Gannett News Service

Must-see

24, 9 p.m., Fox.

Last week, this terrific series opened its season with surprises.

Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has a heroin addiction that began when he was undercover. His daughter Kim has a secret romance with Chase, Jack's colleague. The president has his own secret romance with his doctor. All of that would be complicated enough on a normal day. This day, however, has the entire Counter Terrorist Unit scrambling to prevent a drug lord's brother from releasing a fast-spreading virus. Things get more complicated because an ordinary California teen is delivering the virus, which is disguised (really) as cocaine.

Other shows worth watching

8 Simple Rules, 8 p.m., Channels 9. 2. Rocked by the death of its star John Ritter, this show has an interesting revision. Tonight's episode begins with Cate (Katey Sagal) mourning her husband's death. Her parents - played by TV heavyweights James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette - were estranged from each other but they arrive to comfort Cate and her three children.

Nova, 8 p.m., PBS. Here's the final hour of the three-hour The Elegant Universe in which physicist Brian Greene explains the "string theory" that has the entire universe composed of tiny strings. . Using animation and special effects, he whisks us through wormholes, time-travel and more.

Fear Factor, 8 p.m., Channels 5, 22. This one is expanded to 90 minutes to make room for four stunts instead of three. In one, 10 items are hidden inside 50 cows' brains - which contestants must move with their mouths.

Frasier, 9:30 p.m., Channels 5, 22. As the pregnant Daphne becomes more emotional, Niles is reluctant to tell her that his ex-wife, Maris, is back. Meanwhile, Frasier returns to private practice and has some annoying patients. Sarah Silverman of School of Rock plays one of them.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, 10 p.m., NBC. Josie Bissett (Melrose Place) plays a pregnant woman who is attacked. Soon, she's in a court case that has Shirley Jones and Mariette Hartley as dueling lawyers.

Judging Amy, 10 p.m, Channels 12, 7. This is supposed to be Amy's (Amy Brenneman) wedding day. Complications arise, including a tough murder case.