And Drama the Cases of Jack Bauer, Sophia, George Lopez, Lieutenant Commander Data, and Jack Mcfarland
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10 ADULTS IN TELEVISION SITCOMS AND DRAMA The Cases of Jack Bauer, Sophia, George Lopez, Lieutenant Commander Data, and Jack McFarland PREVIEW: POPULAR CULTURE THEMES of this age group has yet to be represented. Similarly, although there is greater diversity in In this section, you will meet a cast of characters the representation of different racial and ethnic who have reached into our living rooms (and groups in prime-time television, questions hand-held digital devices) directly from the world remain as to whether the roles and actions of of television. Each as unique and different from these characters are a fair representation or the others as is humanly possible, these characters simply perpetuate stereotypes (Graves, 1999). of television sitcom and drama have richly storied Although television comedy is clearly designed lives and offer us a glimpse into the fundamental for laughs, and dramas centering on crime, struggles of the adult experience. Now that the police, or the legal system titillate, provoke, and troubling and angst-ridden years of childhood and shock us, it is important for counselors to con- adolescence are well behind them, they face chal- sider whether or not the depictions of mental lenges that are anchored firmly in the present but illness are accurate and fair (Hyler, 1988; Hyler, that have significant impact on their futures. Gabbard, & Schneider, 1991). And finally, This particular group of characters varies although television shows like Ellen, Will & considerably in age, race, culture, and sexual Grace, Modern Family & and Glee have invited identity. It is important to consider how these conversations around lesbian, gay, bisexual, and different contextual features are represented on transgender (LGBT) issues (Hart, 2000; Quimby, television. For instance, the depiction of the 2005), here too, we must be careful as counselors elderly has evolved from stubbornness, eccen- and consumers to carefully assess these shows tricity, and comical foolishness to respectability, for their potential to misrepresent the homosex- affluence, wisdom, and clever wit (Bell, 1992); ual and gay experience as well as to perpetuate however, the full range of diverse characteristics prejudicial attitudes. 333 334 • PART III THIRTY CASE ILLUSTRATIONS With regard to the specific characters in this continues to open our eyes to issues of social and section, Jack Bauer, star of the long-running Fox sexual justice. In our presentation, Jack struggles real-time, action-drama series 24, has kept audi- with Major Depressive Disorder and Attention- ences riveted to their televisions and on the edge Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. of their seats for 7 years, has won numerous The characters in this section have brought us awards, and has challenged us to rethink our to our knees in laughter, pushed us to our emo- beliefs about good and evil. Recently ended, the tional extremes, and given us opportunities to series promises to film reincarnations, and the exercise our imaginations. Sophia Petrillo, Jack character of moral vigilante Jack Bauer has per- McFarland, and George Lopez lead everyday meated our national consciousness. In our pre- lives, much like those of you and me, and for that sentation, Jack struggles with Posttraumatic reason are relatively easy with which to identify. Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bereavement, and They neither battle international terrorists nor fly Antisocial Personality Features. Through her through the galaxy in futuristic spacecraft. That caustic wit, octogenarian Sophia Petrillo has is the province of Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU) wrought her brand of truthful terrorism more special agent Jack Bauer and Starfleet’s provincially as one of the stars of television’s Lieutenant Commander Data. Although these The Golden Girls. Sophia has endeared herself to characters differ in such fundamental ways, from audiences of all ages by her willingness to share demography to their television story plots, they her perceptions of the world as she sees it. In our also experience very similar internal dramas that presentation, Sophia struggles with Dementia of are not always funny and that center on mortal- the Alzheimer’s Type. George Lopez, star of the ity, the need for security and safety, the desire for largely Hispanic-ensemble television show of connection—both inside and outside of the fam- the same name, helps us to better understand the ily, and answers to basic existential questions Mexican American experience through cleverly such as “Who am I?” “What is the meaning of crafted one-liners and a glimpse into not-so- life?” and “How do I fit into the world?” Jack middle America with a twist. George Lopez went Bauer, Sophia Petrillo, George Lopez, Lieutenant on to briefly host a late night talk show aptly Commander Data, and Jack McFarland will help titled The George Lopez Show. In our presenta- you answer many important questions about the tion, George struggles with an Adjustment human