Rambaldi! As everyone knows, his prophecies are the epicentre for the series. The core, around which everything else revolves. Therefore it comes as no surprise that in the run up to the season finale his mysterious works make a grand return once again shaking the faith of everyone they come into contact with.

“The Descent” serves as a prelude more than anything else, delving into the previously developed storylines and working hard to bring them all into one coherent story. And it worked. But more than anything else, it finally reveals what exactly happened in Siena after the third season finale. This is the second time the writers have done this – the revelation of “Countdown” was no revealed until the end of season three.

The flashbacks for the Siena operation was reminiscent of Indiana Jones with the Rambaldi obstacle of Nadia (Mia Maestro) being the only one who can reach the sphere of life. The flashbacks themselves were very well developed with an almost mono-chrome feel to them, much like those of “The Orphan”. Having the vibrantly tainted glass floor almost glow set the entire scene of nicely. Rifkin’s evil turn during the acquisition of the sphere was excellently performed, and was more like a shadow of his former self during the old SD-6 days. After a full season of wondering what happened, and answer was finally given. And it did not disappoint.

But more than anything else, Nadia’s vision of the coming apocalypse was everything you would expect from the show. The end of the world is a long way away from Alias’ usual territory. That kind of a story, and the level of darkness implying, is more akin to that of Angel. So it comes as no surprise that the episode was actually penned by Jeffery Bell, former writer for the cancelled vampire series. The vision itself showing riots, death and a rather evil looking Nadia with red-eyes was done incredibly well with the bloody glow to everything showing just how deadly this future is. Is this something we should expect to see, or perhaps just a possible outcome if Elena (Sonia Braga) has her way? Regardless, it paints a very dark and very sinister picture for the shows future.

Sydney’s (Jennifer Garner) distrust of Sloane was as always very well executed, and Sloane’s turn to the dark side (sorry, still reeling from seeing Revenge of the Sith) was foreseen. In my review for “In Dreams”, I pointed out that Sloane’s goodbyes to Nadia could actually be Sloane’s better angels giving up on him and once again allowing him to return to his evil Rambaldilicious schemes. Its great when everything comes together as “The Descent” proves that the theory was correct.

And you’ve gotta love the additional talents of Isabella Rosselini and Angela Bassett. Both have done so much for the show this season with only a handful of episodes between them to work with. Indeed, even Director Chase’s relationship with Dixon (Carl Lumbly) was less of a shock than expected given the level of chemistry the two demonstrated during “The Index”. And it’s always fun having Katya on the scene to stir things up. While her incarceration fails to hold the same level of magnetism that made Lena Olin’s involvement with the series so compelling in the second season, there is always hope that she will be freed at some point in the near future.

For long term fans of the series, this episode will surely satisfy every desire imaginable – Vaughn (Michael Vartan) is going to propose, Sloane has turned evil and Irina Derevko (Lena Olin) is revealed to be alive and Dixon’s life hangs in the balance. Amazing stuff and utterly addictive viewing setting the course for the spectacular season finale and the return of Spy-Mommy herself.