Editing Season 3

{{Icons|s3|oou}}
[[File:24s3_2.jpg|350px|right|thumb|The main cast: [[Elisha Cuthbert]], [[Dennis Haysbert]], [[Kiefer Sutherland]], [[Reiko Aylesworth]], [[Carlos Bernard]] and [[James Badge Dale]]]]

:''"To stop [[Cordilla virus|a weapon]] that has no cure... You need a [[Jack Bauer|man]] who knows no limits." 
:<small>&mdash; Season 3 promotion</small>

'''Season 3''' of ''[[24]]'' premiered in the United States on {{d|October|28|2003}} on the [[Fox|Fox Network]] with a commercial-free presentation sponsored by Ford (as with [[Season 2]]).

[[Season 3 DVD|24: Season Three]] was released on [[Season 3 DVD|DVD]] in the US and Canada on {{d|December|7|2004}}.

== Summary ==

This time, another day begins for [[Jack Bauer]] as bioterrorists are attempting to release viral capsules into [[Los Angeles]] and eventually throughout the United States. [[David Palmer|President Palmer]] must deal with a scandal as he seeks re-election against a Republican senator, [[John Keeler]]. Jack is again thrust into action as he tries to tie [[Ramon Salazar]] to the viral threat; however, presumed-dead [[Operation Nightfall]] operative [[Stephen Saunders]] turns out to be the mastermind behind the release of the [[Cordilla virus]].

== Timeline ==

Day 3 begins at [[1:00pm-2:00pm|1:00pm]] [[PDT]] ([[4:00pm-5:00pm|4:00pm]] [[Eastern Time|EDT]]) on a Thursday, taking place 3 years after [[Season 2|Day 2]] and 4 years and 6 months after [[Season 1|Day 1]]. It is likely Day 3 takes place in late September, around the time that the first presidential debates are held in election years in the [[United States]].

''[[24: The Game]]'' takes place in-between this season and Season 2.

== Format ==

The overall storyline of this season revolves around attempts by CTU to safely contain the [[Cordilla virus]]. The season can essentially be broken up into two acts:

#The first act revolves around a complex [[Cordilla virus sting operation|sting operation]] that culminates in drug kingpin [[Ramon Salazar]] being released from prison to allow [[Jack Bauer]] to gain his trust, so that he can investigate a [[Michael Amador|bioterrorist]] in [[Mexico]] selling the virus to Salazar's crime syndicate. The main antagonists in this act are [[Michael Amador]], [[Ramon Salazar]], [[Hector Salazar]], and [[Nina Myers]]. ([[Day 3: 1:00pm-2:00pm|1:00pm]]&ndash;[[Day 3: 12:00am-1:00am|1:00am]])
#During the second act, CTU tracks down the [[Stephen Saunders|original purchaser]] of the virus who uses it during his [[Cordilla virus attacks|call to vengeance]] against the United States for abandoning him on a [[Operation Nightfall|covert mission]]. The main antagonists in this act are [[Stephen Saunders]], [[Marcus Alvers]], and [[Arthur Rabens]]. ([[Day 3: 1:00am-2:00am|1:00am]]&ndash;[[Day 3: 12:00pm-1:00pm|1:00pm]])

