Reviews from Customers
Alias - Best Actress, Best Writer, Best Director
"Alias" was the best show of the 2001-02 season. The writing is amazing. The hour-long show, because of the twists, turns, constant action and depth, covers more ground than any other show of that length. At least every-other week found me gasping at the outcome of an episode. Jennifer Garner, besides incredibly capturing the torment of her character's double life, does most of her own stunts, and is absolutely amazing. Ron Rifkin is the consumate villain, but sometimes reveals a tender side, especially for his terminally-ill wife (Amy Irving). Victor Garber and Carl Lumbly are outstanding. The sexual tension between Garner and Michael Vartan, and Bradley Cooper's unrequited Will, keeps one coming back for more. All-in-all, "Alias" is a thrilling ride through the world of counter-intelligence and the resulting relationships.
Alias is Brilliant!
The story lines and plots are clever, intelligent and full of twists and turns you can never see coming! The writing is excellent. But, most of all, the character development is brilliant. You'll find yourself being emotionally drawn in by the characters. For example, the hideous Arvin Slone worships his wife. How many hideous villians do you "know" that love their wives? Irina is an "opportunistic sociopath" (Jacks words) who shot her own daughter and heinously murdered Vaughn's father. Yet, the constant reference to Irina as "Sydney's mother" creates conflicting emotions. It's easy to hate Irina, but hard to work up a good case of disgust toward "Sydney's mother."
Marshall is great. He's brilliant, he's goofy, and he's a teddy bear, but he's working for the enemy. You're duty bound to hate him. But he doesn't KNOW he's working for the enemy, so you care about him. The interaction between Sydney and Marshall on their recent mission was MAGIC!
Dixon is like the big brother you always wish you had. You look up to and admire him, but he's also unknowingly working for the bad guys. Last season when SD-6 headquarters was invaded by the worse guys, Dixon actually appealed to the CIA for help... because he thought he was working for the CIA. A very touching scenario.
More and more subtle humor is being written in as part of the character development, and if you don't watch and listen closely, it will fly right past. I record each episode on video tape...since the DVD's are inexplicably not available... and find myself watching prior episodes to find explanations for something I missed. Being an Alias fan is like waiting anxiously for the next Tom Clancy book to come out.
I could go on and on. They've really got you cornered with this cast of characters.
Great Show, Special Features Need More Work
This first season collection is well worth the purchase price, especially at Target. My wife and I purchased the set, and watched every episode in less than 2 weeks. Each episode builds on the one before, so you will want to continue watching episodes even after you should have gone to bed. The production quality on this is excellent, and some of the special features are really good, but there are not enough special features. However, the commentaries on the first and last episode are well worth watching. The first is insightful, and includes J. J. Abrams and Jennifer Garner. The last includes the whole cast, and is a laugh riot. Buy this quickly! You won't be sorry!
