Say good-bye to 'Alias'

Janet Thu, Dec 1, 2005 at 12:33 AM EST

Re Howard's post: Loved your "Spawn of Affleck" line. I have been upset about Garner's insistence on writing in the pregnancy AFTER J.J. early in the spring said they wouldn't. How does that happen? I feel like it spelled the death of Vaughn and the death of the show. There's no real Alias left. I would totally agree that Garner married down if I didn't have an even sadder take on it. Never woulda thunk that this former major Garner fan would think maybe it's not that she married down - maybe she just showed her true colors.

Molly O' Tue, Nov 29, 2005 at 04:16 PM EST

i blame JJ Abrams: 1) for creating the single best show of it's kind and then 2) for having delusions of grandeur and abandoning it. [note to all you LOST fans: don't think that the same thing won't happen to you!]

Seasons 1 was simply amazing. Season 2 became mother-daughter-father triangle. Season 3 became another kind of triangle (but the 2-years later opener was pretty cool). Season 4 became this relationship drama that wasn't exciting nor action-packed really. Season 5, I gave up watching after Jen had Vartan killed off. It wasn't the show I had come to love. Besides by season 4, my affections for the show was waning and all the double-crosses/secrets had played itself out.

In retrospect, I think that's it's really sad that network interference changed the course of the show. I, for one, was never overtly confused about SD-6. I found the layers to be part of my attraction to the show. So what if you couldn't neatly explain what had happened in a one-minute bumper before the show?

Evangeline B.t Tue, Nov 29, 2005 at 04:01 PM EST

:( I WILL MISS THIS SHOW. :sigh:

I was hooked from the begining, and watched every episode until recently. I have to admit that Season 5 isn't attracting much of my attention. After Vaughn's demise, my interest waned. (*Also, Thursday nights are a tough night for me with Alias, Smallville, OC, Reunion, Everwood, and Will & Grace*) It also seemed that they were trying to replace the whole cast with all these new characters, and I wasn't too keen on that idea.

The first couple of seasons were awesome.

But ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END.

Alias was a great show!!

Brett Tue, Nov 29, 2005 at 12:20 PM EST

Marshall is priceless, I agree with the above post, that when Marshall goes off on a tangent and everyone stares at him . . The best Marshall scene, in my opinion, is when he is counting cards in the Triad casino and when confronted by the pit boss smacks Sidney on the @$$

Big Fan Tue, Nov 29, 2005 at 09:11 AM EST

In addition to all listed previously...When vaughn and Sydney go out on date in France (their first!). The bad guys get them in a back street and all seems lost. To this point we have seen precious little of Vaughn except being a contact. In this scene he pulls out a hidden knife, takes out bad guy#1 who has a gun on him...then spins, using bad guy#1's body as shield, takes out bad guy #2.

All that previous action from Sydney, and little from Vaughn. Suddenly there are two badasses in town!

McReadie Tue, Nov 29, 2005 at 04:40 AM EST

I suspect the time is right for Alias to call it a day (living in the UK, I haven't yet seen any of Season 5) but that doesn't mean it's easy to say goodbye to a show that has often been nothing short of brilliant.

As for best moments... Two words: Spy Daddy. I will really miss Jack Bristow. Thanks and respect to Victor Garber for a consistently outstanding performance.

Janet Tue, Nov 29, 2005 at 02:47 AM EST

I agree it's time to end. Alias isn't Alias without Vaughn (or Weiss). Favorite moments: 1) Syd and Vaughn's first night (and morning) together; 2)Syd and Vaughn waking up together after spending the night in quarantine because of potential infection from the red ball; Vartan was pitch perfect in portraying Vaughn's undisguised affection for Syd with his sweet teasing pillow-talk voice and Garner with her cute embarrassment that he heard her talking in her sleep; great acting to foreshadow the eventual love affair in a low key, innocent, creatively unexpected way (would that that creativity and light touch could have stayed and not been eaten up by "cliffhanger" and "major tragedy" fetishes); 3)Vaughn's "I love my drawer" -- every woman's dream of a manly man who's not afraid to "get it" and not run away -- and be sweet and adorable along with hot! 4)Vaughn's finally letting go and confessing his true feelings for Syd in the North Korean prison awaiting the firing squad; his desperate demand "Look at me" when she tries to avoid it was one of the hottest things ever. Yeah, I'm a 'shipper but, you know what? I think that's OK now --since we see that the show doesn't do too well without it.

