Well-Suited: 24

Let me preface this post by clarifying something: I am not, nor will I ever be, cool enough to pretend to be Jack Bauer. However, for the purpose of this post, I won’t even apologize for feeling way cool and adventurous.

24 infiltrated our lives in 2001, but I did not join the cult until just before season 4 premiered. I distinctly remember when my family got hooked. Cousin #2 lent his DVDs (pre-Netflix era, here, yep, ancient times) to Cousin #1. #1 stayed with us for the holidays and convinced us to watch a few episodes. After that, my memory is a blur of a solid week of couch time, endless bowls of popcorn and caffeine, as well as too many, “Pause for a bathroom break,” and “Do we have time to shower?” scenarios to count. The repeated dun-dun, dun-dun is burned into my memory as deep as the SVU beginning credits roll. Our lives became centered around a ticking clock, who to trust, and when Chloe was going to crack. Blissful times.

Jack Bauer, as played by Kiefer Sutherland, is a top agent at the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) and will not take no for an answer. He relies on his word and that of others to get him through the day. He will do anything for the people he loves, especially on behalf of his country. Basically, it’s a total #jackbauerforpresident type of situation. He saves the world, taking down one terrorist at a time. He suffered torture from the Chinese (grossest episodes ever) and betrayal from those closest to him, yet is deemed a prime patriot if there ever was one.

There are a few basic lessons when it comes to 24-isms:
• Trust a guy driving a Ford, not a Chevy.
• Silver briefcase? Do not trust.
• Listen to Chloe. Always listen to Chloe.
• Your Jack Bag has everything you will ever need.
• No one is ever dead. Ever.

But perhaps, the greatest lesson we can learn from Jack is to trust him.

PS: May 2014. Mini-series premiere. Viewing party anyone?

Tee – Target (men’s section)
Jeans – J. Crew
Jacket – ASOS Petite
Boots – DV Dolce Vita
Backpack – borrowed from my dad
Necklace – St. Claude NOLA