Now that it is time to begin the countdown to Season 7, the chronicles of Jack Bauer, "24," I note an interesting book from the New York Times writing staff. It begins by chanting the usual left-wing mantras that "the cost (of the Iraq War) in American and Iraqi lives is immense and morally incalculable," that there is a "slow but observable erosion of privacy and civil liberties," and concludes that Jack Bauer himself has become "bone weary, emotionally scarred, and uncertain about the future." Even more, they conclude that Jack has also become "ever more the anti-hero, ever more flawed, ever more weighed down by all the evildoers he has had to torture or terminate..."
This is just wishful thinking. Jack may have been a bit off his peak at the start of Season Six, but who wouldn't have been after 18 months in a Chinese prison, having said not a single word in all that time?
A more objective viewer of "24" would note that Jack ended Season Five, after supposedly years of erosion by his occupation, still able to take on the president of the United States and bring him to justice, still able to snap the neck of the terrorist Bierko, still able to terminate Robocop, who definitely needed termination. He began Season Six perfectly willing to sacrifice himself to save lives. One notes that Jack, throughout Season Six, was still Jack, able to make quick decisions, able to do what had to be done.
True, some long-time fans of "24" thought there was not enough action, too much introspection and psychology involved in Season Six, and quite a few fans never did take a shine to Audrey Raines, for reasons beyond my comprehension. I thought her crooked nose was the perfect slight imperfection to set off her otherwise elegant beauty. And just look at those legs when she walks through CTU. She's smart, loyal, and loves Jack. AND LOOK AT THOSE LEGS!
But back to the book: The authors, talking about Dennis Haysbert, who played President David Palmer, say that he exhibited characteristics Americans wish for in a president, "courageous leadership, the ability to make tough decisions, a strong moral compass..." But as with all the left-wing folks, they are blind to the blatantly obvious point that it is President George W. Bush who has exhibited courageous and steadfast leadership, has shown the ability to make--and stick by--tough and unpopular decisions, who has shown a strong moral compass. The New York Times clearly believes its own delusions are reality, but this blinds it to real reality.
Meanwhile, Jack Bauer keeps on doing what has to be done. In the first hour of Season Six, having discovered that the terrorists were deceiving the US government and that his death would be in vain, refused to die. While handcuffed to a chair, he killed a terrorist by gnawing out the side of his neck and he escaped. One eagerly awaits Season Seven for more such exploits.Jack Bauer's flaws, much as George W. Bush's, are merely figments of left-wing imagination.
"Secrets of 24," by Dan Burstein and Arne J. DeKeijzer. It's an interesting read if you keep your objectivity about you. If you don't want even a hint of Season Seven, don't read it, though. You might consider a few paragraphs to be "spoilers."
