After making a name for himself in movies like Stand by Me, The Lost Boys, A Few Good Men, and A Time to Kill, Hollywood A-lister Kiefer Sutherland’s next major role changed the television landscape forever. For nine seasons (and an additional TV movie), viewers watched Sutherland’s iconic, Emmy-winning character shed blood, sweat, and tears to prevent a never-ending onslaught of terrorist attacks.
Between 2001 and 2014, Fox’s action-thriller 24 dominated the genre. While opinions will differ on how to rank each season of 24, one of the most widely acclaimed runs was season 5. Premiering in 2006, this batch of episodes saw Sutherland’s character, Jack Bauer, come out of hiding to figure out who murdered key characters David Palmer and Michelle Dessler. Jack’s allies, Tony Almeida and Chloe O’Brian, had been targeted by the same assassin. Jack’s efforts to protect the innocent usually came at great personal expense, and season 5 was particularly rough on him.
There’s a lot to enjoy in 24 season 5, including the finale. Airing on May 22, 2006, and set during the early morning slot of 6:00–7:00 AM, this episode still deserves to be hailed as one of the best TV finales ever made, even 20 years later. That’s because of the way it completely upended Jack’s life within a mere few minutes, even after the season’s main storyline had already been resolved.
Jack Bauer’s Happy Season 5 Ending Quickly Turned Bad
Palmer and Dessler’s deaths were far from the only status quo shake-ups in 24 season 5. Edgar Stiles was among the many casualties of the Sentox nerve gas on CTU, earning himself a “silent clock.” Tony Almeida was believed to have been killed by Christopher Henderson (later, Tony was revealed to still be alive in season 7). President Charles Logan was revealed as one of the men behind the conspiracy that paved the way for season 5’s events, as was Jack’s brother, Graeme (though his full identity wasn’t disclosed until season 6). The list went on.
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Despite all the chaos, as season 5 was wrapping up, it looked like Jack would finally get a happy ending. Logan was brought to justice, and Jack was finally ready to resume his romantic relationship with Audrey Raines. Jack didn’t experience a lot of happy moments on the show, so it was great to see him looking so hopeful.
Then, in true 24 cliffhanger fashion, it was all taken away from him. After being told he’d received a phone call from his daughter, Kim, Jack was kidnapped by Chinese operatives working for Cheng Zhi. Upon being tipped off that Jack faked his death, the Chinese government dispatched Cheng to apprehend Jack and bring him to China to answer for the operation at the Chinese consulate that resulted in the accidental death of the consul in season 4.
Jack Bauer’s Kidnapping Had Lasting Ramifications On 24
Of all the bad hands Jack was dealt in 24, his kidnapping ranked among the worst. Yet, for the audience, Jack’s abduction made for one of the show’s biggest and most memorable cliffhangers, as well as one of the best season finales of any TV show. Even better, the kidnapping wasn’t just a twist created purely for shock value, destined to be forgotten once season 6 began. It had lasting ramifications for the rest of the series and for Jack as a character.
Cheng tortured and questioned Jack for 20 months, but he never revealed a word. The only reason the Chinese government released Jack was that the U.S. government negotiated for his “freedom” so he could be handed over to the terrorist Abu Fayed. Cheng resurfaced as one of the main villains in the latter half of season 6, where he joined forces with Jack’s father, Phillip. Both men had their schemes foiled, with Phillip dying and Cheng being imprisoned by the Chinese government.
Jack’s kidnapping also turned Audrey’s life upside down. While searching for Jack in China, she was kidnapped by Cheng and tortured with the intent of being used as leverage against her lover. She was in a catatonic state when she resurfaced in season 6, and her father, James Heller, insisted that Jack stay away from Audrey so that she could recover and be free from danger.
Seven years later, both Cheng and Audrey were brought back for the 24: Live Another Day limited sequel series. Season 5’s twist ending continued to influence the show. Audrey had mentally recovered and remarried, and Cheng followed in Jack’s footsteps by faking his death and escaping prison. Neither character made it out of 24’s final season alive, with Audrey being killed as part of Cheng’s revenge mission, prompting Jack to later behead one of his greatest enemies, creating another one of the show’s most unforgettable moments.
Not only did 24′s season 5 finale close out one of the action thriller’s most celebrated chapters with a genuinely shocking and memorable twist, but its aftermath also caused narrative waves that would be felt until the show officially ended in 2014. That’s why it ranks as one of 24’s best episodes, and should continue to be appreciated as a season finale masterpiece.
- Release Date
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2001 – 2010-00-00
- Showrunner
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Robert Cochran
- Directors
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Robert Cochran
- Writers
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Robert Cochran
- Franchise(s)
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24
