ALIAS Season 4 DVD Winner

Congrats to Spymommywillspank! She has won a free copy of Alias Season 4 on DVD.

Thanks again Jenn for thinking of the bloggies and better luck next time Iceberg. You can always borrow my copy!!

Happy viewing SpyMommy and SpyBaby!!

Time Telling

You can set your heart by that watch- Vaughn did and both the watch and his heart stopped on October 1st, the day he met Sydney. The watch would grow to symbolize not only Vaughn’s connection to his father, but his love for Sydney. On the anniversary of Bill Vaughn’s death, Vaughn wakes early and looks at the watch. Lauren asks what time it is and Vaughn replies, “I don’t know, it’s broken.” I was saddened and slightly livid when Lauren later has the watch fixed as an apology for forgetting the anniversary.

This season, the watch is Vaughn’s proof to Lehman. After the car crash and Vaughn’s escape from Curtis, he calls Sydney and asks her to bring his father’s watch to him. Lehman asks to see the watch in order to identify Vaughn as Bill Vaughn’s son. After Vaughn’s death we see Sydney wearing the watch, but not her engagement ring. I suppose the watch is more of a symbol of their commitment and more of a reminder of her past with Vaughn. Why do you suppose the watch was used in the first place, aside from it being a fabulous pick-up line? Why do you suppose the writers chose to use Bill Vaughn’s watch as Lehman’s proof? Do you think it was an object of convenience? Do you think the watch could hold the answers to P5, Bill Vaughn and Vaughn’s death?

The Deadly Domino

Death leads to a great many things on Alias. The death of one person in any given situation has opened storylines and thrown characters into a spin of lies and secrets, fighting to bring to justice those that have killed or who will kill again.

Danny's murder placed Sydney in the middle of double-agenthood. The murder of Arvin's close friend, Jean Briault placed former James Bond star, Roger Moore in a position to sway the Alliance not to wage war on Alexander Kassinau. Connected to Kassinau was Irina Derevko, which pushed Syndey into a search for her mother. Later, the "murder" of Emily placed Sloane at the table of 12. Along with Brault's death, he was able to frame Ariana Kane for Emily's death. Sloane's mini-hiatus to be with Emily brought in Anthony Geiger, which brought down SD-6 and the other Alliance cells. This led to Sloane's arrangement with Irina in sharing their Rambaldi artifacts-seemingly, the Covenant was born. The Covenant led to Sydney's missing two years, Vaughn's marriage to a CIA mole (and the death of Lazarey) and Elena's wrath.

The "death" of Vaughn, again led Sydney on a hunt for members of an unknown terrorist group-interestingly enough, linked to her mother. The deaths of Ivan Curtis, Gordon Dean and Dr. Desantis would seem to weaken P5, but as we know, Irina Derevko, along with Kelly Peyton, are fully capable of running the show for whoever the anonymous Benefactors are.

Sloane killed Briault and Emily in order to rid himself of the Alliance. Irina killed Kassinau in order to rid herself of him and to secure her position in CIA custody and seemingly Curtis killed Vaughn in order to keep hidden the secrets of Prophet 5. What do you suppose the deaths of Curtis, Dean and Desantis will bring to the table? We are aware that Sloane, Irina and Jack (who killed Haladki, and "Irina") are willing to kill to protect the ones they love. What does this have to do with the advanced movement of P5? What do you suppose is the hidden agenda for this trio of death (Sloane, Irina and Jack)? The promos have suggested that someone close to APO will pay the ultimate price by series end. What are your predictions? Who will be the sacrifical lamb?

Bloggy Appreciation

Don't Forget: January 2nd is the 1st Annual Let's Talk Alias Bloggy Appeciation Day. Has this blog inspired your to write? Have you been researching an article and would like to post it? Do you write Alias fan fiction? If so, submit your entries by Jan. 2nd and I will choice 3 winners and post their articles. You can submit entries via e-mail: girlscout35@hotmail.com. Good luck and happy blogging!

Thanks for all your support!! Let's keep it going into the New Year!!

Back At It

Phewww, the holidays are nearly over. I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Now back at it, in full force.

As I mentioned, my good friend has just returned from 3 months in Argentina, and we are currently in the midst of re-watching the first 9 episodes of season 5. Last night, we watched episodes 1-3 and I was reminded of a certain incident that may pan out in episodes to come. In episode 5.03 “The Shed” Sloane is granted a 72 hour leave from prison, in order to pursue a lead on a cure for Nadia. Sloane is set to meet with Sasha Dolzhenko, an old friend, who informs Sloane that several of the infected from Svogda are being studied in Russia and they may have found a cure. Along with Dixon, Sloane meets with Sasha, who, in exchange for information, wants $300,000. Chump changes for men like Sloane. Sloane brings the money, but discovers that Dolzhenko merely used a cure as a way of drawing Sloane out. Sasha points a gun at Sloane, blaming him for the death of his daughter, who was one of the thousands killed by the zombie virus. Sasha takes the money and leaves Sloane, alone, with no cure and no hope.

At the time, this scene seemed to be rather pointless to me. But perhaps now, in sight of Sloane’s “alliance” with P5, it seems that maybe this meet was more than meets the eye. As my friend stated after the episode, Alias writers hardly insert a scene that isn’t meaningful or plot driven. Suppose the meet was a set up, a way for Sloane to get information out of prison. Perhaps Sasha arranged the meet in order to pass along information to Sloane. What is your understanding of this meeting? Was it merely a scene to prove Sloane’s dedication to finding a cure for his daughter? Or was it a coup, in order to get Sloane out of jail and to tip off phase 2? Why $300,000? What are your thoughts?

The Real Project Christmas

I got an e-mail from blogger Brittany. She made a very good point related to Irina, Prophet 5 and Sydney's hypnosis.

We all know that Irina knows about Project Christmas, she was sent to learn information about it. She knows that Jack "hardwired" Sydney to stand up to most forms of torture and brainwashing. If Irina is just playing Prophet 5 in order to achieve her bigger plan, like in season 2 and 4, she had to use Sydney to give Prophet 5 what they want for now. She had to know that Sydney would most likely give the wrong information thanks to Jack. It wouldn't make sense for Irina to use Sydney for the information if she ACTUALLY wanted Prophet 5 to have the information. Irina knows too much about Syd and she knows that her daughter isn't going to give the right info-there is NO WAY that she would. Even though Irina isn't involved in Sydney's life she is still her mother, and mothers have a way of just knowing ( season 2 she knew Syd loved Vaughn and Vaughn loved Syd by simply looking at the two of them). Doing it this way, Irina knows that when Prophet 5 figures out that Syd gave them the wrong name the blame won't be on Irina, she will look clean. Irina also knows that Jack will be on a war path once he finds out Sydney is missing and will stop at nothing until he finds her... Irina may possibly be hoping and knowing that Jack will find her and take Sydney away for awhile.

Project Christmas saves the day! Of course Irina knew Syd would give the wrong information!! Gosh, this is getting deeper and deeper! What do you think?

Thanks Brittany! Keep on bloggin'!

Project Christmas

This is my "niece" Sydney wearing her Bristow T-shirt. She's our little SpyBaby.

No, I haven't subjected little Sydney to semi-automatic gun assembly, cryptic word games or ink blot tests, but I am going to smother her with kisses! Forget about maternity leave and the convenient break for a certain “dead” agent filming a movie, I am going out of town baby!

I have finished my Christmas shopping and I have proceeded to shake every present under my parent's tree (I am hoping Alias seasons 1,2, and 3 are under there). I am off today to my hometown to see old friends and of course, SpyBaby. I will be re-watching season 5 episodes, as my friend Laura, who has recently returned from a trip in Argentina, has yet to see season 5. She’s been out of the country; she knows nothing- not a spoiler, not a theory, she has no clue and I can’t wait to experience it all over again.

So, I will be back to the blog on Tuesday with new insight, new ideas and a fresh look at the season so far. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Joyous Kwanza!

Sincerely, Girlscout & Let’s Talk Alias

PS. If you have blog content ideas to keep the blog fresh during the hiatus, please feel free to contact me. You can reach me via e-mail: girlscout35@hotmail.com!

We Know This Much Is True...

Irina Derevko would never intentionally hurt her daughters. It has been general blog consensus that Irina is working in the best interest of Sydney and her baby. Aside from her question about whether or not the drugs would affect the baby, Irina has made it very clear (to Jack, with a slap in the face) that despite her underworld status as an international terrorist and CIA murderer, she cares deeply for her daughters and is only trying to protect them from dangerous enemies.

