Watching 24?

I started watching it because it was one of the first TV shows to have movie-style action scenes, and am afraid to admit that I'm now addicted. I wouldn't encourage anyone to start watching. It portrays lots of moral dilemmas -- usually of the "do the ends justify the means" type -- but then resolves them too easily. E.g., should Jack torture the terrorist to prevent a nuclear attack? His answer is always yes, and we are supposed to not only approve, but also admire him for it, because he is willing to do the dirty work to protect us. I suppose you might want to watch it to understand a popular influence on political views.

It's addicting, plain and simple. I started watching it a few months ago on Hulu.com, as it was free... that's when they hook you. I'm now a regular at Blockbuster, renting 2 or 3 discs at a time. I'm almost caught up.

Once I got over the fact that they don't count travel time (unless it's a chase scene), and that no one ever seems to sleep, it's a pretty good show, with some of the best cliffhangers I've seen since "Dallas."

I also find it interesting that the show hasn't been hijacked by a political agenda. For Jack Bauer, the end always justifies the means, and he's the hero. The President is usually portrayed as a liberal, although always with "hawks" around. The show itself asks questions and challenges every position, but provides no answers.

Season 7 seems the most interesting of all, as Bauer is trying to reconcile these issues in his own mind.

Hey Scott,

I've never watched 24, and have thus also often wondered what all the fuss is about. What I wanted to say, though, is that I think it's great that a well-known, 55-year-old theology professor is not afraid to ask a question like this. That's what I love about this blog – it's well and truly eclectic!

Peace,

Rob

I've been in and out of the whole 24 craze. It's an interesting show, and quite addicting when you start getting into it, but I have a hard time watching it now since for a variety of reasons I don't have much sympathy or respect for Jack as a character anymore.

One thing that I have to say is that I find it quite amusing that three or four times a season Jack agonizes over whether or not he should torture someone (and always ends up deciding to).
Since the season covers one day, you’d think by the forth person you torture that day you wouldn’t be so torn up about it…

I've been a fan since Season 1. I used to always side with the pro-Jack/violence approach. However, since some of my views are in the process of change, it will be interesting to see how I view this season. Of course, being that it is TV, they make it so that Jack's approach makes the most sense, but still, the dilemas remain for me. I had heard that they were going to try to introduce other "voices" this season for a balanced perspective, but we'll see.

Scot, it's a time-suck. Kill your TV. Except for important sporting events.

I agree with Dan in #11. The first season of the show was the best, and season 2 was also strong. But since then 24 has definitely "jumped the shark" IMO and recycles plot elements, stretches the boundaries of believability and of the whole "real time" concept ever further. It's still fun and I can see why some remain addicted to watching it, but I'm no longer a regular watcher, and haven't been for several seasons - just check in on it occasionally or hear about it from friends who are addicted and I'm familiar enough w/ the characters to be able to pick up on what's going on.

Skip it and watch Lost instead.

ditto to Travis - skip it and watch Lost.

theological discussions of Lost on Jesus Creed - now that would be fun :)

Time-waster, all of it. We really do, in the West, believe that we have a right to (and a need for) the mindless vegetation of television. I think we will be abashed before the King when he reminds us of the thousands of hours we spent fascinated by Jack Bauer, Steve Austin, and those zany LOST characters (how does the fat guy stay so fat on a desert island - maybe it's a dessert island). Now, brothers and sisters, let the recriminations flow!

Chris E #22-

Are all TV shows equal (mindless)?

Then are other "arts" mindless?

Can Christians find value in some?

Rick, in #21 -- You nailed it. Ha!

Phil commented, "the REAL conversation that the popularity of shows like 24 ought to bring up is the seeming attempt to normalize torture in the USA."

Agreed. See here: http://www.slate.com/id/2195864/

Don't do it. They'll just end each episode on a cliff hanger and then you'll be stuck watching it for ever... just like Lost, Alias, Heroes etc.

Having said that, the British spy drama Spooks is excellent!

Rick @ 21,

Maybe, but that would be a pretty boring show.

Chris E @ 22,

I'm sure we should all watch less TV, but is it all a waste of time that should be avoided at all costs? What about film? Theater? Novels? Music? NPR?

Of course our lives shouldn't be about entertainment. But a few hours of well-told stories a week, that you then discuss with friends/family, isn't a bad thing, I think.

Also, does Steve Austin refer to the 6 million dollar man, or the pro wrestler?

