24, a show that plies its trade in plot twists, has become predictable for its unpredictability.  If you expect a plot twist to occur, is it really even a plot twist anymore?  Watching last night's episode of 24, in which Jack Bauer was given a very simple prognosis (Death!), I began to debate what the writers could possibly do to surprise its fans, seven seasons in.  And, what I came up with was simple – they could kill Jack Bauer.  I think we all have assumed that Jack Bauer would eventually die.  It's inevitable.  Jack is not the type of guy who lives happily ever after. 

I'd always assumed his death would come in the final hour of 24's final season.  A reasonable assumption because, well, 24 isn't 24 without Jack Bauer.  It cannot exist without Kiefer Sutherland – Force of Nature.  But, there are ways around this, ways that I have only recently considered.  If the writers have agreed with the previous sentiment, that Jack Bauer will inevitably be subject to an on-screen death, the only question is when exactly to drop the guillotine.  The last episode of the final season?  Too predictable.  Not the 24 way.  Why not in the final episode of a season that we all know is not the series' final one?  This is why, even though 24 will begin shooting its eighth season in May, I think there's a very real possibility that Jack will perish by the end of this season, the show's seventh. 

Why can't season eight go back in time?  Why can't season eight be a prequel?

24 has been outrageous every season, killing main characters, reviving them, doing whatever the hell they want without fear of fans and their possible shark-jumping claims.  There's no reason that 24 won't take the insanity one step further and actually kill Jack with another season approaching.  Now, I will admit that this does not have a strong possibility of occurring.  It's more likely that the gas is a decoy, or that a cure can be found, or that JACK BAUER IS IMMUNE TO POISONOUS GAS.  Jack can kill cancer just by looking at it, remember.  So, maybe Jack will return to action in a couple of hours, and season eight will be more of the same 24. 

But, don't you kind of wish 24 went completely over-the-top and executed my prequel idea?  Admit it – it'd be pretty cool.  There would be some logistical problems, sure.  It would be tough to wring suspense out of season eight if we know what the future holds.  But, if a slew of new characters are introduced, possibly from outside the country, in a self-contained event concerning only the new characters, there would be enough human drama to make a worthwhile season. 

Think about it.  Jack Bauer, possibly dead by the end of the season. 




So, I enjoyed the episode last night.  The raid on Starkwood was exciting, it's always fun to see Tony back in action, and Kiefer did a great job portraying Jack dealing with the news of his imminent demise.  There was one major issue I had, and I suspect many of you had the same one – What the hell was Seaton doing?  Was he playing Tony the whole time?  If so, what was the deal with the phone call to Hodges while Tony was in his office?  Why did he express his real concerns to Jonas after Jonas bitch-slapped Tony a few times?  Was that all a ruse for Tony?  If it was a ploy from the beginning, it only sped up the FBI's arrival at Starkwood, which was not what Jonas could have wanted. 

Did Seaton decide to get Tony's help then balk at the last minute?  Did he want that immuntiy signed first?  None of it makes any sense.  If I'm an idiot, and there's a legitimate reason for Seaton's actions, I'd appreciate somebody filling me in. 


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)