Reality in TV

(Disclaimer: Some parts of this entry may be a spoiler to some readers who follow these shows. Please read with caution.)

I think people will be surprised to know that I watch a lot of law-enforcement themed shows: C$I (V3gas, Mi@mi & N3w Y0rk); Law&Order: SVU, WithoutATrace, PrisonBreak and 24. I like how C$I and L&O are able to crack cases and the process that they go through and WAT finding the missing and how I feel like I was one of the characters who are searching for that missing person. I will admit that the first thing that drew me into PrisonBreak was its star: WentworthMiller then the story got really good and I have been watching it regularly. As for 24, I would only watch it sporadically but my uncle got me hooked so now I try to watch it regularly as well. It is fast paced and adrenaline-filled.

Other than for entertainment purposes, so far its been these last 2 shows (PB & 24) that has stirred the most emotion from me specifically disdain for the two characters in these shows: the Vice-President in PB and President Logan in 24. I guess the reason why I abhor them so much is because I know of people like these. I have had encounters with people like these and it is appalling. I usually refrain from discussing politics but I think watching these shows last night just made me so mad. I don't know if there could ever be a more stupid president than President Logan. Each episode I feel like eradicating him from this world. He is more concerned of how he will be perceived than taking care of his citizens. He has limited skills in decision making and relies so much on his aides who also don't know much. He would rather listen to his aides than to his wife who has been so far right in her observations eventhough her state of mind is in question. But she actually make sense when she isn't drunk or drugged. Sometimes I wonder how did this dimwit ever become president but then I stop and remember that I don't have to look very far because all I need to do is just look outside my window and such a character is prevalent in Philippine politics. Each election year, we have "clowns" roaming our streets appealing to us to give them a chance to serve us but only for them to be unreachable when the call to serve is already there. But then again who really is to blame why we have these "clowns" in office: Is it them who are testing if we will take their bait or is it us, voters who take the bait? So is the stupid that is President Logan a reflection of our politicians or a reflection of us, voters? I guess a little of both and maybe the reason why I am so enraged by this character is because he is a manifestation of the reality in Philippine politics that try as we might to fight against continue to persist.

If the character of President Logan irritates the heck out of me, the Vice President on PB makes me so mad. I feel like she is the one that needs to be put in the electric chair. If President Logan is stupid, the VP is just pure evil and she reminds me so much of someone I know. The VP is just way prettier than this other person. The way she manipulates, uses and takes advantage of her position is so dead-on and the sad part is it seems no one is able to stop her...yet. She will do just about anything just to cling on to that power that she holds so dear. This person I know even went to as far as pressuring people in government to close down a school because its owned by someone who might run against her and topple her. A school that is giving free education to deserving students. She is going to do that to ensure her re-election even if its at the expense of her constituents' education and dream of a better life not only for themselves but for their families as well. The VP doesn't appear regularly but when she does, she just spews pure venom that I always feel like sticking my hand into my tv, holding her by the neck and shaking the life out of her.

I am not a violent person but when it comes to characters like these I cannot help it. I guess because I am not able to do it to the person and the characters on tv shows are much more accessible and without repercussions. The beauty though of watching these characters on tv is I can always change the channel but sadly such isn't the case in real life. We all have to deal with it whether we like it or not. But then again, we can always choose not to deal with it at all when we don't allow it from the very beginning. Then again that is easier said than done.