24 Finale

The 24 finale has a tough act to follow tonight. In fact, the 24 finale has almost been forgotten by the television world, in the midst of the Lost ending. Today, all of pop culture is still arguing over Lost, and
 mourning its end. But for 24, which was just as innovative as Lost in its heyday, the final episode is far less of an event. In fact, some fans may regard it as a relief, after the mixed results of the last three years. In any case, the 24 finale doesn't feel like an ending at all, since Jack Bauer will likely live on in movies anyway.

There could not be a greater difference between final episode events, even though Lost and 24 are equally groundbreaking. Whereas Lost set the bar for mystery shows, 24 set the bar for serialized action, years before Lost was even born. The 24 hour, 24 episode format shook up the TV formula, and created a new iconic American hero - warts and torture and all.

If the 24 finale happened three years ago, it might have been more celebrated. The show will best be remembered for its groundbreaking first season, and for its Emmy-winning fifth year where Jack Bauer was upstaged by a twisted First Couple. But ever since Season Five, things have not turned out so well.

Day Six was declared a disaster, then the strike ensured that Day Seven wouldn't redeem it for two years. Heading into Day Eight, everyone knew that the 24 finale 2010 could have been the last for the show. In midseason, they finally decided to end it, although perhaps not at its best.

This last day in New York has been tainted by 24 fatigue, a more outlandish final few hours than usual, and Dana Walsh in general. Heading into the 24 finale tonight, Jack is even more of a killing machine than usual, as he continues to slaughter the Russians who killed Renee Walker. Now it appears he has to kill the Russian President to end it all, as U.S. President Taylor still refuses to come to her senses, thanks to Charles Logan.

There should be no ambiguity or divisive plot twists in tonight's sendoff. This show usually ties things up by the end of each day - and even if they didn't, fewer people would get angry. The controversy over the show
 has faded, as has critical approval for the most part. Even if there are unresolved loose ends, the likely 24 movie would clear them up.

The 24 finale is certainly Jack's last hour on TV, before he can get even bloodier on the big screen. The last big question is where he will be left off before his movie career starts. The clock finally shuts down from 8-10 pm est tonight on FOX.