Alias, season 4 [Archive] - MacRumors Forums

Doctor Q

Dec 3, 2004, 02:58 AM

The Alias TV show returns for its fourth season starting January 5 at 9pm, in a two-hour premiere titled "Authorized Personnel Only" (Parts I and II). ABC and J.J. Abrams (show creator) promise to run Season 4 Alias episodes on consecutive weeks, quite a change from Season 3, where large holes in the schedule interfered with viewers' enjoyment. The show will air immediately after J.J.'s other ABC hit, Lost, so the shows can build on each other's popularity.

The first Alias Season 4 promo began airing last night, with these words: She can be anyone... anywhere... anytime... The new season ... The new night... Wednesday... Alias. If you watch a frame at a time, you see the word "Mission" appear just before some of these titles.

Our favorite characters Sydney, Vaughn, Jack, Dixon, Marshall, Sloane, and Weiss are back, along with Nadia, Sydney's half-sister. Presumably, the first episode(s) will give a little help to viewers who didn't watch the show in previous seasons or to fans who are a little rusty on the good guy/bad guy lineup, the Bristow/Sloane family secrets, and other aspects of the show.

The first five episodes are titled "Authorized Personnel Only", "The Awful Truth", "Détente", "Ice", and "Nocturne".

Previous Alias threads: Does everyone watch Alias?, Does anybody here like Alias?, and Alias, season 3.

A photo from alias-media.com:

emw

Dec 3, 2004, 11:36 AM

I, for one, and excited about the new season (and not just because of Jennifer Garner). It's not surprising that they're pulling it to Wednesdays due to the success of Desperate Housewives, and tying it into Lost is probably a good move. I just wish they had done it earlier.

Also, the airing on consecutive weeks is probably easier since it's mid-week instead of Sunday, so things like the Super Bowl, March Madness, Awards shows, etc., won't impact the schedule.

Doctor Q

Dec 3, 2004, 11:51 AM

We'll have both Alias and the Macworld conference on the 2nd week of January. I hope we can stand the excitement! Might the Alias episode title that week ("The Awful Truth") have anything to do with Macworld? Hmmmm.

wdlove

Dec 3, 2004, 12:33 PM

I just saw the commercial last evening for the premiere of the new Alias season 4. Wonder what the reason was for changing it to Wednesday night. "The Awful Truth" could be taken two ways, I'll take the positive for our beloved MacWorld. Are you going to attend Doctor Q?

emw

Dec 3, 2004, 12:48 PM

Wonder what the reason was for changing it to Wednesday night.

Desperate Housewives. It's doing so well that they don't want to mess it up - it's the number one show, knocking off even the CSI steamroller at CBS. And it runs in Alias' former time slot.

emw

Dec 3, 2004, 12:49 PM

Doctor Q

Dec 19, 2004, 02:55 AM

Jennifer Garner will host Saturday Night Live on January 15. Gee, what a coincidence: that's the very same month they'd want her to be out promoting the show!

stevehaslip

Dec 19, 2004, 05:51 AM

alias is great, even the average episodes i see people review are good in my book! I started watching lost for one reason, JJ Abrams hes a great writer/director/producer type person who really knows how to tell a good story. I have been glued to alias since season 1 and have been waiting for this and 24 for what seems like forever. According to several interviews season 4 is meant to take the show back to its roots, its meant to have a more underground feel to it. Apparently JJ Abrams wasn't really happy with the direction that the season took after he took on more responsibilities (ie lost and more script writing) Thats not to say that he wasn't involved because he was but he felt that when he looked back on it and the episodes that it really wasn't where he hoped it would be after its third season. So Abrams now is focused on delivering a top notch show.

So this season should rock more than any previous season of alias, cool huh? :D

urban1985_

Dec 19, 2004, 08:10 AM

Damn I love this show. I haven't been able to catch up on it. I think the last season I watched was when Sydney woke up years in the future. Last episode I can remember is when Dixon accidentally shot Sloane's wife. I don't even remember that well.

I'm excited about the new season though. What's this about a half sister. Anyone know where I can catch up on Alias episodes? Hmm maybe abc.com still has season by season epi guides?

Doctor Q

Dec 19, 2004, 11:25 AM

Hmm maybe abc.com still has season by season epi guides?Yes. You can review Season 3 (http://abc.go.com/primetime/alias/missions/episode301a.html).

D0ct0rteeth

Dec 19, 2004, 12:51 PM

Jennifer Garner will host Saturday Night Live on January 15. Gee, what a coincidence: that's the very same month they'd want her to be out promoting the show!

Also.. and probably more likely, thats the same weekend "Elektra" is released.

I rented the first 3 seasons from Netflix, and honestly I was very disapointed. The first few episodes were good, but after about 80% thru the first season they obviously ran out of ideas. At first the Rambaldi story rocked, but when the writers continually dragged it out and took it nowhere (as well as the her mother, father and sloane) I felt as if I was just being knocked around in circles.

It is to be expected in TV. the 2nd and 3rd seasons of 24, and the 4th season of the West Wing all fell apart in the same way. I imagine the writers just putting pieces of papers in different buckets... "ok.. who gets shot this week?.. (picks form first "gets shot" bucket)

"Will gets shot"... Yay!!

