Posted on 12/28/2006 6:44:23 PM PST by DogByte6RER
24: An Ode to Chloe
December 27, 2006
For the past three seasons of 24, Chloe O'Brian has done more to thwart terrorists than anybody not named Jack Bauer. On the importance scale, Jack Bauer is 1, Chloe O'Brian is 2, Curtis is probably 3, and Kim Bauer is 8,458. Yet, Chloe doesn't seem to get her due. Her computer wizardry is essential to Jack's survival and, without it, the show would be in trouble.
Although half of her lines are computer mumbo-jumbo, Chloe is as different as you'll get from your typical stock computer geek/expert hacker character. She is horribly anti-social, yes, but has a rough outer core that is difficult for anyone to breach. She is fiercely loyal, independent, mean-spirited, and brutally honest. Her honesty makes her disliked by colleagues, and she feels no remorse for this.
I love Chloe's character. I love that 24 has taken what could've been a boring, plot-necessity of a character and gave her an edge. As far as main characters on mainstream shows go, Chloe is one of the weirdest. And that takes some guts, something we can all agree that 24 has in spades.
Chloe is played by Mary Lynn Rajskub, who got her start as a comic actress. You can kind of tell, too, because Chloe is played almost as a comedic character, only without the punchlines. Chloe has grown considerably over the three seasons and, although it doesn't seem like it, always shows heart when she needs to. The character is complex and we have much more to learn about her.
The character is also divisive among fans. I have two friends with whom I watched the entirety of season 4. They hated Chloe; I defended her to the death. Their reasons were simple: Chloe O'Brian annoyed them. But that's the point, I thought. She's supposed to be a little grating, supposed to get on your nerves for awhile before you're used to it.
Chloe O'Brian is the new female lead character coming into season 6, supplanting Kim Raver's Audrey Raines. Mary Lynn Rajskub will receive second billing in 24's credits, second only to Kiefer Sutherland. Not bad for a computer geek.
-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
I've always thought Curtis was a kick ass character too. He's just cool. The Head of the CTU LA Office is cool too, Bill is his first name, his last name escapes me.
24 is just a damn cool show.
Make that "was". RIP.
Forget last post. Was thinking of Edgar.
I am a little bit like her too ... the acid tongue and ruthless you-are-entitled-to-my-nasty-opinion attitude – actually I’m very nice to everyone until somebody pi$$es me off with their stupidity - :) and I’m both a number cruncher and computer geek.
At work, I am master of nothing but of everything. I am not beautiful but beautiful.
It’s time for the geeky gal with the bad attitude to get the hunky guy.
Chloe is my hero. And Mary Lynn Rajskub is one of the few celebrities I'd ever be interested in meeting.
The trailer looks like typical kick-butt, kick more butt, kick even MORE butt, then if there's anything left, ask questions and take names.
HOWEVER(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), some back stories I've read in the current TV Guide have me seriously concerned that the writers have either jumped the (political) shark, or one of Aaron Sorkin's minions has invaded the writer pool. Not to give too much away, but President Wayne Palmer has a "conservative adviser" (Peter McNicol, of "Ally McBeal" and "Num3ers" fame) who is described in the write-ups as a whacko whose enemies think he "treats the Constitution as a series of suggestions".
On the face of it, this may mean little, but the fact that TV Guide is highlighting this character and his "quirks" has my B.S. antennae humming at full tilt.
LOL! That was a classic. I love Chloe.
24's staff is split politically, so it's pretty balanced. But thank goodness they don't have any Michael Moore inspired material.
I got Season 1 for Christmas and I watched it all within about 32 clock hours. I slept for a few hours between Disc 4 and Disc 5.
Season 1 wasn't as intense as Season 5, but watching the whole thing in such a short period of time was still an adrenaline pumping experience.
If they kill Chloe, 24 is over for me.
(Yeah, sure, I say that now.)
First two eps are available on xtvi.com.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.