Alias: Parity (1.3)

Already, Alias has settled into a winning formula. Every episode so far has been driven by a standalone mission in which Sydney is ordered to retrieve something for SD-6, while at the same time Syd is given a CIA counter-mission. It works like a charm. But what clearly separates the show from more conventional action dramas is that the standalone missions are literally blurring between episodes, something I haven't seen attempted since (network mandates probably explain why). Not only does this create an array of memorable cliffhanger endings (who doesn't remember the open-box-in-the-stadium moment this week?), but it also instantly develops a sense of aggressive momentum, the show running through stories at such a brisk speed that events are encroaching on whole separate episodes.

Parity is also the first real Alias episode in the traditional sense, introducing both the long-running antagonist Anna Espinosa, as well as the dreaded 'R' word. One of the major things about this re-watch is that it'll be interesting to spot the moment where the Rambaldi arc falls to pieces, or if it ever really does. While I loved this show the first time around, I was never actively involved in the show's fanbase, so it never truly bothered me that the Rambaldi story began to make less and less sense over the course of the series. I imagine, being older and wiser, my opinion may change somewhat. But it's exciting to see the myth-arc unraveling at a steady pace right now.

Anna is a spectacular doppelganger for Sydney, working as a reflection of Syd's tenure and notoriety in the spy game, as well as an example of the show's unbridled coolness. Anna is cold, ruthless, bitchy and a badass femme fatale, somebody who seems to despise Sydney as much as she respects her. Her look when Syd shoots the bag off her shoulder? It's anger, but also a little bit of pride for how much she's grown as an agent. She's suddenly something of an equal. And that kiss against the glass? Iconic, kids!

Away from the action, the two major background stories are spinning forward at the same rate. A love triangle is blossoming between Syd, Will and Vaughn, even if none of them know exactly what they're doing right now. Will, from his very first scene back in the pilot, has always been attracted to Syd, but there's his worry that he's taking advantage of her personal distress -- as well as the added complication that is his pursuit of Danny's killers. Vaughn, too, is becoming a little too attached to his charge, but who wouldn't be attracted to Syd's ballsy strength? The real problem with all of this is that Sydney is pretty fragile right now. She's determined and powerful as a double-agent, but still maintains that lingering vulnerability. Romance remains something uncomfortable and guilt-ridden at this stage.

Elsewhere, we're getting more information about Sydney's mother, even if we're not getting anything truly tangible at this point. Syd asked the questions we were all asking -- did her mom know about Jack's profession? Did her death occur in similar circumstances to Danny's murder? But she's still being lied to by Jack. Jack is an enigma right now, but there's something in Victor Garber's performance that really projects this longing to be open with his daughter, only not opening up because of the rules implemented by those more powerful than him. I love their dynamic, as filled with awkwardness and betrayals as it may be. A

Credits
Guest stars Evan Dexter Parke (Charlie Bernard); Gina Torres (Anna Espinosa); Aharon Ipale (Ineni Hassan); Keone Young (Professor Choy); Elaine Kagan (June Litvack); Mark Rolston (Seth Lambert)
Writers Alex Kurtzman, Robert Orci Director Mikael Salomon