When I wrote my review for season two (if you missed it, it’s here), I did wonder whether the gimmick (events happening in real-time equals you get a lot of unnecessary things/plotlines) would prevent this show from ever having a truly 10/10 season. Well, lo and behold, it was right around the corner. And surprisingly, I couldn’t see it because we start with drugs and cartels until we move into the main threat for this season – a possible spread of a virus; that could result in a pandemic. Yeah, is that ringing any bells?

The third season of 24 really pushes your belief regarding the end justifying the means; and how we can root for somebody like Jack because we know he is the hero. And that brought me to this idea – what if we didn’t know? What if we were always a couple of steps behind what Jack knows, so we would have to take him on his words, exactly as the characters around him? Would we still be okay with him torturing people and sacrificing them for the greater good? What I liked about this season, it was not just him who had to make some tough choices/ It was most of the team, from Tony (Carlos Bernard), Michelle (Reiko Aylesworth) and even the president himself (Dennis Haysbert). It was a great decision that the third season forces multiple characters into this morally grey area as some characters deal with the pressure better, some worse. Or, I guess some cave into the demands, and some don’t. And here, to me, lies “the key” to fully understanding Jack Bauer.

I think Jack’s character is so compelling despite the fact he is quick to torture; he will cross the line to get the results; sure, we agree there. But… and, here is where the difference between him and the others lies, he is always willing to put his own life on the line. The one constant of this show (and in this season as well) was his willingness to do whatever is necessary to succeed, and if that means risking his life, he doesn’t blink or hesitate for a second. He is the perfect agent, soldier, and American. Ultimately, I believe that is why 24 was so popular for so long; it came at the right time when many Americans needed to see “good guys doing everything they can to protect them”.

This season also had (so far) the most compelling villain – Stephen Saunders (Paul Blackthorne). I loved how they incorporated his story back to the first season without it being clunky because it’s not about his ties to Jack. It was more about him knowing the protocols and being a few steps ahead of the CTU most of the time. He seemed like the type of villain I would love to see evolving and looming over the rest of the show, but that won’t happen (spoiler for a 20+-year-old show ;-)).

The third season also introduces a character that seems to be the one who stays with Jack from now until the end of the show – Chloe O’Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub). I wasn’t sure what to think of her in the first couple of episodes, but by the end of the season, it’s impossible not to root for Chloe. And Mary Lynn’s portrayal of Chloe is wonderfully unique. She is a straight-talking, no-nonsense kind of badass who occasionally just doesn’t know how to communicate with people. I can wait to explore her backstory and get to know her character better throughout the rest of this show.

There was a moment that pushed me over the edge for this season, from being great to 10/10, and it was the last couple of minutes of the final episode. Maybe some spoilers are incoming, but this is nothing related to the plot, so readers, be aware. I am talking about Jack, after 24 hours, finally getting a moment to himself to catch a breath just for a second and then breaking down in his car, crying. What a powerful image of this man, who we have seen make one tough decision after another (many times in a split second), being “just a man”. When everything he’s just been through finally catches up with him, he can just let go for a few seconds. But not too long because, sure enough, everybody wants a piece of Jack, so he has to wipe his tears and ride to his next mission.

Overall, the third season of 24 surprised me every step of the way. The moment a plotline became a boring one, it got sorted; or it became irrelevant. Every time you think: “Oh, so this is how they catch up with the bad guy.” Nope, he’s got another ace up his sleeve. And when they finally do, it’s so satisfying to watch. And also, some of our old familiar characters get their comeuppance, and those scenes were also satisfying to watch. It will be interesting to see whether any other season will top the third one in my eyes or whether this will be the peak for 24.

That’s all for this one! Did you see it? What did you think about it? Let me know!

Until next time,

Luke