24 (season 3)

infobox tvseason
season_name = 24 Season 3


caption = Season 3 main cast photo
dvd_release_date = December 7, 2004
dvd_format = NTSC
country = flagicon|USA United States
first_aired = October 28, 2003
last_aired = May 25, 2004
network = Fox Broadcasting Company
num_episodes = 24
prev_season = 24 (season 2)
next_season = 24 (season 4)

Season Three, also known as Day 3 of the television series "24" premiered in the United States on October 28, 2003 and aired its season finale on May 25, 2004. The premiere episode had a full one hour running time and was commercial-free.

The third season's storyline starts and ends at 1:00 PM.

eason overview

Season Three takes place three years after the events shown in Season Two. The season's main plot revolves around the threat of biological terrorism—a deadly virus being released in Los Angeles—while President Palmer is visiting to participate in a debate with the chief opponent in his re-election campaign.

The season can be broken essentially into three acts (all three revolve around securing the virus):
# CTU must stop a terrorist threat of releasing a deadly virus into the Los Angeles populace if drug kingpin Ramon Salazar is not released from jail.
# Jack must intercept the virus as it is sold in a transaction in Mexico.
# The real villain of the day is discovered and CTU must stop him from spreading the weaponized virus strain.

ubplots

Political

President Palmer faces scandal during his re-election campaign involving his official doctor/girlfriend (a civilian whose ex-husband may have 'cooked the books').

One of Palmer's major supporters, Alan Milliken, demands the removal of his brother Wayne Palmer from his staff for committing adultery with his wife, Julia. Palmer refuses to give in to Milliken's demands, and this results in President Palmer calling in his ex-wife, Sherry Palmer, who indirectly kills Milliken. The Palmers cover up these events, lying to the police. Palmer's opponent, Senator John Keeler, uses this as leverage against Palmer, offering him the opportunity to withdraw from the election. Near the end of the season, Julia kills Sherry and commits suicide. Unwilling to lie anymore or manipulate the facts to his benefit, Palmer abandons his bid for re-election.

Counter Terrorist Unit

* Strained romantic relationships between Tony and Michelle, Kim and Chase.
* Jack's personal anguish: recovering from a heroin addiction that he claims was developed as part of an undercover operation, but others interpret as a way of escaping his anguish over the death of his wife, Teri.
* CTU staff members' clash with Chloe's personality.
* Kim Bauer's consistent attempt to prove herself fully competent for her job despite her father securing her position to keep an eye on her.
* Jack finally kills Nina to avenge his wife's death.
* The main villain (Saunders) forces Jack to kill Ryan Chappelle or else he'll unleash the virus.
* CTU staff members, including Chase Edmunds and Adam Kaufman deal with personal problems that cause some to question their fitness to do their job.

Characters

"This is a list of the main cast for Season 3. See List of 24 characters for a more thorough list."

Stars
* Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer
* Elisha Cuthbert as Kim Bauer
* Carlos Bernard as Tony Almeida
* Reiko Aylesworth as Michelle Dessler
* James Badge Dale as Chase Edmunds
* and Dennis Haysbert as President David Palmer Special Guest Star
* Penny Johnson Jerald as Sherry PalmerRecurring
* Mary Lynn Rajskub as Chloe O'Brian
* Jesse Borrego as Gael Ortega
* Zachary Quinto as Adam Kaufman
* Paul Schulze as Ryan Chappelle
* Paul Blackthorne as Stephen Saunders
* Vanessa Ferlito as Claudia Hernandez
* Daniel Dae Kim as Tom Baker
* Greg Ellis as Michael Amador
* Joaquim de Almeida as Ramon Salazar
* Vincent Laresca as Hector Salazar
* DB Woodside as Wayne Palmer
* Randle Mell as Brad Hammond
* Riley Smith as Kyle Singer
* Glenn Morshower as Aaron Pierce
* and Sarah Clarke as Nina Myers

Episodes

External links

* [http://www.tv.com/24/show/3866/episode_guide.html&season=3 TV.com: 24 Season 3 Episode Guide]

References