Welcome to AfterEllen.com!

Enter your AfterEllen.com username.
Enter the password that accompanies your username.
News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Home » Blogs » the linster's blog » The women of “24”

The women of “24”

by
the linster

Full disclosure: I have a love/hate relationship with 24.

This season, however, I renewed my commitment for the sake of a woman — a lesbian, in fact — Cherry Jones.

Jones is President Taylor, a no-nonsense president willing to fight with the boys who advise her for the sake of what she thinks is right. And Cherry Jones shows her acting chops by keeping a sober face when talking about a colonel named Ike Turner.

This season, even though 24 still reflects a more violent approach to preserving the U.S. way of life than I condone (the administration is Republican), the overall sensibility of the show seems different. Melissa Silverstein from Women and Hollywood says the reason is simple: it’s the women. “The women are finally becoming important players in the action and it makes the show much more interesting,” she says.

While the main women in previous seasons of 24 have been crazy (Martha Logan), evil (Nina Myers) or crazy and evil (Sherry Palmer), this year’s women are strong and capable — and “kick ass.”

I mean, what geek worth her Frequent Fry-ers Card doesn’t have a crush on Chloe O’Brian and Janis Gold?

Mary Lynn Rajskub and Janeane Garofalo obviously are having a blast playing dueling hackers. Chloe has “gone rogue” and is part of a group of ex-CTU agents trying to expose government corruption. Janis essentially has take Chloe’s place working for the government (although CTU is no more). Both characters can say as much with the raise of an eyebrow as Jack Bauer says in an entire episode.

Are you watching 24 this season? Has a woman president made a difference in the show? Who would score higher in FLaiL, Chloe or Janis?

  • the linster's blog
  • Login or register to post comments
    • Submitted by
    the linster
    on February 11, 2009 - 1:00pm.
    TAGS :: 
    cosmiccowgirl's picture

    Would I be totally confused...

    Submitted by
    cosmiccowgirl (1071 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 2:01pm.
    Would I be totally confused...if I started watching this show at the beginning of the current season? I am really interested in shows with female presidents (and Battlestar Galactica's President Roslin has really let me down this season), so I'm intrigued by 24. But there's no way I'm sitting through however many seasons of crazy, evil, and crazy/evil women. I feel like it's probably too late to start watching at this point, but since I've never seen it, I really have no idea.
    Awesomely Awkward's picture

    Get in on the action!

    Submitted by
    Awesomely Awkward (19 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 2:44pm.

    You could start watching now and still enjoy the show. It would take putting some pieces together but it definitely is a possibility. However, I would suggest starting the season from the beginning. However, you certainly do not have needed to watch all the previous seasons.

     I would watch this season... As an avid "24" watcher, this season has been completely awesome! Not only has the increase female presence made the season better, there has been a lot more action which makes it more enjoyable. So I would say get in on the action and start watching!

    Lucy's picture

    I didn't actually...

    Submitted by
    Lucy (71 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 2:12pm.

    start watching 24 until mid October when my new housemates were raving about it.  I used my amazing skill at procrastination and uni work avoidance and watched all 6 seasons and Redemption before season 7 started and now I have to go through the agony of waiting a whole week before I can see another episode.

    I absolutely love Chloe, she is cute, clever and her personality/facial expressions crack me up everytime.  Janis, whilst arguably cute and clever is just no match for Chloe in my opinion...maybe that will change as the season continues but I can't really see it happening. 

    Cherry Jones does make a fairly good president but I am still a David Palmer fan

    Anyway thats my 2 pence worth :) 

    Becky C.'s picture

    Kissing Limbaugh

    Submitted by
    Becky C. (149 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 2:41pm.
    I used to adore Mary Lynn Rajskub until she laid that big fat smooch on Russ Limbaugh.
    icaughtmyself's picture

    yeah

    Submitted by
    icaughtmyself (73 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 2:50pm.

    it really is a lot to catch up on. I'd say at least having some knowledge beforehand would be ideal. There's so much back story that comes up, especially this season. I've been watching since '01 when it first came out (wow..i was 10 then!) and I realized that every little detail is important when it comes to this show.

    I agree with Lucy...Chloe owns, but Janis is a nice addition. And though I am a fan of President Taylor, David Palmer was THE best president on the show. I miss him and everytime I see his Allstate ads I'm like "hey it's Pres. Palmer!".   

    And I like Renee Walker (played by Annie Wersching) too! She's somewhat of a main character. I think her and Jack make a good team.

     

    decoy's picture

    Nina Myers

    Submitted by
    decoy (121 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 2:54pm.

    Nina will always be my favorite :) 

    Lucy's picture

    I Love...

    Submitted by
    Lucy (71 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 2:59pm.
    :O I Love that picture! It is so going to be my background....I agree Nina is definitely my favourite...hot and a badass and I loved how she kept coming back ;)
    prufrock1019's picture

    I'm a recent 24 fan

    Submitted by
    prufrock1019 (102 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 2:56pm.

    I just started watching this season. One of my roommates brought home the seasons 1-5 collectors DVD set after Christmas and we spent literally entire days watching 24 marathons. While I'm rather annoyed that it's on at the same time as my favorite show, Heroes, I enjoy watching 24 every week just to see Jack Bauer be a total badass. I don't really find any current women on the show attractive, however, although Nina was pretty cute (despite being evil and such) and it was always enjoyable to watch Elisha Cuthbert be angsty and blonde and adorable as Kim Bauer.

