TV Show Review: Alias - Season 4

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Good storytelling and spellbinding action

Cons: The Rimbaldi storyline still annoys

The Bottom Line:

Sydney and sister

Working to fight the bad guys

And their own father?

Back on Track

Things are once again changing in Sydney's world. She has been recruited to join a new black ops unit of the CIA. Called APO (short for Authorized Personnel Only), Syd's thrilled to be part of the exclusive team. Until she meets her new boss. Sloane has not only been pardoned, but he's in charge of the new unit. On the plus side, all her friends are part of the team, which means she'll have lots of help making sure Sloane is really on the up and up. Also joining them is Sydney's half sister Nadia. Their missions, while dangerous, seem fairly routine, until hints begin to emerge that there is a greater danger afoot. Is Sloane up to his old Rimbaldi tricks? Or is someone from Sydney and Nadia's family tree behind the trouble?

After season three, I was hoping the show would get back on track, and with this season it did. The set-up feels a little too much like they were trying to recreate the first season magic, and that's just not going to happen. But they did do a good job of telling great stories over the course of the season.

Many fans didn't like the first third, which were mainly stand alone episodes with hints of a plot thread moving through them. Personally, I found them just as engrossing as the regular episodes. By the mid point of the season, things are beginning to gel with the story line about Vaughn's father taking the forefront. The last third was another can't miss thrill ride that ended with the end of the world - almost - and the best cliffhanger of the series. Although I really wish they'd dump the Rimbaldi storyline already. That's the one aspect of the show I've never liked.

This six disc set continues the great season DVD sets this series has already been given. All twenty-two episodes are presented in full surround and wide screen, looking better then originally aired. Four episodes get commentaries by members of the cast and crew, which are always fun and informative. There are the usual deleted scenes and bloopers as well as a profile of new cast member Mia Maestro, an interview with Jennifer Garner, director's diary, info on Marshall's gadgets, and other behind the scenes featurettes.

While I don't think this show will ever regain the magic of its first season, Alias's fourth season was still well worth watching. In many ways, it could stand alone, although watching from the first episode would certainly help understand all the relationships and nuances.