(picks from second "Sydnet flies to" bucket) "Sydney flies to Russia!"

wdlove

Dec 19, 2004, 09:17 PM

Jennifer Garner will host Saturday Night Live on January 15. Gee, what a coincidence: that's the very same month they'd want her to be out promoting the show!

That may just be a reason to watch 'Saturday Night Live." Jennifer may just liven things up.

I'm still wondering why they are moving the show to Wednesday? My wife has been watching "CSI:NY," but she said that she likes "Alias" more. Why cause us to make hard choices.

wdlove

Jan 5, 2005, 03:46 PM

Well it's almost here, just a little over 5 hours till the 4th season premiere of "Alias." My wife is in anxious anticipation of the two hour premiere tonight at 9pm EST. I'm sure that Doctor Q is also counting down the hours.

Jennifer Garner is beautiful young lady. :D

emw

Jan 5, 2005, 03:49 PM

I agree - can't wait for the season to start, and I'm also ready to finally get a new episode of Lost. Hopefully they'll both be good and will make the wait worthwhile.

zelmo

Jan 5, 2005, 03:58 PM

I plan on watching the last episode from the Season 3 DVD set tonight, before the new one airs, just so I'm all up to speed again.

I heard the lovely Miss Garner was in the hospital with some sort of viral infection, and was cancelling all engagements for the next week or so. She may not be on SNL next week after all, and may even be missing the premiere party for Elektra as well.

emw

Jan 5, 2005, 04:06 PM

I heard the lovely Miss Garner was in the hospital with some sort of viral infection, and was cancelling all engagements for the next week or so.

Serves her right for dating Ben...

zelmo

Jan 5, 2005, 04:23 PM

Serves her right for dating Ben...

I guess he got possession of all the "Ben 'n' Jen" towels from his prior relationship? :p

Doctor Q

Jan 5, 2005, 04:34 PM

This thread and the Lost thread are ones I don't read promptly on show nights. I don't want to know what happened on the shows until we get to see them here in la-la land.

JeresGirl

Jan 6, 2005, 12:45 AM

Ok so I am new here but I am trying to find a way to view the season four premiere... my stupid vcr was programmed to tape it because I had to work and the stupid thing didn't work... Can anyone help me out?

GeeYouEye

Jan 6, 2005, 03:04 AM

Not a bad show, not bad at all... could have used a short refresher at the beginning, but the 22 commercial-free minutes were certainly nice... but I don't remember Irina getting killed. When in season 3 was that?

ToddW

Jan 6, 2005, 08:18 AM

i think on the last episode. but i'm not sure still trying to figure that one out.

evoluzione

Jan 6, 2005, 10:57 AM

Serves her right for dating Ben...

i thought she was married to Scott Foley, but then i saw they divorced last year....why on earth would she date Ben Affleck, he's an idiot.

Raid

Jan 6, 2005, 11:53 AM

Saw the show last night, and I'm glad to see it back. I needed to do a lot of mental catching up (I think I missed a few episodes at the end of season 3), but I felt I could follow along well enough.

I have a theory on Slone it may be a spolier for the episode, so I've whited it out below:
I think Sloan is up to his old tricks... the attack on the terrorist was a set up. He used it to get his own operative into the APO, Nadia. He used the same info on the source of Irina's death to get her on his side, but didn't tell her that Jack signed it only to save Syndey's life. This puts Nadia in a place of trust with the other operatives (something Sloan lacks), but has her motivated to serve Sloan's agenda... then again it is just a theory....

As for Ben dating Jen... well he's just going through all the famous Jen's, next is Jennifer Love-Hewitt. Jennifer Aniston will be after that; Ben will catch her on the rebound from Brad Pitt. :D

P.S. Did anybody not the irony of using a Cat Stevens song at the end of the show?? It's a show about combating terrorists (and other bad guys) using a song from a man that was denied entry into the US for suspected terrorist ties!

MacUser1

Jan 6, 2005, 12:24 PM

Watched the premiere last night and thought it was a good show. I always wanted to start watching it before, but I've just been too busy. I might have to rent or buy the DVD's to review. :)

Doctor Q

Jan 6, 2005, 12:52 PM

Awwww, how cute. The old gang's together again.

A great way to keep the family intrigue going, although it wasn't clear whether or not Sydney faced a tough choice about whether to tell Nadia what she knew about Irina.

I hope Sydney won't spend long accepting missions while making snide remarks under her breath like a kid in school who resents being there.

How long before Eric Weiss figures out where everyone went? I think it won't be long. Does Marshall still work at the "above ground" part of the CIA too?

Did that priceless Shintaro sword get all dented and scratched when Tomazaki used it to fight Sydney?

Vector

Jan 6, 2005, 04:15 PM

I saw the first episode last night but not the second one. Can somebody PM me or write in white here what happened during the second episode?

emw

Jan 9, 2005, 11:44 PM

I finally watched the TiVo'd episodes last night. Pretty decent start to the season, I think, although as Doctor Q remarked, I could do without the catty schoolgirl comments about Sloan.

I was overall impressed with what seems to be a move back to finishing a story during an episode, vs. making weeks-long story-lines. Easier to follow that way.

