Monday was a big night for the ladies of 24, as Chloe O'Brian (Mary-Lynn Rajskub) usurped the reign of Dana Walsh and returned to her rightful throne as queen of computer operations at CTU. But is this a good thing or a bad thing?
For many 24 fans, the Chloe restoration represents a return to order in the 24 domain, especially after the many missteps Dana has made this season. For others, anything having to do with Chloe sparks a different reaction: Dear God, not her again.
How did Chloe become such a polarizing character? She has fan clubs, of course, but also a Facebook group (albeit a small one) called "Chloe O'Brian needs to DIE this season of 24." The group's rationale is "Shes annoying and cant act… been on the show too long." While the group's mastery of prepositions and apostrophes may be lacking, their message certainly comes across loud and clear.
My take? I've always liked Chloe—but over the past couple seasons, her role seems underwritten. The expected sparks with Janeane Garofalo never did fly with quite the vigor we had hoped for back in D.C. during Season 7. And this year, her role—with the exception of the moment when she disabled Marcos' suicide bomb detonator—has veered heavily into "exposition of computer ops." She's a one-woman geek squad. We know hubby Morris is sick and that Chloe has a kid at home, but there's little else that's new or intriguing happening with her character.
She really needs to get out of the office—take a long lunch, a Pilates class, anything that will take her away from CTU. One of my favorite Chloe moments came in Season 4, when she went into the field on an operation to retrieve information about the trigger mechanism for a warhead. And she proved to be a walking, talking lethal weapon: After coming under attack, she so enthusiastically blasted away with an automatic weapon that Jack finally ordered, "Stand down, Chloe!" Those were words that I never expected to hear on 24. And, given the excuse to wield one, she's not bad with a taser either.
What's your take? Here are a few of the talking points in the pro-Chlo/no-Chlo schism:
1.
Pro-Chlo: She has no social skillsWe've all worked with somebody like Chloe: good at the job, but totally lacking in tact. Chloe says what's on her mind, oblivious to office politics and the feelings of co-workers, and adds a dimension of bluntness and honesty to the workplace.
No-Chlo: She has no social skills
We've all worked with somebody like Chloe. And a lot of people never want to do so again.
2.
Pro-Chlo: She's quirky and funnyShe pouts. She sighs. She rolls her eyes. In the midst of all the gravitas that CTU operations command, she brings things down to a more human level. Work is filled with all sorts of frustrations and indignities, and Chloe reacts the same way her fans might if faced with a similar situation.
No-Chlo: She's obnoxious and predictable
She pouts. She sighs. She rolls her eyes... and that's all she ever does. It might be more pleasant to have a colicky baby as a co-worker.
3.
Pro-Chlo: She's great at what she doesHow many times has Chloe saved the day? How many times would the world have been destroyed without her?
No-Chlo: Okay, she's good but…
Is there any way to get Edgar back from the dead?
4.
Pro-Chlo: She always has Jack's backHere is a key point: Jack trusts Chloe more than anyone. Way back when, Jack had his run-ins with her, but Chloe has helped save him countless times... and he knows it. Together, Jack and Chloe have watched as explosions, gunfire, and bio-weapons have downsized the CTU office with an efficiency that the Up In The Air team would marvel at. Jack and Chloe are the last ones standing, so she is the only other tangible link to 24's early days. Some would say glory days.
No-Chlo: Enough is enough
Yeah, right, she has been there for Jack... but he would have figured out something in any case. Because he's Jack Bauer. And no matter what, her character is just plain played out. Plus, she pouts, she sighs, she rolls her eyes…
What do you think of Chloe? Love her or hate her, tell us why in the comments!
Follow TV.com writer Matthew Jaffe on Twitter: @MattAtTVDotCom
Comments (70)
I'M DEFINITELY PRO CHLOE!
I like Chloe and I think she is hot and sexy. yep, I've sayd it.
I didn't even like Chloe when her character was introduced, but now I do. She's the only one at CTU who's not a total idiot.
Why does everyone think Chloe has Asperger's? She was introduced well before that became an "epidemic." If the symptoms are similar, it's only concidental. I'll only believe it if the producers say so.
By the way, the term Asperger's was officially retired last month; now all cases of autism are classified on the scale of "Autism Spectrum Disorder" and can range from Chloe to Rain Man.
Love her. As a girl with Asperger Syndrome myself, it feels great to see someone else with it on a show :] (otherwise when someone with AS is portrayed, it's almost always a guy) She's honest and very "alive" to me. Definitely Pro-Chloe! Would be very sad to see her go.
