A few more thoughts about the finale that I didn't put down in my earlier post....
I really thought Cherry Jones did a great job as Taylor last night, coming back to her roots. But perhaps my favorite scene last night was when she went total dark side on President Hassan. I was expecting her eyes to turn orange-yellow. I also liked when Logan told Jason he did well. I was hoping he would pause and add, "My young apprentice" or something to that effect.
We've seen Jack hunted before, but I think that scenario is appropriate. Jack is a hero who does monstrous things. He can't really be embraced publicly, and I don't think he wants to be. He's a tool in a sense, and he understands that once his usefulness is over, he becomes a liability. That's sort of how I see it. I also think the hunting Jack scenario helps set up any potential movie, plus we still aren't sure about Logan's ultimate fate or Suvarov.
I also enjoyed the final Jack-Chloe scene. I didn't need a big closure moment for the show. Just as long as its two most enduring characters shared a moment, I was good with that.
Earlier in the season 24 just felt so tired to me, I was ready for it to go, but now that its been canceled, and the era is over I realize I will miss it. I'm still not too hype about a movie though. The show covered so much territory, there's not much more I think they can tell. I guess making it all about Jack and the hunt for him is perhaps the best way they can come up with something for a movie. However, I think the 24 movie should've came years ago, when the show was at its height. I wonder how much interest a movie can gin up now.
About the series itself....
My favorite President was David Palmer. Followed by Logan and Taylor.
Worst President was Wayne Palmer. Sure, Keeler was a cipher and there wasn't much done with Daniels, but I thought they wrote Wayne Palmer as way too indecisive. If he was supposed to be a Bobby Kennedy that doesn't work. I wish that Regina King, Palmer's sister, had been President instead.
My favorite villains were Logan and Sherry Palmer. Both were arch manipulators and I loved every scene they were in. Other villains I liked: Henderson (Peter Weller is awesome). That Chinese official was good. The Drazen guys weren't bad either. I also liked Marwan. Juma and Dubaku were alright.
Worst villains: Bauer family (by that I mean the dad and brother), Peter Kingsley didn't work for me for some reason. I also didn't care for Julian Sands in Season Five. The Mexican drug runners weren't high on my list either.
Jack's best lady: I liked Aubrey best. They were a nice contrast. I don't think we got enough of Terri and Jack actually together to get a real sense of their relationship. I was liking Jack and Nina, but we all know how that turned out.
Best death: Perhaps because they were so tragic, the deaths of Terri, Rene, Michelle, Edgar, and President Palmer. The killing of Ryan Chappelle was totally unexpected. I really thought Jack was going to find a way to get out of that. I also liked George Mason's sacrifice. He went from ass hole to hero.
Best killing: I liked the killing spree at the end of Season 8. I also liked how Jack executed Nina Myers. It was completely cold. And Jack's killing spree at the beginning of Season 5 was pretty good too.
Worst death: Sherry Palmer. It was an awkward way to end her storyline. I would rather she went to prison so they could bring her back Hannibal Lecter-style if need be.
Worst killing: Curtis. Totally unnecessary, and just done to be 'shocking'. Jack could've wounded the man in the shoulder, leg, or something.
Jack's Best Partner: Chloe. Followed by Renee and Curtis. Would've loved to see more with Rick Schroeder though. He had potential. The guy who cut his hand off ultimately won me over. Freddie Prinze, Jr. wasn't all that bad either.
Best Mole: Nina Myers.
Best CTU director: Buchanan.
Worst CTU director: Hastings, or Samwise. I can't forgive Samwise for losing his ID card.
Ass Hole that got away from Jack's justice: C. Thomas Howell, Kim's bitchy boyfriend, in Season 6 I think. And Presidents Suvarov and Logan, but I think Logan's 'end' was appropriate, and Jack just couldn't ice the Russian President like that. He pulled back, putting the nation first, which is totally in keeping with Jack's character.
Wasted characters: Naked Mandy. Wish more had been done with her. I was hoping she would be in the van that was escorting Jack at the end or that she would be waiting for them. Regina King's character. There were a lot of character's that didn't go anywhere. Aisha Tyler was another one.
Characters that should've came back: The Arab female agent from Season 6 (?). She was too hot to leave for just one season. Also, Rick Schroeder.
Jack's most improbable feat: There were many, but I still can't get over him beating heroin in one day.
The show's most improbable feat (s): Detonating two nukes on U.S. soil.