Vector - if you still need the summary, go here. (http://abc.go.com/primetime/alias/missions/episode402a.html)

iBook

Jan 10, 2005, 01:46 AM

At this point, I have to think that Alias has jumped the shark.

It has completely abandoned every narrative thread that raised it above the typical spy thriller. Gone are all of Sydney's friends. Gone is the intrigue surrounding Rimbaldi. Gone is the credibility of the CIA itself -- would the CIA really recruit someone like Sloane to manage a critical black ops unit?

I think it would have been much more credible to kill Sloane and Irena and start from there. What is Sydney's motivation to continue to work for the CIA if the main reason for her to do so in the first place - SD-6 - and in the second place - tripping up Sloane - and in the third place - The Covenant - are no longer variables?

I see the show becoming simply a series of one-off episodes. Opener: Some bad guy has planned some evil deed. Sydney & Co. are dispatched to the scene. Sydney shows some skin, flashes a smile, kicks the crap out of somebody and the team rushes back to the States with the goods.

Meanwhile, anyone who has a problem with Sydney's snide remarks likely doesn't remember that Sloane: a) killed Danny (Sydney's fiance in Season 1) and b) ordered Dixon's wife killed. Knowing that, how credible is it that either Sydney or Dixon would work for this guy out of "love of country"?

More than likely -- and I've watched Alias since the pilot originally aired - Abrams messed up the show so badly that it can't be fixed. I'd almost rather Season Four began with Sydney waking up in her apartment or some sort of medical facility (It was a dream! or Sydney! You've been in a coma!) Far more credible than: The guy who killed your fiance? He's now your boss! And the actor who played your Mom but can't appear on the show anymore? She inexplicably put a contract out on your life -- something that was never even raised or hinted at in Season 3 -- and was killed by your Dad.

Make no mistake, I'll keep watching the show. A real sacrifice because I really like "The West Wing."

evoluzione

Jan 10, 2005, 09:14 AM

why can't Irena (Lena Olin??) appear on the show any more???

iBook

Jan 10, 2005, 09:40 AM

why can't Irena (Lena Olin??) appear on the show any more???

I can't recall now whether it was an issue of scheduling or some sort of contractual thing. That is the reason for her absence in Season 3, however.

The actor drove the storyline. Which is a big no-no.

If anything, they should have brought in a new actor and gone from there.

Just another example of how Abrams, IMHO, misdirected the development of the show. And it continues...

Instead of replacing Sydney's Mom, they have the Mom killed with the storyline that she was trying to kill her daughter. Abrams promised us a return to the shows roots -- happy Sydney as well as her life in the CIA.

Are we really going to expect a happy Sydney, who has just learned that, of yeah, her Mom tried to have her killed.

Raid

Jan 13, 2005, 11:18 AM

why can't Irena (Lena Olin??) appear on the show any more???

I remember hearing something like the actress who played Irean wanted more money than the show was willing to pay. I guess negotiations went sour and so the writers killed her off.

Doctor Q

Jan 13, 2005, 01:29 PM

Doctor Q

Jan 13, 2005, 01:38 PM

Has anyone noticed that ads for the movie Elektra (http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/elektra/), starring Jennifer Garner and opening tomorrow, say "from the makers of X-men" but never mention the Daredevil movie? That movie flopped but people liked Garner enough to make a spinoff movie anyway.

This season we have only Sydney/Jennifer in the Alias opening credits, in one costume after another, without showing any of the other characters. Maybe that helps show ratings, but it seems a little shallow given how much else the show has going for it. Hey, J.J. -- It's a spy show, not a fashion show!

wdlove

Jan 13, 2005, 09:08 PM

Eric Weiss found out about Sloane's black ops division, so I guess that qualifies him to join the team, right? Will his relationship with Nadia be part of the plot from now on? Does Mrs. Flinkman still work at the regular CIA? Is there anybody else we know back at the agency who might join the team or at least stay in the story?

My wife thinks that Eric is now part of the team. She thinks that Nadia will continue with the story line. Not really sure about Mrs. Finkman. Also that the team is pretty much complete as it stands now.

evoluzione

Jan 19, 2005, 10:29 PM

so what's with the photo (of Irena holding the baby) Jack is holding??? it's flipped/mirrored. anyone else notice??

Doctor Q

Jan 22, 2005, 02:45 AM

I noticed it too. The baby's head was on the right when we first saw the photo in the apartment, again on the right when Sloane looked at it, backwards (baby's head on the left) when Jack looked at it, and correct again when Nadia took it back. Flub!

I suspect that the baby is a new (older) sister, but Sloane and Jack didn't want to let that secret out. But, of course, Nadia and/or Sydney will get suspicious and the truth will eventually come out.

Lacero

Jan 22, 2005, 06:07 AM

I have never seen Alias before. I hear about it all the time though, what is so great about it?

Doctor Q

Jan 22, 2005, 03:07 PM

I have never seen Alias before. I hear about it all the time though, what is so great about it?Intriguing save-the-world spy plots that expect a little bit of sophistication from the audience (not as spoon-fed as some shows), hard-to-predict twists and turns in the story line, high tech gadgets, good action sequences, a wry sense of humor, good production values, not to mention popular and good-looking male and female actors.

