Can you say dysfunctional or what? This is one screwed up family and I love them for it. Jack proved why he’s truly the great guy he is. He’s messed up. He’s been bad. But his love for Sydney outweighs anything he could have done. He has even learnt to accept the fact that Irina is here to stay and values his daughter’s opinion of her. Furthermore, Vaughn has caught the infection. It’s crazy in the Aliasverse! On second thought, when isn’t it crazy?

          This episode had one of the best missions ever. Sydney and Jack infiltrated a high-security hospital to get access to a patient’s DNA. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. I felt like jumping off my couch watching Syd and Jack. They are an awesome team. What happened to Dixon though? People always leave him out. I cracked a smile when Sydney hugged her father in the hospital room. Her face after was priceless. I never knew that hospitals can have this much security. I also loved how Jack just entered the office and shot the two doctors to tranquilize them. It’s natural for him. He’s got that gun out all the time. Then, watching patient zero call Sydney “Irina” was great. Do they really look that alike? This later led to that amazing fight scene in the hallway and that adrenaline-filled shoot-out. When I get up from my couch after having watched Alias, I know I’ve lost five pounds. It feels as if I’m in the mission. I never stop stressing.

          In the beginning of the episode, I couldn’t get myself to trust Jack. When he pulled Sydney aside in the SD-6 conference room, I didn’t feel like his explanation was enough. Even if he wanted to protect Sydney, that gave him no right to use her as a lab rat. Later on in the airplane, I realized that he really feels bad. He wanted to recruit her for the CIA, but Sloane had gotten to her first. I had a problem with Sydney’s attitude. She acted childish when she told her father that her birth was a mistake. I’m only aloud to act like that. That’s a painful thing to hear if you’re a father.

          The hearing in front of Senator Douglas further convinced me that Jack truly felt remorse for exposing his daughter to the spy life. I truly felt as if Jack felt guilty. He no longer was the cold Agent Bristow: he was a concerned father. He is well aware of what he did: “When I look at her, when I look at the little girl who raised herself to become one of the most extraordinary human beings and one of the finest agents I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing, I see only the promise of my own redemption.” This was huge. Jack openly admitted the truth. That never happens. He knows he’s a terrible father and he knows he’s caused pain. At first it felt like he was manipulating Sydney, hoping to catch her off-guard. I was wrong. This is where Victor Garber is a genius. We could all see that pain in Jack’s eyes. He felt remorse. He felt dark. He turned himself in to protect that last inch of dignity he clings to.

          We tend to forget about Sydney. She’s a superwoman. She wants to save her father and she wants to see her mother. Sydney and Jack love each other and it’s time they showed it. Come on! Wake up. Sydney keeps pushing him away. I loved when she (sort of) kidnapped Senator Douglas. That took guts. Then, she lied to protect both parents stating that she believes a member of the government is now working for The Alliance. Smart, but dangerous. What was Jack’s problem? Why was he so pissed off about her lying? He does it every day.

          The Emily storyline keeps getting more complex. I’m convinced she’s alive. She has to be. But based on Sloane’s surprise, I don’t think he knows. I think The Alliance is behind this. Anyways, it was smart to test the wine. I like how they found VTX. Emily’s acting nasty. She’s playing tricks on her husband. I hope Emily comes back. We miss you.

          It’s great to see Will working again. Very smart on Vaughn’s part to give the assignment to Will. The guy needs a job. This way, Will is going to be brought back into the story. He should become an agent. He’s meant to do it. I wonder what he’ll find on “Project Christmas.” Furthermore, I’m kind of shocked that the CIA would ever develop a project such as “Christmas.” It seems so criminal to me. Of all people of course, Jack had to be part of it. I still don’t buy it. It makes you think though. Does the real CIA have any such projects? Can any of our children be sleeper agents? I’m back with the conspiracies.

Syd’s Tips

-          When you’re caught in a shoot-out, don’t be scared. Collect your thoughts and just start shooting. Your attackers will be immediately put on the defensive.

Alias Missions

MAIN OBJECTIVE: Find a cure for the Rambaldi bioweapon.

SD-6 MISSION

ALIAS: Marion Harrison

LOCATION: Geneva, Switzerland

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: None

MARSHALL’S GADGETS:

-          Briefcase with Halothane Gas: Press twice on the button on the handcuff attached to the briefcase and then gas is sprayed out.

OBJECTIVE: Acquire the virus research.

CIA COUNTERMISSION: Give the CIA a blood sample.

Quotable Quotes

-          Jack: “You can either be angry or informed.”

-          Sydney: “You know any jokes? Cause I could use one.”
Vaughn: “This grasshopper walks into a bar and the bartender says, ‘Hey, we have a drink named after you.’ And the grasshopper says...”
Sydney: “You have a drink named Doug?”
Vaughn: “Well I was going to use ‘Phil.’”
Sydney: “‘Phil’ is certainly no funnier than ‘Doug.’”
Vaughn: “Well, I'm sorry. It's a non-humorous joke.”

-          Sydney (to Jack): “I’d like to believe you, but I don’t trust anything you say.”

-          Sydney: “When my mom first came back into my life, I wanted her dead. So how the hell did I become the person who's trying to save her?”

-          Francie: “I got rear-ended by four frat boys.” Everything happens to Francie.

-          Will: “Oh, I got my, uh, thirty days sobriety chip. Even though I was ever drug addict, I'm kind of proud.” Good for Will.

-          Jack: “Why do you imagine she pled guilty? Because she was struck by a crisis of conscience?”

-          Jack: “Irina deliberately ordered Sark to spare some of her own operatives to the virus, to study it. Ask yourself it that’s a person worth saving.”

-          Jack: “I may not agree with you decision to interact with your mother, but I will, from now on, respect that it is your decision to make.”

Some Final Notes

-          Where is Weiss?

-          Spymomma is back next week. I’ve missed her.

-          I liked watching Francie boss around the young teenager. She made him wear a hamburger costume and hand out flyers.

-          Marshall was hysterical like usual. I like how he hides everything in his pockets.

-          Did you all see Vaughn staring at Sydney? What is he like obsessed with her?

-          What happened to Irina’s earrings?

-          It’s fun to see a church on a tv show. Of all people, Sloane was inside.

-          Cliffhanger: Vaughn realizes that he’s infected because his fingers are bleeding. He’s got the virus.

Excellent episode. 5 stars

-          Next episode

-          Alias season 2

-          Alias main