Alias 2.14, 2.15, 2.16
I had thought that "Double Agent" was an early indicator of the lower quality that came about due to the early and unexpected demise of SD-6. So I was actually a bit relieved to read that it was an aired-out-of-order issue. It just felt...off. I was shocked that Olivia d'Abo was killed so early in the episode but it was nice to see Ethan Hawke. And yet the whole thing just seemed like a cheap version of the bad movie Face/Off. Sure, I'm glad they actually gave us a whatever!technology explanation for Fake Francie but other than that? Meh. Also, why is there a pointless blonde CIA intern?
"A Free Agent" and "Firebomb" definitely felt more like Alias to me. I like that Marshall accepted the new state of things with as much ease as he ever shows in social situations. Heh. And I liked how realistic it was for Dixon to hold a very legitimate grudge for much longer. Carl Lumbly is so good (ooh, I just learned he's from here - Minneapolis!) and that scene where Dixon confessed to his wife just slayed me. I was almost sorry to see him show up with Vaughn to save Sydney. Glad she acknowledged the sacrifice he made by doing so.
This show really does have fantastic guest actors, doesn't it? I was pleased to see Christian Slater playing against type. Though they never really did say if Sark killed him or let him go once the magic immolation device was finished. I'm not sure why Sark is letting Sloane order him around so much if they're supposed to be sharing equally in the Rambaldi discoveries. And interesting that Sloane is still keeping things from Emily. Makes me wonder just what he told her to get her permission to cut off her finger.
I thought it was cool to bring Will in to the briefing and then have him totally be the rock star. Not sure what kind of character development not owning a suit is though. I'm waiting for more with him and Francie. Presumably the point of them starting to hook up is so that he'll be the one that notices she's not herself. I'm trying to keep an open mind about the Francie plot but they're not really making it easy. I mean, she's not exactly doing anything interesting. At first I thought maybe it was like how Joss Whedon wanted to give Amy Acker a chance to play another character, hence killing off Fred and for Illyria. But see, that really was another character. So far all that Merrin Dungey is doing differently is looking blank when Syd's not around. And that's not exactly a master class in acting technique.
"A Free Agent" and "Firebomb" definitely felt more like Alias to me. I like that Marshall accepted the new state of things with as much ease as he ever shows in social situations. Heh. And I liked how realistic it was for Dixon to hold a very legitimate grudge for much longer. Carl Lumbly is so good (ooh, I just learned he's from here - Minneapolis!) and that scene where Dixon confessed to his wife just slayed me. I was almost sorry to see him show up with Vaughn to save Sydney. Glad she acknowledged the sacrifice he made by doing so.
This show really does have fantastic guest actors, doesn't it? I was pleased to see Christian Slater playing against type. Though they never really did say if Sark killed him or let him go once the magic immolation device was finished. I'm not sure why Sark is letting Sloane order him around so much if they're supposed to be sharing equally in the Rambaldi discoveries. And interesting that Sloane is still keeping things from Emily. Makes me wonder just what he told her to get her permission to cut off her finger.
I thought it was cool to bring Will in to the briefing and then have him totally be the rock star. Not sure what kind of character development not owning a suit is though. I'm waiting for more with him and Francie. Presumably the point of them starting to hook up is so that he'll be the one that notices she's not herself. I'm trying to keep an open mind about the Francie plot but they're not really making it easy. I mean, she's not exactly doing anything interesting. At first I thought maybe it was like how Joss Whedon wanted to give Amy Acker a chance to play another character, hence killing off Fred and for Illyria. But see, that really was another character. So far all that Merrin Dungey is doing differently is looking blank when Syd's not around. And that's not exactly a master class in acting technique.