Go Jack Bauer!

I confess that I'm hooked on the Fox TV series "24." Honestly, I'm not much for prime time television. Sitcoms are rather frustrating, usually posing way too much verbal garbage and sexual suggestion for me. Comedies just aren't appealing either since I basically detest animation and get plenty of laughter from real-life sources. So, it has to be a drama or crime who-dun-it fix the world in 40 minutes style to capture my attention. Time is simply too precious to waste on anything mindless. I either need to weep with sadness/compassion/joy OR be so moved as to nearly yell at my set. In essence, the emotional centers of my brain MUST be activated or I'm off the couch.

Kiefer Sutherland's executively produced series "24" moves me. There is about 42 minutes of heart-throbbing intensity. Bud and I were hooked starting in January 2007 (Thank You, Perrys!) during the 6th season. Then, with the writers' strike in spring, "24" was cancelled altogether. Thus, Bud and I have had time to watch (in rapid succession) each series on loan from a fellow junkie. I use that term very loosely. We often sit down and realize that, like a good bag of chips, you can't watch/eat just one!

I must reflect on just WHY this show draws me into its claws. So, here goes.

1. From the first episode, I realized that I don't breathe normally. It's as if opiates are released in my brain and the fight or flight response is activated. The scientist in me wants to check biofeedback indicators during viewing. No doubt blood pressure increases, pupils dilate, breath rate increases, and pores open. YIKES! I can consume more calories when I watch the show because it's like I exercised without moving. LOL (And yes, I really did just laugh out loud.)

2. The show is unpredictably predictable. There are almost always 4 minutes and 24 seconds of commercials during each break. I know this because Bud and I figured it out as the ticking digital clock counts up in real time.

3. You never know who you can trust. The people you love to hate or who are just awkward are the ones you are cheering for later on and vice versa. It is a relational roller coaster.

4. The characters are faced with impossible situations. And just when you think it can't get any worse, it does. Maybe that just makes me see how pathetically small my problems truly are. So, perhaps "24" offers self-therapy.

5. I secretly want to create a college course based on this series. It would address such issues as ethics, the problem of evil, motivation, decision making, loyalty to authority, and use/misuse of power. If anyone knows of such a course, let me know.

6. This show is full of all of the technical gadgets that I'll never have/use. A cell phone, in my opinion, is to make and receive calls. I've only recently used our phone to take photos. And text messaging just pains me! Checking email is NOT something I want to do on my cell phone. So, I feel "up to date" technologically because "24" uses all of the most specialized knowledge and use of computers. I am simply not that smart.

7. There are definitely spiritual underpinnings to this show, and it speaks to issues of hope, obedience, underlying goals or purpose, resurrection, and sacrifice. Maybe a sermon series could come from it.

8. A particular lingo comes from this show. Phrases or words like "patch me though", "clearance", "protocol", "division", "socket", and many more take on new meaning. Bud and I can never name any children Alan York or Nina or Chloe or Kim or Audrey. When we see President David Palmer doing a Nationwide commercial, we just smile.

I'll be adding to this list, I'm certain. For now, we have 4 more episodes to watch to complete Season 5. We are planning a party for the "24" movie that will air in the fall.