However, it's a little hard to come into the story mid-show and figure out what's going on. Reading a bit about the main characters ahead of time will help greatly.

Doctor Q

Feb 6, 2005, 01:00 AM

Tonite Jennifer Garner won the Screen Actor's Guild award for "Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series", for Alias. A lifetime achievement award was given to actor James Garner, and Jennifer joked that she's always claimed she was related to him. (She isn't).

I wonder which has been getting a bigger boost: Alias, from the commercials being run on TV and in movie theaters, or the song Lady by Lenny Kravitz, from being used in those commercials.

DJY

Feb 6, 2005, 02:31 AM

I love this show... and season four is looking just as fast paced as the last.
Gets even better with a new set (although I agree Sloane heading them all up - just doesn't work)...

but gotta love all the PBs, iMacs, iPods everywhere!

Doctor Q

Feb 17, 2005, 02:02 AM

The talking-back-to-the-boss-but-staying-on-the-job Sydney just doesn't work for me. I think J.J. Abrams needs to rewind the plot and set it up differently. Here's how it SHOULD go: The CIA has put Sloane in charge of the covert group, but wisely does not trust him. So they put Sydney on the team and tell her to keep an eye on what Sloane is doing, without him finding out. She has to snoop through his office or files or computer or home or jacket pockets, whenever he's not looking, and report back to her real superiors.

With my version, she's working undercover undercover, as in Season 1, and part of her mission is to pretend to tolerate Sloane. That, like the current plot, lets her keep working on the missions that fuel the show, but would do away with the teeth gnashing that gets tiresome to watch, and it would make a more plausible excuse for her being willing to with Sloane again.

By the way, when Nadia told Sydney about her childhood, she said she felt "Lost". Might that have been a plug for a certain other ABC TV show?

evoluzione

Feb 17, 2005, 08:25 AM

The talking-back-to-the-boss-but-staying-on-the-job Sydney just doesn't work for me.
...
By the way, when Nadia told Sydney about her childhood, she said she felt "Lost". Might that have been a plug for a certain other ABC TV show?

i hear ya. i'm not nearly as excited for alias as the previous seasons. it is however starting to get better i think. especially with sark back in it next week. and what about the evil francie woman? wasn't she killed???

Doctor Q

Feb 24, 2005, 04:00 PM

The Sark escape/recapture didn't make sense to me. They faked a Sark escape so they could track him. So far so good. But Sark knew he was being tracked but didn't mind being recaptured? Why didn't he contact people who could remove the tracking device? Or, if he couldn't do that, set an ambush for the team he knew would be coming after him?

And why didn't Sydney seem to care about Nadia's tattoo? It was designed to upset her, yet they were both totally matter-of-fact about it.

Doctor Q

Mar 3, 2005, 02:08 AM

Tonite there was a scene where Sloane was looking at Nadia in the hospital and Jack peered in at the door. It looked like they used a still photo of Jack, not a live bit of film. It went by quickly, so I'm not sure. Does anybody feel like checking a tape or Tivo and see?

I loved Marshall's voice reconstruction program. Nice work, Marshall!

I like the way they snuck Lauren back into the plot. It was pretty obvious that Sark was going to escape, wasn't it? Next week (when Alias has a new episode and Lost doesn't) it looks like we're going to have new suspicions and doublecrosses in the family. Just like the good ol' days!

zelmo

Mar 9, 2005, 10:12 PM

Best episode of the season (by far) tonight. I was beginning to lose interest this year, but my faith is restored. Starting to love the show again.

Vector

Mar 9, 2005, 10:22 PM

Yeah, this was by far the season's best episode.

Doctor Q

Mar 10, 2005, 01:05 AM

All we could do is say "woaaaaaaaaaaah!" Great last-minute twists!

Palomino

Mar 10, 2005, 02:15 AM

Seen up to Episode 409 (SkyUK screend 410 on tuesday and am Waiting to download)

Have to say that there isn't that sence of continuity that the other seasons have had, the episodes seem more inderpendent.

408/409 is a two parter
Spoiler Nardia gets shot in 408 will she survive :eek:
Sark helps Sydney capture Anna.

Jordan

DJY

Mar 11, 2005, 07:55 AM

I also enjoyed 4.10.

Good to see especially given everyone's history...
and I do like the possibilities as a result of the twist / info at the end.

Doctor Q

Mar 11, 2005, 04:00 PM

Who has a theory about why that non-nurse was posing as a nurse?

sketchy

Mar 11, 2005, 06:12 PM

you know it has something to do with Rambaldi. that's all I am willing to think about.

Dr. Q, have you heard the "Fighting for love song" by Venus Hum? JJ Abrams wrote the song with Venus Hum.

Dave

Lacero

Mar 11, 2005, 06:26 PM

I just realized Alias is like a soap opera for guys. Do you agree?

wdlove

Mar 11, 2005, 09:38 PM

Who has a theory about why that non-nurse was posing as a nurse?

I was asking my wife about this. She said that it occurred several episodes ago. That Jennifer Gardner was playing a nurse to infiltrate the enemy. Is this the occurrence that you were referring.

DJY

Mar 11, 2005, 10:01 PM

I was asking my wife about this. She said that it occurred several episodes ago. That Jennifer Gardner was playing a nurse to infiltrate the enemy. Is this the occurrence that you were referring.

