Alias

[prydain]

Anyone watch it? What did you think?

[goldenboy]

I personally thought it was OK, not great. Obviously they wanted to cram in as much as humanly possible and tie up loose ends all over the place.

The final fate of Sloane was great, poetic justice I thought.

Irina Derevko's death was...fine I guess.

Why exactly were they trying to blow up Washington and London? I wasn't even following that plot point, lol.

The flash-forward to Syd and her growing family was nice. It actually felt like a dream sequence, like it was too good to actually be true...

...and they made note of Sark still being on the loose, causing trouble. So if there's a spinoff, he'll be there, Amy Acker...maybe they'll dig Sloane out of his grave, lol.

[edit]

Oh, wait. Ron Rifkin's gonna be in another ABC show, so nix him out of a spinoff.

[teentitan]

To many flashbacks to Syd's childhood to have her daughter just tear down the 3D puzzle at the end of the show. And letting Sark go was a WTF moment. Acker's character what happened to her? The confrontation between Marshal and Sloan was at best pitiful and man just how fast are those jets to get from LA to Mexico for a rescue mission? And what happened to the glass ball full of Rimbaldi fluid? And don't get me started on how Syd wanted to save her mom from falling thru the glass ceiling after she wanted to kick her ass!
The last 3 or 4 shows concentrated on how Syd wanted to end Prophet 5 and the danger so she could retire and raise her children. So explain to me why Dixon shows up with an assignment for Syd??? Dumb...dumb...dumb...oh yeah and dumb!
The show was poorly done IMO!

[prydain]

Acker and Sark got away in case ABC let's em do a movie or something based on the bad guys.

And um...even if my mom was evil I'd probably try to save her too, even if she just tried to kill me. It's called family.

[teentitan]

Acker and Sark got away in case ABC let's em do a movie or something based on the bad guys.

And um...even if my mom was evil I'd probably try to save her too, even if she just tried to kill me. It's called family.

Even if your your mom told you just before you give birth to her grandchild that she didn't want you but was ordered by her government to have you? I know she's family but there are limits.

[prydain]

As uneven as it was, I wasn't very disappointed with the Alias finale. I was confused by some things, but it mostly due to the pacing and everything.

I think the writers could have wrapped up the show much more neatly had ABC given them a full 22 episode season rather than 17. I mean, the show improved so much after its hiatus, but it was way too rushed - ever since it came back they were squeezing tons of story into each episode.

Some things I'm confused about:

- What exactly was Rambaldi's endgame?
- What was the purpose of the horizon?
- Back in season four, what was the point of turning that city into zombieland? Was that not the endgame? And what purpose did the zombie people serve?

Does anyone else feel like JJ Abrams might have originally intended for the Rambaldi stuff to play out differently? I don't think it was originally as simple as immortality. I'll chalk this one up to ABC's interference.

And as far as Syd's mom is concerned. I refuse to believe that her mom was really evil and I felt that the most unrealistic thing about this past season is her mom. Ever since she was introduced in season two, we've gotten clear hints that although she's not the most honorable person, deep down she's not evil and would do anything to protect Sydney. So her trying to suddenly kill Sydney? Not believable.

But I didn't find it ridiculous at all that Sydney was crying over her mother's death. Any normal person would. Sydney has been holding on to hope that her mother would not betray her in the end, and that they could mend their relationship. Her mom just tried to kill her. I'd be pretty upset too, but I'd still be upset if my mom died, regardless of what she did.

One of my favorite aspects of the episode were the flashbacks. Those were so great. I wish the show started that a few episodes ago.

All in all, a less than completely satisfying finale, but still good. I still consider this one of THE finest shows on television.

[teentitan]

Well Pry17 I like all your points and totally agree 22 epi would have been better then 17.
But the reason I disagree with you about Syd's mom because she is simply evil. The only reason she protected Syd all these years was because Syd was the key to the Rimbaldi secret to get the scarlet stone necklace. During the big confrontation at the end she even said the only thing she needed was immortality for her to have ultimate power. Not a Hallmark moment between a mother and daughter but I will give you the crying over her mom's death because you made a good point. I think Syd's tears were more frustration of failing to convert her mom then her mom actually dieing.

[prydain]

No one is simply evil in JJ Abrams' worlds.

And someone just explained Rambaldi and those whole threads to me so I'm not confused anymore, in case anyone else was confused at all. lol

[Angel's vision]

how on earth was Syd able to get pregnant..? the Covenent took her eggs from her..!

[prydain]

I think they explained it but Alias is so complicated it's hard to remember everything, lol.

[eponinethen]

Ok so I realised I hadn't commented on this one yet. I was personally a bit disappointed. Before I saw the second half of season 5, but had heard about all the characters who were supposed to show up etc., I felt like "how the hell are they going to fit all this in?!", and well, after having seen the end, I still feel that.