condition and the thin line that separates Disorder and Acculturation Problems. Android normalcy and pathology. Lieutenant Commander Data of the Star Trek franchise’s The Next Generation perennially wrestles with the same question as Pinocchio and APPROACHES TO LEARNING the Velveteen Rabbit—what does it mean to be a “real person”? Originally appearing on all 178 As you learn about this group of characters, pay episodes of the acclaimed series, the character of attention to: Data has also starred in many of the Star Trek movies that followed the ending of the television • How women with counseling problems are series. In our presentation, Data struggles with presented on TV compared with men. Major Depressive Disorder, Amnestic Disorder, • The manner in which the plight of older people and Identity Problems. And finally, there is Jack and those with age-related declines are depicted in popular media. McFarland, the way-out-of-the closet costar of the • Whether or not racial stereotypes pervade or are risqué and risk-taking television show Will and reinforced in television sitcoms and dramas. Grace. Jack’s flamboyant character gave us an • The difference between the ways that gender, opportunity to reflect on some very serious issues sexuality, and race are portrayed in popular with a laugh thrown in for good measure. Although media, and particularly on television, and in the character of Jack ended with the show, he your own clinical and personal experience. Chapter 10 Adults in Television Sitcoms and Drama • 335 CASE 10.1 24’S JACK BAUER INTRODUCING THE CHARACTER agent who is ultimately disaffected and dis- dained by those who rely upon him. He suffers Jack Bauer is the central figure in the 20th Century his losses silently, and in spite of ongoing efforts Fox television action/drama series, 24, which first to lead a “normal” life, which includes a relation- aired in 2001. This series was produced collabora- ship with his daughter Kim, he is bitter, alien- tively by Imagine Entertainment, 20th Century ated, and tragically alone. The following basic Fox Television, Real Time Productions, and case summary and diagnostic impressions Teakwood Lane Productions. It has been directed describe what we portray as Jack’s clinically by numerous individuals, most prominently Jon significant negative reactions to his exposure to Cassar and Brad Turner. traumatic events in which he is subjected to Jack Bauer is a highly intelligent, militarily threats of capture, serious injury, and death. adept, and fiercely loyal patriot who, from the outset of the series, is depicted as a skilled, per- sistent, and when necessary, brutally aggressive Meet the Client field agent of the CTU. At the start of each sea- You can assess the client in action by viewing son, Bauer and his comrades are presented with clips of Jack Bauer’s video material at the a seemingly impossible challenge that involves following websites: thwarting both domestic and international terror- ist plots. Doing so (in real-time, and hence the • http://www.hulu.com/watch/994/24- kim-tells-jack-about-chase Kim Bauer title of the series) brings him in direct contact tells her father about her boyfriend, Chase with those who stop at no cost in order to wreak • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= havoc and chaos on organized society and to 5CJ8OIDIrj0 A day in the life of Jack Bauer bring death to as many innocent victims as pos- • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= sible. Although surrounded by a team of highly kBzwPvaBYWE Jack at work effective tacticians, technophiles, and warriors, it is Bauer who always seems to be the ultimate point-person in a heart pounding, countdown BASIC CASE SUMMARY race to stave off biological, chemical, and nuclear Armageddon. Identifying Information. Jack Bauer is a 43-year- Over the course of Bauer’s relationship with old white male who works as a field agent for a CTU, we see a man capable of seemingly limit- covert governmental paramilitary agency through less pain tolerance, physical endurance, and which he is regularly involved in life-threatening, capacity to emotionally distance himself from all high-stakes missions. Mr. Bauer was casually around him in order to complete his missions. attired and unshaven, and appeared visibly fatigued, Although revered by his fiercely loyal colleagues irritable, and impatient throughout the assessment. and trusted by presidents with the fate of the nation, Bauer is nevertheless persecuted by the Presenting Concern. Mr. Bauer was mandated to “moral majority” who argue that the pursuit of attend counseling by his superior, Bill Buchanan, liberty and safeguarding freedom from harm do who was concerned with what he described as his not justify the use of violence and torture—both agent’s “volatility, emotional exhaustion, and immi- of which are powerful social and political issues nent burnout.” On further inquiry, Buchanan said he in today’s real world. Thus, he is often a target of noticed that since his last mission several months the mainstream military and the political Right, ago, Jack Bauer seemed “different.” In this context, and as such, can be truly effective only as a rogue Mr.