24 (TV Series) Day 3: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (2003) User Reviews

It just keeps getting harder

[MaxBorg89 · 9/10 · 16 August 2008]

After only three episodes, the third season of 24 sets out to be more morally complex, tense and unmissable than its two predecessors, and it looks like it will succeed.

With Kyle Singer gone, President Palmer contemplates giving in to the Salazars' demands, and still has to deal with the inconvenience of Anne's ex-husband trying to blackmail him. Just when the situation seems to be getting out of hand, Jack suggests a risky alternative: he will make himself look like a traitor and break Ramon Salazar out of jail to prevent the virus' release. Unfortunately, Chase has disobeyed orders and is headed to the penitentiary to interrogate Ramon, which means Jack will have to change his plans once he's in there.

The sudden turn of events, with just a sixth of Day 3 out of the way, hints that the remaining 20 episodes, or at least most of them, will push the series in a new, darker direction, and why not? After all, 24 is the ideal reflection of a post-9/11 America's state of mind, so making things easier would certainly not be an acceptable option, and neither would it be to soften the main character: Jack is loved by audiences precisely because he isn't your regular federal agent, just like Fox Mulder in The X-Files. It's his edge that gives real life to the show - once that is taken away, there will be nothing left to watch.

Gaol Break

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 23 October 2012]

As the end of the previous episode approached it looked as though things were going well for CTU but then Tony was shot and Kyle Singer escaped putting the operation back to square one. We still don't know if Tony will survive as he is undergoing emergency surgery that is likely to take some time. With no new leads Jack contacts the president and is told that there is no way the United States will capitulate to terrorist demands; Jack has an alternative strategy; he will break Salazar out of prison himself and accept the consequences... there is a problem though; Chase is already there having a 'chat' with Salazar. Meanwhile Kyle has met up with his girlfriend and the two have them have been caught by Salazar's people... right now things are going well for the bad guys and Jack has let himself become considered a traitor for the greater good; I can't wait to see how he gets out of this predicament.

This was another thrilling episode; I'm glad that the producers are keeping us in the dark about Tony's ultimate fate; after all if somebody was really shot the way he was I'm sure it would be a while before he could be declared safe. This led to some nice scenes back at CTU where Michelle had to decide whether to remain at the helm or put somebody else in charge and go to the hospital. Until know the goings on with the president have been a slight distraction but they are getting more interesting as he is forced to bend his principles. As always it gets a bit far fetched but that goes with the genre; if Jack played by the rules the series wouldn't be as good as it is.

Episode is good but...

[wawacoffee-08951 · 8/10 · 2 March 2024]

Jack straight up has no regard at all for his own life let alone for a possible 125k a year.

Last season when he was basically going to kill himself flying away with the nuke for a country that thinks the little he gets paid to do his job is worth his life. The guy probably has no money at all to leave his daughter and abandoning her after they just lost their mom. For a job.....

Yeah Jack that's way more important.......

Not to mention that we have people making more than him today. Who won't even go into an office and have to take mental health days just to get through their work week, sitting at home in their pj's.

I really like the show, don't get me wrong, but Jack basically either killing himself or committing a federal crime, just to save people that wouldn't care if they found him dead in CA, just seems alittle farfetched to me especially for the measley paycheck they give him.

The Most Intense Episode Yet

[ccthemovieman-1 · 10/10 · 11 May 2007]

Jack lays the big bombshell on the President, volunteering the break Salazar out of prison, making himself look a traitor. This is for the benefit of the country (so that a deadly virus will not be unleashed on the public) while allowing President to continue his ideals of never negotiating with terrorists. President Palmer gives his approval but tells Jack he won't be able to bail him out of being a fugitive for the rest of the life. Wow, if this was real life, Bauer would be some hero, doing this without recognition and ruining his good name for life.

Meanwhile, the infected virus carrier, Kyle Singer is abducted by the "bad guys." His girlfriend, who was with him, is also taken. At the CTU building, Tony's wife takes over since he's in critical condition in the hospital.

In another major story, the President takes Anne's advice at the last minute and doesn't take the bribe offer from her ex-husband, who is threatening to lie and ruin him beginning with tonight's nationally-televised debate.

In yet another story, Chase decides to disobey Jack and go on his own, to see if he can beat the information out of Salazar in jail....where Jack is headed to break him out! (Chase also is blackmailing his boss, so I hope the writers here don't make this kid out to be a hero.)

The show ends, as usual, in an extremely tense moment. I'm glad I am watching this on DVD, so I don't have to wait another week to see how it plays out. This (on disc) is the way to watch this program.

Jack Goes It Alone

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 17 January 2019]

At the end of the previous episode, Tony is shot in the neck. He is in surgery during this whole hour. Of course--it is only an hour. When Kyle escapes, he and his girlfriend are grabbed by the cartel guys and brought to some kind of facility. It will be interesting to see what happens to them. That poor girl is just a victim of Kyle, the self centered jerk. Since nothing else seems to be working, Jack decides to break the bad guy out of jail and again infiltrate his ranks. Good old Jack. He is always willing to throw his life in the dumpster at the drop of a hat. Palmer is being led by the nose by his brother. He has a major dilemma. He can bribe the man who was married to his present girlfriend. Seems they need to do this to protect Palmer's standing in the election. All these catastrophic decisions are being made so quickly. We have just finished the fourth hour.