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Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan, Ron Rifkin, Bradley Cooper

Once a show comes of age it goes in one of two directions. Either, by now, it has caught the imagination of the mainstream and become a show with a prime time viewing slot, or it has been stamped with the label “cult show” and assigned to the territory of the fanatic and collector. Very often which route a show takes can be determined or at least influenced by the writers and producers of a show and Alias season 4 is an experiment in this concept. Before explaining myself fully a brief overview of this season’s storyline is in order.

Sydney’s world is changing fast. She swaps her position in the CIA to join a new unit called APO, (Authorized Personnel Only) and is filled with anticipation of a great future with the new project, that is until she meets her new boss. Enter Sloan, the last person you would choose to lead such a team and a character that we already use as a by-word for untrustworthiness. To balance this quite far-fetched plot device we have the fact that the team is made up of tried and tested associates of Sydney and means that the good guys can keep an eye on their dubious boss to make sure he is really on their side. A likely story! Also joining the team is Sydney’s half sister Nadia Santos played by Argentinean actress Mía Maestro. Family affairs have always been a common underlying theme on Alias, the complex relationship between Sydney and her father was always pivotal, but by the time we get to this season it is often in danger of overshadowing the action factor of the show. Santos is supposedly the daughter of Sloane and Sydney’s own mother but the realities behind this situation remain vague in order to keep the viewer guessing.

The early episodes of this 22-piece season begin in a routine fashion, but there is always a hint that there is a greater plot line taking shape in the background. After a slow start the series really takes off about halfway through and the closing episodes and especially the series finale contains some of the best Alias moments. After the slightly disappointing previous season the show is back on track. One minor complaint is that the Rimbaldi prophecy storyline that we have all followed with baited breath since the start is still to deliver the goods and at best feels like it is just tacked on here and there and at worse is irrelevant to the main thrust of the show.

As hinted at in the introduction, there is some thing different about the style of this season. In an attempt to presumably avoid being left in the bargain basement of cult TV (especially with the rise and rise of Abram’s new show, Lost) the series seems to almost stand alone from what has gone before, a fresh start where new converts can jump on board without being fully versed in Alias history. This may raise the hackles of die hard fans but at the end of the day its all about ratings and sales so you can see why it is done.

That aside although it still doesn’t compare with the first season season 4 is still a masterful piece of action story telling and even if it’s a bit slow to get going by the time you reach the end of the episodes everything will seem alright in the world once more.

The camera work seems much improved in this season, that’s not to say it was in anyway lacking before, but somehow it seems to have taken a step up. A brooding set of noir-ish tones and shadows provide a perfect backdrop for the twisted tale of espionage being woven before it. A real depth of atmosphere is attained and a dark threat seems to be lurking just out of view in many scenes. This is the icing on the cake to the way the filming and direction has been deal with. Also the musical score seems to be better suited to the nature of the show. The soundscapes that Giacchino has created better reflects the nature of the show and it stands head and shoulders above the collection of ill-fitting musical themes that were used in the previous seasons.

Lovers of the bonus features will not be disappointed with this package. Alongside the 22 episodes there are a number of interesting additions. Four of the episodes are covered by a commentary by cast and creators and there is a director’s diary for those interested in the logistics of creating such a show. There is and interview with Jennifer Garner, as well as a synopsis of Mia' character, Nadia Santos. As well as bloopers and deleted scenes that we all come to expect these days, there is a look at the gadgets that feature in the show. ---

Aimed at seasoned fans as well as trying to pull in a new audience, this season wins through in the end. Although the magic of the early years has faded with familiarity, it still delivers the goods and gives more that a few “wow” moments, which is not easy to do in an era when viewers are not easily impressed. The package is a worth while addition to the collection or even a good place to begin a retrospective collection and the extras do represent good value for money.