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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Elliot Panek

ALIAS follows the adventures of Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner), a double agent working for the CIA who has infiltrated the ranks of a secret terrorist organization. Her life is a series of double-crosses and revelations and is constantly being reshuffled and remade as is necessitated by the identity shifting required by her profession. Everyone in Sydney's life seems to be part of the world of international intrigue -- her father, Jack (Victor Garber), is a fellow double agent, and her CIA handler Michael Vaughn (Michael Vartan) becomes a close friend (and maybe more...). There are occasional forays into the fantastic -- some shady, evil organizations take their cues from a 500-year-old prophecy, for example. Meanwhile, things like brainwashing and hallucinogens sometimes prevent Sydney from being sure of anything, yet she carries on, foiling plots and trying to maintain some semblance of a life.

Is It Any Good?

4

The show expertly draws out mysteries over the course of each season, and for this reason, it might be tough for new viewers to understand the intricate plot if they come in late. However, there is also pleasure in each individual episode, especially for those keen on the tone, style and intensity of creator J.J. Abrams' other smash hit series Lost. Though it has begun to show some signs of losing momentum as it heads toward its conclusion, Alias remains a uniquely well-written, well-acted action drama with more psychological depth than nearly every other show on television.

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