No I think he is referring to the most recent episode 4.10 where there was a pretend nurse attending to Vaughn's uncle. A female nurse who did the 3 and 10 shifts that gave him something... which will be the start of a sub plot for Vaughn in coming weeks... involving his father who from memory was meant to be killed by Arvin Sloane wasn't he?

Doctor Q

Mar 31, 2005, 03:12 PM

Yesterday's was a good episode, starring my favorite character, Marshall. Favorite scene: Marshall telling Vaughn over the phone what to do on the computer to pull up the infrared map. Taking characters out of their normal element, Marshall playing tough guy, and Vaughn handling the techie computer commands, made it especially fun to watch.

I'm glad they cut away (no pun intended) from the scene before Marshall did the dirty deed with that spork, so we didn't have to listen to a lot of gooshing noises. We the got the idea.

Sydney was getting a little goofy from oxygen deprivation, and didn't do a good job of conserving her cell phone battery. Perhaps that's because if she didn't have the cell phone light on, the viewing audience wouldn't have had much to see!

I'm glad that Dixon recovered from the poison exploding disk. Otherwise, we might have had the headline "Maxtor Toxin Nixes Dixon". (Say that three times fast.)

zelmo

Mar 31, 2005, 03:31 PM

That is tough to say cleanly once, much less thrice!

I really want to love Alias again, but the writing seems uneven this year, and I find myself caring less and less about Sydney. First (and even second) season, you could really get into Sydney's character, but not so much anymore for me. JG still has the best smile on TV, but I'm not sure that's enough to carry the show.

That being said, it was funny to hear Field Operative Marshall being impatient with Vaughn. Marshall has always been the 2nd best thing about the show, closely followed in 3rd place by Will.

r6girl

Mar 31, 2005, 04:44 PM

Yesterday's was a good episode, starring my favorite character, Marshall. Favorite scene: Marshall telling Vaughn over the phone what to do on the computer to pull up the infrared map. Taking characters out of their normal element, Marshall playing tough guy, and Vaughn handling the techie computer commands, made it especially fun to watch.

I'm glad they cut away (no pun intended) from the scene before Marshall did the dirty deed with that spork, so we didn't have to listen to a lot of gooshing noises. We the got the idea.

i liked last night's episode too. marshall is one of my favorite characters and it was nice to see him out and about doing more than the tech stuff. i loved it when he found the spork in the desk drawer and bristow was like "what's a spork?". one of the more entertaining episodes this season, imo.

marianne

Doctor Q

Apr 7, 2005, 03:39 AM

The end of tonite's show brought this to my mind:"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one."Did anybody else think of that famous scene/phrase from a certain movie?

I noticed another connection tonite: the use of "Through The Looking Glass", the sequel to Sydney's favorite book, which I mentioned here last season. Vaughn found the book in the UCLA Library's Children's Library section, but I don't think UCLA Library has such a library. Perhaps Alias isn't a true story after all.

I like J.J. Abrams' ability to weave more double crosses, surprises, and family conflicts into the story using the same characters in new ways.

But why does every bad guy own a bar? Is it required by law?

dubbz

Apr 7, 2005, 03:55 AM

I just realized Alias is like a soap opera for guys. Do you agree?

That's an interesting way to look at it. I think I might have to agree :p

voiceofreason

Apr 7, 2005, 09:12 AM

If I hear anything in next week's episode about the Genesis project, I'm switching back to the West Wing.

Lacero

Apr 7, 2005, 09:27 AM

Hmm.. time seemed to slow down when the clock counted from 60 seconds to 30 seconds.

I liked last week's episode the best in the series. Too bad Syndey didn't learn to do the Kill Bill technique to get out of the coffin. If I were to be buried alive in a coffin....

SilentPanda

Apr 7, 2005, 01:38 PM

Who has a theory about why that non-nurse was posing as a nurse?

I've got a theory... some kid is dreaming... and we're all stuck inside this wacky broadway nightmare...

Doctor Q

Apr 7, 2005, 01:47 PM

Hmm.. time seemed to slow down when the clock counted from 60 seconds to 30 seconds.They explained that. Marshall couldn't stop the countdown but he said he could slow it. That was a sneaky gimmick to add suspense. So we didn't get to see Sydney melt.

Doctor Q

Apr 14, 2005, 01:43 AM

Did you notice that Sloane said "Irina is", not "Irina was", when talking to Nadia?

Joel Grey looks remarkably like Ron Rifkin! What evil twist has J.J. Abrams prepared for us?

MrMacMan

Apr 15, 2005, 12:02 AM

WHO THE HELL WAS THE OTHER GUY that looked like sloane?

what the hell is going on?
:confused:

mac 2005

Apr 15, 2005, 12:10 AM

WHO THE HELL WAS THE OTHER GUY that looked like sloane?

what the hell is going on?
:confused:

I think the other Sloane is Vaughn's father. Don't know how reasonable that is, but it does seem to close the loop with Irina. If Michael's father weren't somehow involved with the Rambaldi search, why would Irina have wanted him dead?

And if it isn't Vaughn's father, how would this Sloane know to involve Vaughn as a means of stealing the Rambaldi "instruction manual."

