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24 has thwarted his best chance to replace Jack Bauer

Summary

  • Renee Walker could have been a great replacement for Jack Bauer due to her increasing intensity.
  • 24 killed Renee to push Jack forward, using grief and anger as fuel.
  • Renee’s death followed a trend in which Jack’s anger was fueled by love and loss.



Whether Jack Bauer is responsible for the alleged 24 Revival is still unknown, but his best replacement was killed years ago. Every season of 24 is known for tragic deaths and heavy plots and whether Kiefer Sutherland will return as the intense Jack Bauer in a future reboot remains to be seen. One thing is for sure though. Any character the show introduces as a replacement for Jack will not be as good as the character the show introduces in one of the 24‘s later seasons.

24 relies on pain and extreme circumstances to create exciting plots and move the show forward. Therefore, it is no surprise that there have been many major deaths throughout the series. Many major characters have even been killed by Jack Bauer, the main character of the series, in the name of national security. Jack himself has experienced the death of many of his friends throughout the series. Such a death, if spared, would have been the perfect replacement for Jack Bauer for any future 24 Sequels or spin-offs.


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Renee Walker could have been a great replacement for Jack Bauer

Renee grew into Jack’s intensity

Renee Walker leans against a brick wall and talks on the phone.

Perhaps the best replacement for Jack Bauer would have been Annie Wersching’s Renee Walkerwhich was introduced in 24 Season 7 and was later killed in Season 8. At a certain point in the series, it felt like 24 groomed Renee Walker to become the next Jack Bauer. In her story, she expressed her dislike for his behavior, but gradually accepted it and began to become more like him. By the end of her time on the show, she was just as intense as Jack, making Jack the ruthless character he is.


Renee was also a convincing personality herself and she was facing her own struggles that could have pushed her to move forward with the same urgency as Jack. At the time, she was also someone who could have stepped in if Sutherland wanted to leave the show or if 24 wanted a spin-off. Unfortunately, Annie Wersching died in 2023, which ruined any chance of her returning as Jack’s replacement, but 24 This option was also removed when her character was killed in Season 8. Renee’s death was one of Jack Bauer’s worst tragedies.

As unfortunate as it is, Jack is driven by years of grief and anger.


Why 24 killed Renee Walker in season 8

It was necessary to drive Jack

Renee was unfortunately killed shortly after confirming her relationship with Jack. She had also just rediscovered her desire to move on with her life after her tragic and traumatic past. Renee’s death was unexpected and unwanted, but it was necessary for how the show was structured. 24 is known for tragic storylines, but it’s those stories that drive Jack forward. As unfortunate as it is, Jack is fueled by years of grief and anger. At the end of Season 8, Jack had to become the worst version of himself to avenge Renee’s death.


Renee was not Jack’s first lover who died in 24 And Her death followed a trend of using love and grief as fuel for Jack’s anger. Season 1 of 24 showed the death of Teri, Jack’s wife, and the impact her death had on Jack’s psyche. Renee’s death in season 8 was no different. It echoed Jack’s pain of losing someone he cared about and pushed him to do what he needed to do. Renee could have been a great replacement for Jack, but she had to die to motivate Jack.