Sydney is lead to her mother through Alexander Kassinau, the man thought to be “The Man.” Irina aligns herself with Kassinau in order to get her hands on a Rambaldi manscript. She turns herself into the CIA in order to gain access to their resources. She manipulates her way into leading a CIA mission to trap Sloane and she unexpectedly betrays the CIA and Sydney by handing the Rambaldi Bible over to Sloane. She, Sloane and Sark then kidnap Neil Caplan, a mathematician, in order for him to piece together Rambaldi’s puzzle. The CIA is able to save Caplan, but Irina disappears, as does Sloane.

We later discover, via Irina on the CIA jet, that Irina was taken captive by her sister Elena. A double was then made of Irina and she was framed for hiring Tomasaki to assassinate Sydney. Jack learned of this and killed the doppelganger. However, when information on the Helix Protocol was found on the PDA of one of Elena’s foot soldiers, Sydney and Vaughn discover that Irina is, in fact, alive. Sydney and Nadia track their mother to Brazil and save her. Irina is the only one that can stop Elena and her endgame by dismantling the Mueller Device. The last we see of Irina, she disappears into the night, once the flood as destroyed Svogda. Her vast knowledge of Rambaldi and his endgame has saved Sydney, as well as APO on several occasions. Her agenda and true intensions have never been represented, but as the series finale looms, it is possible we will finally discover Irina’s own endgame.

Now she has returned as an associate of P5. Dr. Desantis has Sydney kidnapped and hypnotized in order to discover the location of Horizon. If we recall, when Sydney asked Ivan Curtis on the plane who he was working for, he answered, “Even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.” If Irina is behind or in cahoots with P5 it would explain Bill Vaughn’s murder. Vaughn tells us in the season 5 opener that members of the group recruited to decipher the Rambaldi text were dying mysteriously. To protect himself and his young family, Bill Vaughn changed his name and moved. Perhaps Irina was able to locate him and kill him. Assuming Vaughn and Sydney are the same age, they would have both been 8 at the time of Bill Vaughn’s death. Thus, Irina had been “dead” for 2 years and Nadia would have been nearly 1 years old. Whether or not it is true that Bill Vaughn took Nadia and handed her over to Elena, it’s unclear. We only hear this from Elena, whose main objective was giving false information to manipulate.

Let’s say Bill Vaughn had nothing to do with Nadia. Simply, Irina killed him because he was a member of the group that deciphered the code, as she had killed the others. It would give reason to why she did not kill Sloane, who was also a member of the group. Assuming Sloane really is Nadia’s father, only he would be able to locate Nadia as the Passenger. So, it was necessary for Irina to keep Sloane alive, in order to find her daughter, that I assume Elena kidnapped.

I am sure Irina didn’t anticipate that Sydney would fall in love with the man whose father she killed. However, Irina was aware that Vaughn was investigating P5, per their discussion on the train tracks in the finale of season 4. She urged Vaughn to tell Sydney what he was working on. What I can’t piece together is why Irina would want Sydney investigating a top secret terrorist organization she is apart of? That is, unless she needed Sydney or her baby for some specific reason. By the looks of the make-shift nursery, I would say Baby Bristow-Vaughn will be entering into an Alice and Wonderland world, soaked in Rambaldi prophecy. If Irina is in the chain of command for P5, then how can we explain the hit of Vaughn? I can’t imagine Irina would tell Vaughn to reveal the truth about his investigation to Sydney only to have him killed. And if Vaughn was extracted by Irina, why would she not just ask Vaughn for the name on the SD-6 map, instead of kidnapping her pregnant daughter and pumping her full of drugs? (I still believe that Jack and Sydney faked Vaughn’s death).

Also, I am having a hard time understanding Irina’s motivation for leaving Nadia in a coma. That is, unless Irina knows that Nadia DOES pose a threat to Sydney and her baby. Irina does know that she can use Nadia to manipulate Sloane and perhaps keeping Nadia in a coma is for her own good.

As for the connection between P5 and SD-6, I see there are plenty. For one, the Alliance and SD-6 were both after the artifacts of Rambaldi. Sloane bringing down the Alliance, combined with Irina’s infiltration of the CIA while she was in custody, put one person in possession of all the Rambaldi artifacts. Elena. Now that Elena is gone, perhaps P5 was able to gain possession of the artifacts and Horizon is the key. Or perhaps Horizon is the only remaining artifact after the flood in Svogda destroyed the others.

Here are several definitions of horizon:
-The apparent intersection of the earth and sky as seen by an observer. Also called apparent horizon.

Astronomy:
The sensible horizon.
The celestial horizon.
The limit of the theoretically possible universe.
The range of one's knowledge, experience, or interest.

Geology:
A specific position in a stratigraphic column, such as the location of one or more fossils, that serves to identify the stratum with a particular period.
A specific layer of soil or subsoil in a vertical cross section of land.

Archaeology: A period during which the influence of a specified culture spread rapidly over a defined area: artifacts associated with the Olmec horizon in Mesoamerica.

Do any of these definitions spark an idea about what Horizon could possibly be? Remember, we are talking Rambaldi here; we are talking advanced technological knowledge, vast questions about human nature, human genealogy and using science as a way to know God.
Phhew! That was a long one, was it not?? Lots of information! Let the toss of theory and speculation begin!

PS. I do have to say, I agree with blogger Rudy. I do believe that Jack and Irina are working together to bring down P5 and that we haven’t been given enough information to explain some of their strategic moves (i.e Vaughn’s “death,” Sydney’s kidnapping etc.) Remember, Jack tasked Sydney to go and speak with Renee, leaving Sydney vulnerable to kidnapping. Then Jack asked Renee to kill Desantis. I suppose Sloane could be involved. If you’ve noticed, several members of the P5 Map have been killed (Dean by Sloane, Desantis and Curtis).

Mapping the Underworld

This is a map of P5 as I understand it. What do you think? (Sorry if it's hard to read).

They wanted the map; the map of SD-6. They grabbed Sydney off the street, strapped her to a chair and not only tortured with drugs and electric shock, but with the memory of her long lost love. So typical of the merciless terrorist organizations we have met on Alias.

Dr. Desantis informs Kelly Peyton that it is necessary for them to kidnap Sydney Bristow in order to recover information from her memory; information given to her by Vaughn. He tells Kelly that once they have Sydney in their possession, he will inform the benefactors. We can assume that these benefactors are the same benefactors that ordered the hit on Vaughn, financed Sloane’s release from prison and are now blackmailing Sloane with the cure for Nadia’s illness. We can also assume that these benefactors are the associates that Irina speaks of, before she orders Peyton to make Sydney comfortable.

I would hardly call what Sydney retrieved from her memory a name. It was the location of Horizon. X-23 Norte, as we know is the incorrect name Sydney gave to P5 to buy APO time to research and gain intelligence on P5’s agenda. What is the name P5 is looking for? How is it connected to SD-6 and the Alliance?

I am in suspicion that there is a mole inside APO. How did Prophet 5 know that Sydney would be meeting with Renee in order to kidnap her? I had a thought. It was brought to light that Thomas Grace was previously married. My first thought was Lauren Reed, in a weird twist of thinking, but now, perhaps I suspect Kelly Peyton. Follow me- Perhaps Grace was or is married to Kelly Peyton. Perhaps he is the mole, relaying information to Prophet 5. Thomas and Kelly come face to face in episode 5.03 “The Shed.” Rachel and Peyton are out on the street; Thomas makes a brush pass by lighting Peyton’s cigarette. Perhaps the plan has been to infiltrate APO and gain access to information, such as Vaughn’s files, to help them retrieve Horizon. Perhaps Kelly intended to get rid of Dean in order to take control of The Shed herself. Just an idea. I would love to believe Thomas is a good guy, but there is something about him that strikes me as odd. (Okay, now that I have typed it out and read it back, it seems highly unlikely!! Gosh, ideas come and go).

PS. So nice to see the blog was in full swing while I was away this last weekend. Thank you for all the birthday wishes; I had a great one! Reminder: January 2nd, Bloggy Appreciation Day. Submit your article today!!

Kudos to the Writers

Quickie:
Last night's episode is one of the best episodes we've seen, not only of the season, but of the series. Alias writers Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec can raise their glasses to a spectacular episode. Josh Appelbaum also wrote episodes 3.09 "Conscious," 3.12 "Crossings," 3.19 "Hourglass," 4.08 "Echoes," 4.11 "Road Home," and 4.22 "Before the Flood." From these episodes (which are some of my favorites), it is obvious Josh knows what he's doing and he loves surprising us. Keep it up Josh, we love your stuff!

Girlscout Turns 25!