Graeme Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 10:43 PM EST

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show, and I'm actually pretty happy it's ending this year. The show has come full circle with its current storyline, a lot of the plotlines feel like they could lead to a series finale )(one last Sloane betrayal to save Nadia that has Syd killing Sloane, and the return of Vaughn in the finale), it's having its strongest year since season 2 (s3 and s4 were still awesome), and I never saw Alias being a show that goes for 6-7 seasons. It simply wouldn't be able to keep up the energy.
I can't wait to see how this season plays out. It's gonna be crazy. I hope we see the return of Allison, Will, Katya and Irina one more time. I vote for a dream sequence (ala "Conscious") that has a bunch of previous characters including the ones I already mentioned plus Lauren, Danny, Elena, etc.

My favorite moment?
The "I would have waited" speech or the scene in the second last episode of season 2 with Syd talking on the phone to Will who is on the run with Evil Francie standing in the background trying to listen in, then bursting into tears when Syd turns around. So scary, intense, and fun at the same time. Classic Alias.

Wayne Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 05:31 PM EST

Six words:

"Francie doesn't like coffee ice cream."

Michelle Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 05:02 PM EST

Alias was a wonderful show during its first and second seasons, and then, unfortunately, it went slowly downhill from there.

One of my favorite moments from the show was when Will found out Syd was an agent. The look on his face...ha! I also love the episode in the beginning of the second season when Syd has to find an antidote for Vaughn's illness. The scene in which she visits him in the hospital before she goes on the mission, and the final scene, are great. The season finale of the second season was the best episode of the series. For Syd to find out that everyone thought she was dead for two years was a complete shocker!

I am sad to see Alias go, but I think it's time. JJ Abrams is busy with quite a few other projects, and I think the show has lost its emotional focus and creative edge. But I think it really will go down as one of the most innovative shows on television.

Fred Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 05:02 PM EST

"Alias" is a good example that every single show on TV shouldn't have to run 7-10 years. Some shows only have 3-4 really good years and the rest is just padding or rehashes to get to syndication $$$.

"The Prisoner" was a great series and it only lasted one season. I'd say "Alias" is similar with four outstanding seasons.

As for the question: the Sydney-Evil Francie fight was very good. There hasn't been kitchen mayhem like that since "Gremlins." Hope the James Bond producers noticed what they USED to be able to pull off.

And for the record: I have two current "Alias" episodes from this unnecessary season taking up space on my DVR.

Tubby Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 04:23 PM EST

Oops! I meant Victor Garber, nor James Garner.

Ami Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 04:21 PM EST

I will miss this show so much. I never intentionally missed an episode and own all the seasons on DVD. The Sydney Bristow character is such an inspiration, and ranks up there with Buffy as strong female characters. (Joss Whedon and J.J. Abrahms are in the same league in my book. They should really get together and do something.)

Some of my faves (besides the obvious first episode):
I LOVED the episode when Will finds out that Sydney is a spy; the expression on his face spoke volumes. The throwdown episode between Syd and Francie culminating with her waking up two years later (?!@#). Sydney and Nadia teaming up for this first time on a mission. Sydney and Vaughn vs. Lauren and Sark. Dixon and Sydney in a throwdown. Dixon confronting Sydney about spying for someone else. Anything Weiss or Marshall.

fredric Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 04:16 PM EST

My favorite scenes usually involve some girl on girl fighting - like Sydney vs. Evil Francie, or the episodes with Anna Espinosa, or Sydney-Lauren fights. I will miss Alias when it's gone, even though it did jump the shark last season.

Tubby Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 03:55 PM EST

James Garner deserves an Emmy for making Jack Bristow convincing. For godsakes, he was Oprhan Annie's uncle!

Suz Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 03:41 PM EST

My favorite Alias moment was at the end of the first Season when Syd rescues Will from "The Man" and he realizes that the pink-haired woman kicking ass in front of him is Sydney.

Clay Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 03:33 PM EST

I have/still am an avid ALIAS fan since the beginning. I remember watching "Truth Be Told" from my hospital bed after open heart surgery and have not missed an ep since. I agree with most of the posts how it was great in seasons 1 and 2 and with the best moments of the show. It was truly a great adventure and an emotional one as well. It will rank as an all-time favorite. Garner, Garber, and Olin all deserved Emmys. Watching seasons 1 and 2 on dvd(as I recently have) shows how much it's slipped creatively, but still good enough. JJ better write the finale!!!! And that Syd and Vaughn live happily ever after.

B Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 03:12 PM EST

The best scene ever was when Sydney was in the kitchen and whipped out and threw that drawer at Evil Francie during their fight at the end of season 2. A FULL DRAWER!

