The Top 10 Most Unforgettable Moments from FOX's '24'

'FOX's '24' returns for its eighth season on Sunday at 9 pm EST
(AP Photo/Fox, Kelsey McNeal)

FOX's real-time thriller "24" is set to premiere a brand new, hectic "day" tonight at 9 pm eastern. The series, headlined by Kiefer Sutherland's heroic Jack Bauer, will find itself in New York after spending season seven in Washington D.C. Season seven was a triumph for the drama, as it was coming off a very disappointing sixth season.

With Jack Bauer ready to save America from terrorism once again, it's time to look back on this landmark series. What moments from the past seven seasons most stand out? Which memories have left an indelible mark on viewers? With less than 24 hours left until tonight's two hour season premiere, here are the top ten most unforgettable moments of "24."

10) "I'm Gonna Need a Hacksaw": It was the moment when you realized Jack Bauer was truly a different man. The events of season one had a strong effect on Jack, and it was never more evident than when Bauer shot a witness at point blank range in front of director George Mason at CTU. Afterwards, Bauer requests a hacksaw to cut the witnesses' head off so that he may successfully go undercover. Right then and there, a new Jack was born.

9) Air Force One is shot down: Season four was an exciting season, but it was also arguably the most poorly conceived. Despite there being far too many terrorist plots sandwiched into just one day, it was still shocking to hear Chloe give the play-by-play of a missile fired at Air Force One. When Chloe describes the impact--how plane debris is raining down in the sky--you realize how effective the scene is considering no destruction is ever actually shown on screen.

8) Jack is captured by the Chinese: After yet another long, trying day, Jack Bauer takes a phone call and is suddenly whisked away by masked kidnappers. Soon after, we see Jack bloody and bruised. It's revealed that the Head of Security at the Chinese consulate is upset at Jack for what transpired in season four. Jack is taken in a freighter headed to China, where he (and eventually Audrey Raines) would be tortured for key information. It was a bold, unexpected end to arguably the best season "24" has produced.

7) The White House is attacked: Though no doubt improbable, season seven of "24" featured an entire episode devoted to the White House coping with a direct attack and immediate threat against President Taylor. When terrorists gain access to the White House, the episode becomes both action-oriented and full of suspense. While it requires some significant suspension of disbelief, "24" managed to give its viewers something they had never seen before.

6) Nina Myers is a traitor: It was suspected early in season one, but was quickly brushed aside. When Jack screamed at Nina "Who are you working for?!," one may have thought that Nina was up to no good. Over the course of the season, however, those fears were seemingly alleviated. That's why, when it's revealed that Nina was indeed the turncoat, viewers were both shocked and perplexed. How could Jack's right-hand woman be so evil? Hours later, a furious and heartbroken Jack confronts Nina, asking how she could aid terrorists? "I was doing my job," Nina responds.

5) Tony goes from bad, to good, to bad again: Season seven was a wild ride, and it was fun for the audience to see how the character of Tony would develop now that it was made clear that he was indeed alive. Tony went from a hated character to a hero, so it was a serious surprise to many when he snuffed out Special Agent Larry Moss after Moss was shot in the chest by Tony's partner. This moment revealed Almeida's true dark side. It showed us that, despite his justification for his actions in the season finale, this wasn't the Tony viewers had grown to love during the first few seasons. That Tony died in Jack's arms two seaons prior.

4) Jack confronts President Logan: After somehow gaining access to a presidential helicopter and, essentially, kidnapping President Logan, Jack has an intense heart-to-heart with the Commander-in-Chief. Bauer not only gets Logan to admit to his involvement in terrorist acts committed on American soil, he secretly records the conversation, further cementing Logan's legacy as the worst president in American history.

3) President Palmer is assassinated: While Jack Bauer is a household name and pop culture icon, it's easy to forget that season one of "24" was built on the backs of both Jack Bauer and then-Senator David Palmer. The show followed both characters almost equally, and the events of season one connected the two together for many seasons to come. That's why, when an assassins bullet pierced the neck of former President Palmer at the start of season five, it was a poignant moment for viewers who felt intimately connected to a character who was a sincere, honorable man and idealistic president.

2) Jack Bauer kills Ryan Chappelle: Rarely does a TV show that's not visually repugnant turn a viewer's stomach. This scene, however, managed to do just that. On orders from a conflicted President Palmer, Jack Bauer took CTU Los Angeles director Ryan Chappelle to an abandoned train yard. There, he raised his gun to the back of Chappelle's head. Despite Chappelle's pleas to spare his life, Jack executed his former boss. It was a TV moment too powerful and heart-wrenching to forget.

1) Nina kills Teri Bauer: "24" could last 20 more seasons and no moment could be as powerful as the closing image of season one. Watching Jack Bauer cradle his wife's lifeless body after his former lover and trusted colleague, Nina Myers, killed both Teri and Jack's unborn child was shocking television. It was the moment that literally changed the trajectory of the show forever. Jack became a different man from that point on, and his actions and emotions are forever tied to Teri's death.

Below, be sure to check out the photo slideshow and don't forget to watch the season eight premiere of "24" tonight on FOX.

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