[DWF]

Spoilers

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Sydney must guide a nervous and pensive Rachel on her first solo mission. Meanwhile, Sloane must decide whether or not to betray the trust he's recently earned with APO by honoring his agreement with Gordon Dean.

This post has been edited by DWF: 10 November 2005 - 07:23 PM

[Christopher]

A pretty good one, written and directed by Angel veteran Jeffrey Bell. And it showed -- this was perhaps the funniest, funnest episode of Alias I've seen in a while. Dixon's "I love you" gambit with the Indian fiancee was priceless, and Rachel's lingering bitterness about Mandy from high school was funny. Plus her first seduction mission was a lot of fun (and she looked purty nice in the teeny dress).

I also like how the Syd/Rachel relationship is developing. It's intriguing to get these new insights into how Syd does what she does, what goes into her role-playing on a mental level, and how she feels about being on missions and having that voice in her ear. I find it a charming irony that the introduction of Rachel, a character meant to fill in for Syd while Garner was marginalized by her pregnancy, is enabling us to get to know Syd better, in some ways, than we ever did before.

Rachel's relationship with Amy Acker's character (still don't have her name) was interesting. Acker's character is a cold-blooded killer, but she really does like Rachel, and there's still a bond between them. I loved how Rachel reflexively protected her when the gunmen started shooting, even though they'd been theoretically fighting to the death a moment before. This could become an interesting, nuanced relationship. And I'm hopeful that Acker's character can be persuaded to switch sides.

On the other hand, the Dean-Sloane relationship is showing a lot of friction. Sloane is accustomed to doing things his way, but Dean sees him as simply a tool, a subordinate. And Dean is showing himself to be stupid in this, letting his desire to dominate work against his best interests. He doesn't understand how suicidal it is to tick off Arvin Sloane. Once Sloane feels he has no more use for Dean, or that he's too much of a threat to Nadia, then Dean is realllllly gonna get it. And although I usually don't care for the acts of violence and vengeance committed by this show's protagonists, I'm very much looking forward to that day.

I was interested by the scene early on where Sloane talked to Syd about Nadia and said, in no uncertain terms, that he would do anything to save her. Given her experience with him in the past, one would think she should know that would include literally anything, including deceit and betrayal of his allies. I had to wonder if maybe on some level he was trying to warn her. Though on reflection, maybe it was more of an apology, an explanation before the fact for the things he's going to do.

This post has been edited by Christopher: 10 November 2005 - 10:26 PM

[Lord of the Sword]

Christopher, on Nov 10 2005, 10:18 PM, said:

On the other hand, the Dean-Sloane relationship is showing a lot of friction.  Sloane is accustomed to doing things his way, but Dean sees him as simply a tool, a subordinate.  And Dean is showing himself to be stupid in this, letting his desire to dominate work against his best interests.  He doesn't understand how suicidal it is to tick off Arvin Sloane.  Once Sloane feels he has no more use for Dean, or that he's too much of a threat to Nadia, then Dean is realllllly gonna get it.  And although I usually don't care for the acts of violence and vengeance committed by this show's protagonists, I'm very much looking forward to that day.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You pretty much summed up my thoughts. Before all is said and done Sloane WILL deal with Dean...and like you, I'm eagerly looking forward to that day.

I'm just curious: What exactly does Dean have on Sloane? Or that Sloane thinks he has? A cure? Because Sloane is already reinstated at APO, how could Dean affect that? Also, did they put Sloane back in charge of APO? Friends came in during that scene and didn't hear what Jack said regarding sloane.

As for Rachael....When she slapped that guy and he said: "Has baby been bad?" and then Syd's comment of "Oh this is gonna be so easy." Had me rolling. Especially when she strapped him to the bed, gagged him and then went to the computer to do what she had to do...priceless.

[Christopher]

LORD of the SWORD, on Nov 11 2005, 02:51 AM, said:

I'm just curious: What exactly does Dean have on Sloane? Or that Sloane thinks he has? A cure? Because Sloane is already reinstated at APO, how could Dean affect that?

Just as Dean used his influence in the government to get Sloane freed from prison and reinstated at APO, he could also use that influence to get the decision reversed. Without his freedom and the resources of APO, Sloane can't help Nadia.

Plus, of course, here we saw Dean implicitly threaten Nadia's life if Sloane didn't do as he said.

