24: Season 3 DVD Review:

Two years after the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) prevented a nuclear bomb destroying Los Angeles, Special Agent Jack Bauer (Sutherland) is now head of Field Ops and has just brought in a major catch, drug baron Ramon Salazar (Joaquim de Almeida). Salazar’s brother Hector does not take to kindly to this and demands Ramon’s release or he will release a weaponised virus that could wide out the entire population of Los Angeles within a week. Under President Palmer’s (Haysbert) direction, Jack Bauer and the CTU team have just twenty-four hours to find the virus and stop it been released in the city.

One of the most original TV shows to hit the small screen in a very long time enters its third season and the good news is that it just keep getting better and better.

Many critics had wondered if 24’s real-time format would be able to sustain the show past two seasons and if it would become stale and too gimmicky. Well the critics have been well and truly put in their place, as the third season of the hit shows keeps the momentous pace set by the first two going and then pushes it into overdrive. This is tension filled television at its very best and with extremely high production values, you feel like you are watching a twenty-four hour movie than a piece of televisual entertainment.

What grips you from the off is the story and this is where the unique structure of the programme comes into play. As this takes part in real time, plot building and character development has to be quick and two the point. There is no time for an extended backstory or a flashback sequence, you are thrown into the situation like you are a member of CTU and then you have to react accordingly. This is 24’s real strength and the way it keeps up the tremendous tension rate. You live the character’s day, learning things as they do as you are drawn along by the events taking place in front of you.

Aside from the remarkable writing, the show has a marvellous cast that brings the characters and their predicaments to live. Chief amongst these is Kiefer Sutherland as CTU super-agent Jack Bauer. This character is an instant classic and a man that you would want fighting in your corner. It is easy to forget what a great actor Kiefer is but if you had any doubt beforehand just watch an episode and you will instantly drawn in by his performance. This could be a career-defining role as the character could so easily be a classic that is long remembered in television history.

The ever-brilliant Dennis Haysbert returns as President David Palmer. The man just oozes dignity and commands respect as his character morals are pushed to the limit as external and internal terrorists attack him.

A terrific ensemble supports the two main actors. Carlos Bernard and Reiko Aylesworth return as Tony Almeida and Michelle Dessler. The characters are now married but the traumas of the day threaten to tear them apart. Elisha Cuthbert’s Kim Bauer finally gets a storyline that is believable and does entail her running around getting into stupidly dangerous situations. The character actually matures and is given some responsibility, as she is now an IT specialist at CTU.

As well as the established stars, the third season introduces some new ones and brings back some old favourites. James Badge Dale’s Chase Edwards is Jack’s new partner in Field Ops and is just as tough as his mentor but he has a few secrets that are holding him back from 100% commitment. Mary Lynn Rajskub and Zachary Quinto are competing CTU IT experts Chloe O’Brian and Adam Kaufman. DB Woodside is President Palmer brother and new Chief of Staff Wayne Palmer, a man who would do anything to give his brother the best chance of re-election. Add to this some standout guest appearances by Penny Johnson Jerald, Sarah Clarke, Joaquim de Almeida and Paul Blackthorne and you have an astounding cast that makes this such an addictive show.

The word addictive is the best way to describe 24. This is a show that keeps you on tenterhooks for twenty-four episodes. The story instantly grabs you and never lets go until that final tick on the show’s running clock. This is intense storytelling that is completely unique and what makes the series the true definition of must-see-TV.

For fans of the show, the third season keeps the series running at full throttle. With an even bigger injection of tension, especially when the true ramifications of the threat are revealed, this series of 24 proves that there are still a lot more days of for Jack Bauer to endure and us to be gripped by.

The clock is ticking…

Season Star Rating = * * * * *

Presented in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack, the transfer is very good. The high production values of the series make this look more like a really long movie than a television show and the picture quality emphasises this. The sound quality is also of a very high standard with a strong emphasis on dialogue but comes into its own during the many action sequences.

3:00pm – 4:00pm Episode Commentary by writer/producer Howard Gordon and Kiefer Sutherland (Jack Bauer)

This informative commentary reveals how an episode of 24 is brought together. Gordon discusses how they changed the emphasis away from Jack Bauer in the early episodes and how the start of the season contorts the true plot of the show. Kiefer reveals that he found it hard and exhausting adjusting to the TV format but he feels that the show is very movie like in its approach.