Pro-Chloe. she's the only comic relief in 24
Chloe needs to go-ey...far, far away from anyone;
that way she can only irritate herself, not others ~
I'm glad she's there, for all the reasons you mentioned as "Pro-Chlo" - she's the most annoying, yet most adorable and interesting character I've seen on a TV show. She really is unique.
Pro-Chloe - she used to annoy me, but she's more than proved herself!
PRO-CHLOE!! all the way!
I'm 100% pro-Chloe. While she misses some qualities (especially social) she is still loyal to those who deserve it and whom she respects them and that is what makes her a great character. Good job to the writers and continue working with her.
Chloe is one of the few characters who has been with the show more than a few seasons. I hope she stays.
Pro-Chloe...she's awesome
Oh, and in case you couldn't discern from my comment below,PRO. CHLOE. The girl just simply rocks.
Here's the thing--most people don't know that Chloe suffers from Asperger's Syndrome which essentially a lot of brilliant people have. It's a mild case of autism makes them combative and very difficult to socialize, and very focused on repeating tasks or goals. Given how incredibly difficult she was in Day 3 to put up with, the fact that the woman has completely softened up to Jack and others (Edgar, Milo) shows she's definitely come a long way. The idea that people say Mary Lynn can't act isn't her fault--it's the sheer fact that Chloe can't be as emotional as others and comes off somewhat robotic at times. Frankly, I find her tech speak incredibly believable and focused--just like the clinical problem she suffers from that allows her to be as such.moreless
Pro-Chloe! She never jump off the boat!
No-Chloe God!!! she's annoying and she does not know when to have her mouth shut!!
Very often Chloe is the only redeemable female character on the show. Female characters on 24 tend to be dumb, evil, damsels in distress or some combination there of. Chloe is strong, confident and more importantly Jack's equal. If there is no Chloe who will truly stand next to Jack and tell him the truth even if it is about himself and not easy to hear. Even someone as hard to kill as Jack couldn't live without Chloe.Oh yeah, I'm Pro-Chlo.
Definitely Pro-Chloe. She's Natural !!!
Love her. I think her character is brilliant
Pro. I also love the machine gun moment. All that rage in a short burst. It was great.
Pro-CHloe- How many time do we wish we could say some of the things she says to her boss that we wish we could say to ours. I absolutely love her.
Pro Chlo! You always need an abnoxious character to hate on the show...Plus: Edgar? Really?
Remember when Chloe shot all the guys outside of the CTU van a few seasons ago? :P
She can stay or go, i don't mind her, but she shouldn't die. Thats how the show removes all it's outdated characters and starting to get tiring. she should have a decent, happy ending.
Pro Chloe for sure!
Pro Chloe!
I'm pro chloe I love charater.
Pro-Chlo
I'm definitely pro chloe
This might be mean....in college, a group of us would get together to watch "24" and a nickname for Chloe came about...."potato face." I think it's because of her unusual and hilarious expressions. Now, in a show with such incredible high tense situations, Chloe brings balance and order with humor. Every drama needs some comedy, because life has comedy. While I have definitely wondered about Ms. Rajskub's acting skills from time to time, I choose to believe that she is acting in a way that she believes her character would act. The Chloe character brings humor to an otherwise suspenseful and drearily addictive show.
I mean Chloe. lol
Choe is awesome!!!
Chloe is awesome!!!
There is no "Jack" without "Chloe", just as there would be no "24" without "Jack". That's a holy trinity that should never be messed up with.
Soooooo pro Chloe. Couldn't agree more with the favorite moment, blasting away with an M-16
I love Chloe. It would be a very sad day and very stupid decision were they to somehow get rid of her character.
Chloe Rocks!!!!
No-Chloe.
The side stories with Dana Walsh are horrid, bring back the snare and bob cat any day, they seem to have more air time on the stupid thing too, which makes watching this season a chore!
Love Chloe and her weird ways! Pro-Chloe!
chloe is the only other one EVER in ctu that has a brain...or at least a functioning brain. I like chloe
thought there would be more no-chlo's out there besides me. She's effective, but she has no character, other than complaining half the time and pouting the other half when someone calls her out for complaining.
really? none of you think she's annoying? i can't stand her. no-chloe for me!
I am Pro-Chloe no matter what! She is Jack Bauer's intelligent backbone.
i love Chloe
pro chloe.... DEFINITELY!