Posted on 03/23/2006 10:08:37 PM PST by goldstategop
A lot can happen in a day. There is probably no one that can attest to this fact better than the fans of Fox’s hit show 24. The show, in its 5th season, chronicles 24 hours in the day of the show’s main character, Jack Bauer as he performs various incredible feats of heroism against all odds, in an effort to save the free world.
The show starts at 7:00 AM on one fateful day and draws viewers into an action-packed day that lasts well into the next day (7:00 AM, in case the math was difficult for anyone). Each episode is generally an hour long and is supposed to be shown in realtime (manifest in the ticking digital clock), thereby adding to the appeal (that really could happen!), suspense and urgency and as if there wasn’t enough drama already, each episode ends with a dramatic countdown to the next hour. In that vein, seasons are called days, and it’s probably safe to say that Jack Bauer has already had four of the most exciting days this side of eternity.
Jack Bauer is played exceptionally by the indomitable Kiefer Sutherland (Young Guns, A Few Good Men, The Three Musketeers) who brings a certain charisma to the screen. His appeal is undoubtedly aided by his character’s renegade and often brutal tactics in bringing terrorists of several stripes to justice—which usually involves a flurry of kicks, punches and ultimately a gunshot to the head. Jack Bauer has become a cult classic and it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Sutherland bringing the exploits of Bauer to life.
The show had nearly 15 million viewers for its 4 hour season premiere this season and with its never-ending plot twists and various subplot storylines, the 5th day has proved to be another compelling thriller in the footsteps of the previous four.
There are perhaps several explanations for the show’s continued success nationwide. The plots are compelling because they are stories at the highest national levels involving the President and those closest to him and they provide an inside look (albeit a fictional one) into an elite government counterterrorism agency—quite pertinent for today’s day and age. People like to see the terrorist caught and the bad guys punished, and they like to watch Jack Bauer mete out that punishment.
The show appeals to an ultimate sense of justice--right and wrong that may not necessarily follow some kind of written law--but accords quite nicely with the natural law etched on our hearts and in our minds. Pat Buchanan recently wrote an article speculating that most Americans agreed with this kind of shoot-first-shoot-more approach to terrorists (judging from the steady audience) and wishfully asks, “What would Jack Bauer do?” At the core, what makes the show so appealing is that we all wish it were true. We wish that there was a Jack Bauer to come and save the day, to skirt complicated legal hoops if need be, and to just get the job done—resulting in evil men getting the just consequence their terrorist actions earn. Fool’s paradise?
I especially appreciate a show like 24 because it slices just a bit of the extreme pressure that can come from defending our national security and places it right in the viewer’s lap. In the early hours of this most harrowing fifth day in the life of Jack Bauer, the President is forced to make a decision between making efforts to save the visiting Russian President’s convoy (including the First Lady) and hundreds of thousands of Americans. The viewer is literally squirming in his or her seat as the President must make the most pertinent of utilitarian decisions and one is easily able to concede that things are—as President Logan says in the show—“not that simple.”
Of course, there are plenty of media-types and political pundits out there who seek to reduce the issues of the day into very simple equations in an effort to slander our elected leaders—but things are rarely, if ever, that simple.
People might want to dismiss this kind of discussion with the notion that 24 is “just a TV show” and really shouldn’t be taken that seriously. Maybe they’re right. But then again, could this be an instance where the art of a culture is reflecting the values of that culture? Sure, there is a dialectic involved between art and culture (and a fair amount of ink has spilled on the dynamic of that relationship), but the question remains: why would a show like this be as popular as it has been for the past 4 years (going on 5) if it didn’t resonate with the American people? What is it that appeals to so many?
It would seem to be a logical conclusion to draw that it is indeed the content of the show and the underlying message which appeals to the American masses. Americans don’t want to be pushed around by terrorists, and Americans don’t like the idea of backing down and capitulating to the evil people that threaten our way of life. Americans like being tough and fighting back, and taking matters into their own hands—after all, it is precisely that kind of rugged, strong mentality that laid the foundations of this country at the start. Americans like justice and generally have a fairly strong sense of it. Simply put, 24 is their kind of show, because Jack Bauer is their kind of man.
Notwithstanding the valid point that 24 is just a show, it is interesting that Americans find themselves in as equally dangerous of a situation as is portrayed in the program: there are evil men who want to harm this country and her citizens and there are those charged with bringing them to justice. Yet why would we cheer Jack Bauer on as he fights against evil, but choose to denigrate those who do it in real life?
Jack Bauer’s fight is fictional, but in reality the fight has the same consequences that are represented in the show and the men and women who are fighting it are just as brave and talented as Mr. Bauer. Would that the American people show the same level of support for those who are living by their principles of honor, loyalty, courage and justice by defending their country from ruthless enemies, foreign and domestic.
Amen. Jack Bauer is the kind of American man Americans admired before they turned into metrosexual, temporizing wimps. That's why we tune into the show every week and cheer him on. We like to fight back and in a way, "24" is more than just a TV show - its a conservative cultural phenomenon.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
I read somewhere that Keifer is a liberal.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
I've been catching up on the series via DVDs. Other than the fact that CTU has to be one of the most disfunctional organizations in the universe....and Jack uses that crappy cup and saucer grip when holding a pistol, I've found it entertaining enough to actually sit through 4 seasons worth of episodes in a month.
I like the show too, just not sure of his politics.
I Am Jack Bauer
I just started watching it this season, and I do like it a lot, despite its somewhat unrealistic 'field craft'.
What really surprises me is that Kieffer Sutherland's character HAS become a conservative icon amongst a high percentage of conservative people, yet his father, Donald Sutherland is an avowed, extreme America hating, 'Left of Karl' Marxist, total non-violence, peace activist freak.
Either 'the apple fell far from that tree', or Keiffer is a good enough actor and smart enough to keep his yap shut off camera.
I skipped the first seasons of 24 because I despise Kieffer's father's politics so much.
I don't care if he's a friggin' jelly doughnut, as long as he keeps his mouth shut ;o)
"Conservative cultural icon"? Hah. Conservatism isn't defined by terrorism. It's defined by limited government and freedom. I remember rule of law being important too. I don't think Jack Bauer cares about it much.
Looked like a modified Weaver to me.
I like the show, just don't know if i'd vote for Keifer LOL
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
We exist today because people have been willing to ignore the "rule of law". Sometimes, in order to preseve the law, you have to go outside the law.
Kneecaps.
Most terrorists have 2. Thus, they have 2 opportunities to give Jack the info he requests.
McCain can go suck eggs.
Uh, Weaver is a stance. Cup and Saucer is a (crappy) grip.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Well I have to admit, my favorite rhetorical question is WWJBD?
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Since when is the grip not integral to the firing platform?
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