Series / Features
This Remains One Of The Best Plot Twists Of The Past 25 Years
At the end of the first season of the action series '24,' there is a plot twist that you truly do not see coming.
From 2001 to 2010, the action series 24 aired for eight seasons, with a ninth and final season released in 2014. Known for its strong cliffhangers and fast-paced storylines, the series never shies away from a surprising turn, but none is as impactful as the plot twist at the end of season 1.
24 was created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran. The series features an ensemble cast, with Kiefer Sutherland in the lead role as American federal anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer. Each season covers 24 consecutive hours in a real-time narrative structure, emphasized by the use of split screens and a digital clock. Multiple intertwining storylines unfold, with Bauer’s narrative serving as the main thread.
At the start of the series, Bauer is already a highly skilled agent with a "the end justifies the means" approach. This means he typically threatens, ignores, or undermines anyone unwilling to cooperate. Throughout the series, the story contains elements of both a political thriller and a serialized drama, with almost every episode ending in a cliffhanger.
Bauer utilizes people on both sides of the law in his attempts to prevent terrorist attacks and take down those responsible, sometimes at a high personal cost. These attacks include assassination attempts on presidents, bomb explosions, bioterrorism, cyber warfare, and conspiracies exposing both governmental and corporate corruption.
In addition to cliffhangers, there are also plot twists in the series, and one of the best occurs at the end of the first season. At this point, the true nature of Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke) is revealed. She is an agent and second in command at the Los Angeles branch of the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU), and a colleague of Jack Bauer. Moreover, the two had a prior relationship.
Although she had acted as an ally to Jack Bauer throughout the season, by the end of season one, Jack's wife Teri Bauer (Leslie Hope) discovers that Myers is actually a mole within CTU, collaborating with terrorists.
Teri is then killed by Nina. The season concludes with a devastated Jack holding Teri's body, giving the high-energy series a somber ending that few fans saw coming.
This moment is as abrupt as it is poignant and represents one of the most impactful moments for Jack throughout the entire series. Nina is eventually captured in season two and interrogated about her involvement in terrorist plots. She trades information to save her life and thus remains a dangerous, recurring element in the story.
In season three, Nina returns again as an antagonist, once more involved in terrorist activities. Ultimately, she is shot dead by Jack Bauer himself during a confrontation.
Want to watch 24? You can stream the series on Disney+ in most countries.
24 was created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran. The series features an ensemble cast, with Kiefer Sutherland in the lead role as American federal anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer. Each season covers 24 consecutive hours in a real-time narrative structure, emphasized by the use of split screens and a digital clock. Multiple intertwining storylines unfold, with Bauer’s narrative serving as the main thread.
The End Justifies The Means
At the start of the series, Bauer is already a highly skilled agent with a "the end justifies the means" approach. This means he typically threatens, ignores, or undermines anyone unwilling to cooperate. Throughout the series, the story contains elements of both a political thriller and a serialized drama, with almost every episode ending in a cliffhanger.
Bauer utilizes people on both sides of the law in his attempts to prevent terrorist attacks and take down those responsible, sometimes at a high personal cost. These attacks include assassination attempts on presidents, bomb explosions, bioterrorism, cyber warfare, and conspiracies exposing both governmental and corporate corruption.
Plot Twist
In addition to cliffhangers, there are also plot twists in the series, and one of the best occurs at the end of the first season. At this point, the true nature of Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke) is revealed. She is an agent and second in command at the Los Angeles branch of the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU), and a colleague of Jack Bauer. Moreover, the two had a prior relationship.
Although she had acted as an ally to Jack Bauer throughout the season, by the end of season one, Jack's wife Teri Bauer (Leslie Hope) discovers that Myers is actually a mole within CTU, collaborating with terrorists.
Murdered
Teri is then killed by Nina. The season concludes with a devastated Jack holding Teri's body, giving the high-energy series a somber ending that few fans saw coming.
This moment is as abrupt as it is poignant and represents one of the most impactful moments for Jack throughout the entire series. Nina is eventually captured in season two and interrogated about her involvement in terrorist plots. She trades information to save her life and thus remains a dangerous, recurring element in the story.
Shot Dead
In season three, Nina returns again as an antagonist, once more involved in terrorist activities. Ultimately, she is shot dead by Jack Bauer himself during a confrontation.
Want to watch 24? You can stream the series on Disney+ in most countries.
