24 (TV Series) Day 3: 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (2003) User Reviews

"Tell me, Jack. What's your pain?"

[MaxBorg89 · 9/10 · 18 August 2008]

The sixth episode of Day 3 slows down the action a little, but maintains the suspense consistent, making for another hour of landmark US television. It spends more time on certain characters' psychology, delivering a compelling study of conflicting personalities.

Having managed to get Ramon out of jail, Jack seizes a helicopter so that they can get to a plane that will take them to Mexico. The CTU, on the other hand, pressured by Ryan Chappelle (Paul Schulze), is trying to urge him to reconsider his actions since Kyle Singer has been taken into custody. As for President Palmer, he is forced to cancel the debate with Senator Keeler (Geoff Pierson), making some believe he may not be fit to run the country for another four years (his illness had already triggered such suspicions earlier).

As the situation gets more intense, the writers take some time to analyze Jack's tormented psyche. In past episodes, we have learned he became a drug addict to pull off the undercover job that put Ramon in jail, and now his enemy is implying there's something more to it. "So, Jack, tell me. What's your pain? What is it that makes the needle go in?" The most immediate answer to that would probably be his wife's death two seasons ago, but it's never openly declared. Due to the show's nature, there's no time for that, and so we find ourselves formulating our own theories while the race against the clock continues mercilessly. How many programs allow you to do that?

Flight

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 25 October 2012]

Having taken off from the prison Jack has no idea that Kyle Singer has been found and taken into quarantine because he disconnected the helicopters communication systems. Rather than heading south towards the border he flies towards the city of Los Angeles knowing that once he is over a populated area he won't be shot down... even then it will be a close call as military helicopters are soon locked onto him awaiting the fire order.

Meanwhile back at CTU Michelle has been replaced by Ryan Chappelle and everybody is trying to find a way to communicate with Jack so he will stop trying to get Ramon Salazar out of the country. As the episode reaches its conclusion Kim learns that somebody inside CTU has been helping Salazar; the problem is it looks as if he will get to her before she can raise the alarm.

The presidential debate takes a surprising turn when President Palmer is informed that CTU are awaiting his permission to shoot down Jack's chopper and immediately leaves the debate citing concerns about a national emergency. This leaves everybody bemused and is opponent accusing him of trying to dodge awkward questions.

While this episode didn't have much in the way of physical action there were some good tense moments as the military awaited permission to fire on Jack and the ending left both Jack and Kim Bauer in dangerous situations that left me keen to discover what will happen next. A good thing about 24's 'real time' action is that the flight could be kept going for much of the episode as we cut back and forth between different locations and the tension raised; in most shows it would have been over much sooner.

interesting insights into Jack's personality

[nerrdrage · 9/10 · 28 September 2023]

A lot of stuff (to say the least) happens during this hour but the most significant is Ramon's revelation that Jack didn't actually need to inject heroin to maintain his cover.

This explains a plot hole earlier in the season, where Jack seemed pigheaded for not revealing his addiction to CTU and getting treatment for it. If it really was in the line of duty, what's the problem, Jack?

But if it wasn't really in the line of duty but a reaction to the horrible stress and tragedy of his life, then his outsized guilt and sense of morality means he would put the burden all on himself while lying to everyone to cover up his self-perceived "weakness."

It was nice to see that that stupid pawn Kyle didn't have to pay for his foolishness with his life and presumably the Singers will be shuffled off the stage as something...else...takes over as the key threat. We're not even halfway thru the season yet!

Tons Of Suspense!

[ccthemovieman-1 · 10/10 · 14 May 2007]

This episode was good in that it calmed things down, action-wise, but yet had tremendous suspense, making it an excellent hour. The suspense involves one thing: does the government shoot down the helicopter carrying good-guy "Jack Bauer" (Keifer Sutherland) and terrorist bad-guy "Ramon Salazar" (Joaquim de Almeida)?

I didn't mind a break in the action because the following week was mostly that with the prison break. The strategy of Bauer, the workings of the CTU, the involvement of Jack's friend - The President Of the United States, all make this a riveting episode. The sidebar stories include the President having his nationally-televised and then having to leave it to attend to Bauer's situation; a shocking revelation concerning the health of Kyle Singer and "Gael," the mole at the CTU, walking in on Kim with a gun.

Wow, these shows are intense. This is my first look at this series and I'm worn out.....and I'm only a fourth of the way through the 24 hours!

The Brothers Will Meet.....

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 18 January 2019]

There's lots that happens here. First, the President is being assaulted by the Senator running against him. During the debate, Palmer is forced to leave to take an important call. Of course, it involves Jack's carrying out his orders. We have Kyle hospitalized and meeting his parents for "the last time?" Inside CTU all kinds of things are going on with the arrival of Chapelle to take over for Tony. And then we have the mole in the room monitoring all kinds of sensitive information and intercepting messages. And then there is KIm who figures in the last scene.