Doctor Q

Apr 15, 2005, 12:35 AM

WHO THE HELL WAS THE OTHER GUY that looked like sloane?I think they called that guy (the one played by Joel Grey) "Mr. Sloane" too. So there are two people named Sloane, and I'll guess they are brothers. Notice that Sydney learned that "Sloane" was behind framing her mother for putting a contract out on her (her=Sydney) -- assuming you believe that story -- and that Vaughn was tricked into hijacking the Rambaldi shipment by a team hired by "Sloane", so now we don't know which Sloane they were referring to, the original Sloane or the new guy who I will call "Sloane Clone". Meanwhile, Sydney and Vaughn assume it's the only Sloane they know. Which leads me to think it was really Sloane Clone behind both plots.

They sure twist our brains into knots with these plots, don't they? :)

Lacero

Apr 19, 2005, 02:42 AM

WHO THE HELL WAS THE OTHER GUY that looked like sloane?

what the hell is going on?
:confused:I'm probably even more confused since I've never seen seasons 1 through 3. So I don't even know the back-story of Irina or Sloane.

Doctor Q

Apr 21, 2005, 04:03 PM

Hey, I invented the phrase "Sloane Clone" (see above) and then they stole it, saying "Arvin Clone" to try to disguise it. But I think the courts will uphold my copyright infringement claim. Oh wait, I forgot the copyright notice.

Joel Grey must have studied Ron Rifkin because he really had the "Sloane" mannerisms exactly right. Great casting.

I don't think the Sloane Clone character is a man impersonating our "own Sloane". I think it's the brother he was never told about. All in keeping with the "one big happy family" theme of the show.

I've been in the elevator they filmed in (the one where Carter is killed). It's the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. I'm gonna feel a little nervous the next time I ride it.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/en_US/Media/Graphics/Brands/Westin/Properties/1004/images/na1004ex5_md.jpg

Doctor Q

May 5, 2005, 02:05 AM

They should make the "little Sydney" (who played the piano) a regular on the show. She did that assignment well, so I'm sure she's ready for more.

When I played piano as a kid, I never noticed if the guy next to me was getting stabbed in the neck with a needle either.

3rdpath

May 7, 2005, 09:01 PM

looks like there may be another "little sydney" on the show soon...

iow, garner's pregnancy is sure gonna make next season quite interesting.

Doctor Q

May 7, 2005, 09:57 PM

My favorite "nice little touch" from the last episode: when Jack handed his coat to the doctor's assistant in Dr. Liddel's office, and then later Sydney and Vaughn find the coat on a guy huddled in the corner of the flophouse where Jack really was.

For next week (episode 19) they used a new director: Jennifer Garner! Her first time directing the show. She wasn't yet going by her new alias, "Mommy", when the episode was filmed, but now the news is out that she's expecting. One article about it said "Producers must decide how to deal with Garner's pregnancy, either by incorporating it into the show (remember, Sydney's eggs were harvested last season) or just try to hide it. Then again, considering the show's sky-high slinky outfit-to-episode ratio, a burgeoning belly would be hard to conceal. Further complicating matters, Garner performs most of her own stunts."

wdlove

May 18, 2005, 10:17 PM

Doctor Q, I hope that you are enjoying the two hour finale just as much as my wife. "Wow, bizarre." ;)

Doctor Q

May 19, 2005, 02:54 AM

The ending tonite was a complete shock, and I don't mind giving the big secret away, namely that this wasn't the last episode of the season, which is what I was expecting. There's a show next week! I should have known that, but I was avoiding reading any secrets ahead of time to enhance the surprise. So we'll see more of the big happy family before the season is out.

Raise your hand if you think Sloane will stop Sophia, I mean Elena Derevko, at the last minute, and then tell Jack and the gang back home that he hated to trick them but "it was the only way to stop her". They will be suspicious about this excuse but welcome him back to the team nevertheless.

wdlove

May 19, 2005, 06:05 PM

Dr. Dastardly

May 19, 2005, 06:45 PM

Raise your hand if you think Sloane will stop Sophia, I mean Elena Derevko, at the last minute, and then tell Jack and the gang back home that he hated to trick them but "it was the only way to stop her". They will be suspicious about this excuse but welcome him back to the team nevertheless.
I thought something like that will happen. But They might leave the door open and have him stash some sort of Rambaldie artifact in some sort of Swiss bank or something for future evil doing. The man is addicted and I dont think his addiction was fully cured from the last two episodes. :eek:

Dr. Dastardly

May 19, 2005, 06:47 PM

We don't feel as bad knowing that someone else thought that it was the season finale. Surprising that the two hour show wouldn't be next week. At least they rescued Sydney's mother. Hopefully she will assist the team.
I think it was mostly due to Lost having a two hour season finale on the same night. 2 x 2 hour season finales is a little much all at once. Thank god for Tivo! :p

mac 2005

May 25, 2005, 11:03 PM

Just when I thought it was safe to watch an Alias season-ender.

Darn you JJ!

