|
|
|
|
Goddard Does It Again! An original review of "Mockingbird". “Welcome To Liberty Village” was an adventure unlike any other and “Tuesday” is perhaps one of the show’s finest episodes. So when I learned that “Mockingbird” was from the same writer as these two masterpieces, I knew it would be unmissable. As it turns out, I was right and the genius that is Drew Goddard struck again in what is a very clever and very nervy episode set to put Rachel Gibson on the Alias map. Although Sydney is kept in the foreground, it is clear that the intent of these episodes has been to introduce and integrate the APO newcomers Thomas Grace and Rachel Gibson, and as far as I’m concerned, it has worked. The producers could have taken the same route as season three, when they introduced Lauren. The character was placed in the middle of an intense situation and stirred up the Alias pot…only the effect were felt by the fans rather than the characters. But instead,
both of the new characters are given a subtle introduction, reminding
viewers that Gibson and Grace
will never replace Sydney and Vaughn, but instead have their own place
and their own stories to tell. It is very similar to the way in which
Mia Maestro was added to the cast and as far as I’m concerned, she was
the
greatest addition Alias has ever made (sans Irina Derevko of
course). Part of what I love about Goddard’s writing is the way in which everything falls together. The rest of the episode after the Monte Carlo mission is directed towards reaching that very mission, but instead of simply replaying the operation for the benefit of the viewers, what we get is the same action but from a different perspective. Initially, it’s all Sydney – she gambles, she cheats and she gets caught. Grace passes the vault code (with yet another mysterious 47 reference) and Syd gets what she came for. But what we didn’t see was Grace’s operation, and that’s exactly what we get the second time around. Symbolically is rather smart – Jennifer Garner is the leading lady so she comes first, but Bathazar Getty and Rachel Nicols have joined the cast to take off some of the pressure for the pregnant star. First we get Garner, and the direction of the episode gracefully moves onto the two new characters. Is this a sign of things to come? Will Alias continue without Garner as it has without Vartan? Despite the very techno-savvy missions and blissful acting, “Mockingbird” follows on from the example set by “The Shed” in regards to Arvin Sloane. I don’t know why his quest for Nadia is relegated to sub-plot material, because in both episodes it has been the most intense and equally addictive development on the show. Evil as he may be, Gordon Dean just doesn’t have what it takes to become a real villain. The severely underused Kelly Payton (played by Angel’s Amy Acker) has it all, but she’s still sitting in the shadow of Dean. A little bit like Sark in the second season to be honest. But for now, even with Dean lurking in the shadows, the main baddie is still Sloane - whether he is looking for a cure for Nadia or making back alley agreements to get out of jail, he will always be the nasty, Rambaldi loving sociopath he was in the first season…and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Rifkin was great, and Victor Garber’s reaction to Sloane’s release was absolutely priceless. His trademark poker face finally broke and I can’t wait to discover just what Sloane is up to now.
|
|
|
|
© Alanistic Creations! Alias is property of Touchstone Entertainment and is copyright ©. Alias: A Free Agent has not been approved or authorised by Touchstone. Alias: A Free Agent, all rights reserved. |
|
