You know, I’m always going on and on about how I don’t watch a lot of shows during their initial runs. I probably sound like a broken record, but this is taking for granted that some of you actually read everything I write. Well, I ran across another series that, upon the release of its first season on DVD, made me go, “What was I thinking when I missed this one!” The series… “Alias.” The star… Jennifer Garner. The plot… a graduate student with a secret life. That of a CIA spy, or so it seems. I’ve recently become a fan of several different series, thanks to the advent of DVD, but there are only a few that really stand out and make me hungry for more. “Alias” was definitely one of those shows. It offered an infinitely complex storyline, moved at a breakneck speed, and delivered on all levels of intrigue from episode to episode. I love shows where things are not necessarily what they seem, and “Alias” filled the bill in that area.

In the 1st season we were introduced to Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner), a member of the SD-6, which she thinks is a part of the CIA. But when she finds out that there is more to the SD-6 than meets the eye she is recruited by the CIA to help bring down the highly secretive faction. Sydney is forced to keep her cover as a SD-6 operative while hiding her involvement as a CIA agent. It’s a veritable tour-de-force of double crosses and conspiracies. For the most part, she really doesn’t know whom to trust.

The 2nd season of “Alias” even outdid the 1st by taking a 180-degree turn almost half way through the season. Everything you thought the show was, changed so quickly that if you’d blinked you’d have missed it. Then it embarked on a whole new direction and storyline that rivaled the original plotline. I can’t tell you how many times we said, “Oh my God,” or “No Way,” over the course of that season. (Which we continued to do throughout the rest of the series.)

The end of the 2nd season brought with it a jaw-dropping finale that had us sorely tempted to start watching the 3rd season when it aired. We fought it, hoping we wouldn’t have to wait too long for the DVD set to arrive. So we waited and while I have to admit that the 3rd season so far had been the weakest of the series, it still surpassed most other shows of its kind.

The series recently came to and end with its 5th season, and all the way to the end I found “Alias” to have an incredibly high production value, which always added to its appeal. The series offered movie-quality special effects and action sequences unlike any I’d seen on any other show. There was enough gadgetry to make technophiles drool as well as outfits to make guys in general drool, as well. And every single episode had several world-spanning locale changes (of course it seems the production team does an awesome job of making back lots look like exotic locales).

I have to give a lot of credit to the cast for making the series so good. Jennifer Garner has proven herself to be an incredible talented actress in a role that is physically demanding, well beyond that of most TV series. She has been able to carry that talent over into feature films, playing Elektra in “Daredevil”, so much so that is reprising the character in her own feature film. Garner also did quite an impressive job showing off her comedic talents in “13 going on 30.” Both Victor Garber and Ron Rifkin have always been highly underrated character actors and never fail to make an impact on any project they grace.

Buena Vista Home Video has done us all a huge favor by releasing these full season DVD sets of “Alias”, not only for the series itself, but for all the extra features they throw out at us. This 5th season doesn’t have as many as were available before, but they're still pretty good. There's a celebration of the 100th episode, a look at the legend of the Rambaldi artifacts (which threaded the plot of the entire series), and an on-set look with Rachel Nichols. Additionally there's a featurette on the show's ultra-cool music and a very funny blooper reel.

The one thing I wish Buena Vista would include is the short scene that aired ABC’s 50th Anniversary Special a while back. It has Peter Falk as Columbo, walking into the CIA offices and having a very funny conversation with the stars of “Alias”… in character. It is a hysterical scene that I wish I had recorded.

Buena Vista is also releasing a Full Series set that is housed in a replica of the Rambaldi Box. I believe there are even a few other extra features. I reeeeeaaaallly wish I could have gotten ahold of one of those to review!!!

There are a lot of TV shows I’m beginning to get into, but only a handful that I will ever really push. I would, without hesitation, put “Alias” on that list.

Episodes:
Prophet Five
…1…
The Shed
Mockingbird
Out of the Box
Solo
Fait Accompli
Bob
The Horizon
S.O.S.
Maternal Instinct
There's Only One Sydney Bristow
30 Seconds
I See Dead People
No Hard Feelings
Reprisal
All the Time in the World

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Victor Garber, Carl Lumbly, Ron Rifkin, Michael Vartan
Extras: Celebrating 100 Episodes, The Legend of Rambaldi, The Music of Alias, On Set with Rachel Nichols, The Bloopers of Alias
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1) Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Release Date: 11/21/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Alias: Season 5 a B+.