24 executive producer and writer Howard Gordon talked to the LA Times about the lackluster current season of the FOX show, and the wrath that it has drawn from fans.

It hurts to hear the criticism…I don’t dispute it’s been a challenging season to write for us. But it’s reinvigorated our determination to reinvent the show. This year could be seen to be the last iteration of it in its current state.

When this season premiered, I felt like it had huge potential to become a favorite among fans.  I would have loved to seen the storyline of Jack having to be handed over to terrorists explored a bit more…I would have loved to have seen more of Jack’s father in a concise storyline (though he’s said to return soon).  But instead we’ve been treated to recycled storylines from the past five years. 

Here’s my suggestion for a ‘reinvention’, if that’s the path that the producers choose to take.  At the end of this season, Audrey is abducted again by the Chinese.  Then, next season, Jack goes to China to try to save her.  He doesn’t have CTU or the White House right there over his shoulder…he’s free to do what he can without being limited by…you know…the law and stuff.

What do you think?  What would be a good way to reinvent the show to keep it fresh?