I would have wanted an "OMG"-reaction, I would have wanted everything to be turned up-side-down, but what's surprising about Sloane and Irina being the super villains? And Sark and Anna being sort of villains as well? That's what we have been seeing the entire time. I would have rather seen at least one of Sloane or Irina to turn out to be not evil. I would have wanted something really chocking to happen but, this was a too obvious ending in my opinion...

It wasn't bad. Obviously the ending should include some of these characters, and Rambaldi, but I would have wanted something new and huge, in a show like this one, that started with a big shock.. hm..

[prydain]

I think you mean to spell that "shock", lol. ;)

I sort of agree, actually the surprise to me was Irina being the bad guy. I thought she would end up redeeming herself, and actually her being really evil doesn't fit in with season two AT ALL.

I think the problem was not really with the writers, but with ABC reducing the episode order, and they didn't even have that much time either seeing as how they didn't find out they were being cancelled until nearly November, and they were on production hiatus for a couple of months...they really needed one more season.

[eponinethen]

I think you mean to spell that "shock", lol. ;)
Grr I hate to spell obvious things like that wrong. I know how it's spellt but it's with a c in Swedish and I had just been writing a similar post in Swedish, heh. (Not an excuse though, lol.)

I sort of agree, actually the surprise to me was Irina being the bad guy. I thought she would end up redeeming herself, and actually her being really evil doesn't fit in with season two AT ALL.
She's like Snape [when it comes to what I'm just about to say, lol], she shouldn't be "bad", cause that's boring, and she shouldn't be "good", cause that's boring. They should have come up with something really cool for her.. I thought this was a bit too obvious, hm..

I think the problem was not really with the writers, but with ABC reducing the episode order, and they didn't even have that much time either seeing as how they didn't find out they were being cancelled until nearly November, and they were on production hiatus for a couple of months...they really needed one more season.
I agree. Maybe not with the "one more season"-thing, but they should have had more time to prepare a big ending. I'm not blaming it on the writers, but I'm still not really happy with it..

[prydain]

Plus I think the finale should have just been a lot bigger. I mean, for four and a half seasons they built up something huge, yet the payoff was anticlimatic. They saved the whole world, a few people died, Sloane fell into some Rambaldi juice and then got trapped in the tomb. It REALLY felt like the season five writers changed the whole Rambaldi storyline from what JJ Abrams had originally planned, it just did not seem to fit in to me.

Oh well.

[eponinethen]

I agree. It became too small. Maybe it was hard to create an ending worthy of the storyline (Rambaldi wise) so far, but they could have done a better job, I'm sure of it..

[prydain]

Let's just blame ABC. After all, they DID hate the sci-fi aspects of Alias and were constantly forcing writers to calm it down.

[eponinethen]

Lol. Mkay :) I have to say (as I might have mentioned before), I wasn't the biggest fan of the sci-fi parts either :p

[prydain]

Guys, is anyone planning on getting the collector's edition DVDs? They will be released this November worldwide, for $200 or less. I already pre-ordered mine. If you want one, you better get it NOW because Amazon is sold out already, and Disney is only releasing 40,000 copies.

To read about the complete set, go here:

http://tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=6149

It will have everything the season sets have, and more, so I think it's worth the money. Fortunately I don't own all the sets anyway, and the ones I do I will give away to a friend (who I recently got hooked on Alias anyway).

BEG you should totally buy this. And you, Anita Blake.

[Black Eye Guy]

that Looks Awesome!! I wish I had money at the moment! :(

[prydain]

Well you have a few months to save up for it if you don't think all copies will be gone by the actual release date, lol.

[Black Eye Guy]

Aw cool! Well I will try and save for it. I should really try looking for a job again, I've just been enjoying the freeness in my post-exam summer!!

[prydain]

Whoo-hoo! My complete series set got here. Guys, it's effing amazing. Well worth the money I paid for it. ($150)

[Black Eye Guy]

I'm on the second last disc of the first series, I really like it. It's very well done.

and I have 4 more seasons to go, yey!

[Black Eye Guy]

Finnished season one and went out and bought season 2, and I only slept for 2 hours last night before going back to school because I couldn't turn it off, it was so good!!

I love the mother, she's so cool I can't wait to find out if she's good or bad. I'm only on the second disc of season2, so I have lots to watch :D

[prydain]

Ahhh! Season Two was sooo damn good. In places I literally fell off my couch. In other places I jumped out of my couch screaming "What the f*ck?!". It's a great season. :)

Season Three though, is my favorite, which is odd because everyone claims the show sucked then, but the second time I watched it, it became my favorite. So I hope you like it.