=== Major subplots ===

* [[Jack Bauer]] must withdraw from a [[heroin]] addiction he took to secure a cover with the Salazars.
* Three new major agents have joined CTU since Day 2; [[Kim Bauer]], given the job by her father so that he could retain contact with her and keep her safe; [[Gael Ortega]], an analyst [[Cordilla virus sting operation|working as a triple-agent]]; and [[Chase Edmunds]], who is dating Kim.
* [[Sherry Palmer]] complicates matters as [[David Palmer|David]] seeks reelection amid political scandal, with his brother [[Wayne Palmer|Wayne]] now working as his right-hand assistant.
* Jack unexpectedly encounters [[Nina Myers]], the murderer of his [[Teri Bauer|wife]], who is the Salazars' rival bidder in Mexico.
* The rapid deterioration of the target of the first bio attack, the [[Chandler Plaza Hotel]].
* The [[Stephen Saunders|mastermind]] has an Achilles' heel: [[Jane Saunders|his daughter]], attending college in California. Her capture prompts him to hold [[Michelle Dessler|someone]] very close to [[Tony Almeida]] hostage, and Tony is now forced to decide to either make a sacrifice or lose the only leverage against the terrorist.
=== Impacts on future seasons ===
* [[Tony Almeida]] is arrested for [[treason]] for helping a [[Stephen Saunders|key suspect]] escape from custody. He is released by [[Day 4]], but is unemployed and divorced by then.
* [[President of the United States|President]] [[David Palmer]] decides not to run for re-election, allowing his [[John Keeler|competitor]] to win the election and become president by [[Day 4]].
* The deaths of [[Nina Myers]], [[Sherry Palmer]] and [[Ryan Chappelle]], three significant characters in the series since [[Season 1]].

== Cast ==
:''Main article: [[Season 3 cast]]''
:''See also: [[Recurring characters#Season 3|Recurring characters]], [[Character appearances#Season 3|Character appearances]] for Season 3''
[[File:Season_3_promo.jpg|250px|thumb|A second promotional cast image]]
=== [[Main cast|Starring]] ===
* [[Kiefer Sutherland]] as [[Jack Bauer]] (24 episodes)
* [[Elisha Cuthbert]] as [[Kim Bauer]] (24 episodes)
* [[Carlos Bernard]] as [[Tony Almeida]] (24 episodes)
* [[Reiko Aylesworth]] as [[Michelle Dessler]] (24 episodes)
* [[James Badge Dale]] as [[Chase Edmunds]] (24 episodes)
* and [[Dennis Haysbert]] as [[David Palmer|President David Palmer]] (24 episodes)

=== [[Special Guest Star|Special guest star]] ===
* [[Penny Johnson Jerald]] as [[Sherry Palmer]] (10 episodes)

=== Guest starring ===
* [[Mary Lynn Rajskub]] as [[Chloe O'Brian]] (24 episodes)
* [[DB Woodside]] as [[Wayne Palmer]] (24 episodes)
* [[Zachary Quinto]] as [[Adam Kaufman]] (23 episodes)
* [[Jesse Borrego]] as [[Gael Ortega]] (14 episodes)
* [[Paul Schulze]] as [[Ryan Chappelle]] (14 episodes)
* [[Joaquim de Almeida]] as [[Ramon Salazar]] (12 episodes)
* [[Vincent Laresca]] as [[Hector Salazar]] (12 episodes)
* [[Vanessa Ferlito]] as [[Claudia Hernandez]] (11 episodes)
* [[Paul Blackthorne]] as [[Stephen Saunders]] (10 episodes)
* [[Greg Ellis]] as [[Michael Amador]] (9 episodes)
* [[Glenn Morshower]] as [[Aaron Pierce]] (9 episodes)
* [[Wendy Crewson]] as Dr. [[Anne Packard]] (8 episodes)
* [[Gina Torres]] as [[Julia Milliken]] (7 episodes)
* [[Christina Chang]] as [[Sunny Macer]] (6 episodes)
* [[Jamie McShane]] as [[Jerry Whitehorn]] (6 episodes)
* [[Geoff Pierson]] as Senator [[John Keeler]] (6 episodes)
* [[Riley Smith]] as [[Kyle Singer]] (6 episodes)
* [[Lothaire Bluteau]] as [[Marcus Alvers]] (5 episodes)
* [[Agnes Bruckner]] as [[Linda]] (5 episodes)
* [[Alexandra Lydon]] as [[Jane Saunders]] (5 episodes)
* [[Andrea Thompson]] as [[Nicole Duncan]] (5 episodes)
* [[Joe D'Angerio]] as [[Osterlind]] (4 episodes)
* [[Albert Hall]] as [[Alan Milliken]] (4 episodes)
* [[Lucinda Jenney]] as [[Helen Singer]] (4 episodes)
* [[Doug Savant]] as [[Craig Phillips]] (4 episodes)
* [[Carlos Gomez]] as [[Luis Annicon]] (3 episodes)
* [[Daniel Dae Kim]] as Agent [[Tom Baker]] (3 episodes)
* [[Alan Dale]] as [[Vice President]] [[Jim Prescott]] (1 episode)
* [[Sarah Wynter]] as [[Kate Warner]] (1 episode)
* and [[Sarah Clarke]] as [[Nina Myers]] (6 episodes)