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Also, did they put Sloane back in charge of APO? Friends came in during that scene and didn't hear what Jack said regarding sloane.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jack's in charge; Sloane's title is Assistant Director. So basically he and Jack have switched jobs.

[Lord of the Sword]

Christopher, on Nov 11 2005, 08:43 AM, said:

Just as Dean used his influence in the government to get Sloane freed from prison and reinstated at APO, he could also use that influence to get the decision reversed.  Without his freedom and the resources of APO, Sloane can't help Nadia.

That's what I thought...But it would definately look suspicious. Sloane was already cleared of his past wrongs. For them to suddenly try and put him pack in prison would be absurd. They'd need new charges for that.

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Plus, of course, here we saw Dean implicitly threaten Nadia's life if Sloane didn't do as he said.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Damn. Missed that part as well. If Dean did that, his life expectency just dropped below the radar. Sloane definately will not sit idle after that.

[Christopher]

LORD of the SWORD, on Nov 11 2005, 12:24 PM, said:

That's what I thought...But it would definately look suspicious. Sloane was already cleared of his past wrongs. For them to suddenly try and put him pack in prison would be absurd. They'd need new charges for that.

Then it's awfully convenient that they've arranged for Sloane to commit new crimes for them. All they have to do is arrange for him to be caught, although it'd have to be in some way that didn't implicate them.

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Plus, of course, here we saw Dean implicitly threaten Nadia's life if Sloane didn't do as he said.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Damn. Missed that part as well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, all Dean said was "How's your daughter?" But in that context, he was clearly dropping a hint that he could get to Nadia anytime he wanted, and implying that her well-being was contingent on Sloane's cooperation.

[Kevin Street]

Christopher said:

I also like how the Syd/Rachel relationship is developing.  It's intriguing to get these new insights into how Syd does what she does, what goes into her role-playing on a mental level, and how she feels about being on missions and having that voice in her ear.  I find it a charming irony that the introduction of Rachel, a character meant to fill in for Syd while Garner was marginalized by her pregnancy, is enabling us to get to know Syd better, in some ways, than we ever did before.

Yeah, and in addition to that, Rachel is kind of a neat character. I like how she's not a super spy, but is learning as she goes. The romance thing with Thomas is being hyped pretty heavily, though. I hope they don't go there right away.

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I was interested by the scene early on where Sloane talked to Syd about Nadia and said, in no uncertain terms, that he would do anything to save her.  Given her experience with him in the past, one would think she should know that would include literally anything, including deceit and betrayal of his allies.  I had to wonder if maybe on some level he was trying to warn her.  Though on reflection, maybe it was more of an apology, an explanation before the fact for the things he's going to do.

It was probably a little of both. Sloane knows that before it's over, he'll have to go against APO and Syd, but maybe he's hoping that they'll be ready for him.

LORD of the SWORD said:

Christopher, said:

Plus, of course, here we saw Dean implicitly threaten Nadia's life if Sloane didn't do as he said.

Damn. Missed that part as well. If Dean did that, his life expectency just dropped below the radar. Sloane definately will not sit idle after that.

Sloane has probably already thought up a few different plans to kill Dean, but he's waiting for a time when he can help Nadia first. Sloane strikes me as the type of guy who works out ways to kill everyone he meets, just in case.

[DWF]

I rather liked Amy Acker in this one I never saw her in a sort of James Bond role before Fred on Angel was IMO rather reserved, Rachel looked good in that dress and get up, Dixon was funny in that scene and I think we're getting to see him stretch his acting a bit which is nice he has had alot to do since he was replaced as Syd's partner. I just wish this was a little bit more solid in terms of where it's going, their story arcs are so loose that it takes alot of time to get things going.

[Christopher]

Kevin Street, on Nov 12 2005, 02:59 AM, said:

Yeah, and in addition to that, Rachel is kind of a neat character. I like how she's not a super spy, but is learning as she goes.

Syd was probably the same way in her first couple of years. But yes, it is a good new dynamic to see.

