Filled with so Many Plot Holes and Ridiculous Scenerios, "24" was a Really Dumb Show

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20th Century Fox Television

After 9/11, we were all in this mushroom-cloud mania, and terrorists seemed around every corner. So when "24" came out, the time was perfect to play to our fears, and I was definitely among the worried. But even though I thought the concept was amazing, I never watched it. Of course, I knew how much a national phenomenon the show was. So 20 years later, and looking for the next thing to binge-watch, I figured "24" finally merited my attention.

The show is well presented, produced and acted. That said, the passage of time has left me forgetting how deep the mass hysteria ran. That is the only way I can explain the monumental success of a show that consistently puts forth ridiculous scenarios to extend the drama and make it to "24".

Here’s a few that are beyond explanation.

Never Underestimate a Teenager

President David Palmer is backed by a mysterious cabal of powerful insiders who have the ultimate say over the President. They blackmail the man of integrity into a corner, and how is the Commander in Chief extricated: His 15-year-old son does in the evildoers with a tape recorder.

Son: So you’re telling me, you framed me for the murder?

Powerful Insider: Yes, I’m telling you, I framed you for the murder.

Really and was I actually supposed to be surprised when the boy pulls out a tape recorder. Ridiculous.

Love Hurts

One of President Palmer’s aides is unknowingly involved with one of the terrorists. But his identity is compromised, and with patriotic duty bolstering the aide's courage, she agrees to meet the man and plant a tracking device. One that will lead CTU to the plotters, and end the season at about hour 17. Of course, that’s a bit short of "24". Well, after the device has been planted and she’s free and clear to leave the hotel, the young woman stabs and kills the offender. The poor girl felt so jilted that she’s willing to let millions of people die for her pride. And if that’s not enough, the same thing happens in about episode 23. The wife of a murdered agent kills yet another terrorist who has a direct lead to the plot. Ridiculous.

Palmer vs Palmer

After season one, the President has divorced his wife because Sherry Palmer is power-hungry with ambition, and he rightly jettisons her. So she’s so mad at the split that the private citizen gets involved in a plot to set off a nuclear bomb on US soil. Now, her side of the conspiracy is supposed to prevent their Muslim counterparts from completing their mission, and thereby the main plotters cash in on some big oil deal… What could possibly go wrong?

Plenty and then once Sherry is uncovered, the former First Lady does penance. She agrees to help CTU identify the oil businessman behind the ruse, and how does she expose the plot? Yes, Mrs. Palmer wears a wire. Worse yet, the ring leader does another Deja Vu for us. So instead of speaking vaguely in a meeting that he strongly suspects his partner has turned, the bad guy lays it right out. “Yes, I’m behind the plot,” and the government then has the goods to take up Bauer's suspicions and end the threat.

Remarkably, Sherry is sprung from the prison in season three, and the president once again brings her into his inner circle. She only commits murder but fortunately is murdered herself. Of course, there’s always a chance she could come back from the dead.

You Have the Right to Remain Silent

Jack Bauer has arrested a key man in the organization that has caused one nuclear meltdown in California and is about to set off a nuclear bomb. So the bad guy at the head of the plot quickly hires a lawyer for his arrested man. The lawyer is then able to prevent CTU from questioning/torturing the underling. In turn, the issue is sent upstairs to Vice President Logan. Logan has taken over because the President is incapacitated, and understandably, the VP is not operating under complete rationality. As a result, Logan is reluctant to order the torture, and as expected, Jack ignores the directive. In other words, CTU releases the lower level plotter, Bauer abducts him and goes to work on him. Thus, through enhanced interrogation, CTU locates the leader of the terrorist plot and sets themselves up to end the threat. However, the acting President is so incensed that he orders Bauer’s arrest, and Logan sends secret service agents to the scene. The operation is compromised, the terrorists get away and millions of lives are still at risk. A President’s pride would be wounded that much that act so irrationally. Ridiculous, and once again, the writers throw anything and everything against the wall until the tally reaches 24.

That is all.

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