Day 3: 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

We find out quickly that things are worse in a number of areas: 1 - The virus will kill more people than originally thought; 2 - There is a mole, "Gael," working in Jack's organization who is keeping tabs of what's going on and relaying it directing to Hector Salazar; 3 - Jack is still fighting his drug habit, about to shoot up when he's interrupted 4 - A prison guard is working for Salazar.

This sort of thing goes on and on with more complications, more people you can't trust, and then....an unbelievable occurrence with the Kyle Singer's bad of virus-infected cocaine. His stupid mother could have spread the stuff everywhere....or are these drugs tainted in the first place?

There are lots of stunning developments in this case, many of them revolving around Singer. A very intense episode.

Things are ramping up. Kyle is ready to make the drop and CTU is on its way. Salazar's men are out there. I don't know. You have 25 people trying to bring this kid in. Couldn't one orchestrate this just a little more efficiently. Subplots include the President listening to his brother, deciding to make an irreversible move. Kim and this guy are all in a lather. She can't seem to figure out that what is happening is deadly serious. Jack is a monomaniac when it comes to Kim and this part of the show is really tiresome. Of course, there is a dramatic moment at the close.

In episode three, Jack Bauer's undercover mission with Ramon Salazar hits a new level of intensity as he navigates a treacherous alliance. The episode begins with Bauer and Salazar embarking on a dangerous journey, with every move fraught with risk. The direction is gripping, with quick cuts and tight framing that enhance the tension. The cinematography captures the stark, hostile environment, emphasizing the perilous nature of Bauer's mission.

At CTU, Tony Almeida and Michelle Dessler face mounting challenges as they attempt to track the virus and prevent its spread. Their professional and personal relationships are tested, with the writing skillfully interweaving moments of operational crisis and emotional depth. The evolving dynamics between Almeida and Dessler add a layer of complexity to the narrative.

President Palmer, meanwhile, is dealing with a critical threat to his administration. His storyline explores the ethical and strategic challenges he faces, highlighting the pressures of leadership in a crisis. Palmer's interactions with his advisors and family are fraught with tension, adding depth to his character and the overall narrative.

A standout moment in this episode is the perilous journey Bauer undertakes with Salazar. The direction and cinematography are particularly effective, using dramatic angles and tight shots to convey the danger and urgency. This sequence highlights Bauer's resourcefulness and the high stakes of his mission, making it one of the most compelling moments of the episode.

This episode has been praised for its strong pacing and character development. The direction and cinematography effectively build suspense, while the evolving relationship between Almeida and Dessler adds emotional depth. Some reviewers have noted that the relentless pace can be challenging, but the episode manages to balance action with character-driven moments.

Additionally, President Palmer's escalating political challenges add a rich layer of complexity, making his subplot both engaging and relevant. The intertwining of personal and professional stakes in Palmer's storyline continues to deepen the narrative. As the season progresses, the tension and stakes have never been higher, promising even more intense developments in the episodes to come.

In my consideration, up to this point Season 3 lacks some of the intrigue and kind of hidden stuff that kept me guessing in the previous seasons. In the first one, for instance, I was very excited to find out who the real mole in CTU was, and whether if Palmer would survive the threat or not, and in the second one, whether if the bomb was going to go off or not, and who were really behind the attack, and why. Here, you know from almost the first minute who wants to spread the virus and who's carrying it, the mole in CTU (seriously, another one?) is revealed in the second episode and he doesn't seem to be much of a deep character, unlike Nina, so things doesn't have much surprise here. Jack becoming a drug addict sure was a shock but I don't know if it's worth a 24-episode storyline anyway. Kim and her daddy issues and boyfriend issues got old already, and Palmer's girlfriend storyline doesn't attract me that much either, and the President's disbelief when someone tries to show him the truth about the women in his life is growing a little tired for me too. A president should be a little more bright than he is, and most of all considering the things he's been through already. It's not bad, but I hope it gets better.

Fifty episodes in, 24 shows no signs of tiredness, despite the fact the real-time format made some people doubt the serial's long-time potential. Of course, continuous conspiracy plots and troubled protagonists help a lot.

Still fighting his addiction, Jack is about to close in on Kyle Singer, not knowing one of Salazar's men is doing the same. He's also shut Chase out of the pursuit, claiming he doesn't want Kim to be heartbroken should things make a wrong turn. Meantime, President Palmer has to face a possible scandal related to his affair with his physician, Dr. Anne Packard, whose ex-husband will implicate her in a past incrimination unless he's paid a neat sum of money.

Be it cover-ups, succession disputes or, in this case, nice old-fashioned blackmail, the political aspects of the series have always proved riveting thanks to intelligent writing and a marvelous performance by Dennis Haysbert, the show's real soul next to Kiefer Sutherland: his character was last seen at the end of Day Two fighting for his life, and now here he is, still recovering but showing no weaknesses whatsoever, standing out as the second best fictional American President ever created (the first is Josiah Bartlet from The West Wing). Then again, that isn't very hard when the biggest competition comes from turkeys like Independence Day and Air Force One, is it?