Yes, yes, tomorrow is my 25th, the big 2-5! I will be out of town starting tomorrow, (I also coach basketball and my girls have a tournament) so there will be no new posts until Monday. Please check out the archives. Also, now that we know Irina is involved in Prophet 5, take a look back at the final episodes of season 4. Are there any clues?

Have a fabulous weekend Alias fans and savor last night's episode, it’s the last one for a long time!

PS. My parent's gave me a laptop for my birthday! I will be a blogging fool, if I ain't one already!

Episode 5.09 "Horizon"

HOLY COW!
I think my head has stopped spinning so that I may articulate my observations about last nights episode. If I don't say it enough in the next couple paragraphs, I LOVED IT! By far the best episode of the season thus far and it can only lead to more! I LOVE VAUGHN, I LOVE IRINA! I LOVE ALIAS! Okay, I'm okay... oooh, I have a headache now.

I saw her reflection in the glass and I thought I was watching season 2 by mistake. SPYMOMMY is back!! Irina Derevko, played by the talented Lena Olin, returned to Alias last night in a WHAM BAM episode filled with all the goodies Alias has to offer. I don't even know where to begin...oh, yes I do...

THAT WAS NOT SYDNEY'S APARTMENT- The opening sequence with Sydney and Vaughn in the apartment had several clues that established that what was happening was not happening in reality. One- that was not Sydney's apartment. Though it was rather similar to her apartment, the lay-out of the kitchen and bathroom is different than what we have seen in past episodes. Writers will use similar props and sets during dream sequences to suggest that things aren't as they seem. For instance, when Will dreamt he told Francie all about the CIA, he was sitting at the dining room table drinking a glass of wine. At the time, Will was in AA and wasn't supposed to be drinking; that was a clue to tell us that what was happening was not indeed happening.

Jack and Syd hit up the hospital for a little baby birthing tutorial. I loved how Sydney said, "And this is where I will get the epidural right? Because I don't like pain." HAHA, I had to laugh. The woman as been tortured, shot by her mother, and rumbled with a room mate. COME ON! She lives for pain!

Okay, onto the grit! Vaughn's papers are stolen from high security storage byP5 gopher, Kelly Peyton. What a nasty girl!! APO is tasked to find out what exactly P5 needs from Vaughn's research and notes from his old SD-6 and Covenant missions. We come to understand that the bit of information P5 and Dr. DeSantis are looking for is the location of something called the Horizon. Whether this is a device or a manuscript, we cannot be sure, but I guarantee its Rambaldi related.

Jack sends Sydney to meet with Renee. Renee tells Sydney that there is nothing in Vaughn's old files that would be of use to P5. Perhaps that is because we, along with everyone else, don't know how far P5 reaches or apparently how far SD-6 and the Alliance reached. Sydney is then nabbed by two goons and whisked away in the standard kidnapping vehicle-a black windowless van! Aside, it occurred to me that Jack set in motion Sydney's kidnapping by sending her to meet Renee. Are you following me? I think Jack was in on it! I think Jack is working with Irina!!!As for the creepy baby room, obviously Irina has some issue with SpyGrandbaby. Perhaps a child by the Chose One is of value to P5. OHHHH, just had a thought, stay with me...

Perhaps Jack knew what P5 wanted from Vaughn. Perhaps he knew through Irina who was working with them. So, to protect Sydney and Vaughn, Irina put the "hit" on Vaughn and Jack set up his fake death. Now, Irina, who is obviously working for someone else, has to use Syd to play her game. Remember, she had to shoot Sydney in the shoulder to convince her employers she was loyal. This is the same thing. I think Irina is trying to stop P5...maybe even another evil sister...

Now, let the memories of Vaughn begin-

Hospital- A man, an orderly, comes into Vaughn's room and if you blinked, you missed him place the cup and straw on the table next to the bed. Remember, I mentioned in the premiere episode review that the cup and straw was a clue to Vaughn's fate. Whatever was in that cup put him in a coma did so to convince P5 he was dead. Moving on, Sydney then told Vaughn, "I gave this to you and then you crashed." She wasn't willing to give him a sip. She wasn't willing to lose him all over again. But Vaughn repeated, "They are using me against you. I need to go away." This ambiguous statement only lead me to believe that Vaughn is indeed alive; that faking his death and hiding away was in some way protecting Sydney.

Korean Prison- "We'll find each other, we always find each other." Ain't that the truth? Back in the dank, musty prison in Korea, Vaughn and Sydney share a moment with their baby. In the season 3 scene we understand the tension as being geared to wanting what you can't have. Sydney couldn't have Vaughn because he was married to Lauren, and in the scene last night, she couldn't have him because he was "dead." I loved how that played into Vaughn wanting to experience his child.

Micro-self Storage- Okay, the chain link fences were killing me! They took us way back to micro storage!! I heart micro-self storage! Sydney lays all her plans on the table. She wants to stop running, she wants to stop hiding. She doesn't want people to know who she is or what she knows. She wants to escape; she wants to go away with Vaughn to a deserted island. I was hoping she would plug Lost here, you know, "let's get lost on some island." No dice, but still a very honest scene. I suppose it reflects Jennifer's own need to move on, to live a happy, normal life away from the show and the razzi.

Pier- Um, why weren't they playing Sarah McLachlan? Come on, that is just as much a part of the scene as Sydney and Vaughn. Vaughn says, "You kept the darkness from taking over me. You are going to take these guys down." YES SHE WILL, so you can come back home safe and sound!!

Blood Van-In the van we do discover why Vaughn needed to go away. He had the name from the SD-6 map. The name on the map is something Vaughn must have known that P5 wanted and that they would come after him for that information. She gives them the name X-23 Norte. Is this a name, a code, location?

Beach- Standing on the sandy beach in their perfect place, Vaughn reveals that Sydney had given P5 the wrong name from the map. He said, "You gave them the wrong name, they will find out and I can't be here for that." Throughout the hypnosis Vaughn tells Sydney to make him go away, say goodbye to him because if she doesn't, they win. Perhaps Vaughn is the only person who knows the whereabouts of the Horizon and as long as P5 doesn't know where it is, Sydney is safe. This also leads me to believe the piece is Rambaldi related (along with the SD-6 references and of course, the return of Irina.) Vaughn has always shown concern for Sydney in regards to the prophecies of Rambaldi. He begged Sydney to give up the search for Nadia, in fear that Nadia would harm her. He also offered to destroy the discs that opened the Rambaldi box, which he believed would also be of danger to Sydney.

Let me add that Vaughn in all of these “memories” is NOT Vaughn, he is Sydney’s subconscious. As Paul so cleverly pointed out in the comments, there are two Sydney’s in all of these scenes. One Sydney misses Vaughn and wants to be with him and the other is the Sydney that knows she is under hypnosis and that P5 is looking for something. Everything that Vaughn says is actually Sydney trying to tell herself to let Vaughn go because she knows they are using him against her.

Aside from the obvious callbacks, I found some similar storylines. Sydney gives the wrong information to P5, much like Nadia, who gave the Covenant the wrong location to the Rambaldi dig site in season 3. Jack and Renee stumble upon a makeshift nursery, which reminded me of Jack's psych-eval hypnosis dream from season 1, in which he sees a young Irina holding a baby and then Irina transforms into Sydney. Not sure if there is any connection, but it was a flashback for me.

IRINA! I couldn't even believe it! I nearly jumped out of my seat! There was no indication! Yes, it makes sense that she would want to protect the baby and is invested in Sydney's future, but there was no word Lena Olin at even returned to the set! Thank goodness she's back. Is she good? Is she bad? Is she good pretending to be bad? She is so good at that. She tells Peyton "Now my associates have the location of the Horizon." Who are her associates? Why did they have to get the information from Sydney? Does an SD-6 map no longer exist? What is the tie to SD-6? If she is a leader of P5 (maybe with SpySis Katya) then why hasn't she cured Nadia? Why does she need Sloane? (Man, Sloane and Jack are getting kicked by the Derevko woman! Pansies!)

DeSantis kicked the bucket, after being shot and losing an ear. That was hilarious, well, in a morbid, sick sorta way. Jack pulled out that knife and I was like, ooh sharp knife. Then he slices the old doc's ear off! Hahaha! Gosh, hard life- kept in a box for 20 years, shot, cut and shot again. Hmm, Rambaldi just doesn't seem worth it to me. More people lose their lives than are promised eternal life.

Tid bit- Thomas Grace was married??? What do you suppose was the significance of this little reveal? Could it be someone we know??? Lauren? hehehe! I love Alias!

I don't even know what else to say, other than the episode ROCKED!! So much information, so much going on, the return of old characters, the opening of old wounds. THIS IS WHY I BLOG PEOPLE! It was magnificent! Bravo writers! You roped us right back in and now we have to wait, tick tock, tick tock...2 months and counting...anyone else need a drink, a stiff one?

