Alias (TV Series) Second Double (2003) User Reviews

Extremely good

[gridoon2024 · 9/10 · 16 November 2009]

Will is arrested under suspicion of treason when it is discovered that the leaks of satellite information that led to Irina Derevko's escape and Diane Dixon's death came from his computer account. Having been hypnotized by "Francie" into forgetting important details of his recent past, and shot with a laser beam into his eye that makes him fail the ocular scan, Will is suspected of not being Will, but the second, unidentified so far double from Dr. Markovic's genetic experiment. To clear her friend's name, Sydney must find the man who designed the equipment used in the experiment and oversaw the process. Meanwhile, Irina and Sark want to retrieve the mechanical heart of the previous episode that is now kept by NSA, and devise a plan that requires Sydney's involvement to succeed. This is a great "Alias" episode, in my opinion the best since the two-part "Passage". There is not a wasted moment here, even the smallest scenes contribute something. The "double" plot works extremely well, maybe because we're allowed to view the situation from both perspectives: Will is thrown into a nightmare where his loyalty, his memory and even his identity are questioned, when we know he is innocent; at the same time, the possibility that this man is a stranger and the real Will may even be dead is a shock for Sydney, Dixon, Jack, etc. And I have to admit, "Francie"'s frame-up plan was nearly flawless. This is my chance to praise, once again, Merrin Dungey, who almost steals the show from everyone else here. Almost. Because the best scene of "Second Double", with honorable mentions to the gripping large-scale action sequence in the middle (though Dixon's shooting expertise here makes the fact that he missed a perfectly good shot at Sloane and killed his wife instead in "Truth Takes Time" even more ludicrous) and to Irina's "Hello Sydney" near the end, is the "reunion" of Jack and Sloane at a restaurant table. Terrifically written ("I forgive you!") and acted, this scene confirms, once again, that "Alias" is above all a character-driven show. ***1/2 out of 4.

Will gets arrested

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 16 April 2012]

When it is discovered that the CIA know that their computer system has been compromised it is only a matter of time before they bring Will in. If he is taken in it is only a matter of time before they establish that he was an unwitting pawn and that Francie is a double. To prevent this she hypnotises him so that he can't remember personal details when questioned and treats his eyes so he will fail the test to detect doubles. This plan works and he is soon arrested and taken in for questioning. Not being able to answer basic questions nearly everybody believes he is a double; Sydney however is determined to prove his innocence. When it is decided to take him to an establishment that will use 'other methods' to extract the truth Sark orders that a rescue is staged followed by an execution! Meanwhile Sydney is searching for the evidence that will prove who the second double is; first in Germany then in France.

This is a superior episode packed with action and excitement from the start; we are kept worrying about Will as first one thing then another points towards his guilt; Bradley Cooper did a fine job in the role... his character has improved a lot this series as he has stopped sitting with Francie moaning about Sydney's job and got into the action. While there are a lot of tense moments and action there is some time for humour; this time provided when Sydney and Vaughn blackmail a man in a German S&M club... of course the scene is further improved by Jennifer Garner looking great in leather! The episode ends with a good cliff hanger that left me looking forward to the next episode; the season finale.