5:00pm – 6:00pm Episode Commentary by writer/producer Evan Katz and Riley Smith (Kyle Singer)

The pair discusses the prison break/Russian roulette episode. Katz reveals that he wrote seven drafts of the screenplay for this episode alone, as the emphasis changed from the Presidential debate to more of the prison riot. Riley Smith talks about spending a nine-hour day in “The Tube” with Agnes Bruckner and the temperature was well over 90o.

10:00pm – 11:00pm Episode Commentary by writer/producer Howard Gordon and Sarah Clarke (Nina Myers)

In this funny and informative commentary the pair talk about how the narrative switches back to Jack’s point of view. Gordon reveals that this is a plot-building episode as it reveals more about Nina and Jack’s past. Sarah Clarke talks about the fact that she can’t watch the shows torture scenes, even when she is involved with them.

1:00am – 2:00am Episode Commentary from executive producer Joel Surnow and Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O’Brian)

This funny and informative commentary takes you through the end of the Mexican adventure. This is Surnow’s favourite episode of the season and he applauds Sarah Clarke’s performances throughout the three years she has worked on the show. Rajskub throws in a lot of comments about her own performance and how she coped easily with all the tech talk.

5:00am – 6:00am Episode Commentary by co-creator Robert Cochran, Reiko Aylesworth (Michelle Dessler) and Carlos Bernard (Tony Almeida)

This chatty and fun commentary reveals how both Michelle and Tony have grown throughout the series. The three of the talk about the uniqueness of the show and how it is a real collaborative effort to make the programme feel more like a motion picture than a TV series. Reiko reveals that Carlos swears an awful lot when he gets something wrong and how her character gets tough when she leaves CTU.

10:00am – 11:00am Episode Commentary by Carlos Bernard (Tony Almeida), James Badge Dale (Chase Edmunds) and writer/producer Tim Lacofano

Another funny commentary track with Carlos Bernard. The three reveal that there was a book running during the episode on how many times Carlos would swear and how Carlos thought that the Chase/Kim romance could have been this season “Cougar” plotline. They also talk extensively about the shootout sequence and how the Marines loved flying the F/A-18s over Los Angeles.

Deleted Scenes (50.26 mins)

With optional commentary for some of the scenes by director Jon Cassar, these twenty-two removed or extended scenes are quite fascinating in parts. Highlights include Jack reacting to a very difficult decision, the deleting of a character that didn’t work and an alternative/extended version of the ending.

24: On the Loose (31.02 mins)

Director Jon Cassar, director of photography Rooney Charters, writer Evan Katz and stars Kiefer Sutherland and Rieko Aylesworth takes you behind the scenes of episodes five and six in the third season. The featurette shows you how the prison riot episode was planned and filmed in a real prison and takes you through all the stunt preparations and set design involved to bring the episodes to the screen.

Boys and their Toys (11.31 mins)

Writer/Director Tim Lacofano takes you behind the scenes of episode 22. With the help of US Marines liaison Major Terry Thomas we look at the sheer amount of preparation needed to get and film two F/A 18s to fly low level over Los Angeles.

Bio-threat: Beyond the Series (24.38 mins)

Co-creator/executive producer Joel Surnow, writer Michael Loceff and executive producer/researcher Anne Cofell with the help of experts Dr Gabor Racz (Virologist/Biologist), Dr Mitch Cohen (CDC) and Dr Laurene Mascola, explain how actual scientific methods where used to create the fictional virus used in season three. The featurette looks into how the US government would actually respond to a bio-threat and which viruses the pulmonary immuno virus was based upon.

Multi-angle study (6.08 mins)

Your chance to watch the midnight shootout from episode #12 from either camera used during filming or a composite of both.

One of the best series on television receives another excellent DVD treatment from Fox. This is a brilliantly packaged box set with exceptional bonus features that will appeal to fans of the fantastic series. The inclusion of episode commentary tracks only adds to the value making this the best 24 box set yet. This is a must buy for all fans and a definite rent (along with the first two series) for everyone who hasn’t discovered this brilliant programme.

DVD Star Rating = * * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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