3-BestMoments

Best Moments

Season 3

~ Here it is, exclusive to kiefersutherland24.net, the list of the Best Moments of Season 3. With a whopping one hundred and twenty-one 'moments' on the long list this year it was difficult to narrow down to just 24. Before the finals, though, the Top 5 runners up. ~

~Runners Up~ 
Best Moment - Season 3

Gael trying to reach the virus but not getting it in time. Never thought they would release the virus in the hotel and kill all those people. It was very unexpected and also so close to being stopped. If they had justdriven a little faster they may have made it there. As it stands, Gael gets a face full of virus instead. [3.15: 3:00am - 4:00am]

Ramon blowing up. Ramon is such a ruthless character that has done all kinds of crazy things. The craziest of them all was trying to get away with that vial. I really wasn't so much expecting that to happen, in fact, it was the last thing that I was expecting. A high calibre 24 surprise. And that last look by Ramon before the bomb went was perfect. [3.12: 1:00am - 2:00am]

Aaron Pierce wanting David to leave LA. This was so wonderful. Aaron's job is to protect David but also, he likes and respects him. He really does want what's best for the President. The way David reacted was perfect and followed his character perfectly. He didn't make a scene, didn't yell but he just asked for a private word with Aaron and asked him to protect him but do it in L.A. Aaron answer that he can do that for him. We have to love Aaron, our favourite Secret Service Agent. [3.20: 8:00am - 9:00am]

Tony coming back into CTU after being shot. This was a relatively silent scene that had incredible reactions in it. The way Tony kind of waddles into the atrium and almost shuffles his way across to Adam asking him where Chapelle is. Adam's expression is priceless as he looks at Kim. He doesn't seem to know what to do so he just asks Kim in disbelief, "What the hells going on?" Of course Kim doesn't know, even Michelle doesn't know. It was all completely perfect. Too bad it made no sense until it was explained in the next episode. [3.07: 7:00pm - 8:00pm]

Michelle saying goodbye to Gael. This scene had great acting by Gael as he played dying. Michelle's performance was equally as impressive the way she offered the gun to him. The fact that he didn't take it was a nice touch. Equally as emotional was Gael thinking of his family and asking Michelle to tell them that he didn't suffer. It was sweet to see his remorse about the possibility that he hesitated and I think it showed us that he really is a good guy. The music in this scene really added to the emotion as well. [3.17: 5:00am - 6:00am]

And now, the top 24 Moments of the Third Season of 24:

24. Jack pleading for his life. This scene gave me goose bumps and still does just thinking about it. Look into Jack's eyes and you see real fear as he begs for a second chance and a chance to make it right. There's not much to be said except that this scene was so wonderfully acted by Kiefer Sutherland it just left me speechless. This is some of the best acting moments I have ever seen from Sutherland (and I've seen a lot of his movies). [3.09: 9:00pm - 10:00pm]

23. Michelle pretending she has the virus. This was such a good show she put on for the thug that Saunders hired. So good that he believed her. Michelle didn't have a whole lot of time to come up with her plan but she executed it so well when the thug freaked out. Michelle is a good agent and this just shows that she's all over the fieldwork, not just another damsel in distress. [3.22: 10:00am - 11:00am]

22. Kim coming face to face with Nina. This is almost the second half of what happened last season when Jack saw Nina at CTU. Now, it's Kim's turn. The way Nina was led in flanked by guards and chains. Kim was expecting to see her father or her boyfriend but instead she comes face to face with the woman that she loathes. Nina again uses her calm and expression to observe Kim all grown up. Kim's expression was priceless and perfect. After Nina passes by then Jack comes in and hugs Kim. The only thing she can muster is telling Jack that 'she's here.' As Nina is led away her small look back to the remainder of the Bauer family as they try and deal with her re-entry into their world is wonderfully played and enjoyable to watch. [3.14: 1:00am - 2:00am]

