Yeah, in all fairness to ABC, they promoted the hell out of the premiere (giving it prime commercial free promotion) ... then they did a mid-season "recap" episode that explained everything that had gone before ... then they ran a marathon of all the episodes on ABC Family (plus some mini-marathons) ... and they showed weekly repeats on ABC Family ... AND they've added little 2-3 minute expositions on the previous episode at the beginning of the next. They've certainly gone out of their way to get new viewers, and now they've essentially done a reboot of the show on freakin' Super Bowl Sunday. This is one instance where neither ABC nor Bad Robot can be accused of not doing everything possible to get viewers on board, and if there are still people not aware of this show who would be interested in it if given a chance, the fault rests solely on those viewers' shoulders.

It just sucks that Alias is scheduled in one of the most fiercely competitive timeslots in recent memory and likely has a stronger viewership than the ratings would indicate, and as such, the show seems to be in a perpetual membership drive. I'm absolutely shocked that ABC has put so much effort into this show after their treatment of the brilliant Sports Night and Once & Again (and MSCL ... ad infinitum ...), and I can only hope they plan to stick with it so long as the viewership holds. I would hate to see them tweak the show so much in an attempt to entice the people who still haven't figured out what they're missing and end up losing some core audience. While I certainly don't think we're near this point with Alias, it's not snobbery or unrealistic to expect a show not to alienate its core audience in an attempt to briefly attract the eye of the more fickle crowd. Like I said, I don't think we're at that point with Alias, and there's still one final Ace to be played with a DVD release (in conjunction with another ABC Family marathon perhaps), but at some point you just have to leave the stragglers behind and get on with the show. Hopefully, with this latest "reboot" of sorts, there will be enough of a ratings increase to get the train rolling again and look towards getting the new viewers through DVD and reruns.

das

now i know i am right. early in the season when sydney found vaughn in paris, way too luckily after vaughn had some type of procedure performed on him. sydney and vaughn escaped way to easily and there never was any mention of what was going on at the facility. after sydney rescued him i thought vaughn is not acting right and he has not acted right since. love sick puppy not professional at all. I said then and still believe vaughn was replaced at that time by an agent of irina's and was off course made to look like the real vaughn. now francie has been shown to be replaced it renforces my theory that vaughn is not vaughn. by the way i am still hoping for will to get sydney not vaughn. i hope francie and especialley will are given more to do on the show. will should be one of the people who were in jack's class of training to become an agent when he was a child. good episode changes things up not sure if for the best or worse time will tell. they have to bring back marshall though

tvguide.com had a short article on the show this morning and some quotes from JJ Abrams
http://www.tvguide.com/newsgossip/insider/030127a.asp
It's mostly about a possible movie after the show is over.

It does says the dvd of season 1 will be released on Sept 2. Also that ABC hasn't picked up the show for next year but is expected to.

edit: It would make sense to quote which post i'm responding to...duh.

Quote:

Originally posted by dolphinboy
So you're arguing that a show owes it to you, the loyal viewer from day one, and shouldn't do a little (or even go out of its way) to bring in new viewers?

That's seems to be a form of television show snobbery. "It's mine and not yours." I highly doubt that ABC or any other show or network thinks after a year or so (or even 2 or 3) that potential new viewers are only going to go and read episode recaps to capture the emotional connection they've missed in past episodes.

I've only followed one show from day one that has been a huge hit over the past decade and that was the X-Files. I never had a problem with the show re-explaining itself or making an effort to "soften" itself to bring in new viewers as the X-Files did for the movie.

If the "loyal" viewers of the show were the only interest of the writers, producers, and the network than the X-Files would never have grown after season 1, season 2 at most. And seasons 3 and 4 were probably the best and highest rated. So I think it was ended up being good for the loyal viewer, the new viewer, and the network.

I am not trying to act like I have any idea of what was different about this episode from ones past or mean any disrespect to those who do know more or felt this episode was too gratuitous in exploiting Jennifer Garner's appearance or making relationships more palatable for the new viewers. But it seems like a minor inconvenience if it helps the show grow a larger core audience who, likely, will grow to be as fond of the charcters as you are.

I think the "hot chick" was just an actress that had been on Felicity to everyone else before the show aired. To the new viewers who might have tuned in to see the girl in the lingerie, after enjoying, understanding, and catching up (which will require reading recaps, watching future episodes, and learning from people who have been with the show from the start), she'll be the same complex Sydney (who just happens to look wonderful in various states of undress) as she is to you.

No snobbery here. I just think it's ridiculous that the same vast, complex covert agency with many branches & factions that we were introduced to in the pilot ep, could be felled over the course of one hour thanks to the appearance of a convenient "server 47" and -- like Static pointed out -- one email.

This wouldn't bother me if it was an event that the show was building towards. But since this was shown in what's become more of an "event" time slot, it smacks of compromise at the expense of older viewers? Perhaps JuryDuty is correct and J.J. got "the talk" from ABC execs to jettison all the "complex double agent stuff" to make it more accessable? Because i'm sure the oldtimers remember the map that Vaughan showed Syd. It was pretty big with lots of branches. And it was explained to us that it'd be pretty darn hard to take down SD-6 so soon. But now look...

