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We’ve recently become bored with regular television programming. We only have the 63-channel extended basic service, not the uber-deluxe, 2.2 million channels you can get when you sign up for the digital, HD, full, living color version cable.
Before our kids brought us into the 21st century with the gift of a lovely, web-based flat-screen TV, we only had about 56 viewable channels that we watched on our 25-year-old, 25-inch box TV. Yes, it was a color picture. No, we could not read the scores on any sporting event. We had to get off the couch and go right up to the set to see those. We called that exercise.
We can now see those scores. We’ve each gained three pounds.
I digress.
Our favorite TV show is ”NCIS.” We like it because it’s witty and smart; it isn’t sophomoric, doesn’t use junior high school descriptives, and doesn’t insult our intelligence. ”NCIS” plays ”can you figure it out” with the audience. I have to say that most often I figure it out pretty fast. But I like that they at least try to challenge me.
With the advent of the new TV, we discovered a whole world of shows waiting for us in cyberspace. I remembered that at one time, a previous boss couldn’t stop talking about the show ”24” starring Keifer Sutherland. Regardless of what else was going on, the man would not miss that show for anything. We decided to give it a shot.
One Friday evening, we watched the very first episode, breathless, on the edges of our seats! We hadn’t seen anything like this on TV before. There was no quitting on this show; in fact we watched a minimum of three episodes each time we turned it on. It only took us seven sessions to get through the first 24-episode season.
While the show has no humor like ”NCIS,” it does have many twists and turns – some very unexpected. All have to do with high stakes international intrigue involving governments – ours and ”theirs.”
There are those who say that life imitates art. We both agree that we wouldn’t want a real Terrorist Crime Unit to operate as the one on this show does.
Jump from the make believe to the real world …
Just before the Winter Olympics, it was made known here that Russia is now struggling with gay rights, having recently written into law a ban on ”propaganda” for same. This was most disturbing to Americans, causing President Obama to speak out against Russia’s law and Vladimir Putin’s position which was ludicrous at best and immovable at worst. There was talk of pulling athletes out of the Olympics; no one did. That was early January.
Fast forward to early February. U.S. Homeland Security suddenly warned airlines with direct flights to Russia to be aware of possible terrorist activity with possible explosive materials smuggled on board, hidden in toothpaste or cosmetic tubes. In an effort at damage control, the Russian government beefed up their security, trying to ensure safety. Unfortunately, it was too late as athletes implored family and friends to stay home and not take the risk.
Attendance left much to be desired for the 2014 Winter Olympics – a financial loss that was unwelcome in a country that had spent $50 billion to create the Olympic compound.
As I followed all of this, it struck me how it is possible for one country to strike another without ever using an explosive. There are so many more tools of attack now than there used to be. With one publicized threat, we can cause a country to lose its proverbial shirt.
If I thought the plots on ”24” were intricate and deadly, through this, I realized that they are nothing compared to the possibilities of what can take place in real life.
Jagunic is a Cortland resident. Email her at editorial@tribtoday.com.