21. The confrontation between Sherry and Wayne. The electricity between these actors is great, especially in this scene. They are both, in different, twisted ways looking out for the President's best interest but they both do it in really convoluted ways. It's wonderful how Wayne gets so splittingly angry when Sherry tells him that he would have done the same thing, he yells back that "I wouldn't have been there in the first place!" Sherry showing her real self saying that David can and will cover this up and the classic "complex problems sometimes have the simplest solutions." Before the end the little but of foreshadowing, Sherry says that as long as Julia keeps her mouth shut they will be fine. This is a great scene all around. Why Sherry Palmer was someone we just love to hate. [3.15: 3:00am - 4:00am]

20. Jane trying to talk some sense into her father. This was a very powerful scene from 2 actors that are just temps on the show. Jane does a wonderful job of pleading with her father not to do this but we do get to see a little of why Saunders is doing this and what he means to accomplish. The way Jane reacts to Saunders telling her that he is doing this for her was perfect and his little question as he looks for her approval is great. Just a father looking for his daughters' approval. [3.23: 11:00am - 12:00pm]

19. Jack's tantrum at CTU. The first real sign this season of tension between Jack and Tony was when Tony had to tell Jack that Kim was the best match for Jane Saunders. Jack's wonderful, fatherly flip out reminds us quite vividly that Jack had to finish raising Kim alone because Teri was killed at CTU. Now the last thing he wants to see is the last thing left that he cares about put in danger. The little shoving match that ensues while Kim watches was so well played. Then, after the strong (and pretty scary) "Don't" from Jack he starts on Kim. Elisha Cuthbert does a great job of standing up to the strength of Kiefer Sutherland's character as she tells Jack that she wants to do this. Also, this ties up how Kim got her job when Jack yells that he gave it to her so she could be safe. In the end, all the yelling and shoving in the world couldn't keep Kim from doing "her duty" of going out in the field. Much like Jack's "duty" kept him from Kim all that time when he was on assignment in the past. Powerful scene with many connotations from the past. [3.19: 7:00am - 8:00am]

18. Tony and Michelle's goodbye. Of course, after the smoke all clears we all knew that Tony was going to prison. It just seems to be Michelle who had a hard time accepting this and the way it was played out here was great. Tony has calmly resigned himself to the possibility of 25 years in prison or even the death penalty, Michelle, not so much. It's was beautiful to see Tony admit that he put her safety above the country's and come to terms with the fact that they can and will put him in prison, "for a long time." Their kiss was reminiscent of the last one that we saw at CTU in Season 2, Michelle crying and Tony trying to help out. His final words remain "I can live with that, even in prison." Well-scripted and wonderful to watch. Makes us wonder what the future holds for these 2. [3.24: 12:00pm - 1:00pm]

17. Jack being told to kill Chase to prove his loyalty. This scene really added a great dimension to the Jack/Chase relationship. Also, it reminded us who may have forgotten just how dedicated Jack Bauer is to his work. Chase came all the way down to Mexico assuming that the Salazar's were going to kill Jack the first chance they got. He got a shocker when it was revealed to his well-meaning self that Jack had (apparently) gone over to the other side. The punching and the spitting just showed his disgust with his mentor who had abandoned him. He must have been pretty mad if those thugs couldn't hold him back either. Also, Chase's acting while he waited for Jack to pull the trigger was so telling and right up to par with Jack. The final part of this scene that was great was Ramon's playful clap when the chamber clicked off empty. His broad smile tells us that this guy is not playing with a full deck; everything is a game, even killing a friend. [3.08: 8:00pm - 9:00pm]

