the plot twist of her being pregnant. Just what we need, more CTU soap-opera drama!
Concerning the second hour of the finale, I was extremely pleased. Jack told his dad off, Cheng is going to face punishment for his multi-season crimes, and we witnessed a truly intense moment as Jack rushed to get Doyle out of the oil rig before the fighter jet bombed the heck out of it!
As for the ending, I have mixed feelings. Just like many other 24 spoiler hounds, I unearthed a particularly prevalent and popular spoiler concerning a cliff-hanger ending. Some mystery person (Mandy, Mitch Anderson, or hopefully TONY!) was supposed to pull up in a car alongside Jack during the last few seconds. I was delighted at the thought of Tony being alive, but apparently it was too good to be true!
Instead we get treated to a surprisingly moving moment between Jack and Sec. Heller. The “everything you touch…ends up dead” statement that Heller made had quite an impact on Jack! If anyone has ever questioned Kiefer Sutherland’s acting ability, then let their fears be laid to rest. I will go as far as to claim that this was Sutherland’s best performance in his entire career, and if this doesn’t at least earn him a position on the Emmy ballot….
The last moments of the finale had me wondering whether Jack would commit suicide. Bauer standing on the cliff looking down at the crashing waters as silent clock ticked by is one of the best moments in 24 history. With the exception of a mentally unstable Audrey, Jack has really lost almost everyone in his life.
Although I was hoping for a cliff-hanger ending, no one can deny that this wasn’t a bad way to go! I give this episode a 9/10
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