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it’s also fun to see the clever ways she uses her pregnancy as a disguise. Where she once used her natural beauty and skin-tight clothes to get what she wanted, her baby-bump becomes her new weapon of choice. Her pregnancy also afforded her with a new motivation: to make the world a safer place for her child. And although the death of Vaughn seemed devastating and cruel, true fans of the show know better: on Alias, death is never really what it seems. Intriguing twists ensue.
New CIA recruits Rachel Gibson (Rachel Nichols) and Thomas Grace (Balthazar Getty) help to recharge the show, as well. Gibson’s storyline is especially appropriate in making the show feel as if it has come full circle. Her character is in the same situation Sydney was in throughout the first season and it’s interesting to see Sydney take this new girl under her wing and teach her the tricks of the trade.
As well as new blood, another exciting season five factor is the return of some old familiar faces. Some of my personal favorite characters are the ones who seem to have departed from the show too soon. There’s Sydney’s best friend Will Tippin (Bradley Cooper), who was put in the witness protection program after he learned Sydney’s identity and it put his life in jeopardy. Good-looking, with a knack for humor and charm, I always felt Sydney should have dated him instead of Vaughn. He’s back for the jam-packed 100th episode.
The charming British bad guy Sark (David Anders) is also back this season for a stellar episode entitled “Bob.” The always unpredictable Sark changes allegiances more times than most people change their socks (what he calls his “good instincts for self-preservation”), and it’s a thrill to try and anticipate his next move.
Irina Derevko (Lena Olin), Sydney’s shady mother (or, Spy-Mommy as she is known to fans), stirs up more trouble this season when she once again resurfaces in Sydney’s life. As for what she’s really up to, you’ll have to watch to find out.
Alias has always had a great ensemble cast, and where the writing has sometimes faltered, the actor’s make up for it with their honest portrayals. They are able to give the complex world of Alias a dose of genuine believability. The final season of Alias may be hard to follow for first-time watchers, but it will be entertaining nonetheless. For loyal viewers, this season provides a satisfying conclusion to Sydney’s long journey.
Special features on this four-disc set are not over-flowing, but they are fun just the same. The bloopers are especially a treat, showing these professional actors breaking character during some serious and intense scenes (check out a mortified Garner as she must act like she’s in labor!). It’s good to know that on a dramatic, emotionally charged show like Alias, the actors are able to retain their sense of humor and lighten the mood on set.
Other features include “Celebrating 100 ...
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