A quick update before I get to my friend Dan Franklin. First, Paul and Bryn, from frontline are checking out the region, and it's great to have them with us. I'm taking them to Rwanda, then Congo, after spending a few days checking into our world relief programs in Burundi. I'm thankful they came to check out the work being done here, so they can strategize about how their church wants to work with child survival in Burundi, and how media artists can function strategically in the region.
Now about Dan Franklin. I've just started watching 24. Dan tried to get me into it when I was back in the states but I just didn't do it. Probably because I thought it would be like CSI... which I never really got into. So I decided to watch "lost" which i got sort of addicted to, I think because it was so crazy. Then I tuned out for season three. Then I come to Burundi, and as entertainment in the evenings we have a very limited selection of movies and tv shows. I finally caved after 4 months of being here and checked out 24 as it was one of three tv shows Sara had purchased a few seasons of. Instantly I was addicted. Every time I see Jack Bauer I think "dan franklin" not because they are the same guy, rather, Dan loves the character that is Jack Bauer. I myself prefere Tony, and I did really like Chase, as well. Season one... I thought Nina was the perfect person, like the only other perfect person to walk the planet. Even when I found out she was bad, I still thought... "man, what a woman." She still ranks as one of my favorite tv personalities." I have a few questions for Dan that I'm wondering if anyone knows the answer to. You know how pastors use stories from everyday life or things they are excited about and work them into their sermon whether it fits or not. I'm wondering: Has Dan ever used examples from plot lines from 24 and worked them into sermons? Has Dan ever dropped the name Jack Bauer in one of his sermons? Does Dan where a ctu badge when he preaches? I went to a church that did a whole series on the movie: The matrix. Crazy. These are the things I think about when I'm watching 24. I think one: is Dan using any of this material? I also think: Did Dan see that plot twist coming? I've predicted a few things, and I gotta also say; I'd never be able to watch this show on TV, to wait one week for an episode would be excruciating punishment to put oneself through. I also wondered if one could talk about attributes of God, and compare/contrast with attributes of Jack. Occasionally as I watch the show it seems like there may be some similarities. For a while I was tempted to Say that Jack was omnipotent until at the end of season one, he was stopped dead in his tracks by what... A faulty seatbelt in a ford explorer!!! If you don't believe me go back and watch the final episode of season one. Sherry Palmer of all people had to cut him free! Crazy. Sorry Jack, you're not God... but you are a very incredible fictional character. Faulty seat belts aren't a problem for the God of the universe. Another great thing about this show is many characters are very likable, even the Bad guys. Most of them I really like and identify with on several levels. Now I don't think Dan would really identify with many of the bad guys, he's to good for that so we may part ways there. Another thing I keep hoping as I enter a new season... I keep looking to see if Dan will show up as a character in CTU... like maybe he'll be Edgar's assistant. Or maybe he'll be the new director. I've seen Dan's acting abilities, and while I think he's got some talent, I don't think he's cut out to be the CTU director just yet, but I do think I might be able to pull it off. I do think Dan would do quite well as some minor character that works at CTU. All this to say, I can't separate Dan from 24, and when I watch 24, or see Jack Bauer, I'm thinkin: Dan Franklin. And that is something I don't think most people could boast about, and if they could... why would they... honestly. This is just a Seth thing. Just check out the picture of Dan at the top of this post. Now, when you look at that picture, are you thinking, Jack Bauer? I didn't think so. But I am, that's what I do... so you don't have to.
