24

In the third season premiere, the story begins three years later as a corpse, which has succumbed to a lethal and highly contagious toxin, is dumped in a very public location. A demand is then made; if a notorious drug kingpin is not freed from jail, this deadly virus will be widely released. Jack (Golden Globe winner Kiefer Sutherland), who now runs a special field operations division for the Counter Terrorist Unit, sets off on the trail of this viral threat, which is nothing short of a ticking time bomb.

The hunt by Jack and Chase for one of Salazar's mid-level distributors puts them on the trail of an unsuspecting teen being used as a pawn. Also, Dr. Macer shows President Palmer how the virus can kill within 24 hours of exposure - it's 10 times faster than the ordinary genotypes.

Jack finds Kyle Singer's residence, but Kyle, unknowingly in possession of the deadly virus, is gone. Meanwhile, as President Palmer prepares himself for the upcoming televised debate, Wayne forces him to consider some serious allegations against Anne which have surfaced; and a technical specialist (guest star Andrea Thompson) is brought in by CTU to play a critical role in dealing with the viral threat.

Jack confronts President Palmer about the need to negotiate with the terrorists but Palmer refuses since doing so would be tantamount to declaring open season on the American people. Meanwhile, Michelle learns of a life-threatening situation for Tony.

In order to stop the release of the deadly virus, Jack starts a riot to break Ramon Salazar out of prison. Meanwhile, CTU is closer to finding Kyle Singer; and President Palmer and Senator Keeler begin their debate.

President Palmer must make a life-threatening decision regarding Jack. Meanwhile, Kim learns of her father's drug addiction; and Ryan Chappelle takes command of CTU.

Jack is held captive by Ramon Salazar; Chappelle learns about Jack's drug addiction, then accuses Chase of covering for him; and Michelle plans to visit Tony in the hospital, so she has Gael, unaware of his terrorist connection, take over for her at CTU.

President Palmer comes down hard on Jack and Tony when he learns he was being kept in the dark on matters of national security. Meanwhile, Hector and Ramon face-off in a heated exchange about what to do with Jack.

With the virus worth one billion dollars, Jack and the Salazars find themselves in a bidding war with another potential buyer's representative - someone from Jack's past. Meanwhile, President Palmer learns that Wayne had an affair with the wife of his biggest supporter who now demands that Wayne be fired.

With Jack still undercover, the Salazars torture Chase looking for information about CTU's plans to seize the virus. Meanwhile, Palmer's presidency is being sabotaged by a onetime supporter who wants Wayne fired. To combat this, Palmer turns to a surprising source of help in the episode.

Jack and the Salazars continue with their plan to acquire the virus from Michael Amador. Meanwhile, President Palmer finds out exactly what Sherry wants in return for helping him battle Alan Milliken.

With less than an hour before the delivery of the virus, Nina tries to convince Ramon Salazar that Jack isn't who he says he is. Meanwhile, Sherry needs President Palmer's help in order to make a deal with someone who can bring down Alan Milliken.

Chase confronts Jack as to why he wasn't included in the plans for obtaining the virus and Jack explains the brutal truth about what it takes to be a CTU agent. Also, Nina figures a way to cause serious damage at CTU.

After confronting Jack about his drug use, Chappelle considers pulling him from active duty. Meanwhile, Chase faces a secret he's been keeping from CTU; and Sherry creates a dangerous lie to cover her connection to Alan Milliken.

Jack must deal with due process questions following his sudden killing of a key material witness in the ongoing investigation for the viral terrorist threat. Meanwhile, Sherry is questioned by the police about Allan Milliken.

Jack loosens his control of Amador in order to find out who he's working for. Meanwhile, one of twelve vials containing the virus has been planted inside a Los Angeles hotel prompting CTU to impose a total quarantine of the building.

Jack realizes he has a connection to Stephen Saunders, a man from Jack's past presumed dead. Meanwhile, Saunders forces President Palmer to hold a televised press conference.

President Palmer tells Jack that a top CTU agent is to be killed. Meanwhile, at the hotel, Michelle offers a peaceful ending to those infected with the virus.

With Saunders now calling the shots, Jack looks to create a surprise of his own to gain the upper hand. Meanwhile, CTU is hot on the trail of a hotel guest who managed to escape.

CTU gains the upper hand as Jack takes control of Saunders' one weakness. Meanwhile, Palmer must comply with Saunders' latest demand or deal with the virus being released in a second location.

As Jack and Chase make their move to grab Saunders, Tony must choose between his duty and protecting his wife. Meanwhile, President Palmer deals with Senator Keeler's plan to go on the offensive.

Jack uses Saunders' daughter as leverage to prevent more of the virus from being released. Meanwhile, with Michelle's life in danger, Tony decides to take matters into his own hands.

Saunders tells Jack that the remaining 11 vials containing the virus are to be released within the hour. Meanwhile, Sherry makes a play to be Mrs. David Palmer once again.

Jack is faced with a horrible dilemma after he and Chase find the last vial containing the virus. Meanwhile, Tony could face the death penalty for putting Michelle's life before his duty to maintain national security.