With that in mind, “Succession” takes some very positive steps in that direction, covering all the threads and characters which couldn’t be dealt with in the season opener. Indeed the two episodes should be considered a two-part opening as it takes both instalments to finish setting up the season. Hot on the trail of two abducted CIA scientists, Sydney and Co. must not only discover who is responsible, and why it was now they chose to act. If you didn’t guess before hand, The Covenant - the new criminal organisation introduced in the previous episode – are the ones holding the captives.

The idea of their ransom demand being sent in the decapitated head of one of the captives was a gruesome turn of events, showing just what these people are capable of. SD-6 was shrouded by bureaucracy and pen pushers doing evil, but this organisation seems to have a more hands on approach, and a terrorising effect. It's something that was rarely explored in the series since the only real act of violence (other than the death of Daniel Hecht, Syd’s fiancée in the first episode) was the killing of gal-pal Francie Calfo in “Phase One”. It is interesting to note that the series is now set two years in the future and is most likely set at the height of the American-led war on terror. The Covenant are obviously a new and dangerous threat and need to be stopped. It's all very propaganda-ish, but the best part is that you don't really need to know much about The Covenant to understand what is going on - they are bad guys, Sydney is one of the good guys. Very easy for the casual viewer to tune in to. But what I think the writers have forgotten is that it was Sydney who has been away for two years, not us. We loved SD-6, we enjoyed watching the organisation expand each week and the serialised fight against the Alliance. Having a generic terrorist group as the central focus of the series is actually a step backward.

And while I'm on the topic of terrorist organisation and the toll they exact, the void left by Francie's departure in the second season was obvious. Luckily Will Tippin was still around to absorb most of the shock and soften the blow. But now Will too is gone, and Sydney no longer has a personal life outside of the agency. Based on “Succession”, Eric Weiss has been promoted from CIA Operative to gal-pal. Is that really a promotion? Greg Grunberg who plays Agent Weiss has always been under appreciated in the series, and with Vaughn out of the agency his increased presence in the field is a welcome one. Having him taking up further screen time as a confidant and friend to Sydney is an even better development and allows him to once again steal the scene and provide some light hearted fun. The two have an noticeable friendship, and the role suits Weiss’ character. Both are within the agency, so it makes sense that they can now discuss classified material in a way that Sydney never could with Will. She was constantly isolated from her friends, and it was something which was evident in the earliest episodes of the series.

Aside from Weiss however, Jack is the only other person Sydney is able to confide in. The scene surrounding the “Killed In Action” plaque was a moving one, and nicely sets up the cold-natured tone which will undoubtedly resonate through much of the season. Even the scene with Vaughn teaching his class had a chill to it, and not because he is out of the CIA. Whatever passion that was present in the closing scenes of the last episode was missing here. It’s a shame if the chemistry between the two is gone, because it was something which has carried the series for many episodes, and has become a definite feature of the Alias story.

Also worthy of a mention is the scene where Sydney confronts the hard assed NSC Director Bob Lindsay in the gents bathroom. It was perfectly delivered and with a subtle blend of snippy-humour is going to be one of the top ten Alias moments for the coming season. Maybe even the whole series.

Like the preceding episode, “Succession” was one for introductions – bringing Sark back so soon was a risky move, but the reasons behind his release from imprisonment was an interesting and unexpected development. It is always good to see familiar faces return to the screen so David Anders is no different. His role was somewhat more refined than it was at the end of the second season, serving only as a way to keep the kidnapping story-line throughout the majority of the episode. But it was all worth it for what comes next – confirmation that it was The Covenant who were behind Syd’s two year abduction. The revelation did seem to come a little too soon but sets up the quest to uncover why the blackout occurred in the first place rather well.

The inclusion of Vaughn’s wife at the end had less of a shock than what Alias is capable of. In the first season, and even the second, Alias ended with shocking action packed cliff-hangers. We are only two episodes into season three, and already the cliff-hangers which are being presented are of a totally different nature than the usual brand – they are emotional cliff-hangers. Why did Sydney kill Lazarey, and what will happen with Mrs. Vaughn are enough to keep both the hardcore fans and shippers coming back for more, but what about the first time viewers? Wasn’t it the action week after week which drew current fans to Alias in the first place? In any event, “Succession” does a much better job than “The Two” at re-inventing the series in what looks to be a thrill ride of revelations and a very dark and personal journey for the central characters of the series.