You brought up the X-files. If you think Carter made an effort to "soften" the series, i'd have to disagree. In fact, the Myth-Arcs demanded a great deal of attention. Granted, they had a 'lil leeway with the standalone "freak of the week" eps. [Which is what FOX aired after the Superbowl]. Seasons 3 & 4 may have been the best and highest rated, but it didn't happen by sacrificing story for the sake of T&A [with the exception of Mulder's red speedo in "Duane Barry" ].

Perhaps if this ep were a standalone with Syd on an "action packed! T&A!" mission instead of turning everything on its ear for the sole reason of attracting new viewers, I wouldn't be so dismissive.

Of course, none of this means i'm about to stop watching. On the contrary, this has been and will remain one of my "Must See-Phone Off the Hook-Do Not Disturb" shows.

...at least until the "all-decontamination chamber episode".

Cool, I think I could handle an Alias feature film, but if they don't pick up this show for next year - I will be mighty pissed. I don't even want to think about it.

• Quoth MrX •<HR SIZE=1>tvguide.com had a short article on the show this morning and some quotes from JJ Abrams
http://www.tvguide.com/newsgossip/insider/030127a.asp
It's mostly about a possible movie after the show is over.

It does says the dvd of season 1 will be released on Sept 2. Also that ABC hasn't picked up the show for next year but is expected to. <HR SIZE=1>

September 2 seems like good timing. I would actually want them to go a bit earlier ... then run a marathon or two for the second season on ABC Family, all leading up to Season 3 on ABC. Still, depending on when they start the season (typically late Sept / early Oct for ABC), there should be enough time to catch up the remaining hold-outs.

das

• Quoth Rogue588 •<HR SIZE=1>No snobbery here. I just think it's ridiculous that the same vast, complex covert agency with many branches & factions that we were introduced to in the pilot ep, could be felled over the course of one hour thanks to the appearance of a convenient "server 47" and -- like Static pointed out -- one email.

This wouldn't bother me if it was an event that the show was building towards. But since this was shown in what's become more of an "event" time slot, it smacks of compromise at the expense of older viewers?<HR SIZE=1>

This would have bothered me more save for the fact that Sark and Sloane set it up. I still don't like that it happened so quickly and easily, but I can extend my suspension of disbelief enough to accept that the Alliance was painstakingly set up for this take down by Sloane and Sark, very powerful insiders, over the course of the last year. We wondered what the hell Sark wanted with Sloane ... now we know. The "convenience" of everything could very well have all been orchestrated by those two masterminds. So, in a sense, it is something we've been building towards ... the resolution, I agree, was a bit rushed; but in a way, it's almost cool. It's been a long time since I can remember a show making such a significant and abrupt turn. Between last week and this week, it's been one hell of a ride (although a bit gratuitous).

das

*****. You guys want to know what I caught? The last 30 freaking seconds starting with . And then Sloane, and that last shot. Now I gotta wait 'til I get off work before I see the rest of this.

You guys suck.

It was my first time watching a whole episode. Really enjoyed it. I didn't understand some concepts, because I haven't seen more episodes. I will buy the first season dvd when it comes out. I usually watch Malcolm or High School Reunion when Alias is on. I just ordered a new Sony VCR so I might tape it on my West Coast ABC. Could someone please explain what the Alliance is? I assume that they are an evil organization. I would appreciate some background on this.

• Quoth lwhy? •<HR SIZE=1>It was my first time watching a whole episode. Really enjoyed it. I didn't understand some concepts, because I haven't seen more episodes. I will buy the first season dvd when it comes out. I usually watch Malcolm or High School Reunion when Alias is on. I just ordered a new Sony VCR so I might tape it on my West Coast ABC. Could someone please explain what the Alliance is? I assume that they are an evil organization. I would appreciate some background on this. <HR SIZE=1>

The Alliance is the Big Bad, or at least we're led to believe for a the first few episodes. From a map of the cells that we're shown, it appears to be huge, certainly global, and it's very powerful. Their motives are unknown, but world domination seems to be a primary goal along with intelligence/weapons gathering. There are many SD cells around the world, one of which (SD-6) is fronted by Credit Dauphine and is Sydney's place of employment. Aside from the higher ups, everyone there believes they are working for a Double Secret Probation covert branch of the CIA. The Alliance was originally made up of 12 rogue intelligence officers from various agencies around the world. SD-6's heirarchy relationship with it is somewhat unclear, but the Alliance runs the show, and that's really all we need to know.

Essentially, they're as you said "an evil organization." As we learn throughout the show, however, they're not alone in carrying that title. Among others is K-Directorate, and they appear to be in direct competition with the Alliance on many intelligence missions, particularly the Rambaldi artifacts which were the subject of most of the first season.

I guess that's pretty vague, but it's all I can think of at the moment.

das

Help!

Grrr.....I missed the last few minutes (wife needed my assistance). I watched until the kiss after the raid. Please fill in the blanks. Thanks....

