"Star Trek's" Mr. Spock once said, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

Apparently, Jack Bauer was listening.

The former Counter Terrorist Unit, or CTU, agent played by Kiefer Sutherland in the popular Fox series "24" once again puts any sense of self-preservation aside in order to rescue a group of young African boys in what the network has dubbed a prequel to the series' seventh season. It's called "24: Redemption," and it premieres at 8 tonight.

The boys, natives of the fictional country of Sangala, need rescuing, too. They are a hot commodity, the target of extremists who forcibly recruit them into becoming ragtag soldiers in an attempt to overthrow the government.

Jack's good friend, Carl Benton (British actor Robert Carlyle of "The Full Monty"), runs a school in the village that's become a safe haven for the boys. But naturally, knowing "24" as we do, anywhere Jack Bauer hangs out is hardly the safest place to be.

What always has amazed me about Jack is that he either still hasn't learned that his heroic actions have a way of backfiring or he simply doesn't care — and nothing's different here. He's faced with an agonizing decision, although there never really is any doubt about what his choice ultimately will be.

Making things difficult for Jack is Jon Voight, aka Angelina Jolie's dad, who makes an appearance as a villain who will stop at nothing to carry out his evil deeds. (Is there any other kind on "24"?) Gil Bellows — most notably from "Ally McBeal" — drops by as a slimy government employee who takes particular glee in serving Jack with a subpoena.

And that, in a nutshell, is Jack's dilemma: surrender his freedom and save the world — and he's not even a cheerleader! — or roam free and have the slaughter of innocent children haunt him for the rest of his life. Ah, just another day in the life of Jack Bauer.

Meanwhile, back in the good old U.S. of A., a new era is dawning. ("24's" knack for mirroring current political events is uncanny. The Presidents Palmer, anyone?) This time, though, it's inauguration day for President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones), the nation's first woman leader.

Before she even takes oath, however, she's butting heads with the outgoing president (Powers Boothe) over his hands-off policy regarding Sangala. But she puts that aside for the moment — hey, they need to save some juicy material for the coming season — and gives the American public a rousing inauguration speech.

"In every democracy, people get the government they deserve," she proclaims.

There also is some hubbub related to the president's son, Roger Taylor — no relation to any of the Duran Duran Taylors — whose friend runs into a spot of trouble and begs him for help just before his mother takes the oath of office. So much for enjoying the moment.

As far as I'm concerned, the most exciting moment of all didn't even come during "24: Redemption." It came during the preview for the upcoming season, in which Jack's longtime CTU colleague, Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard), returns from the dead and Jack, for one, isn't happy to see him.

"I swear to God, I will kill you," Jack growls at him. "And you will stay dead this time."

Yup. Jack is back.