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While some of the threats faced by CTU, Jack Bauer and his daughter Kim during the second season might have seemed hokey, it added a soap opera quality that enlivened the series a bit considering the glum situations they faced. With nuclear devices out of the way and assassination already addressed, this time Jack, Kim (who now works full time at CTU) and CTU face a bioterrorist. Jack infiltrates a drug lord’s business operation to try and arrange a deal to purchase the virus in hopes of finding and stopping the terrorist. The only problem is that to convincingly work his way into the organization, Jack became a heroin addict. ***

Although the well written series and intricate subplots were interesting, the series became a tad predictable with the third season an improvement on season two but not quite up to season one’s high standard. Luckily a number of “24” regulars return including Jack’s nemesis and former lover/co-worker Nina Meyers (Sarah Clarke) and the blunt political black widow First Lady Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson Jerald) continues to spin her webs. With a largely new cast working at CTU, it’s nice to have some familiar faces and some nasty villains return to keep Bauer from appearing too heroic. ---

A number of great extras include a number of behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes and alternate takes. Additionally, we get the original extended version of the premiere episode which is a big plus for fans of the series. “Boys and Their Toys” focuses on some of the devices Jack uses to aid his efforts to prevent the destruction of the world. There’s also, for the first time, a multi-angle study of one of the action sequences and a discussion (albeit pretty superficial) of the real threat from bioterrorist to the United States and other countries. Finally we get a season four preview on the last disc and a preview of the movie “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” starring Brad Pitt.