[Black Eye Guy]

Holy mother of Amazing TV!!!!! Just saw the episode where they take down SD-6! I was totally thinking it was going to be a season finale, I was so suprised when it happened!!

But My god! The end when we see Francie, I literly jumped up in my bed, and was gob smacked. Then we saw the real francie dead and my jaw dropped!!! It was incrediable, It's just wow!!

I'm so not sleeping tonight!

[prydain]

I was so shocked to see Francie dead...and angry. I loved, loved, loved Francie.

[Black Eye Guy]

Yeah Francie was awesome! Just finnished season 2, after work I bought season 3 and then came home and finnished season 2, Now I'm watching the first episode of season 3!

And I am so confused! gotta say though Loved season 2, much better then season 1, which I also loved!

I am so frickin tired, I have had 17 hours sleep in the last 5 days, and it's Alias's fault, I have had to go to college all day then straight to work untill 10, then come home and watch alias till 5/6 in the morning and go to school at 9!!! But it's just so good, I can't turn it off!

[Black Eye Guy]

Ahhh! Season Two was sooo damn good. In places I literally fell off my couch. In other places I jumped out of my couch screaming "What the f*ck?!". It's a great season. :)

Season Three though, is my favorite, which is odd because everyone claims the show sucked then, but the second time I watched it, it became my favorite. So I hope you like it.

I freakin love it! I'm on the second last disc of season 3, and if people say this is the worse season thats bloodly brilliant cuz I love it!! There is definetly a different feel to the show in season 3, but I still count it as excellent TV, and in no way think of it as being bad.

But season 2 is my favourite so far!

I also bought season 4 today! lol, the guy in the shop just got season 4 off the sjelf when I went into the shop today. lol!

And Oh my god Lauren was a double I didn't see that comeing at all!!

[prydain]

If you think season three has a different feel just wait until you see season four.
As for season three, I think the reason it feels different is because Syd's only friend is Weiss, and there's less time spent on her personal life. But I loved everything with The Covenant, and I *loved* Lauren. (Lauren is my favorite villainous on the series.)

That's funny that the guy knew you'd be getting season four. Is it a really small shop or something? Odd that he'd recognize you or remember what you'd been buying, that doesn't happen around here, lol.

[Black Eye Guy]

If you think season three has a different feel just wait until you see season four.
As for season three, I think the reason it feels different is because Syd's only friend is Weiss, and there's less time spent on her personal life. But I loved everything with The Covenant, and I *loved* Lauren. (Lauren is my favorite villainous on the series.)

That's funny that the guy knew you'd be getting season four. Is it a really small shop or something? Odd that he'd recognize you or remember what you'd been buying, that doesn't happen around here, lol.

It's a busy shop, it's a video retal shop. But's it's cuz I came in a bought season 2 then 3 days later I bought season 3 and then 3 days later bought season 4.

Ok as I type right now someone just died in Syd's arms and told her she has a sister!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!!

EDIT

On the second last episode!

Oh and this show has a serious amount of Guest stars!

[prydain]

haha wow, BEG, you must really love Alias if you went and got an icon for it. ;)

[Black Eye Guy]

haha wow, BEG, you must really love Alias if you went and got an icon for it. ;)

lol, Well I've had the same av for a while now and knew I had to. And I like the alias logo so thought why not :)

Ok litterly finnished season 3 just now, I'm not even a min into season 4 yet (56 seconds to be specific, lol)

Gotta say the last episode of Season 3, was kinda boreing, compared to some of the normal episodes in season 3.

EDIT

Oh... Jennifer Garner in a school girl like uniform! And to go all pervy teenage boy for a second, she has like the perfect breasts!

[Black Eye Guy]

It's so bloody good!!! The sisters really hot. The whole mystery of what are Sloan and Jack up too, is awesome, I'm dieing to find out what there up to!!

And what the hell is with this second Sloan?

[prydain]

I *love* Arvin Clone! lol. It's so funny.

[Black Eye Guy]

I recognised him from Buffy, but holy crap he looks identicle to sloan!

[prydain]

I didn't realize until just now that that dude has been on Buffy. I don't think he looks that much like Sloane, actually. Has Sydney referred to him as Arvin Clone yet?

[Black Eye Guy]

I didn't realize until just now that that dude has been on Buffy. I don't think he looks that much like Sloane, actually. Has Sydney referred to him as Arvin Clone yet?

What! He looks identicle to him! lol, Yeah Arvin Clone was so funny!

I just finnished the 4th series, and OH MY GOD! Apart from the last two episodes being toatally amazing, The mother being alive, Arvin shooting Nadia, The whole end of the world thing and Vaughn not being vaughn!!!! Like Ahhhh, it was so amazing!!!

And now I have to wait till tomorrow to buy the 5th season!!!! :(

[prydain]

So you weren't disappointed by season four? lol

A lot of fans bash it.