PS. VAUGHN IS SOOOOO NOT DEAD!

Bits 'n' Pieces

Oh, the influence of Rambaldi is everywhere!! Last night while watching the season 4 episode titled "A Clear Conscious" I noticed a little tid bit. Dr. Lydell, the man Jack envisioned was helping him with his radiation disease, was speaking to Jack about his lab rats. One of his lab rats lived to the ripe of old of 4 years. His name was Milo. HAHAHA! Wasn't Rambaldi said to promise long life? I thought it was a very interesting add in by the writers.

Personal shout out: ATTENTION ANGELA, oh-so-dedicated-blogger, I would love to chat with you about my short story. IT'S FINISHED!! Reach me via e-mail!! Thanks and happy writing!

T.T.T.W. (Things To Think about on Wednesday)

One episode to last the entire holiday season? Fooey! This is it people, this is it. Tonight is the night! Not only does Vaughn return, but it is the final episode before the winter/maternity hiatus. Below are some rules to help you fully enjoy tonight's episode. Happy Viewing!

Please raise your right hand and repeat after me…
1. I will not get my hopes up, though it is highly possible the writers would like to leave us all in utter duress in order to have us gnawing for more by the time March rolls around.
2. I will not cry; this is the holiday hiatus, not the end of the show. (Well, I suppose we can cry for Vaughn and Sydney, good or bad.)
3. I will pay attention to all things Vaughn, as there may be several clues leading to his full fledged return for the remainder of the season. (There should be several call backs in this episode, keep an eye out.)
4. I will note all call backs and references to old characters (Irina, Will, Francie, etc.), as it is possible these characters may be returning for the final season.
5. I will tape every last minute as to watch it repeatedly over the hiatus. (It will be my only comfort; that and about 4lbs. of chocolate shaped like Santa.)

The hiatus is going to be hard on some. Wednesday and Thursday nights will feel empty and without purpose. Hold strong. Just remember that this hiatus is necessary for the return of butt-kicking Syd and several beloved, long lost characters. The hiatus will rejuvenate the actors, the writers, and the producers. The season will resume with fresh faces, fresh storylines and new and exciting entertainment. Hiatus = Good! Haitus = Kick-butt Syd!

PS. Though I will be posting articles during the hiatus, please visit the ARCHIVES. There are tons of great articles pertaining to old and new episodes that you might have missed!
Remember: The First Annual Let’s Talk Alias Bloggy Appreciation Day is January 2nd. Turn in your pieces for the post contest before that date and you could be a winner! For more information see article “Bloggy Appreciation: Writing with Soul.”

The Water and the Well

As many of you may know, I am in the midst of re-watching season 4 on DVD. Last night I watched episodes 4.17-4.20, all episodes that explain Sloane’s Rambaldi obsession and Elena’s final end-game. I am so glad I went back! I understand now! I have a firm grasp on the complexity of those four episodes and I think I can relay what I have learned in a coherent manner, as to inform you all! YAHOO!!

Bottom line- Sloane found comfort in the arms of Rambaldi after the death of he and Emily’s daughter, Jacqueline. I do believe, somewhere in all the hub-bub of this season and the HOLY CRAP factor of last season’s finale, we lost sight of where Rambaldi began for Sloane. He saw Nadia as the one final step in completely his journey. When she refused to help him (thus, not walking on the glass floor to retrieve the Rambaldi Sphere of Life) Sloane took the walk on his own, nearly falling to his death. But Nadia, the good wholesome daughter she is, helped her father from the hole and Sloane vowed never to speak of Rambaldi again. His obsession began with the loss of a daughter and ended with the gaining of one. I finally felt satisfied; it felt full circle for me to watch that again and understand it purely related to Sloane.

Watching the “In Dreams” episode in which the Sloane Clone is shocked back into this own brain, I found some overwhelming parallels to this season and tonight’s episode. One, Emily returns in the “In Dreams” episode, much like Vaughn will return tonight. Sloane is put under hypnosis in order to remember the deep buried pain of losing Jacqueline. This buried pain was necessary in shocking the Clone into revealing the whereabouts of the magical Rambaldi orchid. Tonight, Sydney will be put under in order for P5 to retrieve, no doubt vital information that will help them in their search for whatever it is they are looking for. It also seems interesting that both Emily and Sydney are presented as pregnant in these “dreams” or states of unconsciousness. This may be a stretch, but I saw Emily’s pregnancy and the death of their child representative of Sloane’s downward spiral into the world of Rambaldi. Jacqueline was to give Sloane something to live for, and when she died, his rationality and sense of reality died with her. Sydney’s pregnancy, especially in tonight’s episode, I find to be a new beginning for both Sydney and Vaughn. Sydney will be able to be the mother she never had and Vaughn will get to the father he always envisioned he had.

Parental relationships took over in the later half of season 4 and I feel they are making a come back. We saw Irina meet Nadia for the first time, we saw Sloane shoot Nadia in order to save Sydney. This season we’ve seen Jack reach out to his pregnant daughter, Sloane go to great lengths to save his daughter and we’ve seen Sydney pace APO as she tries to bring down the men that “killed” Vaughn and threaten her baby. We can assume that as this season progresses, the family bonds and relationships will only get stronger, especially with the birth of Baby Bristow-Vaughn.

Aside from these parallels, I was able to better under Elena’s plan by re-watching these episodes. Sloane admitted that as CEO of Omni-Fam, he put additives in the water supply of several third world countries; addictives that would alter brain chemistry and render the population more susceptible to of feelings empathy and generosity (hence, why Sloane is constantly drinking water in season 3.) He believed he was following Rambaldi’s message of peace and he had no idea that the additive’s positive affects could be reversed. Meanwhile, Elena was plotting, using the Sloane Clone to gather Rambaldi artifacts and materials needed for her endgame. We come to understand that the Sloane Clone was created by our fav man of mind games, McCullough (played by the wonderful Angus Scrimm.) At SD-6, McCullough made a “copy” of Sloane’s brain waves, which McCullough later used to convince Ned Bulger that he was Arvin Sloane. It was Sloane who tipped McCullough to the CIA raid on SD-6. This is just too neat and pretty for me. So convenient that the one man that can help Elena create a double was saved by Sloane from CIA custody. This, of course, all ties into my theory that Sloane is behind P5.

I do have to give kudos to Elena for her patience and stamina. She ultimately had been working towards her evil end game for nearly 25 years. She took Nadia, had her placed in an SD-6 like cell, had Sloane and the Clone do all her dirty work and then struck while the iron was hot. She was one tough lady, until Irina put a bullet in her head. That is another aspect of family relationships, but I won’t go into that now! HAHA!

So, have I missed something? Did I clear anything up for anyone, or did I further your confusion? Stay tuned for tips on watching tonight's eppy! Happy Hiatus! (Poor Robetron, I know he is crying right now!)

PS- I found the Season 4 DVD Easter Egg, or the secret extra. On disc 6 (with Vaughn on it) select "bonus" and scroll down to the "deleted scenes." Don't select it, just highlight it. Then click twice to the left and once down. A red cursor will appear over Alias Seasn 4. Click on that. It's a short film of the holiday hiatus party on the set of Alias. It's cute!

The Man in the Box

He was frozen and now he’s not, but where is Dr. Aldo Desantis and what is he up to? There was much speculation and theory over who exactly was thawing in the box. Is is Bill Vaughn? Is it Rambaldi? In episode 5.05 “Out of the Box” we come to believe that Renee Rienne’s father is the man in the box, a doctor kidnapped by P5, leaving Renee an orphan. However, by episodes end, be learn that the man is not Renee’s father, but Aldo Desantis, the doctor who created the box in the first place. For 20 years he lay frozen in his own experiment, to be thawed and to join forces with Gordon Dean.

As shown on previews for this week’s episode, Sydney is kidnapped, held captive and tortured by Peyton and yes, long lost Dr. Desantis. I suppose this is the familiar face the previews speak of and that Dr. Desantis is the man interested in Sydney’s future and that of her baby’s. But, who is Dr. Desantis, aside from a mad scientist and an expert on brain transplants and cryogenics? What is his connection to P5? What is his connection to Sydney? If he is vested in the future of Sydney’s baby, then why torture her? What could Sydney possibly be holding deep in her psyche that could be of value to Dr. Desantis or P5? What is the significance or importance of Vaughn’s return? As mentioned in the previews, Vaughn states, “They are using me against you.” In regards to this statement, it is my understanding that Peyton and Desantis are using Sydney’s memories of Vaughn to unearth any information that maybe of worth to them. Contradictory of being a torture tool against Sydney, is Vaughn’s return meant to ease our (the audience’s) pain? Is his return meant to be a blanket of hope for not only Sydney, but for the masses that criticized his departure in the first place?

