Alias 2.21-2.22 FAQ
What are they called?
“Second Double” and “The Telling.”
Who’s responsible?
“Second Double” teleplay is credited to executive story editor Crystal Nix Hines (“Passage, Part 2”). “The Telling” teleplay is credited to series mastermind J.J. Abrams (the jaw-dropping Superbowl episode “Phase One”).
What does TV Guide say?
“The spy drama ends its second season with a two-hour tale of lives - and loyalties - in jeopardy. Framed by the machinations of Francie's evil double, Will becomes a hunted man after the CIA targets him as a traitor. Syd is the only one who can prove otherwise, but Will's situation goes from bad to worse when Vaughn uncovers evidence that makes Miss Bristow doubt her fugitive friend's innocence. Meanwhile, Jack comes face-to-face with a ‘new’ Sloane, who makes his old ally an unsettling offer; and Irina (Lena Olin) lures her daughter into a secret meeting that could lead to a major revelation ... or an execution. Carrie: Amanda Foreman.”
What did Abrams says about this one again?
“I feel like this year we have an even better ending," series creator told zap2it.com here. "If you're a longtime or a new fan of the show, I think it will blow your mind. It's that feeling of I have a giant secret that I just can't wait for everyone to see."
The big news?
Francie is not K-Directorate superspy Anna Espinosa. She’s Sark’s girlfriend, Allison Doren, a participant (like Syd) in the spy-kid training program Project Christmas.
The far bigger news?
Come next season, the “Alias” writers got a lot of ‘splainin’ to do!
What evidence makes Syd doubt Will’s innocence?
Allison Doren has done things to Will’s brain (to say nothing of his eyes). He forgets important details of his own life.
What else is going on with Allison Doren?
A lot! For starters, when Syd suspects Francie might be targeted by Syd’s enemies, Syd reveals to “Francie” that she works for the CIA.
Do we learn what the deal is with that artificial heart thingie Syd and Dixon recovered at the end of the last episode?
Turns out it is a component of “The Telling,” a Rambaldi device made up of 47 smaller Rambaldi devices.
What does “The Telling” do?
“There’s a change coming, Jack,” Sloane says late in the final hour. “I’ve seen things recently. I've seen what's possible. There's a change coming, Jack. Something even I couldn't imagine.”
Exactly what did Sloane learn from the David Carradine character?
We do not learn.
What sin did Sloane commit 30 years ago that led to Emily Sloane’s death?
We do not learn.
Is the “new” Sloane a “good” Sloane?
Probably not, but we really do not learn.
Where does Sloane meet Jack?
In a Los Angeles restaurant.
When does Sloane make his offer to Jack?
Near the end of the first hour
What offer does Sloane make to Jack?
“Come back to our partnership, Jack. I will tell you everything I’ve learned about Rambaldi. […} Now’s the time to sign up. For years I collected his artifacts, as if that were the point. […] I am one move away from proving to you that it is so much more than that. And this time, Sydney won’t be a pawn in our venture.”
How does Irina lure Syd into a secret meeting?
With little difficulty.
Is the secret meeting with 15th century seer Milo Rmabaldi?
If it is, Syd doesn’t know it.
Do we learn why the woman depicted in Rambaldi’s “utter desolation” warning looks so much more like Syd than Irina?
Perhaps. Irina’s last words are: “It’s you in the prophecy, Sydney, not me. Only you can stop him. Good luck, sweetheart. I love you.”
What was that prophecy again?
“This woman here depicted will possess unseen marks, signs that she will be the one to bring forth my works. Bind them with fury, a burning anger, unless prevented at vulgar cost. This woman will render the greatest power unto utter desolation.”
Does Carrie Bowman still want to have sushi with Marshall Flinkman now that disaster has been averted?
Carrie is unseen in “Second Double,” but we learn in “The Telling” that there was a sushi date. A sweaty one.
Greg Grunberg (Agent Weiss) and Amanda Foreman (Agent Bowman) played a couple on Abrams’ “Felicity.” Do they meet?
I don’t think so.
Does Marshall feel threatened?
Marshall actually seeks out Weiss for advice!
What’s good?
The questions posed in the finale are completely fascinating.
What’s not so good?
The absence of answers is completely infuriating.
How does it end, spoiler-boy?
Syd is reunited with Vaughn, who has very, very very, very, very surprising news.
Herc’s rating for “Alias” 2.21?
***
Herc’s rating for “Alias” 2.22?
****
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
- ***** better than we deserve
- **** better than most motion pictures
- *** actually worth your valuable time
- ** as horrible as most stuff on TV
- * makes you quietly pray for bulletins
9 p.m. Sunday. ABC.