16. The Jack Meltdown. Let's face it; this guy has been through a lot today. He deserves a little bit of 'me' time. It's all chronicled in the E24 summary but the highlights are Jack has faced his drug addiction, was nearly killed numerous times, seen many co-workers injured or killed but probably most of all the things that effected him the most were the things to do with Chase, his partner who pretty much idolizes him (i.e. the gun and torture in Mexico and the hand), letting Kim be with Chase, even though he's a field agent, the stuff that Tony dragged up about Teri, Chapelle, Nina and finally Claudia, the person he was in love with but is now dead because he asked her to help him and Chase. Again, Jack is left with all this baggage to deal with once the 'day' is over. It was such a marvellous touch to let him show through all of these emotions that he has had to keep bottled up inside all day. Sutherland did a great job of allowing us to see the vulnerable side to Jack. The best part of all was the intercom calling Jack back to work. As it seems to be in Jack Bauer's life, CTU is always waiting to call him back to reality, back to work. [3.24: 12:00pm - 1:00pm]

15. Jack and Claudia. The shooting of this scene was the first thing that drew me to it. The revelation that Jack was seeing Claudia while undercover explains his break-up with Kate. She didn't need to say anything before she slapped Jack around the face and then listened to him explain himself. Vanessa Fertillo did such an incredible job of a betrayed woman and showed both love and hate as she talked to Jack who was still battling his addiction. Strong words in this scene from both Jack and Claudia. Jack saying that "I meant everything I ever said to you" and her calling him "A man without a soul" and telling him "You were a man once, what happened to you?" From the moment she slaps him to the moment he pulls her hands off of his face this scene was one of the most powerful 24 scenes yet. [3.08: 8:00pm - 9:00pm]

14. Michelle finding out that she doesn't have the virus and calling Tony. Although I was all for Michelle having the virus and it kind of felt like a cop-out that she didn't when she tells Tony that she doesn't have the virus and she isn't going to die was so emotional and well done that I loved it. Not getting to know right away what the results say and then having to wait until she phones Tony. We are just as relived as he is when she says "I'm okay, I'm not infected." It seems Reiko Aylesworth's performance was just a touch more powerful than Carlos Bernard's but they were both incredibly moving, especially when they talk about nearly losing each other. In light of what happens to Michelle inside the same hour this scene is even better. They finally say their "I love you's" before Michelle is captured. Having the other agent be infected made the reality of someone having the virus really hit home. [3.20: 8:00am - 9:00am]

13. The reverse mole confusion. 24 at its finest. We thought we had a mole. Tony's been out for a few hours and Jack is on his way to Mexico to be killed by the Salazar's. In a few short seconds and a couple of glances between Tony and Gael the whole thing is flipped upside down. Then the hug between Jack and Hector. Finally the cliffhanger of Jack being 'in' back under cover. It was unfortunate it essentially nullified the first 6 ¾ episodes but it was a good twist anyway. [3.07: 7:00pm - 8:00pm]

12. Tony's interrogation of Nina. It was nice to see Tony getting some serious work on something important. Usually he doesn't get to do anything fun. How cool and calm Nina was about the entire thing was classic Nina. 24 doesn't have a lot of room for comedy but this little scene was laced with it but also very serious. Nina gets the first punch saying that she was with Jack first and now Tony, just like before. Then the way Nina casually mentions the marriage and the ring adds another point for her. The irony of this, of course, is that Tony's wife is watching it all unfold. Tony, though, gets the last stab with the comment about Marcus Alvers' medical information. Sarah Clarke and Carlos Bernard were wonderful together and it's sad that we'll never see that again. [3.14: 2:00am - 3:00am]

11. Jack killing Nina. Finally. After all this time Jack finally got to finish what he started 4 ½ years ago when he had her over the car in the Season 1 finale. The resolution of the storyline was intensely satisfying and well put together. 4 shots Jack unloads into Nina, 1 for each year since he was ready to kill her originally. [3.14: 2:00am - 3:00am]

10. Saunders capturing Michelle and the phone call to Tony. The last 2 minutes of this episode dash all the happiness that Tony had been feeling for the last half an hour. Tony's reaction was beautiful and he immediately goes from still slightly happy to angry and vengeful. The threats he utters to the calm Saunders are ruthless and the way Saunders brushes them off shows how focused he is on his goal. I may not agree with the choice that Tony made but Carlos Bernard did a wonderful job of bringing us inside Tony's mind and allowing us to believe that Tony would sacrifice everything for his wife. [3.20: 8:00am - 9:00am]

9. David chewing Sherry out. More fodder for the fire that Dennis Haysbert is an incredible actor. The man is just so intense. He has just saved Sherry's and his own behind by lying to the chief of police. From the moment he slams the door behind him we know that David has lost his temper, much like he did in Season 1 with Keith. Here is the difference between David and Sherry: She says the lie is fine, no one will ever know any different. David says that he will know. Sherry is okay with lying as long as she doesn't get caught. David is not okay lying at all. The intensity of the lines that are delivered from David especially are so wonderful, in particular "I despise you for what you've done and I despise my role in helping you get away with it… Get out of my sight." The way he just turns and leaves leaving her to think that maybe just may never speak to her again. [3.16: 4:00am - 5:00am]

8. Jack in his office dealing with his addiction. This is the definition of why Kiefer Sutherland is needed on this show. These scenes had no real dialogue but they are just a man and his demons. Watching our hero fight with himself about whether he should or should not take 'the easy way out' was chilling to the bone. His temporary triumph over it when he throws the needle aside was just perfect. It also really shows us how far Jack Bauer has come since 'Day 2'. At that time he didn't even want to be part of CTU anymore. Now is he so deep in that he has become an addict because of his job. A very quick catch up on the Jack Bauer story in the last 3 years. [3.01: 1:00pm - 2:00pm]

7. Ramon killing Hector. I had read that Kiefer Sutherland was very excited about being a part of this scene, even though all he did really was watch. I know why. This was a great tie-in to what had been said about Ramon at the beginning of the season about him not caring about anyone. He loved his drug empire so much that he would go as far as killing his own brother to keep it as his own. Also, this shows how Ramon will not allow anyone to stand up to him and question his decisions. He is a tough man. The Salazar's turned out great performances for this show and it really was believable watching 1 brother kill the other. Finally the way Jack and Nina both watched in disbelief, as this unravelled was perfect reaction to something like this. Wonderful scene, chilling, but wonderful. The addition of the second shot in episode 12 capped the whole thing off. [3.11: 11:00pm - 12:00am]

6. Wayne telling David about Sherry and Julia. D.B. Woodside gave one of his two best performances here and in the last episode. This scene also gives Dennis Haysbert a chance to shine and shine he does. The way these two play off each other is beautiful. When David grabs Wayne as he explains what happened made us wonder if he was about to do something crazy. Then he wonders over and flops into his chair obviously unsure of what to do next. Wayne shows he can be just as ruthless as Sherry when he tries to put a positive spin on this but David is still David, a quite emotional man that just wants good to happen. The two brothers mourn together and compare notes, for David it's the mother of his children, for Wayne it's the woman that he loves. Both are difficult losses and in the end David just tells Wayne to leave him alone. As we've seen from the beginning (as early as season 1) David does like to think things out for himself. [3.24: 12:00pm - 1:00pm]

5. Jack and Tony. These are 2 scenes that I'm going to roll into 1 "Best Moment" because they are generally a continuation of each other. First of all when Jack intercepts Tony in the car with Jane. The way that Tony reminds Jack that he did the same thing a few years ago, even though it was slightly different. Tony being so hesitant to bring CTU into it because he doesn't want to lose Michelle. Finally when he concedes Jack reassures him. Argument forgotten. Then, when they get to the pay phone. This is the better of the 2 halves. Tony is so obviously scared about Saunders killing his wife and Jack is also compassionate about what Tony is going through. Tony knows exactly what Jack is thinking though, and when he asks Jack if Michelle dying would be an acceptable loss Tony already knows the answer. They are expendable, just like Mason said in Season 1 about Jack. Jack looking away confirms it. Carlos Bernard does a great job of showing Tony turning nasty when he asks Jack with disgust if he didn't learn anything from what happened to Teri. Jack reacting typically and shoving Tony showed us that Jack still feels the loss of his wife. The line that stuck out was "Just because you sacrificed your wife for this job doesn't mean I'm going to sacrifice mine." The look on Jack's face is priceless and then the ultimate "I told you so" for Tony: the phone rings. Saunders calls back just like Jack said he would. Jack obviously feeling a bit sorry for Tony because he does tell him that he did a good job. The price of the job. [3.22: 10:00am - 11:00am]

