A television show rarely changes drastically from its original premise after a successful season. Sometimes, when a show is lagging in ratings or lacking in original storylines after years on the air, major characters are killed off or new characters are introduced. These changes are usually acts of desperation, not the whim of a bored executive producer/creator.
However, ‘Alias,’ a clever show in its sophomore season, underwent a 180-degree shift in just a single episode. ABC’s brilliantly written and precisely acted complex spy thriller has enjoyed a steady fan base in its first year and a half of existence, despite disappointing Nielsen ratings. In the hour-long special episode following the Super Bowl and halfway through its second season, ‘Alias’ destroyed its main plotline involving double agent Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) fighting to bring down the evil Alliance.
The episode, ‘Phase One,’ was like an extravagant series finale: the bad guy was killed, the double agent mission was completed and the conflict was resolved. Also, in a romantic twist, the simmering, forbidden romance between Sydney and her CIA handler, Michael Vaughn (Michael Vartan), boiled over in a frenzy of slow-motion sequences and a fiery kiss. Then, just when it all seemed over and tied up with a nice, neat bow, out of nowhere came another curveball: in the final scene Sydney’s best friend, civilian Francie (Merrin Dungey), was seemingly revealed to be a spy working for the new evil power. However, in a double twist, Francie the spy is really an evil Francie twin, who killed the real Francie. Confused? Join the club.
The whole concept of ‘Alias’ relied entirely on the tension created by Sydney’s job as a double agent, the subsequent close calls and conflict with the evil head of SD-6, Arvin Sloane (Ron Rifkin) and the risky attraction between Sydney and Vaughn. Now, in a one-hour storyline, it’s all gone all of the obstacles are removed. Is this an ‘Alias’ with a new premise? Will it soar, or is the phenomenon doomed to fizzle?
Abrams has given the gift of Vaughn and Sydney as a couple, instead of drawing the romantic tension out over years like other shows tend to do. However, it seems like the new romantic subplot could make Sydney a pawn in Arvin Sloane’s evil plot. The romance may be just the thing to give a much-needed ratings boost to arguably the best little-known show on network television.
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