Let us explore what we do know about Dr. Desantis. What are your thoughts on the man from the box and what are your predictions?

* PS. I know we discussed Desantis and Renee’s father early on. Did we ever reach a conclusion on whether it is Renee’s father’s body and Desantis’ brain? That issue is still fuzzy for me.

Bloggy Appreciation: Writing with Soul

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!

I have decided to declare January 2, 2006 the First Annual Let's Talk Alias Bloggy Appreciation Day. As a thank you for all your blogging support over the last 3 months, I would like to encourage you to send in an article to be posted on the blog. Have any theories or ideas bumping around in your brain? Do you have some insight, some information new or old that you would like to share? Write up an article and turn it in! You can send your entries to my e-mail address (girlscout35@hotmail.com), I will read through the entries and post 2 or more winners on January 2nd. *I want something with soul, so write something with lots of soul*

As much as this blog is a place to learn and read and discuss all that is Alias, it is also a place that encourages opinions, ideas and writing! Thank you all for your growing support, your comments and ideas. Let's continue to share as our fav show finishes its final season!!

Shameless plug alert: Pass the word on, tell others about Let's Talk Alias and contact me with any and all content ideas! Thanks again! Cheers, Girlscout aka HelloSark aka Kendrah

Closing the Book on Rambaldi

He’s an uncast character; his 500 year old prophecies have had Sydney and the gang up in arms, and Sloane on a hunt for eternal life. His gadgets stump even the likes of Marshall Flinkman and his ultimate end game is unknown. Sydney is his Chosen One, Nadia his Passenger. His DNA has changed hands more than once, his writings have been passed from the DSR to the FBI and many of his followers are enemies of the State. Milo Rambaldi has been as much as mystery to us as Jack Bristow; his ideas, his designs are far beyond anyone’s comprehension. We have seen his works zap people to a crisp, scratch out pages upon pages of ancient text and the symbol of his great order , has been burned into the hands, and necks of many. Who was Milo Rambaldi, and how will his grand plan play a part in the finale of Alias? Let’s take a look at what we know about the 15th century architect and see if we can’t piece together this ancient puzzle.

We first hear of Rambaldi in episode 1.2 “So It Begins.” Sloane reveals to the group that Mueller’s Device (the small red ball) was actually a prototype of one of Rambaldi’s great designs; Mueller simply followed the manual and was able to piece it together. Rambaldi was the chief architect to Pope Alexander. Rambaldi believed man could use science to better understand and to know God. His drawings and his teaching were viewed as heretic by some and eventually Rambaldi was executed. His writings and devices were dispersed all over the world and sold for next to nothing. Sloane states that many of Rambaldi’s designs were far ahead of his time; sketches for transistors and writings on machine code. It is in the second episode of the series that we begin the journey of discovery, the journey to find Rambaldi’s works and uncover his plan. The deeper we get the more intriguing and the more woven Rambaldi’s work becomes. Hidden codes, hidden artifacts and hidden agendas ensue as Sloane, the Covenant, the CIA, the DSR and K-Directorate become obsessed with obtaining Rambaldi’s work.

The number 47 plays a large part in the Rambaldi mystery. In seasons 2 and 3, more than any other, do we see and hear the number 47. There are 47 Rambaldi devices, the 47th page of Rambaldi’s manual has special significance and on more than one occasion 47 has been part of a code, a password, and a building room or floor. What do you suppose is the significance of the number 47 and how do numbers play a part in Alias as a whole?

Another aspect of Rambaldi and his prophecy is its play on religion. Sloane always speaks of faith. His belief in Rambaldi and the eternal life Rambaldi promises causes him to lose his wife, nearly lose his daughter and ultimately costs him his freedom. A discussion on human nature is brought forth in the 4th season, as the Sloane Clone alters the nature of bees and admits to contaminating the water supply in order to bring peace and harmony to a world full of corruption. Sloane and others have talked about Rambaldi’s endgame as a power source, a weapon, and that Sydney will “render the greatest power unto utter desolation.” Do you believe Rambaldi intended for his work to be used in peace or in war? Obviously Elena’s play on the Rambaldi prophecy is geared toward world dominance, in which she pits sister against sister, leaving Nadia in a coma and Sydney to grieve for her. Now, Sloane holds faith that the group known as P5 will help find a cure for his daughter’s illness.

Rambaldi continues in this, Alias’ final season, in the form of Prophet 5. Bill Vaughn and James Murdoch were recruited into a group to decipher code from a 15th century text. We know Sloane was also recruited, as a member of the Army of Engineers, to decipher that same code. Will we discover Rambaldi’s endgame and to what capacity P5 is involved? Is there a grand Rambaldi finish, or will the show place the prophet on the back burner in order to answer the other mysteries of Rambaldi?

What are your thoughts on Rambaldi? What have been your favorite Rambaldi gadgets and what, in your mind, was the most shocking of the Rambaldi twists?

For more information on Rambaldi please visit this detailed link:
http://www.alias-tv.com/rambaldi.html

Hometown Tally

Hello, just a quickie! Please tell me, where are you blogging from?

Thanks! And take a look at the article below, it's a goodie!

Thank you for blogging! I think I have the best bloggers ever!!
Thank you, thank you!

Stay tuned for more season 1 reviews, dish on the hiatus and the final episodes of our fav show!

Dare I say...spin-off

(Oooh, a super CONGRATULATIONS to blogger Sara, who gave birth to a little boy, Asher Daniel!! Looks like Sara has a spin-off of her own! Welcome SpyBaby!)

Now, before I launch into my feelings on a spin-off show, I would like to request your full open-minded attention. This is a touchy subject for some and I like to think I went about it in a respectful manner. This is purely my opinion, but I hope my powers of persuasion and my ability to back up my ideas will help you to see that a spin-off might not be as bad as you think!

The first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem. I was in denial, but now I am not. Alias, as we know it, is ending. However, that doesn’t mean that the elements that make Alias Alias won’t or couldn’t be housed in a different form.

TV Guide placed an article in this coming week’s addition, stating that ABC executives, such as Jeff Pinkner and JJ Abrams, have discussed the possibility of carrying on the show in a new and different capacity- starring everyone’s favorite baddie from across the pond, Julian Sark, newbie Rachel Gibson, and the don of all Vitos, Arvin Sloane. This, ladies and gentleman is what is called a spin-off. Spin-offs, deemed knock offs of the originals by hardcore fans, aren’t necessarily bad, if done correctly. Keep in mind, executives are not looking to continue Alias without Sydney, they are looking to create an entirely new show, with some of the same characters, minus Sydney. Two different things people! Two different things!

Alias has spin-off potential. It’s spun a story. The show has us caught in its web and it seems only natural that executives, producers and writers alike would want to continue weaving this web. There is plenty of content on the table and on the writing room floor for ABC to launch an entirely new type of show, still slathered in intrigue, super spies and yes, even sexy outfits. Sloane’s character alone has enough back-story to give us 5 years worth of deep international terror and crime. We still know nothing of Bill Vaughn and his connection to Irina. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go back in time and explore all that created Alias in the first place, before Sydney, before Vaughn, before SD-6 and APO?

Fans may also be apprehensive about a spin-off because historically, spin-offs tend to dwindle and die. Case and point? Friends and Joey. For ten years we were welcomed into Monica’s apartment to hear the stories of six close friends. Now, we are left with Joey, the half-wit, unemployed actor and his nephew. I don’t know about you but I feel gypped! Spin-offs tend to ignore the lives of the people who left the show, or the characters lives before, on the old show. Bad idea! Technically, a show would be a continuation of Alias. It would be poor judgment on the writer’s part to completely avoid Sydney as a topic or as a piece of the storyline. Jack would still be her father, Nadia would still be her sister. Sydney would essentially still BE, just not in the picture. Personally, I think if execs can get enough of the Alias cast to return (Will, Weiss, Nadia, Irina, Jack, Marshall etc.), the show could very well go on in a new direction.

The show has evolved so much in the last year. The show has taken different turns, brought new characters. Shows run their course, and I think Alias, in regards to Jennifer Garner, has run its course. I whole heartedly believe that Alias is, but not limited to, Sydney Bristow. Alias is her life, her story, but Sydney’s story, her spy days are numbered. Do not misunderstand me, I love Sydney Bristow, she is the heart of Alias and I love Jennifer Garner, she gave us kick-ass sporty girls a good name, but it’s time for both Sydney and Jennifer to move on with their lives. With that said, many fans are up in arms about Rachel’s character. Since day one, Rachel has been held as the replacement, the new girl, the alien spawn sent in by the writers and ABC executives to push Sydney out of her position. Hardly! Rachel and Sydney are two different characters. They handle situations and emotions in a completely different way. Of course, Rachel’s character has many of the traits that Sydney’s character does; determination, sassiness, etc. But, Rachel is not Sydney and I don’t think the writers are attempting to make her Sydney.