I amn going to catch up with the Sun/Mon episodes online this weekend. I like the suspense and intrigue. Why not!?!

REASONS TO WATCH "24"

• Raises important ethical questions by postulating impossible (yet plausible) moral dilemmas
• Raises questions of heroism & masculinity in the character of Jack Bauer (tough & smart, yet flawed)
• Is tremendously entertaining and suspenseful

REASONS NOT TO WATCH "24"

• Hey, it's just a TV show
• It's sometimes quite violent for a TV show
• One may become addicted, and feel compelled to watch all 168 hours' worth.

The conversations myfriends andI have had about '24' have been about:

1. The fantasy of violence as a solution and how it differs between genders

2. The objections raised to its glorification of torture by instructors at West Point

3. and, as mentioned above, the attempt to normalize torture in the US.

All of these are reasons I won't have anything to do with the show.

I've seen every single episode of '24' ever. I'd rather not do the math on how much time I've spent in front of the TV as a result. This season, my husband and I are watching it with friends. Here are some of our top 24-inspired conversation starters:

- "This is going to make those of us who oppose torture look like losers, isn't it?"

- "A woman president. This must be the future!" (And just a few seasons ago, we said the same about a black president.)

- "Maybe I should have voted for Hillary."

- "Bringing back Tony was such a soap opera move. So why am I so excited about it?"

- "Why are characteristics that you like about Jack less appealing in his female counterpart?" (The girls asked the guys)

- "We should do shots every time Jack says "Dammit, Chloe!" (The guys said to change the subject.)

I admit it. I get sucked into 24 even though the violence is appalling. Like Rachel, I watch it with a group and we make loud comments - sort of life watching WWF. It's our defense against thinking too hard about the show. Poor Jack has become a caricature of himself - he has become a monster, but one who serves society's purpose. And he knows it and know there is no escape except death. Sometimes I think the show is making a profound statement about our society and the way we distance ourselves from our dirty deeds and other times I think it is just pandering to the worst of our nature with its glorification of violence and justification of torture. The show will only redeem itself if it comes up with a really good and profound finale. They'll have to kill off Jack in the end of course.

Point of interest. Keifer Sutherland's grandfather, Tommy Douglas, was Canada's grand old man of Socialism, Baptist preacher, long-time premier of Saskatchewan, co-founder of Canada's socialist and later social-democratic party, and architect of many of Canada's social security programs, including universal health care. In a recent national poll, he was our pick for the Greatest Canadian ever. Keifer still supports many of those causes and I often wonder how he reconciles all that with playing a killing machine.

Mariam - Be careful. It's the WWE, now. You wouldn't want Ranger Rick stalking your house and attacking your cans late at night...garbage cans, that is.

I forgot about Lost...probably because the last season forgot about me. JAWSed.

Same with Heroes. JAWSed.

As soon as I start saying about the characters in a show, "Don't these people ever watch television?" or "Hasn't anyone ever read a comic book?" or "C'Mon. Michael Crichton wrote about that 15 years ago!" - I realize 1) the show has totally JAWSed, and 2) I need to stop watching it.

My problem - addictive personality. Thankfully, alcohol tastes nasty and pharmacuticals scare me...even though I work for one.

As for conversations, a better question I think is - does anyone actually talk anymore? You know, just chat about nothing? Everything is so serious nowadays with all my associates. About the only place I have mindless conversation is online at sites like Jesus Creed. I mean...like EM. I mean...Ur. Oh wait...

JUST KIDDING!

DJ

AMDG

Aside from the fact that it's a cool show with lot's of action and drama, the main thing for me is that it's a great conversation starter with guys I run into. It's one of those common ground pieces that can launch a conversation or a friendship.

Definitely a "no" on 24. It's been defunct (read: lame) for seasons now. I watched the first 5 seasons. The initial spy/terrorist/super-plot-twist stuff was cool. The countdown clock that kept counting during the commercials was cool. The multiple, simultaneous camera angles was new.

But these days it's barely believable dribble with predictable plot, like a cheap summer action flick.

Definitely do Battlestar, Mad Men, or The Wire instead...

(taking an afternoon break from DC chaos)

There is absolutely NO reason to watch 24...
...Unless you want to give up your commitment to nonviolence
...Unless you want to endorse torture as a means for dealing with terrorists
...Unless you want to consume entertainment that glories in killing and destruction
...Unless you want to want to disavow your Christian commitment to loving your enemies