    ------------------

    Stewie: Listen, why don't you save yourself years of sexual ambiguity and get fitted for a pair of Doc Martens and a plaid flannel shirt?

    pecola's picture

    Annie Wersching and Carly Pope

    Submitted by
    pecola (1489 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 5:06pm.

    Despite my roommates' best efforts to get me into the 24 fan club, I've just never been able to get there. I blame a slew of actual Republicans who think that Jack Bauer is reality, not fantasy. 

    That said, I've watched a few episodes this season--enticed mostly by Annie Wersching, who I liked as Amelia Jaffe on General Hospital, and the ever-so-divine Carly Pope. 

    ---- 

    "The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use — of how to get men of power to live for the public rather than off the public." -- Robert F. Kennedy

    Sue's picture

    What about Renee Walker (aka Annie Wersching) ?

    Submitted by
    Sue (26 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 6:56pm.
    There are actually four women who make 24 worth watching. What about Annie Wersching who plays FBI agent Renee Walker?!  Play by the rules chick gone to the Jack Bauer side....
    the linster's picture

    Renee Walker

    Submitted by
    the linster (1014 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 7:53pm.

    You are all right. I don't know what I was thinking, omitting Agent Walker. Apparently I wasn't thinking at all!

    Sue's picture

    Your brain cells were temporarily stunned...

    Submitted by
    Sue (26 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 9:21pm.
    Perhaps your brain cells were just momentarily stunned by all the women you were writing about and you could only take in three at a time!
    the linster's picture

    So true.

    Submitted by
    the linster (1014 posts)
    on February 12, 2009 - 7:08pm.
    :)
    Katie's picture

    Sigh

    Submitted by
    Katie (77 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 8:07pm.

    I'm totally obsessed with the amazing Agent Walker, who my cousin and I now refer to as "that cute FBI girl." Of course, I'm still a bit dissapointed that Michelle is no more, but they've made up for it with her.

    Jessy'ka's picture

    well

    Submitted by
    Jessy'ka (70 posts)
    on February 11, 2009 - 10:19pm.
    I've always been watching this show and at first I didnt like chloé, but since a couple of seasons, she's started to rise and now she's my favorite !!!! Since I can't stand the waiting, im more of recording them all and listening them all in the same time So I didnt see anything of this season. I must say that I'm really glad that theirs a female president and even more glad to know that Janeane is part of all this, but since I didnt see them act yet, I have to say that I stick with my Chloé !!!! Well now I wanna watch it even more, maybe i'll start with the ones that I have :D . !!!!!
    eek's picture

    Love 24! Plus having a woman

    Submitted by
    eek (104 posts)
    on February 12, 2009 - 1:21am.
    Love 24! Plus having a woman president makes it all worthwhile... I say, it's about time! Oooh, love that pic of Mary Lynn and Janeane! It's sooo cute! Thanks for posting that. I was so happy to see Chloe appear again. She has all the quirky and witty comments that make u just go "sigh, she's not only smart but funny too!" Heheh. I have to say Chloe is no. 1 on my list. That FBI chick ain't too bad either. ;o)
    Coffeemania's picture

    Where is "Agent Walker"??

    Submitted by
    Coffeemania (5 posts)
    on February 12, 2009 - 3:17am.

    Where is "Agent Walker"?? She is very pretty and smart.

    Robin's picture

    24 b/c of Janeane Garofalo

    Submitted by
    Robin (48 posts)
    on February 12, 2009 - 9:50am.

    I'd watch anything with JG in it.  I had no interest in 24 until I saw a screen shot of an 24 ep on HULU featuring JG.  I really enjoy watching Cherry Jones -- didn't realize she was lez too!  

    I love Roslin on BG. I don't know why, but her chersire cat smile just gets me. :D

    I also discovered Bones on Hulu.  Emily has very pretty eyes. :D

     

     

     

    I'm a Sagittarius -- part ass, part dude with a loaded weapon, what's not to love?

    perryjp20's picture

    LOVE Clhoe And Janice...

    Submitted by
    perryjp20 (1 post)
    on February 15, 2009 - 12:32am.
    After last season, I wasn't completely sure I'd be returning this season (I'd never seen a show go from the heights that was season five, to the depths that was season six), but I am SO glad I did! LOVE janene Garafalo...And Clhoe continues to be the shit!Plus, I've watched since season one and it would be TOUGH to just drop it...I wached Redemption and was hooked all over again! How could I not watch 24??? What's my problem???
    Terry's picture

    I love that FBI Agent that

    Submitted by
    Terry (36 posts)
    on February 15, 2009 - 2:27pm.

    I love that FBI Agent that first brought Jack in... Agent Walker, was it? 

    She's H-O-T. 

    Ivana's picture

    Love/hate relationship with Fox's "24"

    Submitted by
    Ivana (5 posts)
    on February 15, 2009 - 7:51pm.

    Like you, linster, I watch this show because a gay icon, Cherry Jones, has been chosen by Providence to play the "first woman President of the U.S."  Still, the show is wretched right wing propaganda....what to do?

    Answer: watch it anyway, even if it takes an entire pitcher of frozen margaritas to get through one  hourlong episode.

    **Cherry Jones 'came out' as a gay woman (she repeatedly describes herself as a 'lesbian'..not all gay women do), long before 'being gay was cool.'  So she, like Martina Navatrilova, paid a price, career-wise, when many others stayed $afely in the closet.

    Hurray for President Cherry Jones!

    (oops the pic shown above is actually a Kim Novak pic from 1958)

     


    Home » Blogs » the linster's blog » The women of “24”