Government Affairs Blog

Something rotten in D.C. - according to 24

The fifth season of 24 is now out on DVD.  For those unfamiliar with the show 24 is made up of 24 episodes and shown in "real time".  The hero, Jack Bauer, has one day to save LA, America or the world from an assorted bunch of terrorists.

The show is action-packed, fast moving and utterly compelling.  Season Five once again delivers what regular viewers of the programme have come to expect.

What makes 24 of particular interested is the way it depicts the American political system.  The drama is very different from the West Wing but that is no reason for those whose careers revolve around the political world not to take note.

In every season of 24 the American President and what the Presidency stands for takes centre stage.  Even the morally upright David Palmer crosses lines and by the time we meet President Charles Logan the line seems to have melted in a wash of neocon and realpolitik thinking.

Given the revered way Hollywood used to treat the Presidency this in itself is enlightening.  But when the country is de facto at war in two countries and the incumbent is under so much criticism it is fascinating to see how American television deals with it.

Saying anymore would give the plot lines away and that would be treason...