24: Live Another Day quietly debunked a popular theory about 24 villain Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke). For years, fans believed that Nina Myers somehow survived being shot in 24’s season 3. Those hoping for her return will be disappointed, however, as 24: Live Another Day, the limited series event, confirmed this was never the case.
In season 1, Nina was a love interest to Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), who was currently separated from his wife, Teri (Leslie Hope). For the majority of the season, Nina was Jack’s closest and most reliable ally at CTU. Late in the season, it was discovered that Nina was a mole. In a shocking twist, Nina murdered Teri and her unborn child. After her arrest, she returned in season 2 to provide valuable information to CTU. For this, she was granted immunity. In season 3, Nina resumed her role as a villain. In her final confrontation with Jack, Jack shot her in the shoulder, and though Nina claimed to have information that could help, Jack shot her several more times.
Though it seemed clear that Nina Myers was dead, some fans of the series still believed that the character could return, and that 24 would find a way to write her back into the show. With all of the twists and turns that took place in each season, the theory persisted for years. Nearly every season, it was theorized that one of the secret villains involved in whatever terrorist plot Jack was up against was Nina. But, the season premiere of 24: Live Another Day showed a full list of Jack’s confirmed kills, and Nina’s name was among them, thus leaving no room for doubt that Nina died in season 3.
Why was it so strongly believed that Nina could come back in the first place? First of all, the theories surrounding Nina were strengthened by the return of another fan-favorite character, Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernand). Tony died in season 5 after being injected with an overdose of hyoscine-pentothal. Jack tried to get him medical attention, but it was too late. Season 7 revealed that though Tony was clinically dead, he was revived minutes after his “death” by members of a mercenary group. He kept his survival a secret from Jack and everyone else.
To fans, it seemed plausible that if 24 could bring back Tony, it could do the same for Nina. As the person who cold-bloodedly murdered Jack’s wife and unborn child, Nina is widely regarded as one of his greatest enemies. Her complicated and violent history with Jack made her a character that fans wanted to spend at least one more season with as a villain. Reports that Fox wants to continue the 24 franchise indicate this may still be possible: just not in the present time line.
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