24 Finale: Will Jack Bauer Survive?

We know what you're thinking: Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has to survive. It's his show. Sorry, it's not that easy. Actually, we won't know Jack's fate until the very end. "It's going to get pretty close, it will go down to that last scene," teases executive producer Jon Cassar.

The cast was very tight-lipped about the season ender, but since we screened the finale last night, we're not. The good news is, executive producer Howard Gordon let loose on what's coming up next season, including the return of the coveted CTU. Here's the scoop...

Jack Bauer's Fate: "He's forced to look at himself in a way that people can only look at themselves when they know it's over," says Kiefer. This is a level-one alert, people! Jack Bauer is dying. Kiefer continues: "It's time, he's dying. There's no getting around it. Normally the endings of our show have been plot driven; it's about stopping the bomb or stopping whatever crisis. The crisis has been dealt with. These last two episodes are for him coming to terms with his own life."

Tony Almeida's a Bad Man: Wait, he's a good guy. Nope, he's bad again. It's been the back-and-forth of the season, but in the finale, we truly learn what side Tony is on. Says Carlos Bernard, "I say he's not evil. I don't think he's evil." He's partially right. Tony isn't that evil. He's just selfish, which you learn in the finale. Jon Cassar says, "[You're] going to get the answers of why [Tony] did what he did and why he is bad. There is a really definitive answer by the end of episode 24." Also, adds Carlos, "There's a face-off between Tony and Jack at the end that will be a lot of fun for the fans to watch." Even worse than Jack beating you down? "Yeah, I think it's worse." Do I hear ticking? Hmmm, maybe just me.

Dangerous Daughters: Jack's spawn, Kim, may be taken hostage in the final two hours of 24, but she's not the damsel in distress anymore. Says Elisha Cuthbert, "I really think you're going to see what you want to see, which is Kim stepping up to the plate. She's very triumphant and more proactive, instead of just reacting to the craziness." The finale also leaves room for Elisha to come back next year. Jon Cassar confirms her return: "There's an arc that will involve Elisha next season." As for the president's evil kid, there could be a chance for redemption, but that would involve a cover-up. Every president loves a good cover-up, right? Wrong. Olivia (Sprague Grayden) is in trouble. She tells us, "Olivia is a very smart and very tricky individual. Olivia's storyline will be explained in many ways, and I think in a way that the audience hasn't seen."

CTU Heads for New York: Howard says, "New York has always felt like a great 24 town and a great place to set 24, so we're psyched to do it. There's a new CTU. CTU has been reconstituted in the wake of season six. It's back, but different. CTU was always this place that was five minutes into the future technologically. We want to take the high ground of what the near future looks like. That's what the new CTU will do." That actually causes some trouble for Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) who isn't up to par on the new digs. Says Mary Lynn, "Chloe is in a predicament. She's at the new CTU, and stuff has changed since she was there, so it's like trying to keep her head above water."

New York Villains: "They will be busting some pretty nasty people [next season]," says Gordon. However, Kiefer says the crisis won't be as far-fetched as usual. "I can tell you that it's grounded in a political shift that's taking place in a world that I actually think is probably the most realistic thing we've ever done," he says. Annie Wersching's Renee Walker will be there to fight the good fight. Says Annie, "Something in Renee's past is directly related to the crisis of the day. I'm excited for the Jack and Renee relationship to continue and further and see how it develops after it not just being one day of knowing each other."

Are you scared Jack Bauer kicks the bucket? Is Tony Almeida really evil? Your questions will be answered in the two-hour season finale of 24, but check back on Monday for more from Kiefer Sutherland on Jack and next season.

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