Tim Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 02:50 PM EST

'Alias' has redeemed itself this season with good storylines, but it's too little, too late.

The best episodes were the ones with Marshall out in the field. Jumping off the skyscraper with Syd from season 2 (?) and last season's Syd buried alive ep.

The worst episode was last season's zombie episode.

Nose Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 02:00 PM EST

There are too many great moments to mention, but any show with Sark (David Anders) was worth watching. I especially loved scenes with Sark and Sydney, as he always knew how to push her buttons. He was severely under-used in this show. Can't wait to see the next episode..won't spoil it for you if you haven't heard what happens.
Last week's show was great...Sydney and Jack trying to get the crib through the doorway, and Jack (in his best deadpan voice) says, "Pass me the screwdriver." Priceless!

Darby Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 01:37 PM EST

Fave scenes: 1.Vaughn & Sid's first kiss amid the debris
2. Marshall's 1st field mission with Sid when they are trapped in a highrise, and he whips off his coat to reveal a parachute pack & says (paraphrasing..) "My name is Marshall and I'll be your rescuer today." Love that Marshall.
3. Jack killing Ricky Gervais's character (as Sid watches)then shocking him back to life, only to threaten to do it again if he doesn't talk. Jack is hardcore!! Love love love Victor Garber.
4. Any scene where Marshall is jabbering and Jack is glowering at him. Those two together kill me!
5. No particular scene, but I love ALL of Weiss' oneliners!

Kimmie G Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 01:26 PM EST

While I didn't jump on the Alias bandwagon until the Super Bowl episode (and fed off the DVDs for the previous season and a half for a weekend), I haven't missed an minute since. I agree that once the show got episodic, it lost some of its appeal. There's a lesson to be learned for networks in lowering a show's intelligence quotient to gain more viewers: it disappoints the loyal fans, and doesn't really gain all that much more in viewership. My favorite moment was the cliffhanger in Hong Kong, where we discover that two years have gone by, and no one knows where Syd's been, or what she's been doing. I didn't sleep that whole night, and was in a snit until the new season started. And a fond farewell to yet another female character who is intelligent, can kick anyone's butt, and carries us through interesting plot lines.

Tim Lade Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 01:13 PM EST

There is a singular moment for me of Alias brilliance that I think truly captures the talent of Jabrams and the peak of the show. This occurs in the second season when Sloane tells his wife Emily (played by the radiant Amy Irving) that he has been lying to her for years and that SD-6 is part of the Alliance. What makes this scene so fantastic though is that you can't hear the dialogue as Jabrams had a song play over top. So what are we left with, a brilliantly beautiful scene with Sloane confessing his soul to Emily, she breaking down into tears, him filled with guilt, and only music to be heard. It's absoloutly fantastic in every sense of the word and if I cannot have new episodes, at least I have DVD's of Season 1 and 2 close at hand.

Howard Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 01:02 PM EST

First scene in the post-Super Bowl episode: "What was wrong with the black one?!?" As an aside, absolutely nothing.

I find it interesting that the show became more episodic when serial shows like Lost and Desparate Housewives started picking up steam. That change, plus Jen carrying the Spawn of Affleck (I still think she married down), may have hastened the end of a great show that like so many never garnered (sorry, bad pun) the attention it deserved.

harold Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 12:51 PM EST

two of my favorite moments:
- Jack and Syd in the parking garage in the pilot: Dad?!? and then Jack 180's the car to shoot at the bad guys.
-Season2 ep 12 or so, in India: when SpyFam blast the bad guys with ak47's

Sarah C Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 12:51 PM EST

Any time Sydney and Vaughn were on screen together in Season 2--"I love my drawer." Awesome Victor Garber pretting much stealing every scene. Greg with his one-liners to Vaughn--"Jack is going to shoot you in the face." RIP, Alias: in your first two seasons, you rocked harder than Lost, which is a great show in its own right.

James C Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 12:21 PM EST

Dee, Carl Lumbly, who is Sid's partner and has been one of the main (top 4) stars of the show since Day 1, is black. Moreover, Sid's best friend in Seasons 1&2 (Francie) was African-American, too. Hence, I don't know where you get off saying the show has no minorities.

I'm gay and there were NO (not one!) gay characters on Alias (that I can recall), but do you hear me complaining? Well, actually...

chris Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 12:08 PM EST

once my favorite show, i would have done anything to see it. never missing an episode. but then ABC tinkered with it to allow new viewers to come in. storylines started to get a tad weird. but i always stuck by the show.

one of my favorite moments (hard to pick just one) has to be when Sydney helps a man out of an psychiatric hospital only to later find out that he was the one that killed her fiancee.

i'm glad that ABC gave enough notice so that we didn't get some crappy ending to the series and that we'll hopefully get a nice full-circle type ending and tie up all those loose ends.