Aside from my thoughts on carrying on the plotline, I do believe writers would need to develop the characters more. Though I love Rachel and her character’s shy, somewhat naïve innocence mixed with a fiery determination, she isn’t strong enough to carry the show on her own. Either is Thomas Grace. We have hardly seen his character, and what we have seen is a quiet loner. Sloane and Sark however, are very capable characters who would fair well in leading roles. Their characters are strong; we have an understanding of who they are and where they came from. It would be great to explore their lives under the microscope, like we have with Sydney these five long years.

Bottom line? I would support a spin-off, with the understanding that the new show would NOT be Alias. Alias is Sydney Bristow. And if she ain’t there, it ain’t Alias. So, go to it writers. Give us something to fondly remember Sydney and Vaughn and the fabulous adventures they experienced, but give us something new and different, lead us to a new place with some of the same familiar faces we know and love!! Good luck!

Okay, let me have it! Give to me straight. Are we in the same boat or have I jumped ship?

Episode 5.08 "Bob"

Two words.

HELLLLOOOO SARK!
(You have to say it in a very randy British accent though-hence why it's my screen name, because Sark is de-lish.)

My gawd, Alias hasn't been that hot since the "Point guy" scene in which Syd and Vaughn are rolling around on the couch and Evil Francie is listening. Or the changing room scene in which Sark introduces himself to the sultry clad Lauren Reed. HOLY HOTNESS! Did you not love the look on Rachel's face when she realized who Sark was? It was utterly priceless!

I love Sark and Rachel, I really do. Lauren was too serious for Sark, so was Alison. Rachel is girly and fun, and they look great together. I think it would make a great story line, Sark falling for Rachel, Rachel falling for Sark, each on opposite sides of the law. Brilliant. What a struggle, what tension! Think of all the stolen moments that would ensue!

Aside, did it not strike you as a little odd that Rachel Gibson, posing as British engineer Lydia, looked and sounded a lot like the dearly departed Miss Reed? There were some very creep-ish similarities. But, how fabulous was it to see Sark back doing what he does best? His way with the ladies, his flippant remarks ("I like my body and if memory serves me, so do you.") I mean, come on!! His American "accent" was so boyish and innocent. You just hate to love him and love to hate him, no?

MI-6
Elizabeth who? Who is this former flame of Jack's? An MI-6 agent, married to a French diplomat. Interesting. From her knowledge of Sydney, I am guessing their little soiree took place after Irina faked her death. Their interaction was stiff to me, but then again, they were on a mission to discover a MI-6 double agent looking to buy a micro-pulse bomb. Did anyone get the feeling that little Miss Old Flame was the MI-6 double agent? She seemed very suspicious to me. Hmmm.

Speaking of micro-pulse bombs- CALL BACK! Was this device not similar to the little Rambaldi do-dad that burned those church patrons to a crisp in season 2? And then to have Sark tied to the bomb!! CALL BACK! I seem to remember a certain British baddie and a certain "dead" field agent scrambling to defuse a bomb on a plane. Alas, Rachel saved the day and Sark, the fine British gentleman he is, decided a night with Rachel was worth the double-cross on his business partner, Benjamin Masari. How sweet!

SydMama
Was it me or did Jennifer Garner look exhausted? Beautiful, but exhausted! Poor thing. Sydney got axed from the tactical mission to save her dad, but she got to try her French out on Elizabeth's husband. I was cracking up! Was that not perfect Sydney?

I did notice that the lines Sydney delivered in the episode were different than the ones shown on the preview. Interesting. Perhaps the preview lines were too goofy and catty and the editors went with something more professional. I also felt like this episode might have been filmed after the Vaughn-return episode that will appear next week. Jennifer looked larger and more swollen in the face last night than she does in the episode for next week. I have heard that shows do film out of order to accommodate schedules and what not. Aside, I can't wait for this kid to be out, as I am sure Sydney is!

They played Sydney as so lonely in this episode. Rachel on mission, Jack on mission and finally Marshall comes in to wait with her. Hurry back Vaughn! Our girl is sad and lonely.

GRAND-PAPA JACK
One, Jack said the word "thong." HILARIOUS! Two, um, Jack plays the piano. He PLAYS the piano! That moment was slightly awkward, a bit unlike Jack if you ask me, but it worked. It always escapes me that Jack Bristow used to be a different man before he joined forces with Sloane and SD-6. There was a beautiful, peaceful moment between Sydney and Jack. He sat quiet and alone in his apartment; he listened to his scared, pregnant daughter tell him how much she loves him. Their real family love was a great contrast to Sark and Rachel's more, let's say, physically based affection. And, of course it's always nice to see Jack sweet on anyone, be it a love from the past or his daughter.

Next week on Alias-
Sydney kidnapped by Peyton. Vaughn returns in a dream state. Can't bloody wait! I did notice in the scenes for the next episode that Vaughn says, "They are using me against you." Apparently, Peyton needs some info. from deep in Sydney's psyche, so she puts Sydney under, much like Gordon Dean's little flashback to the 70's. So, if Vaughn really is indeed dead and Peyton is just playing with Sydney's mind, then why would the "dream" Vaughn say something like that to Sydney? Just something to think about.

Final thoughts
I enjoyed Sark's return. I enjoyed Sark. The rest of the episode could have melted away. There was no new information given, and the plot was wrapped up in a sweet little package. My friend called after she watched the episode and felt as if the writers thought we were stupid. I agree to a certain extent. It is important for them to bring back old characters, beloved characters, in order to give us and the show the finale it deserves. But the audience and the show have been at this a long time. We can handle crazy plot twists, we can handle the suspense. DON'T MAKE IT PLAIN AND SIMPLE for us! We love the show for a reason. So, show us what you got damn it!

T.T.T.W (Things To Think About on Wednesday)

It’s here. Alias is back in its Wednesday time slot and Sark returns ladies and gents. My, my, won’t it be a lovely Wednesday evening?

Though I am positive the show will focus on Sark, Rachel and Syd, I am hoping that Sloane and his association with P5 will be explored further. This mystery P5 messenger is pledging me. Aside from being vaguely familiar, as if we’ve seen him before, he and Peyton are the only connections to p5 we have left. Sydney and Jack have no idea this messenger exists, and there are no leads on Peyton’s whereabouts. There are no easy answers to the P5 questions and I am guessing there will not be until the season, or should I say, series finale.

I am wondering if Sark has any affiliation with P5. It has been mentioned that Sark maybe knocking boots with more than one Alias female. Kelly Peyton seems to be the natural bad girl alternative to Rachel, so perhaps Sark becomes involved with P5. He’s a wheeler and dealer, he’s a one man show. He loves alliances and contracts, so it would be very understandable if Sark joins Peyton on quest for whatever it is P5 wants.

As I mentioned in another article, keep your Alias eyes peeled for signs of Vaughn. This is the lead-in episode to Vaughn's return. I am hoping this episode will end with a cliffhanger. As much as I hate biting my nails down to nothing anticipating the next episode, I would love for the show to go hiatus with 2 fabulous episodes.


*Spoilers ahead…

There has been much talk in recent weeks about Alias’ 100th episode. Episode 12 will mark the centennial episode for the show and many critics and gossip columnists have mentioned that ABC has a star-stubbed show planned. The return of many beloved characters will pack a punch as Alias hits mid-season.

Recently, at the premiere of Memoirs of a Geisha, Bradley Cooper (the saucy Will Tippin) commented that Jennifer Garner visited the set of Alias days before she gave birth. That’s very sweet, reportedly she stopped in to hand out Christmas gifts, but did you read between the lines??? Bradley Cooper was on the set of ALIAS!!! YAHOO! We have been craving Will ever since he bedded his old pal Syd and returned to Wisconsin as Jonah. There was some plot leak, that Thomas Grace will dig into some Witness Protection files for help in a case. Could that be Will's lead-in? With Sark back, and Vaughn returning, it’s very appropriate that Bradley reprise is role. The Alias men back in action. I couldn’t be happier!

There has been talk that SpyMommy has been busy filming movies, but that she will return, possibly for the birth of her grandchild. No word yet on whether or not a contract has been signed. It is rumored the SpyBaby will be born on episode 11. So, it looks like Sydney will be waiting as long as Jen did to pop the bambino out. Can't wait!