Raid

May 25, 2005, 11:59 PM

Is it just me or did the season ender remind anyone else of Resident evil? I thought the episode was a little ho-hum, but the last 60 seconds of the show will get me watching next season!

dejo

May 26, 2005, 12:02 AM

zelmo

May 26, 2005, 10:01 AM

When they were in the car at the end of the show, I had two thoughts:

• It sure is nice to see Sydney in a non-work setting again. This is the side of Sydney that I miss most from the first two seasons.
• They're gonna have an accident.

C'mon, Season 5!

RAS admin

May 26, 2005, 10:41 AM

That crash scared the ***** out of me! I was just lying in bed, nice and relaxed, and then BAM! I almost jumped out of bed (to wash my sheets). Maybe I had the volume too high...

Doctor Q

May 26, 2005, 02:07 PM

I get 47 points for predicting Sloane's excuse about being the only one who could stop Elena, by pretending to join her.

I suspected that a car accident was coming from the way Vaughn kept looking at Sydney while driving. So I was at least half-prepared for that last shock. But I'm still trying to get my wife off the ceiling using a putty knife. Boy did she jump!

Vaughn said that wasn't his real name and that it wasn't chance they had met when Sydney first came to the C.I.A. And Irina knew about it, which we learned in their short discussion in the subway tunnel about keeping secrets. I suspect that Irina was behind it in the first place, as a way to either look out for, or at least keep tabs on, Sydney.

Since Michael Vaughn isn't his real name, why wasn't that an issue when he was searching for his missing dad a few episodes back?

wdlove

May 26, 2005, 05:53 PM

That was certainly an action packed season finale. We weren't so lucky Doctor Q, not at all prepared for the car crash. Definitely a great cliff hanger to keep fans anxious for the Fall opener.

Doctor Q, I think that you could get a job as a TV critic also. ;)

Lacero

May 27, 2005, 01:00 AM

Is this the season finale episode or will there be a new episode next week?

iRachel

May 27, 2005, 01:04 AM

Is this the season finale episode or will there be a new episode next week?

That was it for this season. At least season 5 will be back in Sept. though, and not as a mid-season replacement.

dejo

May 27, 2005, 01:17 AM

At least season 5 will be back in Sept. though, and not as a mid-season replacement.

Is that for sure?

iRachel

May 27, 2005, 01:24 AM

Is that for sure?

Yeah, ABC (and all the other networks) released their fall schedules last week, and Alias is there (although it's moving again, to Thursday 8ET/7CT.

The complete fall schedules can be found on zap2it (sorry, I'm new here and I haven't figured out how to post a link - I see I can't cut and paste...)

solvs

May 27, 2005, 01:55 AM

Is it just me or did the season ender remind anyone else of Resident evil? I thought the episode was a little ho-hum, but the last 60 seconds of the show will get me watching next season!
It's not just you, everybody is thinking that from what I've seen. That car crash kinda surprised me though. I thought they might try to pull something like that, but then I didn't think so because the conversation kept going. Then BAM! Sure enough. Wasn't really paying attention, so it kinda shocked me. I don't know, it's gonna be up against a lot of competition next season. I might TiVO it, but I don't know. I missed most of the early episodes because it was up agianst Angel anyway, so I might just bow out now.

Unless Keri Russell does a guest stint as Felicity, as JJ keeps threatening. Then I might tune in again. That would be a good ep.

iRachel

May 27, 2005, 02:21 AM

so I might just bow out now.
.

Don't leave us!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, though, the Alias boards are filled with rumors that next season might be the last - JG and MV and others want to concentrate on film careers, JJ has too many projects going on, etc. So if it is the end, you'll want to watch. :cool:

dejo

May 27, 2005, 02:54 AM

Seriously, though, the Alias boards are filled with rumors that next season might be the last - JG and MV and others want to concentrate on film careers, JJ has too many projects going on, etc. So if it is the end, you'll want to watch. :cool:

Which leads to the obvious question: Alias movie?

iRachel

May 27, 2005, 05:04 PM

Which leads to the obvious question: Alias movie?

ugh, I hope not.

Doctor Q

May 27, 2005, 07:09 PM

Which leads to the obvious question: Alias movie?Electra vs. SD6!

DJY

May 27, 2005, 08:11 PM

That crash scared the ***** out of me! I was just lying in bed, nice and relaxed, and then BAM! I almost jumped out of bed (to wash my sheets). Maybe I had the volume too high...

I was lying on my couch... and even though I had snuck a look at this forum... and as soon as I saw them in the car... I was waiting for it...
but it STILL got me!

I think I jumped 3 inches!

Great season finale!
Great to see The Chosen One vs The Passenger - although it was not what I expected.

And as for the last 5 seconds... Mmmm I don't think I can wait until Sept!!!

solvs

May 29, 2005, 04:46 AM

Don't leave us!!!!!!!!!!!!
They better give me a reason to stay. Figures though. I watch about 5 network shows right now (that haven't been cancelled), and 3 of them are on at the same time. :rolleyes:

Yeah Joey sucks, but it's kinda funny. And I like Smallville, despite it's issues this season. Maybe if Alias was on at 9. Good thing I'm not an OC fan, too. Then my head would probably explode.

mac 2005

May 30, 2005, 10:52 PM

They better give me a reason to stay. Figures though. I watch about 5 network shows right now (that haven't been cancelled), and 3 of them are on at the same time. :rolleyes:

Yeah Joey sucks, but it's kinda funny. And I like Smallville, despite it's issues this season. Maybe if Alias was on at 9. Good thing I'm not an OC fan, too. Then my head would probably explode.

