I think 24 has lost me (Spoilers for all episodes aired in the U.S.)

[matt_zimmer]

The last couple of weeks of 24 have been kind of draining to watch since they've piled on the regular character deaths. I'm not exactly sure WHY I feel so luke-warm to the show since this season is definately the most suspenseful one they've ever had. I have no clue how they are going to get out of the situations that keep piling up and the show is a gripping as ever.

Still, I think the show just isn't as good as it used to be. And I think the reason is that they are killing off the regulars too easily this year. I have to admit losing Michelle Desslar and David Palmer within the first fifteen minutes of the season premeire was an absolutely brilliant way to shake things up and start off the season. But I think the writers are just killing off characters at this point just to shock the audience and that just seems kinda cheap.

When I watch a TV show I put my trust in the writers of the show to do what is best for the show AND the characters. Sometimes character deaths are absolutely needed and when done right can give the audience a chance to grieve and feel the pain of the surviving characters. Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel were the masters of the needed character deaths and the drama and pathos those deaths inspired enriched the shows.

24 seems to be taking the easy way out. I was really sad when Edgar died and even more so when Tony did last episode but the deaths just felt WRONG. Not because killing characters is something that needs to be avoided but because they didn't need to happen and just seemed to be about shock value which is a pretty manipulative way of keeping your audience and cynical as well. There was absolutely no reason why Edgar needed to die. He was one of the most interesting characters on the show and busted stereotypes about what heroes could be. He added an interesting dynamic to the show but I guess Louis Lombardi isn't sexy enough to keep around. His relationship with Chloe was the absolute best thing on this show and it's not like there was a NEED for him to die to move the plot along.

Tony dying was no better. I expect more from the writers than to let Tony get punked like that. If a character has survived countless disaters and terrorists you expect their death to be by something cataclysmic and not simply wrassling with the bad guy and getting the wrong end of the syringe. It reminded me of Trip's death in Enterprise's finale in that it was so totally unnessecary and underwhelming. It screamed to me that I should just be shocked and feel that this day is the worst ever because they keep killing off the characters, but honestly the writers haven't EARNED any sympathy from me. I expect to be jerked around on David E. Kelley shows but I actually thought 24 was different.

Ironically the best recent death on the show was Sean Astin's Lynn McGill. He NEEDED to go out like a hero and atone for his mistakes and the moments where he and the other guy realize they have to die to save everyone was powerful. THAT is the way a character death should be done. It was important to the story, it was excellent character growth, and it MATTERED. I feel that Tony and Edgar got a raw deal these past couple of weeks and that their deaths seemed more to be in the interest of Fox's promotional department than actual good sensible storytelling.

I hope the season improves. But at this point I'm about as attached to the show as I am Smallville now and I have totally lost faith in the writers.

Comments

You've got it backwards

[stewie-14.livejournal.com]

Matt, you so crazy.
The last two weeks have been the best episodes since the season premiere event.
I think you're just angry that Chloe and Edgar will never get together.

While I would normally share the notion that all these character deaths is a sign of weakness, or at least a poor way of explaining actors moving on, this time I don't blame them. I was getting bored with the season, and this got me interested again. It's not the best way of getting me into a season, and only makes expect the show to end even sooner, but I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

Oh, and Tony's not dead. I don't care what happened on screen. He will live on in my heart. Though I thought the same thing about Palmer and Michelle Desslar. And I've adjusted to their deaths. Or if not adjusted, at least come to accept.

Tony! Come back to me! sob.

Re: You've got it backwards

[mattzimmer.livejournal.com]

I'm probably wrong, that's true, but this is just what my gut has been telling me. Their deaths were so meaningless for me when they should have been more effective and they really rubbed me the wrong way. To be honest I'm not that interested in picking up the show on DVD now. It just seems to me that I've been attached to the show for the wrong reasons and unless they really make those deaths count for something I don't think my opinion will change.

[stewie-14.livejournal.com]

When it comes to opinions on TV shows, there is no right or wrong. Only more or less right than me.

I'm with you on feeling less for the show overall. It's just that the deaths are the only events keeping me into it.

Oh Palmer. Oh Tony. Oh Michelle. Come back to me.

[mattzimmer.livejournal.com]

But if they are the only thing worth watching about the show it is DEFINATELY doing something wrong. That's why I feel the deaths were meaningless.

[stewie-14.livejournal.com]

So we're in agreement. I think there's something wrong with the show. Just that it's not the deaths.

I was saying that you aren't wrong.

[mattzimmer.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. I still feel the deaths are meaningless because of that. Maybe if they tied into the arc better or something. I just was ticked off at them.

We're both right! :D