For the 24 virgin, let me spell out the basic concept for you. The drama takes place in real-time. At first this was a nifty gimmick, now it's an essential part of the show's formula and success. So devoted to the concept are the show's producers that they even keep a clock ticking every few moments reminding us that the show is progressing in real-time. The story is focused around the fictional Los Angeles-based CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit), a hard-boiled, techno-savvy group of feds who keep us citizens safe from harm in the pod-like confines of a high-tech office building. Watching our backs are a myriad of computing and surveillance experts, crunchy field agents, and a faceless government bureaucracy that of late seems to be more hinderance than help.
At the fulcrum of each season's stories is one Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). Father of Kim (the gorgeous Elisha Cuthbert, who for reasons unfathomable to me looks NOT HOT this entire season), Bauer is a take no prisoners, "bend the rules to suit my means" kind of guy. Fortunately, this is precisely type of guy you want at the plate for you. Unfortunately, it is exceedingly hard for him to function in such a controlled environment. Rounding out the original cast are fellow CTU denizens Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernhard), President David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson), and from Season Two, Michelle Dessler (Reiko Aylesworth).
The basic premise is that each season of the show is a single day. There's usually a big scare of some sort and the team must race to end the threat. Since the show unspools in real-time, the show bounces around from storyline to storyline exposing the viewer to a myriad of different characters. This strategy and its multiple cliffhangers make the show required viewing for drama fans.
The Series
SPOLIER FREE! Season Three deals with what is, for me, one of the scariest possible of threats: bio-weapons. The show opens with a disease-ridden corpse being dropped off at a laboratory/hospital. When it becomes clear that the virus is weaponized and fast-acting, CTU springs into action to trace the source. Meanwhile, nearing the end of his first term, President David Palmer faces a variety of ethical challenges as his brother Wayne (D.B. Woodside) manages to piss off one of Palmer's most powerful supporters.
This show feels more fractured than the previous two seasons. One can almost slice into thirds the way the season progresses. The first portion is CTU's and Bauer's run-ins with the infamous Salazar family, the second deals with a viral outbreak, and the final third is essentially a chase through the streets of LA on the path of the viral terrorist.
This is also the season unfortunately in which the show starts to show a little bit of creakiness, especially in relation to Kim Bauer, the interoffice politics of the CTU, and Jack Bauer's superhero status. First off, Kim Bauer gets her ass in so much trouble each season it's insane. Season One found her kidnapped, season two had her kidnapped (again) and hilariously running from a wild animal in the Angeles National Forest, and here she finds herself in danger (despite having a desk job) yet again. Secondly, the interoffice politics at the CTU get a little tiresome. It's basically: "Chloe, give me what I asked for. Open a socket!" "No Adam, I'll do it myself." "Fine, I'm telling Tony." Yeeesh. Finally, how much can happen to a single person over the course of 24 hours? Jack Bauer finds himself at gunpoint multiple times, in six different locales, talking to the President of the United States, running into his nemesis, surviving explosions, playing russian roulette, etc. Luckily for us, Kiefer Sutherland is so tailor-made for this role that he can deftly maneuver most of the occassional clunkiness in the script.
All in all, Season Three is faithful to the 24 formula and is a complete weekend killer. We defy you to sit through a single episode and then walk away. If you're anything like us you'll wake up the next morning on the couch with peanut shells stuck to your cheek in a room lit by the warm glow of the television.
8 out of 10
The Video
Since more than half of the series takes place during the evening/nighttime hours, one should adjust their expectations in relation to quality of the video presentation. Most of the night sequences have a fair amount of grain which we chalk up to the digital video filming process. Not annoying and we quickly adjust but some of you purists might holler. The show is presented in widescreen giving it a cinematic feel.
8 out of 10
The Audio
Much of what I wrote about the audio in my review of Season Two definitely applies here. There are some seriously meaty LFE sequences, especially as the action rachets up as the season draws to a climax. Without giving too much away, there is a certain sequence that is downright awesome with a massive staging arena for sound. As I noted above, it's sometimes difficult to remember that this is a television show. I found that the least desirable sound was during sequences shot at the fictional Chandler Plaza hotel. There seemed to be a tad of tin and hiss during these sequences. Still, for my money, 24 is one of the top five best sounding shows currently on television.
9 out of 10
The Extras
Much like the second season, this offering is packed and stacked. Three documentaries zip into play for the die-hard 24 fan:
Other extras portions include episode specific commentary from all cast members. Personally, I enjoyed Carlos Bernhard's more than any of the other ones. There are a bunch of deleted scenes and a multi-angle study covering three different positions.
The biggest treat though for fans of the show is a sneak peek at Season Four. There is a trailer and a promo piece.
Finally, there is a trailer for the forthcoming Fox actioneer Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
7 out of 10