Any thoughts on the 100th episode? Any tips for watching tonight's episode? Remember- It's tonight, 10pm PST after Lost.

Ahh, the soundtrack of our lives...

Do you which song is playing as Sydney sits, alone at a table for two, after her father has stood her up? Do you the song playing as Sydney walks down the street in Rome as Julia Thorne? From Danny’s funeral (“Here Comes the Flood”) to Vaughn’s funeral (“Dirty Little Secret”), the music of Alias is as important to the show as the storylines and the characters it supports. "Background" music is added to shows and movies after filming has been completed, and is used to create moods, fill spaces, provide rhythm and link the scene or the show to other cultural texts.

On the DVD audio commentary for season 2 and 3, JJ mentions that he often writes scenes for certain pieces of music. For instance, the parking garage scene in episode 3.15 “Facade,” JJ chose the song “All My Life” by Rosie Thomas. The song begins small, as Sydney enters the parking garage and walks to her car. Vaughn’s car pulls up beside her and she turns, calling to him and then they embrace as the music swells. JJ said he didn’t want the scene to be cheesy, he didn’t want the music to take away from the moment that Sydney and Vaughn were having.

JJ also mentions he has help picking music. Greg Grunberg (Weiss) states he picked the music for the opening season of the Super Bowl episode in which Sydney is clad in lingerie, seducing a man. The song playing is AC/DC “Back in Black.” The song sets the tone for not only the risqué attire, but for the fight that would ensue.

As an avid fan of music myself, I have been impressed by JJ’s ability to piece music to his scenes. It is a “Good Day” (by Luce) for Michael Vaughn when Sydney gives him her middle drawer and “Righteously” by Lucinda Williams has perfect lyrics when Sydney catches Vaughn buying information from an ex-KGB officer in a bar. We can hear these songs on the radio and remember the exact scene, the lines, the actors and the feelings in that moment. With as many poignant and explosive scenes as Alias has, it would be easy for the audience to disregard the music, to focus solely on the words and the actors. But JJ and his crew have done an amazing job of giving these scenes more emotion and maybe even double meaning by pairing it with the right piece of music.

What are you favorite Alias songs? How have the songs changed from season to season? Season 4 didn’t house as much music has the 3 seasons before it, aside from Michael Giacchino’s instrumental pieces, why do you think that is? JJ has carried his love of music over to his series Lost, several songs have been similar. Is it a nod to Alias? I think so!

Some of my favs:
Fade Into You-Mazzy Star (4.04 "Ice" Vaughn as a priest in the bar.)
World on Fire-Sarah McLachlan (4.01 Syd at home, Vaughn shows up to say "That I miss you.")
So Are You To Me- Eastmountainsouth (2.18 "Truth Takes Time" Syd deciphers a code from her mother's earrings.)
Bleed to Love Her- Fleetwood Mac (2.22 "The Telling" Syd and Vaughn play hockey.)
The Wind-Cat Stevens (4.01-2 "APO" Syd cries in the hall, Vaughn comforts her.)
Lay Lady Lay- Bob Dylan (4.22 "Before the Flood" Before the car crash.)
I Shall Believe- Sheryl Crow (2.07 "Counteragent" Vaughn hugs Sydney after she saves him from the bloody finger disease.) I HEART THIS SONG and the look on Vaughn's face at the end of the episode!!
A Place Called Home- Kim Richey (2.06 "Salvation" Vaughn watches Sydney sleep in quarantine.)
Slumber My Darling- Allison Krauss (2.07 "Counteragent" Syd visits Vaughn in the hospital.)
My Sundown-Jimmie eat World (2.15 "Free Agent" The morning after, Syd and Vaughn in bed.) Freedom-David Gray (2.16 "Firebomb" Vaughn sits with Syd who's in the bathtub.)
This Woman's Work-Kate Bush (1.02 Sydney races home from a mission to put Danny's ring back on and then she gets in the tub. Sad Sad Sad! JJ added the tub scene in order to get more of the song on the show. He loves tunes!)

Okay, I have to stop or I will list every song ever on the show!

Father-Daughter Arts and Crafts

(*Can you tell me where I got this title? hehehe)

Ahh, back to the grind. The Alias grind! My head is still spinning from my Sloane Clone post. Aside, Michael Vartan will be appearing on Kitchen Confidential with Bradley Cooper (aka Will Tippin) tonight at 8:30pm PST on Fox. It should be a very funny reunion for the two and for us!

Another reminder, Alias will appear on Wednesday night this week, 10pm PST on ABC. This episode will guest star David Anders as our beloved Julian Sark. I am loving the idea of an old baddie returning to stir up a newbie. Thus far we have only seen Rachel as this virginal innocent, with those pure blue eyes and dewy look of fear. It will be nice to see her mix up on the not-so-innocent side of international spy-dom.

This coming episode, titled "Bob," will be the lead in episode for the return of Vaughn. Look for them to focus on Vaughn as they have the last couple of episodes, to remind us and keep him in our thoughts. Though it has been stated that Vaughn’s return is merely a manifestation of Sydney’s imagination, it will be bittersweet to see the two of them together again. I have almost gotten used to the fact that Sydney is alone, or at least Vaughn-less, and frankly that scares me.

All right, back to the pilot review…

Going back and watching the pilot was nearly shocking in regards to Jack’s relationship with Sydney. When we first meet the Bristow’s they are practically estranged. Sydney doesn’t want to tell her father about her engage for fear he will ruin it and the first minute we meet Jack he is “welcoming” Danny to the family. We learn that for most of Sydney’s life Jack has been absent. We learn, as Sydney does, that most of what her father has told her is a lie; about his life, her life and their professions.

Throughout the seasons we have seen Jack and Sydney’s relationship go up and down. Jack is either disappointing or saving Sydney. She either trusts him or she doesn’t. There is a pattern I have picked up on. Jack tends to be in Sydney’s good graces right before a major deception is brought to light. And we can assume that now that Jack has become Sydney’s rock during her time of need, that he has something up his sleeve which Sydney will find devastating. But isn’t so much more interesting when Sydney is mad at Jack for one reason or another? Doesn’t it add to the favor of Alias? I find their chummy family happiness rather boring and, frankly, somewhat forced. I’m not wishing and hoping that Jack will deceive his daughter, but it makes for better TV, right?

What do you think about Sydney and Jack’s relationship? What does it tell us about Jack? Sydney? What can it tell us about what kind of parent Sydney will be? What are your favorite father-daughter moments? Mine: When Jack is being questioned for hiring a terrorist to blow up a building in which to frame Irina, Sydney watches from a monitor in the Rotunda. Jack states that when he looks at the little girl who raised herself to be one of the most exceptional agents he’s had the privilege of working with, he sees not the embodiment of all his flaws, but the promise of his redemption and that he loves her more than he could ever say! TEAR.

(I know this isn’t the most in-depth piece to start the week off with, but I have a huge piece in the works and I have some more research to do. Sorry!!! Bare with me!)

Sloane Clone Set Up

This article is PACKED with theory people! Enough to last the weekend! Enjoy! Remember- ALIAS will be airing on Wednesday next week, December 7th,
at 10pm PST on ABC, after Lost.

Aside from watching the pilot, I am still in the midst of season 4. I watched episode 4.15 “Pandora” and 4.16 “Another Mr. Sloane” last night. I had always had a hard time understanding the purpose of the Sloane Clone and the point of convincing Vaughn that his father is alive. Before, I used my good old suspension of disbelief, letting that specific storyline, seemingly filled with holes, just entertain me. But, last night, re-watching those episodes, I had what Oprah calls an “Ah HA!” moment.

First, I finally pieced together the idea that Elena needed Vaughn to enter the security pass codes on the armored truck that was carrying the Rambaldi text. Hence, she sent Roberts in with dummy journals, doctored photos and false information about Bill Vaughn in order to keep Vaughn in her pocket. I know this because Vaughn actually says that to Roberts right before they high-jack the truck. So, I’m good on that one. NOW, I was able to piece together some key ideas from these two episodes that may shed some light on Sloane’s master plan.

The Sloane Clone was created in order for Elena to get her hands on Sloane’s knowledge without his knowledge, so I thought. She needed Sloane’s expertise and his name to obtain materials and artifacts needed for her endgame. Then it hit me! Hit me like a swift Sydney kick to the temple! The real Sloane, in cahoots with Elena, produced the Sloane Clone in order to carry on his study and obsession with Rambaldi. Conveniently this Clone would render the real Sloane innocent in the eyes of Sydney and the APO team. It was the Clone that put the hit on Sydney’s life, framing Irina. It was the Clone that set up Vaughn in order to retrieve the coil and the Rambaldi book. Now I am going to take it a step further. The real Sloane claims he couldn’t possibly be obsessed with Rambaldi again because he has Nadia, a daughter who he loves very much and made a promise to. He promised Nadia no more Rambaldi. But, we see the real Sloane beat the daylights out of Carter, the Clone’s right hand man, with a sledge hammer in some fit of Rambaldi-induced rage.

