The Safe House - Expositions

Actually, two: Alias and Angel. In a season where so many other returning series have gotten off to slow starts, these two fast-paced thrillers have burst out of the blocks with all engines firing, as you can see in Sunday's top-form episodes. Yet despite their creative strengths, their less-than-robust ratings put them in the unhappy ranks of TV's best best-kept secrets.

Then again, perhaps that's fitting, considering the essential role secrecy plays in these two joyfully complicated adventures. When your heroes are a double agent and a crime-fighting vampire, you don't expect a lot of the action out in the open.

This week's Alias sends Sydney (the enchanting Jennifer Garner) off in search of another mysterious object, aided by her imprisoned, possibly reformed mother (a skillfully ambiguous Lena Olin). The episode boasts an exciting chase, a surprisingly desperate act and one of Sydney's better outfits, at least for fans of commanding women.

While the spy work gives the show its kick, what rings true are the show's emotional underpinnings. Sydney's mother has added another layer of tumult to the story, while giving Garner and Victor Garber (as her father) more room to show what fine actors they are. Nor should we overlook the redemption of Bradley Cooper's Will, who is much more endearing ever since he screamed like a girl when he discovered Sydney's secret identity.

If Alias has trouble finding an audience despite its cover-girl star, imagine the hurdles faced by Angel. Mishandled by a network that gives it minimal support, Angel also must overcome the reluctance of some adults to commit to a soulful vampire.

What those holdouts are missing is a witty melodrama led by an assured and amusing David Boreanaz. In an outing packed with crucial plot points, he leads the gang to Las Vegas to visit their demon friend Lorne. Which means, in addition to a well-crafted fantasy, you get a hilarious spoof of Vegas shows, with Lorne as a green Wayne Newton.

Does Lorne come home? Do they find Cordelia (the essential Charisma Carpenter)? I'm not telling.

Some secrets are best discovered on your own.

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