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Sloane has probably already thought up a few different plans to kill Dean, but he's waiting for a time when he can help Nadia first. Sloane strikes me as the type of guy who works out ways to kill everyone he meets, just in case.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually that strikes me as more the sort of thing Jack would do. Sloane can be easily ruthless if he considers it justified, but he still imagines himself to be a nice guy and wants people to be on his side. At SD-6, he was genuinely fond of Syd, thought of her as a surrogate daughter, and that kept him from seeing the pattern of her betrayal. So I don't think he defaults to being willing to kill people. I think he'd prefer to make allies of people if he can, and it's only if they get in his way or betray him that they end up on his list of targets.

Jack, on the other hand, is walking around with a set of crosshairs etched onto his retinas....

[Lord of the Sword]

About Sloane...Did they ever resolve, from last season, when we Sloane, his face covered in blood after killing Arvin Clone's lackey, standing near the rambaldi device?

I'm just curious, because I don't recall them ever catching Arvin Clone...or resolving that scene.

[Cardie]

Christopher, on Nov 12 2005, 09:31 AM, said:

Actually that strikes me as more the sort of thing Jack would do.  Sloane can be easily ruthless if he considers it justified, but he still imagines himself to be a nice guy and wants people to be on his side.  At SD-6, he was genuinely fond of Syd, thought of her as a surrogate daughter, and that kept him from seeing the pattern of her betrayal.  So I don't think he defaults to being willing to kill people.  I think he'd prefer to make allies of people if he can, and it's only if they get in his way or betray him that they end up on his list of targets.

Jack, on the other hand, is walking around with a set of crosshairs etched onto his retinas....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sure Arvin has every contingency mapped out, including the most efficient way to eliminate anyone who gets in his way. The difference between him and Jack is that Sloane is never quite honest with himself about who he is and what he does, so he deceives himself with this image of a kindly paterfamilias who does everything out of love.

Jack, on the other hand, has no illusions and the ruthlessness he knows full well is part of his nature is something he embraces as fact. I would imagine they started out as similar men, but Jack's being deceived by Irina hardened him.

In a way, Sloane is Dukat, and Jack is Garak (minus the charm).

Cardie

[Chipper]

LORD of the SWORD, on Nov 12 2005, 10:31 AM, said:

About Sloane...Did they ever resolve, from last season, when we Sloane, his face covered in blood after killing Arvin Clone's lackey, standing near the rambaldi device?

I'm just curious, because I don't recall them ever catching Arvin Clone...or resolving that scene.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That scene was personally never resolved, though maybe there were some off hand references to it, but Arvin Clone reappeared in episode 18 or 19 (In Dreams), where he was caught and captured.

[Drew]

Okay, . . . this season so far is developing slowly, and maybe that's a good thing. I still have no attachment to either Rachel or Tom, and I find myself sort of nodding off when they're both on screen together. The only moment I really liked was when Tom told her to stop with the spinning kung fu crap. Sort of a meta-comment on the series, I think.

I gather many of you are Amy Acker fans given the way she's been talked about this season. I've never seen her in anything before, and after witnessing her performance in this episode I have a hard time believing she's got any sort of acting career at all. She was laughably bad. Of course, her dialogue was laughably bad as well. The showdown at the end of the episode was . . . yawn . . . not very exciting.

When Syd was shopping for the rocker, and the saleswoman asked about her husband, I thought Syd's comment that "he wishes he could do more" was a sly indication that Vaughn is still alive, and that Syd knows it. Or maybe not. I can't believe I'm actually hoping he'll return to the show, because in the past I've found him to be the dullest of the lot.

But at least we seem to be getting a continuing storyline this season, and one that's so far sort of coherent. Even if it's dull, it's an improvement over the bad craziness of last season.

Speaking of last season, I have been reading elsewhere on the net that the episodes -- particularly at the beginning of the season -- were not shown in the proper order, and that when viewed properly, the season works a lot better.

[Drew]

Oh, and may I also add that it was nice to see Mia Maestro in that blink-and-you-miss-it scene at the end. I hope she got paid well for her five seconds on screen.

[Christopher]

Drew, on Nov 14 2005, 10:56 AM, said:

Oh, and may I also add that it was nice to see Mia Maestro in that blink-and-you-miss-it scene at the end. I hope she got paid well for her five seconds on screen. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

She was billed in the Act I credits as a "Special Guest Star," which means she got paid an amount commensurate with that billing. I'm hoping the fact that they were willing to pay her premium rates for a five-second coma cameo means that they intend to do more with her in upcoming episodes.