If I'm hearing things correctly, Alias will be opposite Martha Stewart's version of "The Apprentice" on Thursday.

Alias this year was opposite "The West Wing."

"The Apprentice" has been kind of a guilty pleasure for me this year, along with "Desperate Housewives." So I'm going to have to learn how to record one show and watch another -- not as easy as it once used to be, thanks to the cable company. :mad:

solvs

May 31, 2005, 03:55 AM

If I'm hearing things correctly, Alias will be opposite Martha Stewart's version of "The Apprentice" on Thursday.
Nope, it'll be on at 8. http://epguides.com/grid/fall.shtml

The Night Stalker is on at 9.

mac 2005

May 31, 2005, 09:02 AM

Nope, it'll be on at 8. http://epguides.com/grid/fall.shtml

The Night Stalker is on at 9.

Thanks for the correct info! And thanks for the link. :)

Doctor Q

May 31, 2005, 01:49 PM

mac 2005

May 31, 2005, 03:23 PM

My prediction for next season: Vaughn and Sydney are in the hospital due to their car accident injuries. Sydney recovers quickly enough, but Vaughn is in bad condition and can't talk. Sydney feels betrayed but wants to know the truth. With help from dear old dad, she digs into Vaughn's CIA files and figures out that Irina set up Vaughn (at the time we first met him) by blackmailing him with his father's life in the balance. The deal fell through: Vaughn wouldn't betray Sydney and the CIA and Irina killed Vaughn's dad.

Very interesting. I like it.

One question: "Vaughn" says he isn't really "Michael Vaughn." How does your theory incorporate that twist?

OK, two questions. Can you refresh my memory? What was it that led Sydney to the CIA office in Langley? As I recall, she contacted the CIA vs. Vaughn contacting her.

iRachel

May 31, 2005, 03:49 PM

Can you refresh my memory? What was it that led Sydney to the CIA office in Langley? As I recall, she contacted the CIA vs. Vaughn contacting her.

Sydney told her financee, Danny, that she worked for the CIA (really SD-6). Sloane found out that Danny knew and had him killed. Jack told Sydney that she didn't work for the real CIA. In retaliation for killing Danny, Sydney went to the real CIA with the hopes of bringing down SD-6 (mission accomplished) and Sloane (she's still working on that one).

So yes, she went to the CIA, Vaughn didn't come to her. But, when she arrived at the CIA office, it was Vaughn who was sent to meet with her.

Doctor Q

May 31, 2005, 04:32 PM

One question: "Vaughn" says he isn't really "Michael Vaughn." How does your theory incorporate that twist?Uh oh. You are right, I forgot to cover than angle.

There are (at least) two reasons that the guy we know as Vaughn would use that name instead of his real name:

1. Michael Vaughn was a real person (and CIA employee) whose identity he took.

2. Michael Vaughn is an invented name to cover his real identity as a known bad guy.

In either case, why did he care that Michael Vaughn's father might still be alive? Maybe he's the real Michael's twin brother!

iRachel

May 31, 2005, 06:51 PM

Uh oh. You are right, I forgot to cover than angle.

There are (at least) two reasons that the guy we know as Vaughn would use that name instead of his real name:

1. Michael Vaughn was a real person (and CIA employee) whose identity he took.

2. Michael Vaughn is an invented name to cover his real identity as a known bad guy.

In either case, why did he care that Michael Vaughn's father might still be alive? Maybe he's the real Michael's twin brother!

I think "Bill Vaughn" is his real father, but I think they're both using fake names. We know Vaughn's father protected Nadia when she was young, so is it possible that Vaughn is somehow destined to protect Sydney because of her role in the Rambaldi mystery? That might help explain how Irina knew about it, too....

I've heard some people suggest that Vaughn is Rambaldi, which i don't buy, but I think his family, whatever their real names are, is connected some how.

Just my 2 cents.

solvs

Jun 1, 2005, 12:13 AM

Thanks for the correct info! And thanks for the link. :)
Guess you aren't a Smallville or Joey fan, otherwise you wouldn't be thanking me. :p

Anyone else think Vaughn is actually Danny? A bit obvious, but I could see it. Or even Danny Rimbaldi? Nah, that would be too much.

Doctor Q

Jun 1, 2005, 02:34 PM

I'll try a new theory out of left field:

Superspy Vladimir Derevko married Irina Rambaldi, descendant of Milo, giving her the married name Irina Derevko. To infiltrate the C.I.A., Vladimir changed his named to "Bill Vaughn" (using the "V" from Vladimir) and Irina became Laura Vaughn. Vladimir=Bill and Irina=Laura had a child, Mikal Derevko, who they called Michael to maintain cover. So Mikal Derevko=Michael Vaughn is the son of Vladimir Derevko=Bill Vaughn and Irina Rambaldi=Irina Derevko=Laura Vaughn, who later married Jack Bristow for further spying and became Laura Bristow.

Looks like Syd will have to cancel that wedding, at least until we find out that all of the above is false but it was what Arvin Sloane wanted everyone to believe!

iRachel

Jun 1, 2005, 03:52 PM