|
Detroit Free Press
October 3, 2003
'Alias' fans hang on despite twisting plots
By Mike Duffy
Free Press TV Critic
It's pretty obvious by now that "Alias" never will be a major hit.
No biggie. As long as ABC just keeps renewing the astonishingly cool, crazy spy thriller, the cult of Sydney Bristow true believers can go right on wallowing in the action babe's wondrous exploits.
And after last Sunday's hellzapoppin' third season premiere, it's obvious that "Alias" remains television's most giddily enjoyable roller-coaster ride. A mesmerizing mix of style, imagination, wit and Jennifer Garner's spy girl charisma.
Not that ABC is keeping "Alias" on the air just for gushing TV critics and similarly addled channel surfing civilians.
"Alias" drew a respectable 9.5 million viewers Sunday -- and finished No. 47 for the week -- against the tough competition of NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and the CBS Tom Selleck movie "Twelve Mile Road," each of which attracted 15.8 million viewers.
What keeps ABC satisfied is that "Alias" has been a magnet for demographic darlings: the young, affluent viewers advertisers swoon over.
It's the formula that has given long life to some of TV's most original drama series over the years. "St. Elsewhere" and "Homicide: Life on the Street" were never big hits, either. But they stuck around for many seasons just by attracting the same sort of audience.
"Alias" presents another obstacle.
The show's convoluted story line and espionage mythology are nearly impossible to follow. Even longtime fans can wind up bemused by the byzantine puzzle. So a casual viewer will be totally lost.
But for the millions who jumped on board at the beginning and became addicted instantly, "Alias" can be ridiculously sublime.
The shockeroo cliff-hanger at the end of last season -- Syd wakes up in Hong Kong after two years and discovers that boyfriend Michael Vaughn (Michael Vartan) is married and she has no idea what happened -- is still a tangled mystery.
Naturally, Syd's furious that Vaughn ditched her. But then, he says he thought she was dead. And now we've discovered that Sydney's spy dad, Jack Bristow (Victor Garber), has been in solitary confinement. And Syd's old partner, Agent Dixon (Carl Lumbly), is the new boss. And there's this wigged-out new international conspiracy group the Covenant. Whew.
And evil weasel Arvin Sloane (Ron Rifkin) apparently has been rehabilitated and now heads the World Health Organization. Say what!?
Somehow, some way, "Alias" creator and storytelling wizard J.J. Abrams ("Felicity") always keeps this glorious runaway train on the tracks. It's a thrill ride you never want to end.
So don't stop the intoxicating madness, ABC.
"Alias" is just too darn much fun. And in a new fall season awash in ho-hum, that's a very big plus.
'Alias'
FOUR STARS out of 4 stars
9 p.m. Sunday
WXYZ-TV, Channel 7, ABC
© Detroit Free Press 2003
 Back To All About Alias 2003
|
|
