Okay, I have to admit it: I’ve been somewhat negative of Alias over the last few weeks. The series seems to have descended into very generic storylines with terrorists blowing stuff up with some of the Rambaldi saga mixed in.

But what the writers forget it that this was not the reason we originally came to watch the series. I fell in love with the spy show with dozens of changing agendas, long term endgames and characters that clash on a weekly basis. This season has very much downplayed those elements in favour of the more blah plots, presumably in an attempt to draw in a larger audience.

“Unveiled” is the first episode in a long while that re-captures that old classic spy-dynamic. Sloane bargaining for his life with hints of a top-secret Governmental syndicates, Bomani, Sark and Lauren at each others throats, Jack discovering the truth about Irina’s indiscretions, Vaughn following his wife…all these elements seamlessly come together here for what could be considered one of the stronger episodes of the season.

Starting the episode with Sark and Bomani operating Rambaldi’s ‘Telling’ device was a bold move, but for long term fans it was the moment we’d been waiting for since the end of season two. Finally discovering that what the device gave Sloane was a little more than the word “Peace” brought a sense of purpose to the show – we now unquestionably know that he has an ulterior motive and an endgame of his own. The fact that the Covenant seem to share part of this endgame is a tad worrying, but will no doubt make some compelling viewing for the future.

There is one thing I don’t understand about The Covenant, in particular, Bomani’s role within the organisation. I assume you’ll remember “After Six”, when Sark and Lauren were knocking off the Covenant higher-ups to enhance their own standing (and in doing so thwarting the CIA’s efforts to crumble the organisation). Quentin Tarantino’s McKenas Cole character congratulated Sark and Lauren on their hard work, and then promoted them to head of the North American cell. Yet, why do they both take orders from him? In any case, the question no longer matters as Sark finally jumps off the fence and pops a bullet in the African Warlord all in the name of saving his partner in crime.

Now while the Covenant aspects may be stronger now than they have been all season, the greatest part of the episode by far is Vaughn’s pursuit of Lauren. It’s true, the situation is very much like Jack and Irina’s early days, so I find myself asking the question why didn’t the writers have the insight to mirror the star-crossed couple earlier in the season? Why wait until now? Dead drops, phone tappings, this is the stuff Alias is made of and serves as a subtle reminder to the early SD-6 days of missions and counter-missions on a brown paper bag.

Finally having Vaughn suspect his wife may have other loyalties is simply great, and I hope to see some more of these conflicting motivations in the future. Vartan is a good actor, but very rarely does he get to stretch his muscles…looks like he is finally getting his chance.