Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Clean house?
I was thinking the other night (insert favourite hamster joke here) about all of the major deaths this season and I got to thinking (I'm sure I'm not the only one pondering this but I don't really get out much to other 24 fansites/discussion boards) about the possibility that they are killing everyone off in order to "clean house" and set up future seasons with new castmembers. I know, not a new thought but here's the kicker - future seasons without Kiefer. I just have this nagging feeling they're settings us up for the biggest shock of all: Jack's (real) death.
How would I feel about the show if Jack isn't a part of it? Would I remain loyal to it? Am I really so callous as to not even give new characters - even a new "Jack" a chance? I'll be honest and say I am not sure.
Part of the appeal of the show for me has been Jack's emotional struggle, the pathos of Jack. I've been with him as he lost his wife, struggled to hold onto his only daughter, save the world a bunch of times, lose girlfriends, friends. I've watched him come back from the dead, suffer a multitude of taser jolts, broken bones, bruises.
In short I'm fully invested in Jack's life. The heart of the show is Jack and his struggles - his heroism and sacrifices. I don't know that I have the energy to invest myself in a new Jack.
So I guess I'm saying that if they do decide to kill Jack, I hope it's also the final season.
How would I feel about the show if Jack isn't a part of it? Would I remain loyal to it? Am I really so callous as to not even give new characters - even a new "Jack" a chance? I'll be honest and say I am not sure.
Part of the appeal of the show for me has been Jack's emotional struggle, the pathos of Jack. I've been with him as he lost his wife, struggled to hold onto his only daughter, save the world a bunch of times, lose girlfriends, friends. I've watched him come back from the dead, suffer a multitude of taser jolts, broken bones, bruises.
In short I'm fully invested in Jack's life. The heart of the show is Jack and his struggles - his heroism and sacrifices. I don't know that I have the energy to invest myself in a new Jack.
So I guess I'm saying that if they do decide to kill Jack, I hope it's also the final season.
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9 Comments:
Melia,
I agree with you a 100%. Although, If they decide to kill of Jack, i'm sure it will be the Series Finale. I don't think the show would survive without Jack. I mean, It's his show. It's a show about Jack Bauer. The Best CTU agent they have to offer.
Although, I do belive that Jack's days are limited. He's cheated death one to many times.
~Ryan
I'm torn over this whole issue. I love Jack too much to want to see him go, yet I can't see him getting out alive.
I can't see anyone taking Jack's place either. Even Tony at his best never could have carried the show. OTOH, I'm sure that there is, out there somewhere, a combination of character and actor that might be able to pull it off.
Of course I don't know how the show ends, for me I'm sure it will end with Jack's death. I just don't see a point in exchanging the lead character. For what? Either they change the whole setting and everything it would be useless. Like those odd rumours they want to exchange Kiefer with Ed Norton. That would be exchanging the actors, but not really the character, because Norton wouldn't play the new character that much different than Kiefer, I bet.
Also Howard Gordon said in an interview he believes that the show will end with Jack's death, because it would fit the whole theme of the show. I think he's right.
Besides that, every show has to come to an end sooner or later. They can't stretch it forever, it's already a miracle they still pull it off. So I think there will be a six season (at least I hope - they say it's fix, but maybe they just try to fool us) and then that's it.
You're so right, Melia--except by no means are you the one to be declared "callous." They romanced you, and us, down this path toward Jack-and-friends loyalty. It is they who are detergently callous: Clean house with new and improved all-purpose Cyntoxy-24, guaranteed to kill: characters, fan loyalty, everything. . .
Now that they've straightjacked this series into the padded cell of woe, the powers-that-be most likely plan to get rid of Jack to complete the lobotomization of the show's essence. For whatever cuckoo reason--hell to save a damn nickle, son--they'll forcefully nurse us with the dreaded pill of inferior character replacements. In which case, as we respectfully gather round the pitiful shell of the once-great show writhing in agony before us, you, Melia, must step up, as our strongest fellow ward-24 psychofan, and smother the program's continuance with a big-ass pillow of ridicule.
Sorry, me again. :) But I want to say a few more things. :)
I really wonder why people are all of a sudden so upset. People die on 24. They always have. We want the show to surprise and to shock us. That's what they do. They ALWAYS say everyone is expendable. We know everyone (excpet maybe Jack) can die. Someone would think the fans are prepared.
I love to invest myself in the characters. Of course it hurts when they die, but I have to admit, I don't want to miss that. It's a part of watching 24. No one ever said it's easy to be a fan of it. I tried to be indifferent in the beginning, but it's just not worth it. That's why I will cry over Bill, Audrey or Chloe the same way I did cry over Tony, if something happens to them.
The thing I love about 24 is, that they manage to introduce new characters each season that I really like. Characters pass away, new people join the show. Right now there are still enough people left that I really like and I bet new ones are coming in over the next few episodes. If they keep doing that, the show can live on forever.
Even if they change the cast for S6, they already did that with S4 and the people kept watching, more than ever.
Well i do remember a comment saying "At least we know Chloe won't die this season: Mary Lynn Rajskub is under contract for Day 6, as is Keifer." I wish that author could show us the source. If that is inface true, it looks like we have at least one more season with Keifer.
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I for one would not like to see Jack's character come to an end, but how much more can one man take?
I discovered 24 (halfway through S2)whilst channel surfing and what kept me coming back for more was the format of the show..real time element, split screen (as well as the plot-of course!). So I think the show will survive Jack/Kiefer...However the show still rocks, Kiefer is still in the show and I'm lovin' S5 so far
This comment *possibly* includes a spoiler!!!
I think you're right about the show ending with Jacks death.
An article in New York Times says the following:
This season of "24" began with Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) returning from the dead after he had to disappear in the finale last May. The actual death of Jack is where Mr. Gordon said he would like the series to end, whenever that may be. "He's a tragic character, and tragedy ends in death," he said.
But for now, it is Jack's companions who are at risk. Mr. Gordon said, "The irony is that he comes back to life, and everyone around him dies."
So possibly this IS the last season, and it might end with Jacks death :o
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