Jumping the Cougar
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Every long running show has a ‘jump the shark’ moment, a moment when something so ridiculous happened, there was no turning back. For Boston.com writer Matthew Gilbert and his 14 tragic jump the shark moments, one tops the list, Kim Bauer and the cougar. Odds are you’ve blocked this portion of the second season from your memory, but if you haven’t you vividly remember Kim Bauer’s ‘valiant’ battle with the animal trap and then, the cougar.
For Gilbert, it signaled a change in 24, ” You could feel the writers pulling muscles reaching for plot filler, trying to kill time as the second season dragged on. When Kim met the cougar, it became too clear that “24” is a great idea that never quite maintains its tension. We’d already seen Kim deal with many perils, but the cougar — it was shark jumping at its most brazen.”
What do you think, is the cougar 24’s only jump the shark moment, or are there others? Let me know in the comments. And finally, I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, I wanted that damn cougar to win.
Tags: 24, Elisha Cuthbert, FOX, Season 2Related Stories
POSTED IN: 24 Characters, Kim Bauer
4 opinions for Jumping the Cougar
Joe
Apr 29, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I’d have to nominate Sherry’s attempt to undermine Senator Palmer by using their speech writer Patti to seduce him.
Although I love the woman in this show, Sherry went on a tangent more common in a totally different galaxy than 24 belongs… otherwise known as the daytime soap.
While all dramas, including the highest calibre ones, borrow aspects from the soap opera, such as editing, camera, sound etc, this was the only time, for me, that the show used a plot line more common in daytime soaps. That entire idea was ridiculously stupid and I don’t believe it belongs in 24. I mean, what was she trying to do? How would that gain the trust and need of Sherry? I just don’t see the sense, not even if I twist my mind as much as Sherry’s was. I cringe every time that story arc comes up.
The one positive is one of many, many, many examples that raise the dignity, honour and respect of David Palmer the man when he learns of what his wife is doing and rids himself of the both of them. I enjoy the moment where he fires Patti, although I feel for her somewhat.
John
Apr 29, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Jumping the shark? Season 6.
groundhogday
Apr 30, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I don’t know about “Jumping the Shark” but I thought Sherri getting shot and killed by Wayne’s ex-girlfriend was one of the lamest plots on 24.
Dyslexicon
May 8, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I’m not sure the cougar counts as a 100% authentic jump-the-shark moment, as the show actually kept improving through at least the end of the 3rd Season, and, while it may have been really silly at times, didn’t actually decline in excitement or watch-ability until Season 6.
Sadly, Season 6 was so full of jump the shark moments that by the end it felt like Jack was dressed in a shark suit, driving a shark-mobile, jumping row after row of sharks. The worst offender, in my opinion:
We find out that Graem (Really? This is how Headset Guy’s name is spelled?) is Jack’s brother, and within minutes, Jack is torturing him. The performances were great, but come on, give the audience a little time to digest, to build some anticipation!
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