== Crew ==
:''Main article: [[24 production staff#Season 3 (2003-04)|24 production staff § Season 3]]
{|
|-
| valign="top" width="33%" |
'''Producers'''
* [[Jon Cassar]]
* [[Chris Cheramie]]
* [[Robert Cochran]]
* [[Robert P. Cohen]]
* [[Paul Gadd]]
* [[Howard Gordon]]
* [[Gil Grant]]
* [[Brian Grazer]]
* [[Tim Iacofano]]
* [[Evan Katz]]
* [[Tony Krantz]]
* [[Stephen Kronish]]
* [[Michael Loceff]]
* [[Joel Surnow]]
* [[Kiefer Sutherland]]
* [[Danielle Weinstock]] (1-4)
| valign="top" width="33%" |
'''Writers'''
* [[Joel Surnow]] & [[Michael Loceff]] (1, 2, 10, 11, 13, 21, 24)
* [[Howard Gordon]] (3, 7-9, 12, 14, 15, 18, 22, 23)
* [[Stephen Kronish]] (4, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 22, 23)
* [[Evan Katz]] (5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 23)
* [[Duppy Demetrius]] (6)
* [[Robert Cochran]] (7-9, 12, 13, 15, 17, 22, 23)
* [[Michael Loceff]] (15, 19)
* [[Virgil Williams]] (20)
| valign="top" width="33%" |
'''Directors'''
* [[Jon Cassar]] (1, 2, 5, 6, 11, 12, 19, 20, 23, 24)
* [[Ian Toynton]] (3, 4, 7, 8, 17, 18)
* [[Brad Turner]] (9, 10)
* [[Bryan Spicer]] (13, 14)
* [[Kevin Hooks]] (15, 16)
* [[Frederick K. Keller]] (21, 22)
|}

