By the time Jack finds himself walking away from his beloved Audrey and staring at the ocean over which a new sun rises, neither guns nor brains can save him. Jack has come to his end.
Or so we would conclude if we did not know the penchant of 24 writers for making the impossible become plausible.
Along the way, Jack has saved a blooded United States of America and, arguably, its constitution. One of the elements that makes Season 6/Day 6 powerful is the insight into ‘politics as the art of the possible’ when the possible has been circumscribed beyond precedent by men who are prepared to do anything to advance their cause.
Action, it seems, begets contemplation which begets drama.
Along the way, some fine acting shines. ‘Doyle’, Jack’s alter ego, enters with the unrelective posture of a genuine doofus but proves to be both more and better. Nadia Yassir learns both to lead and to thanks those who have led better, no small less on life’s syllabus.
Rena Sofer as Jack’s sister-in-law Marilyn Bauer sizzles, though nothing happens, which in life as in television makes for some of the very best heat.
Jack’s aim, his preparedness to sacrifice himself, and his capacity for loyalty to love as well as country, undergirds the story line of this addictive project.
Bill Buchanan’s (James Morrison) blue eyes blaze, as does his integrity.
I once asked someone in a position to know and with a dollop of skepticism in my manner whether Jack Bauers really exist in this world of space and time. ‘Oh yes’, he replied, they *do*’.
Maybe they do and maybe they don’t. Until I find out, 24 continues both to entertain and to inspire.
Go, Jack, go. A new day comes.
Canter Bridge 
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