| This study examined television shows of three post-9/11 law enforcement prime time dramas, 24, Person of Interest, and The Blacklist in order to better understand the portrayals, themes, and character depictions in post-9/11 culture. A close textual analysis of the three law enforcement primetime dramas focused on three first-season episodes for each series using Burke's (1969) dramatistic pentad and pentadic ratio. Three research questions investigating themes appearing in law enforcement programming, multi-dimensional character portrayals, and 9/11 themes related to terrorism and violence in law enforcement dramas. The study concluded that 9/11 continues to have a strong influence on the character depictions, situations, and foundational scenes in law enforcement programming. |
