"Alias" A Free Agent (2003)

Director:

Alex Kurtzman

Writers:

J.J. Abrams (creator)
Alex Kurtzman (writer)

TV Series:

"Alias" (2001)

Original Air Date:

9 February 2003 (Season 2, Episode 15)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

Sydney finally has the opportunity to leave the CIA for good, but a startling phone call from Sloane, combined with the kidnapping of a brilliant mathematician, brings her back into the fray. |

Plot Keywords:

Heroine | CIA | Double Agent | College | Fight

Cast

Jennifer Garner	...	Sydney Bristow
Ron Rifkin	...	Arvin Sloane
Michael Vartan	...	Michael Vaughn
Bradley Cooper	...	Will Tippin
Merrin Dungey	...	Francie Calfo
Carl Lumbly	...	Marcus Dixon
Kevin Weisman	...	Marshall Flinkman
David Anders	...	Julian Sark
Lena Olin	...	Irina Derevko
Victor Garber	...	Jack Bristow
Terry O'Quinn	...	F.B.I. Asst. Director Kendall
Christian Slater	...	Neil Caplan
Yvonne Farrow	...	Diane Dixon
Lindsey Ginter	...	Mr. Jones
Michael Enright	...	Antonyn Vasilly

Certification:

Netherlands:12

Company:

Bad Robot

Quotes:

Marcus Dixon: How long have you known?
Sydney Bristow: Two years. I wanted to tell you so many times, but I was ordered not to. The CIA had no way to verify what I knew in my heart was true... that you would never consider working for a man like Arvin Sloane.
Marcus Dixon: We were partners. You lied to me, then chose to tell me the truth when it was convenient for you. I never want to see you again.

Soundtrack:

I Can't Forget

Legally, he's right. Ethically, he's an ass

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Sydney thinks about quitting the CIA, when she receives a phone call from Sloane at home, warning her not to come after him. The next day she learns that Sark, apparently still working for Sloane, has kidnapped a geometrist (guest star Christian Slater) and his family. Moreover, the CIA has not located any Rambaldi artifacts in the Alliance facilities, which makes them think that Sloane has moved them to a new location. Sydney feels it is her duty to participate in the hunt for Sloane, and with the help of the CIA's newest asset, Marshall, they all begin tracking Sloane's steps after he disappeared. A well-balanced episode, mixing action (another good Sydney fight, ending with the grisliest death so far, though it's kept mostly off-screen), drama (Dixon's realization that he has been deceived and used all these years makes him bitter and causes problems in his marriage; Carl Lumbly's acting is strong), comedy (Marshall, unlike Dixon, has few problems adjusting to his new environment and soon he is his usual happy-go-lucky self), detecting (sure it's a great coincidence that the tech guy that Sloane shot just happened to be half-blind and had a camera in his left eye (!) - but would you prefer it if they had lost his tracks forever?), and suspense. My only complaint: why use a big name like Christian Slater for such a minor part? Ethan Hawke got a much better deal in the previous episode. *** out of 4.