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Gay.com
March 28, 2003
Gaywatch: "Alias"
by Christine Champagne
Forget about "Queer as Folk" and "Will & Grace." There isn't one gay character on "Alias," but that's the show all the gay and lesbian TV watchers I know have been talking about this season.
According to an informal survey (OK, I polled my friends and tallied the Gaywatch e-mail), a lot of gay and lesbian viewers are hooked on this hip ABC spy drama, which casts Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow, a grad student who moonlights as a double agent working for the CIA and a secret organization called SD-6.
I've gotten a lot of requests for a feature story on Garner. I've made it my mission to try to get an interview with her (believe me, I'd love to chat with her, too!), but so far I've failed. Perhaps I'll don a disguise a la Sydney and go undercover on the set. (Note to ABC security: I wouldn't really do that, I swear.)
So why is "Alias" so appealing to us? Well, for starters, the show is well written and slickly produced, with a talented cast that includes Michael Vartan as CIA agent Michael Vaughn, Carl Lumbly as SD-6 agent Marcus Dixon and Victor Garber as Sydney's dad, SD-6/CIA agent Jack Bristow.
Of course, the main draw here is Garner herself, the show's remarkable centerpiece. The 29-year-old actress -- who is married to Scott Foley of "Felicity" and who recently won a Golden Globe for the role -- has finally found the star vehicle she deserves. She's strong and sexy, yet she makes Sydney human, infusing her with sensitivity and warmth.
And while Sydney is an intriguing character, her stylish hair, makeup and wardrobe is also a source of fascination for the more fashion obsessed among us. She creates a new persona -- ranging from "Run Lola Run" to "Alice in Wonderland" -- every time she goes undercover. Is there a gay man or lesbian out there who wouldn't kill for that ability to look great in any situation? The talented hair, makeup and wardrobe people working on "Alias" must be even busier than the character.
Gay and lesbian viewers also appreciate the show's sense of adventure and action. Sydney is one tough chick, and it's pure fun to watch a
hot woman like her kick butt every week. And now that Lucy Lawless' Xena has put down her sword, we needed a new hero to look up to and lust after -- even if she isn't a lesbian. (Hey, Wonder Woman was straight, right?)
In a TV season full of disappointments (hardly anything except "Alias" has caused a real buzz), "Alias" is a real standout. No wonder we're all obsessed.
© Gay.com Interactive Services 2003
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