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Renee Comes Out Of Her Box! An original review of "Out Of The Box". Whilst trying to set up a new seasonal arc and overall re-direction for the series, the last two episodes of Alias were obviously intended to introduce APO newcomers Rachel Gibson (Rachel Nicols) and Thomas Grace (Balthazar Getty). And it has to be said, they done a rather good job. In the process however, it seems that Renee Riene has been forgotten. You know, she’s the one that has apparently been working with Vaughn for the last seven years. Well, “Out of the Box” is her story. You can't help but laugh at the name of the episode - "Out of the Box". After being used in the opening episodes, it seems as if Renee Riene has been put back in her box until she is needed, so naturally this episode is the one that lets her out of it. In general though, the episode does a much better job of setting up Elodie Bouchez's place in the series than it does the Prophet Five mystery. I mean lets face it, once you’ve had Rambaldi, nothing else will even come close. Renee Riene’s story isn’t much of a shocker, and to be honest, it does take away the “number 8 most wanted” aspect away from the series. She isn’t a baddie, she’s only a little lost girl. The same kinda goes for Rachel Gibson in this episode, as like Marshall and Dixon, she is relegated to background patrol with a small mission squeezed into the episode someplace. The mysterious box plot follows a similar pace to Riene’s backstory and is all very bland compared to the kind of thrill Alias usually provides. I know the Alias writers can do better because I’ve seen it! If the lacklustre action is something to do with the old man coming out of the box, then there is an easy way around it - put him back in!! The final greeting by Gordon Dean was enough to whet my appetite, but it still doesn't come anywhere near the twists of old. It is episodes like these that I am glad we have Ron Rifkin in the mix. Just like the last few episodes, the strongest developing story we have is that of Arvin Sloane. When the season started, I thought this would be remembered as the season without Vaughn, or the season where Syd took the backseat to the new guys. But in truth, it is the season where Ron Rifkin comes into his own. Not even season three’s ambiguously good Sloane compares to the criminal mastermind we have now. The casual matter of fact way he greets Gordon Dean only underlines his rogue terrorist past - this season, Sloane looks set to reclaim his status as diabolical mastermind! Lets hope it's as good as it was in season two! I only hope Jack gets something to do, because it looks as if he’s being set up as Mr Briefing, a position Dixon once held if you recall.
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© 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. |
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