Alias 2.13 FAQ
What’s it called?
“Phase One.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to series mastermind J.J. Abrams.
Does Abrams direct, as he did “Alias’” incredible pilot?
No. But the episode is still brilliantly directed by Jack Bender, who did last season’s terrific two-parter starring Quentin Tarantino as Irina’s henchman.
What does TV Guide say?
“Rutger Hauer guest stars as the one man who could sack the Bristows in this pivotal post-Super Bowl episode. Hauer plays Geiger, a shadowy agent who takes over SD-6 after Sloane (Ron Rifkin) suddenly goes missing. And that means nothing but trouble for our heroes, says producer Bob Orci. ‘[Geiger] doesn't have the love that Sloane has for Sydney or Jack,’ Orci explains. ‘He's outright suspicious [of them] from the minute he arrives.’ However, Geiger may have bigger fish to fry after Vaughn (Michael Vartan) receives priceless intel on members of the Alliance from a very mysterious source. And speaking of mysteries, who's that kissing Francie? And where exactly did Sloane go?”
The big news?
This is the biggest, best, most important “Alias” since its pilot aired two autumns ago. It will leave permanent grip-marks on the arms of your sofa, even perhaps if those arms are made of aluminum. It reminds you of everything you ever loved about “Alias,” and instantly vaults the entire season well above that of acclaimed TV espionage rival “24.” In fact, tonight’s installment is probably the most gripping hour of episodic television since last year’s season finale of “24.”
You won’t believe what you’re seeing. You’ll be praying that the last shot isn’t a drugged-up Syd tied to a chair somewhere, hallucinating the entire thing.
Is tonight’s installment a hallucination, dream or “imaginary story”?
No!!! It’s not!!!
The bigger news?
I think we’ve been lied to!! All the news about this episode being a last-minute substitute for the Ethan Hawke installment I’m guessing is total horseshit!
What makes Herc believe America has been so carefully betrayed?
This episode is, as promised, a great jumping-on point for people who have never seen “Alias” and people who haven’t watched it in a while. And, by the way, all fans of quality filmed entertainment, “Alias” fans and not, football fans and not, TV fans and not, will love tonight’s installment of “Alias.” But. Tonight’s installment of “Alias” also contains wildly important chunks of continuity certain to make longtime fans pee their recliners. I just don’t get how next week’s Ethan Hawke episode could possibly air before this one and make any sense.
So, since this is obviously the huge post-Superbowl extravaganza, and anxious to win new fans, does it just focus on Syd, Vaughn, Jack and Irina?
No! Dixon, Will and Francie are all thrust back into the spotlight with spectacular new developments! Twitchy Marshall Flinkman gets his usual cameo, but he’s hilariously utilized. Irina Derevko and Emily Sloane, the two characters on whom the season has heretofore pivoted, incredibly do not appear this week. Sark and Sloane both have extremely limited screen time.
Is Agent Weiss still lurking about?
We see more of him tonight than we have all season.
Do we miss Irina?
Not this week we don’t.
How’s Rutger Hauer?
Better than he is in “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.”
What about Alice?
Alice goes unmentioned.
Do we see Will Tippen at work as a CIA analyst?
No. Will’s big new development does not involve the analyst job. Though he does tell Francie that he needs to quit his waiter job because he just got a job as a magazine writer.
But there is no magazine job, right?
Right.
What’s good?
The entire spectacular “Alias” cast in general (Angus Scrimm returns this week!), but in particular Jennifer Garner, who will make you laugh at several junctures, and may make you a bit weepy at several others.
The pacing. The grisly violence. The production values. (If this TV franchise tanks, this episode offers hints of how a series of “Alias” motion pictures could rule the box office.)
The wonderful, mammoth script, crammed silly with enough plot, action, revelations and character moments for three episodes. And it all starts with that outrageous AC/DC number!!
What’s not so good?
There’s nothing not-good about this episode. It will make you wish J.J. Abrams was writing the Bond movies.
How does it end, spoiler-boy?
“Yes. Everything’s in place.” And we follow with dread the blood trail that cakes a tiled wall.
Herc’s rating for “Alias” 2.13?
*****
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
- ***** better than we deserve
- **** better than most motion pictures
- *** actually worth your valuable time
- ** as horrible as most stuff on TV
- * makes you quietly pray for bulletins
Immediately after the Superbowl. Sunday. ABC.
