Bauer was a career-hardened government counter-terrorism assassin. Carter was a discharged military ranger suddenly caught up in a terrorist plot.
It was super-spy versus everyman. The dynamics are just... different.
Wasn't it the first episode of season one when Bauer walks into an interrogation room with two perps with information, and he asks the other CTU handler if the first guy was guilty. The agent says "yes," so Bauer pulls out his gun and shoots him between the eyes, and then turns to the second guy and says "talk."
That's the difference between the two characters, and the mood of the two shows.
-PJ
True. Bauer understood the bigger picture, what was at stake, and was instantly willing to do what it takes no matter how distasteful. One time he shot his boss in the back of the head because the terrorist had a virus he would release that would kill millions if he didn’t. That takes a certain kind of person who can separate his personal feelings from the job needing to be done.
That was my least favorite scene in all the seasons of 24. At the very end of that season finale Bauer finally broke down and cried as it all caught up with him. Needless to say; no drama queens need apply for that job.