Honestly, 24: Live Another Day Season 1 Episode 12 left me horribly unhappy.

I was prepared for someone important not to survive, but who they killed left me wanting to turn off the TV and walk away.

With less than an hour until all out war broke out with China, Jack scrambled to find Cheng to stop it. A task made all the more difficult knowing that Cheng had a sniper trained on Audrey.

Watch 24: Live Another Day Season 1 Episode 12 Online

I had no doubt that Jack would sacrifice her to save the world. He's a big picture kind of guy but that didn't mean he wouldn't do everything in his power to save her. Unfortunately, he couldn't be in two places at once, so he sent Kate Morgan. 

I kept wondering why Kate was letting Audrey walk around in the open even after the sniper was killed. They had absolutely no idea what counter measures Cheng had in place. Shouldn't her team have surrounded Audrey and gotten her into a vehicle and out of there ASAP? 

Kate sounded so broken when she had to tell Jack the women he loved was dead... on her watch. Jack Bauer was simply broken. I've never hated the silent clock more.

First they killed off Teri, which I thought was a brilliant way to end the first season. We got the message, no one on 24 was safe. Then Audrey was tortured and ended up in a catatonic state. Next girlfriend Renee Walker was killed almost immediately after hitting the sheets with Jack, and now they brought Audrey back just to have her tragically killed.

It's become kind of ridiculous. Can't they give the poor guy something to hold on to? Every time we get a glimpse of hope that Jack still has the power to feel something, it is crushed under the weight of grief and it's become almost unbearable to watch. 

I understand the show's need to continue to ramp up the shock value, but killing off each of Jack's lovers for dramatic effect just seems cruel. Even having him get his revenge by beheading Cheng doesn't make up for it. 

But Jack Bauer wasn't the only broken man at the end of this season. President Heller's words in this 24: Live Another Day quote managed to rival even the look of grief on Jack's face…

I won't remember anything that happens today. I won't remember anything that happens period. I won't remember that I had a daughter that died in such a horrible fashion.

Heller

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It makes his Alzheimer's all the more horrible. Some might say that at least he'll forget it all, but how sad that he not only won't have Audrey there to help him through this terrible illness, he won't even have her memory as comfort. 

And as if pouring salt on an open wound, Jack turned himself over the Russians to save Chloe, his last remaining friend. 

You were right about what you said earlier about being my best friend. Thank you. Look in on my family when you can.

Jack

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Seriously, wasn't having the man tortured by the Chinese for a year enough?

As much fun as most of this season has been, I almost wish they wouldn't have done it. At least at the end of the original series it felt as though Jack was left with some hope. He was on his own but he was free.

Maybe FOX will renew it to come back next summer - but for what purpose? How broken does Jack Bauer have to be before they stop? Audrey Heller seemed like Jack's last chance at a happy ending. Even if the two never got back together, just having her alive in the world and knowing that she loved him gave Jack a modicum of hope and peace. 

I want to say that 24: Live Another Day has been good TV, and it has. Anything that makes you feel this much has done its job admirably. But much like Heller, in this moment, I wish I could simply forget this final hour happened. 

Your turn, TV Fanatics. What did you think of the 24: Live Another Day finale?

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.