5 Things I’ve Learned from 24 (Serious Version)
May 26, 2010 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
5 Things I’ve Learned from 24 (Serious Version)
1 – Leadership is key. Even though the show focused on Jack’s solo efforts, there were always leaders in the storyline that were either making bold and courageous decisions or acting selfishly and deceptively. A great book on leadership could be written contrasting presidents David Palmer, Charles Logan, and Alison Taylor.
2 – Even great leaders make mistakes. Watching President Alison Taylor the last few seasons has been interesting. She’s made great decisions and terrible decisions and she has had to live with them both. This last season showed clearly the toll that can take on someone.
3 – A loyal team is essential. Jack was heralded throughout 24′s history for being the hero everyone needed, but he wouldn’t have been anything with people like Tony and Chloe (and dare I say Edgar, may he rest in peace). They supported him constantly but challenged him (even opposed him) when he was in the wrong.
4 – Your work choices will affect your personal life. Jack’s personal life was a mess. His job cost him dearly. Count the cost.
5 – You can build community around TV. This one may seem odd, but it’s the biggest lesson for me. Every week (except the first episode back in November 2001 or when I have had to travel), my wife and I have had friends over to watch 24. In that time frame, we’ve lived in 3 different homes, went from a young family (with three kids, the oldest being 4) to a slightly older family (with 4 kids, including a teenager). We’ve been in a Life Group that started and stopped. We’ve watched Riverview explode from a small church to a mega church. A lot has changes, but one thing hasn’t: we’ve had our 24 parties. The makeup of the group has evolved, with people joining and then quitting, people moving away and moving back, people getting married and having kids so they can’t come anymore, new people bringing their babies (or going into labor during a party and refusing to leave until the show was done).
The biggest thing I will mourn is the built in community of our 24 group. We shared desserts and drinks every week (or 24 weeks a year to be exact), we talked about our lives (sometimes into the wee hours after the show was done), we discussed theology and politics and family life. We’ve celebrated with each other when things have gone well (jobs, babies, etc), we’ve mourned losses (family deaths, job losses, etc). This group has been a community. I’ve been in several Life Groups and crazy as it sounds, I think this one was my favorite.
I mourn the loss of 24 less than I mourn the loss of the 24 party.
Hopefully the fall season will find us a replacement although it will never quite be the same.
Tags: 24
5 Things I’ve Learned from 24 (Tongue in Cheek Version)
May 25, 2010 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
For the past 9 years, I have been a faithful viewer of 24. I’ve even run a fan site for the last several years called the Jack Bauer Torture Report. Now that 24′s television run is officially over (still looking forward to the movie), I figured I’d post some random thoughts on what I’ve learned. So without further ado, I now present:
5 Things I’ve Learned from 24 (Tongue in Cheek Version*)
1 – There’s no excuse to ever be late anywhere. If 24 has taught us anything, it’s that any two points in Los Angeles or New York City can be driven in under 15 minutes. I expect nothing less from anyone I am ever meeting with in Lansing, Michigan.
2 - Torture works. Seriously, it never fails.
3 – If you stick around long enough, they’ll make you the boss. Chloe was introduced to us in Season 3 (the only characters to be in more seasons than her are Jack Bauer and Aaron Pearce). She went from being a Systems Analysis to the Director of CTU. There’s something to be said for sticking it out.
4 – If you’re really committed to a show, don’t watch the trailers.** I didn’t watch a single trailer during 24′s run and I am very glad because my wife would often say, “I knew that was coming” because she watched them.
5 – Big Brother exists and her name is Chloe. That girl can find a schematic on anything, operate anything remotely, recover any corrupt file. If the CIA actually has people who are half as good as she is at this stuff, we’re all in trouble.
* – Tomorrow I’ll post 5 Serious Things I’ve Learned from 24
** – This principle doesn’t apply to Arrested Development
Tags: 24