[Black Eye Guy]

Really, why? I loved series four. I've LOVED every series, I normally don't like every season of a series I watch (Like 4 of Buffy, 3 of 34, 3 of The O.C.) But I have loved Alias, I'm gonna go into serious withdrawl when I finnish season 5 as all I have done is sit here and watch Alias for the last 2 weeks!

I actually found a shop close by that had season 5 in stock, and went there after work, and just as I arrived the guy was locking up the shop (I won't lie, there were thoughts of throwing a brick through the window, grabbing season 4 and legging it, ;))

But I just don't get how someone could not like this series, it's just wow! and the characters are just so cool, I really love the mother she's awesome.

And the twists, there incrediable, and they've been so unexpected. Like I knew the mother was alive cuz I had seen one episode of season 5 like a year ago, but when I say the flash back to her being shot, I actually sorta believed it and then was suprised when we found out she was alive, which just sounds stupid when I already knew she couldn't be dead, but it was just... Bloody great!!

[prydain]

Most fans hate season four because the first half is close-ended episodes and the show is less complicated. However, I love the tone of season four. It NEEDED to be lighter because seasons two and three were much darker and heavier. Season four was fun, IMO.

And I miss the awesomeness of the shockers and cliffhangers. Alias delivered them excellently. I've actually been DYING to have a new show that's like that...Lost doesn't shock me anymore.

[Black Eye Guy]

Ok Loveing Amy Acker in the 5th series, she's cool. although re-bought the PS2 today (I got the little one, it's so tiny!) And thats been distracting me from alias! I've only finnised the first disc!!

[prydain]

Dude! Finish Alias first, lol. You're SOO close to being done.

[Black Eye Guy]

I know but I'm not looking forward to it! Cuz then I'll be finnihsed Alias! And won't have any more! :(

Is the ending good? Like is it a good ending for the series??

[prydain]

To be honest, I don't know if I like it or not. It's not horrible, but we are robbed of what seems to be hinted at earlier on in the show, and I do NOT think it's what JJ Abrams had originally envisioned, or what they should have done. I'll explain further when you finish, I don't want to spoil you.

[Black Eye Guy]

:)

I'm watching it now!

Oh and forgot to say I like the new girl, she's really hot, and looks a little like the main character from point pleasamt (Elizebeth Harris, is it? I'm drawing a blank?)

[prydain]

Yep, I love Rachel Nichols. She's on The Inside (which N4H and I love). And on the R1 DVD of Point Pleasant it's widely believed that it's HER on the cover, NOT Elisabeth Harnois. lol

Again, most fans HATED Rachel but I love her! Especially in "Solo", have you seen that one?

[Black Eye Guy]

Yeah that was a good episode, She's a really cool character!

I've finished it now, and I see what you mean about the ending. I really didn't like that the mother was evil, I just don't believe that from what we've seen before! And it would have been nice to see some reaction to Nadia’s death.

Which I also didn't like, I don't think it was necessary, and it really seemed like no one cared afterwards! Also wasn't mad on Tom, It's not that I didn't like him, but I don't care at all. Like the storyline about his wife was a snorefest.

I really liked Rachel, She was an excellent addition to the series. Also like Rene(SP), She was good, and I liked her death cuz I didn't see it as unnecessary, it actually added something to the series!

I'm glad Sloan was finally revealed as evil, it was about time. It would have been awful if he had been doing it from the greater good - again! And I liked what happened to him in the end that was just. But a pity about Jack.

[prydain]

The ending...not only did I feel cheated about Irina turning out to be evil, but the whole Rambaldi thing was beyond anticlimatic and also obviously something they pulled out of their ass. Remember in season four, when Sloane goes insane and bashes the guy's head in? He states that there's much more to Rambaldi than immortality...yet that's ALL there is to Rambaldi, and he's obviously known it quite a while. I think the writers contradicted themselves.

HOWEVER, we may have ABC to blame, in part. They announced the show was ending several episodes into season five, I think they were already filming the episode that was to lead into the haitus, which was episode nine. That didn't give them much time at ALL to wrap up everything. But I think the Rambaldi story was supposed to have a more epic feel to it, and I read a theory that were were hints that Rambaldi was actually supposed to come back to life with the aid of the fluid, which would have been awesome.

One thing I liked about the last few episodes is that they strived to go back to form, to give the episodes a season one and two feel. But they had far too much stuff packed into them...and Anna Espinosa should have been Sydney longer. In fact nearly everything in those episodes could have been stretched out and it would have been more satisfying.

Going back to Irina and Sloane, I don't think either of them were EVIL. They just wanted power and that led to them doing evil things...the writers insist Irina loved Sydney even at the end, but I still think it's shitty what they did...if she truly loved her daughter she wouldn't kill her for something so stupid.