Great Television Portrayals of Real World Possibilities

The West Wing in its final season also forecasted a minority President, but in its season four finale it presented a scenario where the President of The United States would execute the Constitution's 25th Amendment. The 25th Amendment is a provision where the President can excuse himself from Presidential powers and turn over power to the Vice-President. Then he can signify when he is able to resume duties as President, and serve again. In the West Wing episodes there was no Vice-President at that time in the series and the succession of powers had the Speaker of the House next in line for the Presidency. In this case the opposing political party held the Speakership. It was smart and interesting way to show how the Constitution can be used in time of national emergency.

The Wire in season three had a police captain under pressure to reduce crime by whatever means. His solution was to establish a free trade zone for drug dealers in his precinct. In an abandoned section of Baltimore, drug dealers and users were free to buy, sell, and as long as violence was eliminated. The storyline showed the good and bad. This legalized zone story did show how communities were free of drug trade tyranny and crime was greatly reduced. But they also portrayed the flip side of the coin and showed a near Dante-esque view of the free trade drug zone. The storyline ended or moved on as the captain's Hamsterdam (a misnomer of the area being called Amsterdam) was found out by others outside of his precinct and was shut down. Still, The Wire gave a view of the pluses and minuses of what legalized street drugs would look like.

Many "Good Guys Save The Day" shows have the hero saving the day in the nick of time. A tried and true formula since the advent of moving pictures. 24 often has the hero either exacting revenge or saving the world from greater harm as the bad guys have already executed a portion of their nefarious plot. In 24's season six terrorists are able to set off a small nuclear bomb in Los Angeles and Jack Bauer, the show's protagonist, must stop them before they are able to set off more. Season four also played the nuclear theme with terrorists putting nuclear power plants on meltdown. Both seasons did a good job showing the political ramification shortly after such attacks.