4. Julia shooting Sherry. From the moment Wayne showed up in this scene it got very intense. Even in her last moments Sherry is still Sherry. She tries to manipulate her way out of the situation by promising Julia that she can help her. Julia (Gina Torres) does a surprisingly good job for a character that hasn't been that strong. Penny Johnson Jerald is great as a begging, but not too desperate Sherry, it seems that she didn't actually believe that Julia would do what she did. The shining star in this scene was D.B. Woodside. He comes running into the room and kicks it up a notch. He is willing to agree with anything that Sherry says to get the woman he loves to put the gun down. We all know that Wayne doesn't like Sherry all that much but at her death he is still a bit lost and goes to her side. The strongest part Julia cocking the gun again after she shoots Sherry. It looked like she was going to shoot Wayne but then she just apologizes and shoots herself. Wayne is left with 2 dead women in tears. [3.23: 11:00am - 12:00pm]

3. The Chapelle death scene. When this aired I really didn't have much to say about it. It was so perfectly done that I could neither criticize nor bring to words what I felt about this scene. Now looking back this really sticks with me. From the time Jack has to help Chapelle out of the chopper to the time his body falls to the ground it is just so intensely emotional that I have nothing to say but "wow". Some highlights: Chapelle having no one to call, attempting to do it himself but unable to. Finally it landing on Jack to do it and his quiet words of "God forgive me." When watching this scene again I am still captivated by Paul Schulze's performance. It seems he hit is 24 stride in this season, when he morphed from stomping, bitter, rule following Chapelle to someone that we really will miss in the cast. Kudos to the writers for still having the gall to take him out. That's what 24 does. [3.18: 6:00am - 7:00am]

2. Tony getting shot. Seeing this longstanding CTU agent get ruthlessly shot in the neck was pure 24. I walked around for the next week with my mouth hanging open after this episode and waking up in the middle of the night saying 'They shot Tony!' The scene was beautifully done with us seeing Kyle Singer see the gunman before Tony does, then the flash of the hit man and Tony going down in a heap. Having Jack come to his rescue and try and help was spectacular. Also leaving Tony's wedding ring clearly visible while he is down on the floor was also a nice touch. [3.03: 3:00pm - 4:00pm]

And, the number one moment of Season Three is:

1. Jack, Chase and the axe. I know that this was pretty graphic but it was still so incredible. The first time I watched it I had to cover myeyes, but I peeked. The way it starts with Jack's eyes straying to behind Chase and then back like he wished that he hadn't looked. Then Chase following his gaze and realizing that this is the only way out. He tells Jack to do it. Jack's reaction is vintage Jack: stubborn. The way he yells the slightly panicked, "He's gonna call back!" was classic Jack. The line that was perfectly delivered was Chase's "It's okay." James Badge Dale has really grown into this role of Chase and he almost outshines Kiefer Sutherland here but when Jack goes and picks up the axe it's all about him. The way he watches Chase, probably his future son-in-law prepare for the moment and then Jack going over, lining it up and through Chase's grunts doing it. Perfectly acted by the pair of them, wouldn't change a thing if I could. This reminded us that 24 is still 24 and can still grip us to the edge of our seats, hailed as the best show on TV once again. [3.24: 12:00pm - 1:00pm]