by Johanna Schönfeld
Starpulse contributing writer
"24"
Two words: Jack Bauer. That's it. End of discussion.
"24" is the best show on television because it has the best lead character on television. Jack Bauer is a cultural phenomenon. He has transcended the show, and even television itself, and now stands independently as an icon of American pop culture. He's dethroned Chuck Norris as the king of internet lists. He makes all incarnations of James Bond look like pansies.
In all seriousness, Jack Bauer is the best character on television because there's a depth to him that's rare in action hero types. Jack Bauer does not just face terrorist threats in each season of "24," he faces distinct psychological trauma as well. Whether he's dealing with the death of a good friend, recovering from a prolonged imprisonment, or coming to terms with his own mortality, Jack Bauer evolves as a character while he goes on saving the world. And each time he evolves, his relationship with his job becomes more conflicted. He continues to do it, and you get the feeling that he always will, but it's obvious that it keeps getting harder and harder.
Though Jack Bauer is the best part of "24," its plot structure is also strong. There are never less than four storylines happening simultaneously, which is impressive when you consider that everything happens in real time. While it is true that certain plot devices have been used and re-used, there are only so many ways that terrorists can attack a nation, blow something up, or infiltrate a government agency. Things are going to overlap. Deal with it.
The greatness of "24" is perhaps summed up best by a scene that took place on the show a few weeks ago: Jack Bauer get stabbed in the gut by his own undercover partner. Approximately five seconds later, he picks up his gun and kills three Russians. And that makes Jack Bauer the baddest-ass character on the baddest-ass television show in the world.
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