While 24 writers get slapped around by various critics for any number of reasons -- for how they're portraying Muslims, for having what one magazine's blog dubbed "absurd" moments and for promoting "naked propaganda" (Olbermann's words, not mine) -- a member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board thinks that the program's creators should be applauded for story lines which possess "a realistic moral tone" and provide a "primer on moral philosophy."
Journal writer Brian M. Carney wrote that 24 explores how life-and-death decisions are made in context with their political and personal ramifications. By showing that nearly every choice comes with a trade-off, Carney said 24 demonstrates that there is no one "right" way to handle issues of national security.
Should a president let terror suspects out of jail in exchange for info on a nuclear bomb, as President Palmer II did? Should the government turn its own agent over to terrorists to be killed in exchange for the whereabouts of another terrorist, as officials did in hour one of this season? Should Jack Bauer have killed Curtis Manning in order to save a "good" terrorist who could provide crucial intel? None of the answers come without a price.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-29-2007 @ 4:31PM
David Palmer said...
Wayne Palmer is unfit for a president... he deals with terrorist.
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1-29-2007 @ 5:50PM
Peter Lynn said...
Shush. You're dead.
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1-29-2007 @ 6:35PM
amazo said...
saying 24 does this and ignoring about 6 seasons of West Wing is ignorant.
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1-29-2007 @ 6:58PM
Kira said...
24 does a great job of showing the complexities of these harsh decisions in this day and age. Yes, of course they are exxagerated a little for drama sake, but really, the possibilities of these scenarios are often lost in today's "black or white agenda driven sound bites." I love this show because it shows the reality of which some decisions must be made, without the benefit of it being spun by the media to advance an agenda. It gives the moment, it gives the choices and gives the consequences good or bad.
All the criticism is because of those media and agenda driven types who don't like the fact the results are being showcased without the benefit of their spin. Cry me a river.
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1-29-2007 @ 7:19PM
Joey Geraci said...
Kira, wow, you do know what nobody in their right mind actually watches 24 for the "reality" of the situations. It is an action drama, nothing more, nothing less. That would be like saying Prison Break is a realistic treatise on the pressures of prison life and the desire to be free and vindicate yourself.
I think you watch too much TV.
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1-29-2007 @ 7:31PM
Kira said...
Excuse me Joey, but don't put words in my mouth. As irony would have it, you are "spinning" what I said. Hee Hee. I actually said "the reality of which some decisions must be made." I love the escape of the show more than anything... I would love to have that cell phone of Jack Bauers! However, my point was that this show (in an exaggerated form) shows that tough decisions are NOT made in a vaccum, and that all choices have consequences that may or may not be worth it. THAT IS REAL. I too applaud that moral balance of 24. So before you take personal swipes at my televion viewing habits (by the way, never watched Prison Break), perhaps who should put down YOUR remote and practice your reading comprehension big guy! ;)
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1-29-2007 @ 8:46PM
C C said...
It's a shame that "24" is perceived as a "right-wing" show. It isn't. I'm a liberal and I love it.
I know co-creator Joel Surnow hobnobs with the conservative elite, but true fans of the show know that the series exalts and attacks both sides of the political spectrum. David Palmer, the political hero of "24", was a Democrat. Charles Logan, the political villain, was a Republican. And it appears that Wayne Palmer, David's little brother, will be the political "Fredo" of "24". And notice how all the string-pulling baddies are CEO's and oilmen? Does that sound conservative to anyone?
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1-29-2007 @ 9:22PM
LC said...
"saying 24 does this and ignoring about 6 seasons of West Wing is ignorant."
Ummm Who ignored The West Wings stories involving moral decisions and philosophies?
I for one remember countless articles saying similar things as the WSJ is about 24, in the first two seasons alone.
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1-30-2007 @ 11:42PM
Nathan said...
As if he is a good terrorist, the twist is yet to come. Curtis' death will be for naught, they should have killed him when they had the chance.
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