Martha Logan
Martha Logan | |
---|---|
Charles Logan (Divorced) |
Martha Logan is a fictional character played by
Critics praised Martha Logan as the breakout character of the show's 2005-2006 season.In developing Martha Logan's character, the show's writers drew upon the historic example of a prominent whistleblower in the
Concept and creation
The inspiration for Martha Logan was
Howard Gordon, the executive producer of 24, said that, during character development, they "wanted an actress that had the strength and intelligence to be a first lady, yet have the unpredictability of never knowing when she might snap." Jean Smart was their first choice.[4] Smart later told The New York Times that she decided she was eager to play the role after reading the character's introductory scene, and commented that in her almost 30 years of acting she had come across few roles that offered the possibilities that this one did: a character that is sexy, mysterious, and powerful, yet is mentally unstable and has lost her trust and respect for her husband.[4]
Smart also said of the opening scene that: "It encapsulates that character in one moment and says so much about her impulsiveness. We could not have accomplished that with a dozen speeches. When I saw it in the script, I thought 'this is great, this lady is going to be fun to play.'"[2]
On her first day on set, Smart was shocked to learn the producers wanted to cut the scene, a decision she felt was a mistake. She said "They had done this brilliant thing and now they were going to undo it. They were just being practical. They said, "It would be hours to get you back, your hair, your make-up." Smart spoke to the hair and makeup artists and guaranteed producers they could get it right in two takes; they did it in one, and the scene stayed in.[2]
Jean Smart's character and Martha Mitchell were both labeled "unstable."
Characterization
Martha received a
Appearances
24: Season 5
Prior to his death, Palmer asks to meet Martha to discuss a "matter of national security" involving
After his death, Martha believes that Palmer was killed to thwart the meeting, not knowing that her husband was involved in his murder.Several hours later, Martha is frustrated to see her husband negotiating with
When Charles reveals that he was involved in the plot to assassinate Palmer, she is deeply shocked and says that she can never forgive him.[15] Contemplating suicide, Logan comes into her room, begging for forgiveness. Rather than accepting his apology, Martha tells him that she is horrified to be his wife.[16]
After
24: Season 6
Following Day 5, Martha was admitted to a mental health facility in Vermont.
Critical reception
Joe Rhodes of The New York Times devoted a review to the character on February 19, 2006:
About the only thing viewers might not have been able to anticipate was that this season's break-out character would be a high-strung, sharp-tongued and off-her-meds first lady of the United States, a woman who screams, "I will have your family eating dog food out of a can" at Secret Service agents trying to keep her away from a presidential news conference.[4]
Rhodes described Martha Logan's debut scene as "perhaps the most memorable character debut in 24 history."
References
- ^ Writer: Joel Surnow Director: Brad Turner (1 January 2006). "10:00 am - 11:00 am". 24. Season 5. Episode 100.
- ^ a b c d Yeap, Sue (29 June 2006). "Smart as a nutter". The West Australian.
- ^ a b c d e f g Writer: Robert Cochran Director: Jon Cassar (22 May 2006). "6:00 am - 7:00 pm". 24. Season 5. Episode 120.
- ^ New York Times. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
- New York Times. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
- ^ a b Byrne, Bridget (15 February 2006). "A Smart choice for '24's' first lady". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
- ^ "Martha Mitchell (1918–1976) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
- ^ a b "FOX Broadcasting Company: 24". FOX Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on 18 March 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2008.
- ^ Writer: David Fury Director: Jon Cassar (30 January 2006). "12:00 pm - 1:00 pm". 24. Season 5. Episode 102.
- ^ a b Writer: Nicole Ranadive Director: Jon Cassar (6 March 2006). "5:00 pm - 6:00 pm". 24. Season 5. Episode 107.
- ^ a b Writer: Howard Gordon Director: Jon Cassar (15 January 2006). "7:00 am - 8:00 am". 24. Season 5. Episode 97.
- ^ Writer: Manny Coto Director: Brad Turner (16 January 2006). "9:00 am - 10:00 am". 24. Season 5. Episode 99.
- ^ Writer: Howard Gordon Director: Tim Iacofano (20 February 2006). "3:00 pm - 4:00 pm". 24. Season 5. Episode 105.
- ^ Writer: Joel Surnow Director: Tim Iacofano (27 February 2006). "4:00 pm - 5:00 pm". 24. Season 5. Episode 106.
- Dwight Little (24 April 2006). "1:00 am - 2:00 am". 24. Season 5. Episode 115.
- ^ Writer: Manny Coto Director: Brad Turner (8 May 2006). "3:00 am - 4:00 am". 24. Season 5. Episode 117.
- ^ a b c d Writer: Joel Surnow Director: Jon Cassar (12 March 2007). "6:00 pm - 7:00 pm". 24. Season 6. Episode 133.
- ^ Holloway, Diane (13 March 2007). "24 still shocks (SPOILER ALERT)". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2008.
- ^ "The Emmy Awards presentation". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 August 2006. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
- ^ "58th Primetime Emmy® Awards". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 16 April 2008.