This was mildly disappointing. Although we had some great missions, the Jack/Irina encounter was too calm. I wanted Irina to be feistier, more aggressive. Their conversation only lasted two minutes but hopefully this will set up some great scenes between the two. Jack has made it clear that he wants Irina out of the picture. I think that some time this season, he’ll get around to it.

          Jack had a huge part in the episode. He was jumping around all over the place. I couldn’t keep track of him. First off, he requests Dr. Barnett’s help to devise a strategy to get Sydney away from her mother. The plan backfired. Barnett had no intention of manipulating Jack’s daughter no matter what his intentions. This seems right. What’s going on now is Jack’s problem. I found it out of character for Jack to ask for any help. It just isn’t him. He normally solves his problems alone. It’s fun watching Jack interact with Barnett. Of all the people at the CIA, Barnett is the only one who can tell if Jack is lying or not. She studies him. So far, so good. She also notices everything. She noticed when Jack referred to Irina by her alias, Laura. Barnett obviously enquired about that and Jack looked stunned. It’s a habit for him.

           We did see Jack radically change personalities as the episode evolved. He was calm and passive when speaking to Sydney. I enjoyed watching his face light up when he heard of the Thanksgiving play. Sydney was only six when she played the turkey in her school play. He remembers it as if it were yesterday. That’s a side you rarely see from Jack. Then, he put on his poker face and finally went to see Irina. Although those two minutes were intense, I was kind of hoping that Jack would be somewhat more aggressive. He was too subdued. Too bad. I enjoyed watching him tell her that he was ready to kill her if she ever betrayed their daughter’s trust. Irina knows he means it. We all know he means it.

          Irina has a great way of manipulating just about anyone. When Sydney was enquiring about the rocket launch, Irina worked in a story from their past. She recalled Sydney’s piano teacher. She also recalled the Thanksgiving play she was to take part in. Even though Sydney has laid down some ground rules, Irina isn’t scared to stir away from the present conversation. She hopes she somehow left a mark in Sydney’s mind. The more she does that, the closer she gets to her endgame. How am I sure she has an endgame? I just am.

          Will finally met Vaughn. That was at once awkward and intriguing. Both Will and Vaughn are jealous of each other. Vaughn knows that Will spends loads of time with Sydney at home. Will knows that Vaughn speaks to the real Sydney Bristow on a daily basis. Will is surprised that Vaughn is so young. I love watching this. I’m glad Will was somehow involved with the music box hunt. He was the key to hearing the tune. He read the four Russian names. All four turned out to be the keys to unlocking the music box’s secret.

What was up with Rambaldi this week? The cave in the mountain was in the form of Rambaldi’s symbol? Wow. Furthermore, Rambaldi’s music box is the key to some fuel source. My head is spinning with all this information. I’m enjoying the ride.

Syd’s Tips

-          If ever you need access to a company’s computers (ex. ASA), ask to use one of their landlines while in the building. Your partner will have immediate access to surveillance, etc.

Alias Missions

SD-6 MISSION

ALIAS: Joanna Kelley from Euro-Teledyne Corporation

LOCATION: Sri Lanka

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: None

MARSHALL’S GADGETS: