24 Clichés

The Events Guaranteed to Happen in an Episode of 24

Mar 10, 2009 Tom Findlay

The American success story that is the 24 series starring Keifer Sutherland as Jack Bauer has many plot lines that despite making the show what it is, are repetitive.

Unless one has meticulously devoured each series of the hit TV show 24 countless times, then a sense of rerun of events may occur, just with different faces taking part each time. Once this fact is established however, one may realise that this formulaic approach provides the skeleton of the series we know and love.

Bauer By The Numbers Yes, But Never By The Book

So which 'clichés' occur numerous times? The number one recurrence for many viewers no doubt is the frequent instances where protagonist Jack Bauer doesn't go by the book, or by Bauer's leadership some other agent treads off the beaten path.

The second is a result of the first, and happens in most seasons. It is when Bauer goes 'underground' and disassociates himself from CTU so that he can carry on with his mission. The most extreme case of this is surely when Bauer is so wanted by everyone at the end of series 4 that he fakes his own death. Hardcore.

Everyone loves a mole in CTU by now if they have watched enough of the phenomenon. Without fail, every time they realise there is a mole, then devise some elaborate scheme to trap and unmask the mole, and then an interrogation takes place, usually followed by CTU cutting said traitor a deal of immunity in exchange for information. Genius.

Executive Decisions

Imagine the President of the United States having to make a tough call. I know, ridiculous isn't it? Well, it happens all the time, whether it is Palmer or Logan, the head honcho of the land of the free has to make some controversial decisions across the days. The choice of sacrificing lives (George Mason – Series 2) to continue the search for the terrorists or issuing permission for illegal activities to help the cause (infiltration of Chinese soil and murder of the Consul – Series 4).

Jack Bauer must be able to drop the hard man image and steely façade when he is not on the job, as he seems to have managed to somewhat raise a family, and throughout the show manages to bag a few babes on the way. However his love interests seem to come up against each other more than once.

The Lovers Subplots

The first series pits Nina Myers (who herself adheres to a few of the clichés here) against Teri Bauer. Jack's bit on the side and all round devious minx against plain housewife caught up in the commotion. In series 5 there are moments of tension between Jack's latest love Audrey Raines who thought he was dead, and his current squeeze Diane Huxley.

These are merely a choice few amongst a phalanx of classic clichés done 24 style. How about one member of CTU questioning another's ability to work under critical conditions? How about the cliffhanger of each build up coinciding with the hour mark, every damn hour? Take your pick!

The copyright of the article 24 Clichés in Prime Time TV is owned by Tom Findlay. Permission to republish 24 Clichés in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland) in a promo shot.