The Upcoming "24" Mini-Series: I Predict A Flop

[stopbush]

I don't remember ever seeing an entire episode of this torture-aggrandizing TV series, but I can't see it being a hit this time around. The country has learned that torture doesn't work, and we've moved on from the Dubya years, which is when the original series ran on TV.

What do you think? A hit or a miss?

[cantbeserious]

1. Maybe - However The Rabid Right Wingers Need To Reminisce - The Good Old Days Hold Comfort

eom

[Initech]

2. I will admit - I was hooked on 24.

Loved it until shortly after the fourth season - that's when it moved from suspense into torture. But that said I can't wait for this.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

3. I predict a half-assed show

"24", done in 12 episodes? Great, but what do we do after lunch?

I don't know if the country has moved on all that much. MSNBC must be getting good ratings from their weekend "life in prison" shows. And, of course, we still have the Koch brothers. And Jeb Bush may be making a move. Yeah, same place.

I'll watch the first two episodes, just to see ...

[Orrex]

4. The "torture" aspect is over-cited.

I didn't watch the last season or most of the second last, but up until that time I recall only one single instance in which torture revealed useful and timely information. Specifically, it was the torture scene before the opening credits of the season one pilot episode.

If anything, the show seemed like a pretty clear statement that torture does not work, and it exacts a terrible, dehumanizing toll on the character of the torturer (namely, ol' Jack Bauer).

There's a lot to criticize about the show, but criticisms about torture are off the mark. It amuses me that people who--by their own assertion--haven't watched the show will nonetheless call it "torture-aggrandizing."


Having said that, I don't plan to watch the upcoming mini-series.

[MissMillie]

5. I agree

I didn't see season one, but I got into it in seasons 2 and 3, and then it wound up being on at the same time as something else I liked (this was before I had a DVR) but I'm looking forward to having it back.

[Orrex]

6. Two criticisms that are better justified IMO:

1. Preposterously unrealistic tech. For example, in one episode Jack used his cell phone to snap a pic of some kind of circuit board that an enemy had in his shirt pocket. Jack took the picture from about 50 feet away, through a ventilation grate, and then sent the picture to Chloe, who was able to identify some significant technobabble from the image. That must have been one hell of a telephoto lens!

2. Overuse of characters' names. I know that this is to help first-time viewers get up to speed and to learn who's who, but in practice it becomes really conspicuous.

Chloe: "Where's Jack Bauer?"
Tony: "Jack Bauer's busy."
Chloe: "But Jack Bauer promised to walk my pomeranian today."
Tony: "Jack Bauer will walk your dog when Jack Bauer is done in the bathroom."
Chloe: "Dammit. I can't rely on Jack Bauer for anything."
Tony: "Don't criticize Jack Bauer. Jack Bauer has a lot on his plate right now."

etc.

[OriginalGeek]

9. But if you take a drink every time they say "Jack Bauer"

well, maybe it would be a good idea to line up a liver donor in advance...


At any rate, we'll be watching.

[Iggo]

7. I dunno. People seem to like Homeland. (I tried and failed.)

Americans do love they torture-porn.*

(*though, as stated above, the torture aspect is likely exaggerated.)

[TeamPooka]

8. I predict a huge hit.

[Iggo]

10. The likely suspects at my office are all atwitter over it.

And I finally figured out why I haven't seen any promos for it. The Dodgers aren't on Fox anymore. (In fact, they're not on TV at all if you don't have the new Dodger channel, which I don't.)