What Almost Happened To Jack Bauer In The Series Finale Of 24

Am I the only one who misses 24? I long for the days where Kiefer Sutherland's raspy voice would yell at me from my TV screen on a weekly basis. I miss Jack Bauer's unquestioning, "JUST GET IT DONE" mentality, ACLU be damned. I miss a show that tried, every week, to give us a thrill while trying to adhere to the brutal strictures of a real-time format. I miss the unending series of broken relationships and destroyed lives that were left in Bauer's wake, serving as a constant reminder that the costs of serving one's country can be high, and that maybe my life isn't so bad after all.

Anyway, enough of my reminiscing. According to a recent interview with 24 executive producer Howard Gordon, Bauer was supposed to meet a different end than the one that befell him in the series finale. Hit the jump to find out what it was, though it's not too hard to guess if you're already a fan of the show. Spoilers for 24 (the entire series) obviously follow.

According to Assignment X, which managed to score an interview with Gordon, Bauer was supposed to die in the series finale. Asked whether he ever entertained the idea of Bauer getting killed off, Gordon responded:

Yes, in many ways, I did. I think I maybe even wrote that scene and in the end it felt too depressing. I think it would have been a really depressing moment. I don't think it would have been surprising, I think it would have been more depressing than surprising. In a strange way, that's probably the ultimate, tragedy and probably the most politically correct ending, but it wasn't something anybody wanted to commit to. Not just for the reason of the show, but honestly, if we had really felt that was the best ending, we would have all gone for it.

I personally think the ending would have been appropriate and poetic. Bauer had sacrificed so much for his country; his life would have been the next most logical thing to give up. That being said, Bauer's death would have closed off the possibility for a follow-up film, which, despite its current problems, may yet happen. Thus, I hold out hope that we will see Jack Bauer ride again...

But what do you guys think? Should Jack Bauer have been killed off to end 24?