• Quoth DVD.guy •<HR SIZE=1>Help!

Grrr.....I missed the last few minutes (wife needed my assistance). I watched until the kiss after the raid. Please fill in the blanks. Thanks.... <HR SIZE=1>

You missed all the fun

Sark calls Sloane to let him know everything has proceeded according to their plan (ya know, exactly as the Emperor has forseen). Sloane seems pleased. He then wants to check on their secret weapon ... phone rings ... da-da-duum ... it's Francie. She's the mole. Our beloved Francie is working for Sark and Sloane. She says some "what is thy bidding, my master" stuff, and the camera pans across to blood on the wall. Whose blood? Will? Will's dead? Nope ... it's Francie. Francie the Evil Double has offed Francie the Waste-of-Space Restauranteur. Da-da-duuuuuuuum ... ALIAS

das

Thank das

Next time I'll let her wait

Hey das, Nice summation of the ending. Now do that for the whole episode.

i wish i knew of a place where newcomerz to alias could catch up on last season's and the beginning of this season's episodes. if only such a place existed

I watched part of the beginning during my lunch break and...WOW. What a way to open an episode...

okay, i haven't read a majority of the discussion before this post..

i just wanted to tell a funny anecdote:

i watched alias for the first time last night and two funny things happened during the show. the first was a commercial for Bringing Down the House with Steve Martin and Queen Latifah. this is the first commercial for the movie that i had a very small hand in making (i was an office production assistant) that i had seen on TV. so, of course, i was caught off-guard by that.

as an important sidenote, that film was made at Disney studios (hence, I worked at Disney Studios..)

so, here i am watching Alias and they are about to storm SD-6. they disconnect the security cameras and go into a stairwell/elevator landing. it took me a second, but once i realized it i bust a gut... because they were storming the Parking Garage on the Disney Studio lot. (which, of course, brought me out of the show considerably..) they were storming the elevators that i had ridden often over the summer.

anyway, i thought i'd share that with you.
-di doctor-

Try here and theres theres tons of others just do a search...


http://www.alias-tv.com/home.html

First time viewer, long time poster...

Love your show.

Actually, I've been waiting for some decent entry-point into this series... There's always been too much timeslot competition for me to get into the show... and frankly I figured most guys were only into it for the T&A, which I could care less about...

Now I want to see it from the beginning... I guess I'll take a two-track approach and watch the new eps as they come out post-reset... I'm sure I'll be able to get the first season and a half from somewhere, tony...

You might try this too....

http://epguides.com/Alias/

the early ratings are in....

http://tv.zap2it.com/news/dailyniels...ngs.html?29850

Man, this was one HELL of an episode. Check out how many posts there are for this thread! Gotta be one of the longest ones we've had.

Question though:
Why did they have to SHOOT all those people at SD-6??? None of them even realized they were working for the bad guys. Notice they didn't even announce themselves as CIA or FBI, or whatever other organizations, as they busted in. In fact, they were all wearing SKI MASKS!!! If I were a security guard there, I'd be thinking there was another infiltration like when McKenna (Q-Tarantino) busted in. The only people they needed to get were the high level officers.

The truth is that there is extremely little T&A in this show (although ABC's ads would lead you to believe otherwise). Other than one bikini episode last season, I think last night was the only time we've seen her so completely disrobed. Syd occasionally puts on an "interesting" outfit when she's on a mission, but overall the focus is on the story and the action, not on her physical assets. As others have mentioned, last night's episode opened with that scene in an obvious attempt to "grab" Super Bowl viewers and convince them to not switch the channel. (Not that I'm complaining, mind you... )

Overall, I agree with das (and others) that the story twists and turns last night were amazing and fun... but that the overall episode was much more clunky than we're used to. To those who feel that this was the best hour of TV ever... well, I can only strongly suggest that you go back and watch the previous episodes. The two Marshall episodes from a few weeks back leave this one in the dust...

I understand the need to recap so much material... and if it results in higher ratings and a stronger audience, it'll definitely be worth it. But that subtitle ("SD-6 Headquarters") had me . For people who have been watching the show from the beginning, it was the equivalent of showing a Kirk on the bridge midway through the 2nd season of Trek with a subtitle "The Starship Enterprise".

Some of the other stuff (talking about Danny, etc.) was pretty awkward and not entirely helpful for new people. Part of me feels that they would have been better off showing a 5-minute promo that recapped the previous 1.5 seasons (hitting important plot points, showing lots of cool action) instead of trying to awkwardly shoehorn so much old stuff into one hour.

I can't wait to see what direction the show takes now. I'm constantly amazed at how this show is able to continue going full steam ahead... just when you think they've painted themselves into a corner, something new happens.

"Airing outside of primetime in most of the country, the postgame episode of "Alias" scored a 13.3/23."

Which would make it a top-5 show if it maintained that rating... obviously it won't, but let's hope that a bunch of these newcomers stick around.

Usually, the ratings for the program after the Super Bowl have little effect over regular viewership ratings of the program in its proper timeslot. Maybe this time will be the exception.

Thanks for answering my question das.