== Episodes ==
{| class="fancy center middle"
! Picture !! Title !! Number !! Production Code !! Original Airdate
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:3x01 JackSyringe.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x01s}} || 49 || 3AFF01 || {{d|October|28|2003}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| A body infected with a deadly virus is dumped outside the [[National Health Services]].  President Palmer returns to [[Los Angeles]] for the first time since the attempt on his life.  Kim is working at CTU and secretly dating Jack's partner, Chase. Jack, the head of Field Ops, deals with his addiction problems.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep2.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x02s}} || 50 || 3AFF02 || {{d|November|4|2003}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Chase and Jack argue about the former's relationship with Kim.  [[Kyle Singer]]'s girlfriend leaves him when she finds out he's dealing drugs.  Wayne Palmer approaches the President with potentially damaging information about his [[Anne Packard|girlfriend]].  Someone at CTU isn't who they seem to be.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep3.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x03s}} || 51 || 3AFF03 || {{d|November|11|2003}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| [[Chase Edmunds]] finds himself on the sidelines when CTU and [[Hector Salazar]] both search for Kyle Singer.  Tony leads an operation to bring Kyle in, but things take a disastrous turn when Salazar's man gets there first.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep4.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x04s}} || 52 || 3AFF04 || {{d|November|18|2003}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Kyle and [[Linda]] are abducted by Hector's men.  Michelle struggles between her personal and professional obligations.  Wayne offers Palmer an "opportunity". Jack takes drastic action in response to the Salazars' threat, but Chase gets in the way and complicates matters.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:RussianRoulette.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x05s}} || 53 || 3AFF05 || {{d|November|25|2003}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Jack and [[Ramon Salazar|Ramon]]'s plan hits a snag when a group of inmates takes them hostage. Chloe discovers Jack's addiction and reveals his secret to Kim and Michelle. Palmer begins his debate with [[John Keeler]].  Kyle decides to kill himself to save Linda. CTU saves the two, but Jack has already escaped with Ramon.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep6.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x06s}} || 54 || 3AFF06 || {{d|December|2|2003}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| President Palmer postpones the debate because of the prison break.  Jack and Ramon continue to evade CTU and the police. Doctors reveal a startling revelation about Kyle's health. Kim discovers Gael's secret, but she isn't able to warn Michelle in time.  
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep7.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x07s}} || 55 || 3AFF07 || {{d|December|9|2003}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Ramon wants to kill Jack on the way to Mexico, but learns that Jack and Hector are working together.  [[Adam Kaufman]] rescues Kim while Gael is captured as he tries to escape from CTU.  Chase heads for Mexico to rescue Jack. Tony stops Gael's interrogation and reveals that Gael is part of a secret operation.  
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep8.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x08s}} || 56 || 3AFF08 || {{d|December|16|2003}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Hector tries to convince Ramon to let Jack live in order to purchase the virus.  [[Claudia Hernandez]] expresses her fury about being left behind when Jack arrested Ramon.  Anne ends her relationship with President Palmer after her [[Ted Packard|ex-husband]] commits suicide. Hector's men capture Chase and Ramon forces Jack to prove his loyalty. 
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep9.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x09s}} || 57 || 3AFF09 || {{d|January|6|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| President Palmer learns of a conflict involving one of his biggest contributors and [[Wayne Palmer|his own brother]].  Kim and Michelle question Tony's ability to make decisions.  Jack and the Salazars face an [[Nina Myers|unexpected competitor]] when they pursue to buy the virus.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep10.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x10s}} || 58 || 3AFF10 || {{d|January|13|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Jack and Ramon decide to intercept the virus.  Chloe's work at CTU is disrupted by a [[Angela|baby]].  Claudia helps Chase escape, but tragedy strikes during their getaway. President Palmer asks [[Sherry Palmer]] to help him deal with [[Alan Milliken]].
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:S3ep11.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x11s}} || 59 || 3AFF11 || {{d|January|27|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| President Palmer meets with Sherry, who agrees to help him with Milliken.  Jack convinces Nina to work with him to get the virus from [[Michael Amador]].  Hector wants to pull out of the deal after Claudia's death.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep12.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x12s}} || 60 || 3AFF12 || {{d|February|3|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Kim becomes suspicious of Chloe when her backstory about the baby doesn't check out.  Sherry discovers a [[Kevin Kelly|witness]] who can damage Milliken. A firefight ensues as Jack, Ramon, Nina and Chase all attempt to secure the virus. They soon discover that Amador intends all of them dead, and the auction is just a trick.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep13.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x13s}} || 61 || 3AFF13 || {{d|February|10|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Nina gives CTU a phone number that ends up initiating a computer worm.  Chappelle detains [[Chloe O'Brian]] when she refuses to discuss matters about the baby, but releases her to deal with the computer crisis.  Sherry goes to see Julia, but ends up confronting Alan, leading to his death. [[Kim Bauer]] learns the baby's real identity.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:s3ep14.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x14s}} || 62 || 3AFF14 || {{d|February|17|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Chappelle insists that Jack undergo a medical exam because of his addiction.  President Palmer confronts Sherry about Alan Milliken's death.  [[Julia Milliken]] asks Wayne for help. Tony questions Nina about [[Marcus Alvers]], but before she can say more, she attempts to escape. 
