24 - Season 3 (Slim - Pack) starring
Kiefer Sutherland, Elisha Cuthbert,
Carlos Bernard, Reiko Aylesworth,
James Badge Dale
This Show Keeps Improving
Theres not one cougar to be found in 24s dynamic third season, and thats
good news for everyone. After Jack Bauers daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert)
survived hokey hazards in season 2, shes now a full-time staffer at CTU,
the L.A.-based intelligence beehive thats abuzz once again--three years
after the events of Day Two--when a vengeful terrorist threatens to release
a lethal virus that could wipe out much of the countrys population. Jack
(Kiefer Sutherland) attempts to broker a deal for the virus involving drug
kingpin Ramon Salazar (Joaquim de Almeida), whose operation Jack
successfully infiltrated at high personal cost: to maintain his cover, he got
hooked on heroin. That potentially deadly triangle--drug lords, addiction,
and bioterrorism on a massive scale--sets the 24-hour clock ticking in a
tight, action-packed plot involving a potential traitor in CTUs midst; the
return of TVs greatest villainesses in Nina Meyers (Sarah Clarke) and
former First Lady Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson Jerald); a troubled
romance between Kim and Jacks new partner Chase (James Badge Dale);
and a scandalized reelection campaign by president David Palmer (Dennis
Haysbert), who monitors CTU as they struggle to (literally) save the day.
The intricately woven subplots that are 24s greatest strength are
masterfully developed here, and character arcs are equally strong,
especially among CTU staffers Tony (Carlos Bernard) and his wife
Michelle (Reiko Aylesworth); CTU director Ryan Chappelle (Paul Schulze),
who is season 3s tragic bargaining chip; and the annoying but well-
intentioned Chloe OBrian (Mary Lynn Rajskub), who makes pivotal
contributions with by-the-book efficiency. Its 24s superior casting that
overcomes the series occasional lapses in credi bility, and season 3s twists
make marathon viewing a nerve-wracking delight. By the time its all over,
24 once again leaves you gratefully exhausted. As always, Sutherland
anchors the series in the role he was born to play. When Jack takes a
private moment to release 24 hours worth of near-fatal tension and
psychological anguish, Sutherland proves that 24s dramatic priorities are
as important as its thriller momentum. DVD extras include behind-the-
scenes featurettes (about the prison break sequence, climactic F-18
Hornet air-strike, and real-life bio-weaponry) that pay welcome tribute to
the series hard-working crew, who create Emmy-worthy television under
pressures as intense as 24 itself. --Jeff Shannon
After watching the first season of 24, I was completely hooked by the
political angle. After watching season two, I was inspired by the intensity of
lead character Jack Bauer. This season, the third installment, combined
both of those factors, making it my favorite 24 hours of the series so far!
Whereas the format of the show is basically the same as its two
predecessors, the drama is ratcheted up even further (as hard as that is to
believe) with the web of emotions surrounding each character. Whether it
be Bauer, daughter Kim, boyfriend/agent Chase, or the entire CTU staff
(Almeida, Dessler, Chappelle, and OBrien), all have character arcs that will
have you dying to know what happens next.
The basic premise of the season (although true 24 fans know how much
that changes from episode to episode) sees a terrorist threatening to
release a deadly biotoxin in Los Angeles, while Bauer and CTU race
against the clock to track him down. Every episode is (as usually) filled
with new twists and turns at every commercial break, and the subject
matter changes so much from beginning to end that you will feel as if you
have watched multiple seasons!
Each season of 24 that I have seen (I am currently working my way
through them on DVD) has left me with one defining moment. Season One
was the treachery of Nina Myers. Season Two was the brutal interrogation
that Bauer orchestrates. This season, the moment that really stuck out for
me was the (potential) disastrous effects of the biotoxin that is threatened
to be released on the city. How much damage is ultimately caused I will
not tell you here, but suffice it to say that even just the threat of it will
having you rooting for Bauer and his cause more than at any time in the
past.
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