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?