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:S3ep15.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x15s}} || 63 || 3AFF15 || {{d|February|24|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Jack is almost removed from the investigation for killing a [[Nina Myers|material witness]].  CTU sends a tactical team to the hotel where the virus is scheduled to be released.  [[Gael Ortega]] finds the armed mechanism that contains the virus, but wasn't able disarm it in time.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:S3ep16.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x16s}} || 64 || 3AFF16 || {{d|March|30|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Jack and Chase allow Amador to escape, hoping that he will lead them to the man behind the virus attack.  Sherry blackmails President Palmer and forces him to support alibi during the time of Milliken's death.  Michelle deals with mass hysteria at the hotel.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:S3ep17.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x17s}} || 65 || 3AFF17 || {{d|April|6|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| After Michael Amador's death, [[Stephen Saunders]] threatens to release more vials if President Palmer doesn't comply with his demands, and one of his requests tests CTU on how far they are willing to go to stop the virus from being released.  Jack and Chase pursue a [[Diana White|lead]] to get info on Saunders. Michelle proposes a solution to the suffering at the hotel after Gael dies.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:S3ep18.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x18s}} || 66 || 3AFF18 || {{d|April|18|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| CTU races to capture Saunders before 7:00, the deadline for his latest ultimatum: the death of [[Ryan Chappelle]].  Michelle initiates a frantic search when she discovers that a potentially infected hotel guest may have slipped through her fingers. Palmer rests on Jack's hands an unbearable execution.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:S3ep19.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x19s}} || 67 || 3AFF19 || {{d|April|20|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Kim goes undercover in a mission that may help CTU gain a [[Jane Saunders|bargaining tool]] for Saunders.  Chase finds the [[William Cole|man]] who left the hotel.  CTU learns that the virus has begun to spread to the general public.  Saunders makes another demand to the [[president]].
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:S3ep20.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x20s}} || 68 || 3AFF20 || {{d|April|27|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Michelle finds out the results of her test as Adam finds out the virus has infected [[Sara Kaufman|someone]] he knows.  Jack tries to use Jane Saunders as leverage to force Saunders to surrender.  Tony commits treason when Saunders exploits his only [[Michelle Dessler|weakness]].
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:S3ep21.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x21s}} || 69 || 3AFF21 || {{d|May|4|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Tony attempts to free Jane from CTU before Saunders' men hurt Michelle, but Jack and Chloe become suspicious of his behavior. Sherry offers Senator Keeler a chance to guarantee victory in the Presidential elections.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2"|[[File:S3ep22.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x22s}} || 70 || 3AFF22 || {{d|May|11|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Jack catches Tony and forces him to work with CTU on the hostage exchange.  Senator Keeler meets with President Palmer and demands his resignation.  Wayne participates in a covert operation to recover Sherry's incriminating evidence.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2" class="image" style="width:140px;"|[[File:S3ep23.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x23s}} || 71 || 3AFF23 || {{d|May|18|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| The tables are turned as Jack exploits Saunders' weakness to disclose the location of the other vials.  President Palmer meets with Sherry to work something out, but she becomes suspicious of his offer and leaves. Tony faces a harsh sentence as a result of saving Michelle. Julia and Sherry square off, leading to unexpected deaths.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|- class="odd info"
|rowspan="2"|[[File:Jackcries.jpg|150px]] || {{ep|3x24s}} || 72 || 3AFF24 || {{d|May|25|2004}}
|-
|colspan="4" class="description"| Jack and Chase track down the last vial of the virus, Chase making an incredible sacrifice.  Gael's devastated [[Theresa Ortega|wife]] visits CTU and seeks vengeance on Saunders. President Palmer makes an unexpected announcement after Sherry's death.  The day's events take a toll on Jack.
|-
|colspan="5" class="spacer"| <!-- Space bar -->
|}

== See also ==

* [[Day 3 antagonists]]
* [[Unnamed Day 3 characters]]
* [[DVD]] collections: [[24: Season Three|Region 1]], [[24: Season Three DVD Collection|Region 2]], [[24: Complete Season Three Collection|Region 4]]


{{browser| name=Day 3 | lastseason=Season 2 | firstep={{ep|3x01s}} | nextseason=Season 4 | lastday={{ep|st}} | nextday={{ep|mg}}}}


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[[Nl:Seizoen 3]]
[[Category:Seasons|3]]
[[Category:Day 3| ]]