Dee Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:57 AM EST

No disrespect to anyone involved in this show but this is an example of how hard a network will go to bat for a show with a mostly white cast. This show never really posted good numbers during it's entire 5 year season. It has merely been a critical hit. I wish networks would be as supportive of a fair number of good shows with minority casts that have since been cancelled. I always resented this and never watched this show.

MiniMarie Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:55 AM EST

"Alias" is no longer a great show, but it's still a very good one -- I still wouldn't miss an episode for a second. (It's the only show I never TiVo, but always watch live.) And though I don't care much for the two new female characters, I wish we'd have had more time with Tom, well-played by Balthazar Getty. I agree that the end of the fifth season is the right place to end it, though.

My favorite scenes are all between Sydney and her father, Jack: His telling her that her mother was a KGB agent, the first time they see each other after she's been missing for two years, and the eerie-sweet episode last season when he saw her as her mother. Victor Garber should really have won an Emmy for this role. Instead, two Emmys for Shatner? A shame.

Joseph Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:55 AM EST

The most shocking moment was Francie's death. I loved the big fight with "bad" Francie at the end of season 2. I thought Irina jumping off the roof of the building and shooting her way through the window was a cool scence. My all time favorite action sequence is Sydney accessing server 47 on the airplane and her big escape at 35,000 feet...good stuff!!!

SJ Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:38 AM EST

How could anyone forget Syndey and Vaughn's first kiss amongst the SD-6 debris? It was more explosive than the stuff they used to blow the place!

JJ Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:38 AM EST

I loved Lena Olin so much in this show. I think her introduction to the show - shooting her own daughter in the shoulder - is one of my favorite, unpredictable TV moments. That should include the preceeding season closer where Sydney meekly utters "Mom?" while tied to a chair. In the pilot episode there is the interchange between Sloane and Sydney where she says "you killed my finacee!" and he replies "no Agent Bristow, you did."

Deb Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:36 AM EST

I loved this show and am sorry to see it go, but the cast changes and time slot killed this show. I also have 3 back episodes saved on my TiVo when in the the past I would never have missed one second! There were so many great moments, but I always loved the cliff hangers and the end of last season was like the shock of a lifetime!

Ragdoll Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:10 AM EST

Am sad to see Alias go, but I honestly jumped out of my chair watching the last few minutes of last year's finale. I know the show had lost a lot of its lustre by then, but the "My name's not really Michael Vaughn" still threw me for a loop.

Renato Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:09 AM EST

Oh, I forgot about Sydney's reaction when seeing Danny's dead body on the bath tub on "Truth Be Told", the pilot.

Ok, now I'll leave you in peace...

Renato Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 11:06 AM EST

Ahn, first of all, Alias is much better than Dark Angel.

Ok, now that we got that out of the way, I have to say I love Alias, but it's clear to everyone who followed the show that was the right time to finish it. Still, I'll surely miss Sydney Bristow kicking someone's ass every week.

Ok, now about my favorite moments... Besides the ones already mentioned, I loved when Sydney tries to save Will and she finds him in one of her missions on "Rendezvous".
Also, Sydney and Vaughn trying to escape that huge wave (and he doesn't make it, waht makes of it all that much more shocking) and Sydney first gazing at her mother in years, both moments in "Almost Thirty Years".

There's also Sydney's breakdown when confronting her father about Project Christmas in "The Indicator", or Francie's body in her restaurant in "Phase One", as her evil version talks on the phone.
Even the third season has an unforgetable moment, in its first episode of the season, when Sydney drops that amazing line on Vaughn: "You wanna know how I am? I AM AWFUL!"

Man, how is it that am gonna live without Alias?

Josh Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 10:59 AM EST

When Sydney grieves for her fiancee in the pilot, it was the best crying scene I'd ever seen in a film or series. Much props to Garner and Abrams for it; too bad the show ran out of ideas and started repeating its own plots.

Joe Caranante Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 10:44 AM EST

Not a huge Alias fan, but that battle between Sydney and that season's 'bad girl'at the end of season 2 was epic. Ranks right up there with Jessica Alba's battles in 'Dark Angel' which was better than Alias, by the way!

Ron Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 10:34 AM EST

Alias had a great run. I will miss Sydney's adventures. At its height,it was not to be missed and it is still entertaining.Thanks for some great television.