Follow me on this train of thought- Suppose the real Sloane knows that Nadia is not his daughter. Suppose he has been using her as an excuse, a scapegoat, in order to throw Sydney and APO off his trail. Suppose he needed Nadia as a way to convince everyone he’s changed. Suppose he planned to turn on Elena, to not only support his claim of innocence, but to get rid of her, to get her out of his way, as he did with the Alliance. Maybe that was Sloane’s motivation for killing Gordon Dean, aside from being black mailed to, to get rid of Dean, get him out of his way.

Back to Nadia not being Sloane’s- We’ve always had an inkling, the sly, ambiguous comments and sideways glances that would suggest that Nadia wasn’t Sloane’s. The only proof we have that Nadia might be Sloane’s is Sloane’s word. He told Jack and Sydney when they went looking for the Passenger, that Sloane tested the DNA of the Passenger in the Rambaldi text to his DNA and it was a match. So, we have the word of a sociopath. That’s it. And then you ask, but it was said that only the Passenger’s father would be able to find her. Well, maybe that was a load of bologna too! Sloane apparently was told he had a child the night Conrad the monk gave him that slip of Rambaldi paper. Maybe the paper said that the Passenger was Sydney’s sister and Sloane was able to use his old affair with Irina as evidence that Nadia was his.

The straw that breaks the camel's back is the fact that Sloane has done this before. He convinced Jack and everyone at SD-6 that he was being blackmailed about Emily’s death. He and Emily set a whole concocted plan into motion that placed blame on Ariana Kane and ultimately brought down the Alliance, again, rendering Sloane innocent. Now, this season, he’s removed Dean and now is in contact with his old employers, Prophet 5! YES, I said it, PROPHET 5!! In episode 4.16, the Sloane Clone says to kidnapped Dr. St. Claire, that he was once a part of the Army Corp of engineers. He was recruited to decode text written by Rambaldi, the very same group Bill Vaughn and James Murdoch were recruited into. Isn’t it interesting that everyone in that group was killed, except for Sloane?

Though I feel I have rather extensively supported by theory, I am having trouble fitting Jack into this equation. It has been obvious since early on in season 4 that Sloane and Jack have been up to something. If Sloane has been fooling us, does that mean he is fooling Jack? I can’t image Jack would have killed who he thought was Irina if he was in on the plan to frame Irina in the first place. Maybe he has been helping Sloane, but is in the dark when it comes to Nadia’s maternity and Sloane’s clone creation. I suppose Jack wouldn’t have held a gun to Sloane’s head in the men’s room if he was in on it. So, for now, I suspect that Jack is NOT privy to Sloane’s endgame.

Do you think I am on to something? Or am I way off? Do you have any evidence to confirm or deny my claim?

BenGar Baby Born

She is here!

According to E! Baby Girl Garner-Affleck arrived Thursday, late afternoon. Early reports indicate Mommy and Daddy have named her Violet Ann Affleck (I suspect that Ann may be spelled Anne, like Jennifer's middle name. Anne is also Sydney Bristow's middle name.)

Congrats to Ben and Jen!

Episode 1.01 "Truth Be Told"

There is so much I can say about the pilot! There are not enough hours in the day people! What a remarkable show! What a landmark television action drama! Okay, I am done. I’ll jump down from my soap box so we can chit chat about episode 1.

In the first 15 minutes, we as an audience come to understand that Sydney Bristow is leading a double-life. By day, a college grad student, and girlfriend. By night, an international, deep cover spy for an organization known as SD-6, an assumed covert branch of the CIA. In short, Sydney tells Danny the truth about her day job. Danny is killed and Sydney learns that SD-6 is not exactly affiliated with the CIA. It is one of twelve terrorist cells in a group called the Alliance. Sydney has been working for the very people she thought she was fighting against. She learns this from her estranged father, Jack Bristow, who is also an agent with SD-6. He has been working closely with SD-6 Director Arvin Sloane. When Arvin learned of Sydney’s leak of information to her fiancé, he ordered Danny to be killed. Now, to save herself, Sydney must prove her loyalty to the man that killed Danny.

Aside from Sydney, we meet several very significant characters in the very first episode of Alias. These characters not only define the show, but they define Sydney. We come to understand in the first episode that, essentially, Sydney has two lives- her personal, normal life and her SD-6/CIA life. The relationships in her personal life define her as a woman, a student, a friend. Sydney’s relationships at work, or in her professional life define her as a spy. Sometimes these relationships can over lap into the different parts of her life, like her relationship with Jack and ultimately her relationship with Vaughn. Very quickly the line between her personal and professional life is blurred, once Danny is killed by her Sloane.

The top secret nature of her profession requires that Sydney lie to the people in her personal life, (as well as people in her professional, such as Dixon and Sloane, who don’t know she is working for the real CIA.) Sydney’s ability to be so trustworthy and loyal in her personal life makes her more believable when she has to lie about her professional life. On top of that, Francie and Will never question Sydney as a person, but they do question her job. They constantly badger her about traveling too much and working too many hours. Still, they respect her and are loyal and that says a lot about Sydney as a friend. Francie and Will never have a reason to believe Sydney is lying to them

I spent much of the episode writing about the characters. There is a flurry of faces in the pilot, some that stay with us and some that disappear. Each of these characters have a job to do; create a world around Sydney that is complex, challenge her both personally and professionally and make us, the audience, believe in her.


Here is what we learn about Sydney through other characters in the pilot:

Danny-Though Danny is only in the episode for a total of 5 minutes, it is important to look at him as a reflection of Sydney. He is studying to be a doctor, he saves lives. In a sense, Sydney also saves lives. He’s genuine and good, as is Sydney. He asks her to start a life with him, and she agrees, but lying to him kills her and ultimately telling him the truth kills him. We might not be given enough time to be truly invested in Danny, but we become invested in what he means to Sydney, how his death motivates her in her fight against SD-6 and how it affects her relationship with Sloane.

Francie- Francie is Sydney’s best friend. Sydney’s relationship with Francie is probably the only strong female relationship Sydney has had in her life. In the first episode we learn that Sydney can confide in Francie, she can disclose information (her engagement) to Francie that she doesn’t feel comfortable discussing with her father. Francie also sets up Jack’s character. She talks about him in a way that lets us know that Jack’s relationship with Sydney is not your typical father/daughter relationship.

Jack- His hard toned conversation with Danny early on in the episodes makes us uncomfortable. What kind of father says those things to his daughter’s fiancé? There is such a contrast between her interaction with friends and Jack’s interaction with Danny. Jacks rough edge in the pilot forces us to ask questions about Sydney’s past. How was she raised? By whom?

Will- The minute we meet Will, we know he is in love with Sydney. He comes off with boyish charm and a big brother vibe, but it is clear when Sydney mentions her engagement that Will is hurt. Will tells us that Sydney is playful and fun. He has a playful fun attitude and that is obviously why he likes Sydney, why he spends time with her. He might be more in tune with Sydney than we thought. He asks questions, he’s a reporter, that’s what he does. He knows there is a secret to be found, he knows there is more to Danny’s death than initially thought. On some level Will must have known that Sydney was the one hiding something or he would have let it go. Will thought it was strange that Sydney didn’t find any interest in bringing Danny’s killer to justice. His knowledge of Sydney and what might have been a normal reaction is what sent him on his dangerous journey to find the truth.

Suit and Glasses- This man of oral torture is a wonderful character in which to gauge Sydney’s ability to withstand pain and danger. He is terrifying, no mercy, no remorse. He scares the ba-jeezers out of us and Sydney. But she hangs tough. She plays ball with him and she is able to reverse their roles. She’s quick thinking and intuitive; she can make something from nothing. Just when we think she is utterly screwed, she’s got him tied in the chair and she’s ramming the pliers into his rib cage.

I will go on about the other characters later. What else does the pilot tell us about Sydney? How is preggo Sydney like pilot Sydney? Pilot Sydney lost Danny, preggo Sydney lost Vaughn, discuss her different reactions to their deaths, assuming Vaughn really is dead. What does the pilot reveal to you about what possibly could be going on this season could?

Let’s spend a couple of days on the pilot. There is too much material here. Tomorrow we can explore JJ’s direction and some of the trademarks of Alias. I talked a lot about the dramatic aspects of the show, tomorrow we will move on to the action!