In the eighth episode of the second season of Alias, Sark’s intel creates chaos in the CIA. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Alias.Â
Oh, this show is TOO MUCH, which I feel like I’ve said about a hundred times at this point. It’s fine, though, because I’m not lying. IT’S TOO MUCH.
Will
I get that this is the Bristow family reunion special, and I loved that plot a lot. TRUST ME, I WILL YELL ABOUT IT. I do wish that the secondary characters got a bit more time on screen. At this point, Dixon and Francie have mostly been folded in to the background. (I wonder what they have in common………….) Will has a story here, but it’s starting to feel aimless. It’s like the writers are now realizing that by sticking Will into this specific story, they’re not really sure what to do with him. The standardized testing plot will probably lead to something, but right now, it’s… just there? Also, I get that Will sees this as an important story, but he doesn’t care if he gets paid? HOW IS HE SURVIVING WITHOUT ANY REAL INCOME? Is he living full time at Sydney’s/Francie’s? (I think he mentioned that a few episodes ago.)
Emily
I expected that with each new clue, I’d be able to figure out exactly what’s going on with Arvin’s allegedly dead wife. I say “allegedly†because I still can’t tell if she’s actually dead. And the surprise package he gets in this episode—with his wife’s wedding ring ON A SEVERED FINGER—doesn’t actually help me. First of all: Is that Emily’s finger? If it is, was it taken BEFORE or AFTER she died? OR WAS SHE STILL ALIVE? Or is she still alive? And let’s say it’s not her actual finger. Whose is it? If that’s really her ring, does that imply she is dead or alive? THERE ARE TOO MANY POSSIBLE VARIANTS, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME.
Tension
So… I’m not alone in considering that scene between Vaughn and Sydney and THE WATCH to be the most overt declaration of affection thus far. RIGHT??? She said, “Me, too,†because HER HEART WAS STOPPED ON OCTOBER 1ST AS WELL, right??? WHO SAID THIS SHOW COULD PUT SO MUCH ROMANTIC TENSION INTO ONE SCENE? This was a CRIME. Oh my god!!!
Trust
I recognize that many of the other characters are taking a backseat to the Bristow “family,†yet I also can’t deny just how much I loved this fucked up, bizarre family reunion. The writers have so brilliantly composed the story of Irina that it’s unbearable watching her interact with her ex-husband and her daughter. Is she telling the truth? Does she really care about Sydney? I can’t ignore that the intel she’s provided has been 100% true so far. Is it really part of some long con, or is this an actual redemption she’s pursuing? I CAN’T TELL. On the one hand, Jack’s treatment of his ex is sensible and necessary. He is consistently on edge. CONSTANT VIGILANCE. And I get it! I don’t think that’s an unreasonable reaction on his part. He doesn’t want Irina to be let out of custody, and once she is, he doesn’t want her escaping. Or having a gun. OR ANYTHING. Look, given that most of this show is from Sydney’s POV, I have little to go on to determine just how this is all affecting Jack emotionally. (Plus, he’s not exactly forthcoming about any of his emotions.) However, it’s not hard to imagine that he’s fucked up by Irina’s resurgence and by the way she’s weaseled her way into their lives again.
On the other hand, Sydney is trying. I desperately hope that this isn’t a plot to manipulate her because I can finally see a possible relationship between these two people. It took “Passage, Part I†for that to happen! They’re finally understanding one another, and Sydney even had that great moment where she made a power play to get her mother to prove that she was willing to put her money where her mouth was. Are they on the same level? Does a power disparity still exist? Sure. I wouldn’t argue against that, and it’s why I am cautiously approaching this relationship. Without knowing the endgame, the best I can do is just… actively worry. I just don’t want these moments to be retroactively revealed to be fake because IT WILL DESTROY SYDNEY. (And me. I’ll be real.)
Regardless of what’s actually happening: I loved this episode. I know there’s another part, but on its own, it’s a stunning examination of faith and loyalty in one of the most fucked up families I’ve ever seen for Mark Watches. BRAVO.
The video for “Passage, Part I†can be downloaded here for $0.99.
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