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Palm Beach Post
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002
Jennifer Garner
needs an "Alias' in ABC drama
By Kevin D.
Thompson
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - You must admit, Jennifer Garner doesn't look
like a lethal spy who can save the world.
Her sculpted cheekbones make her look more like a runway model than a
death-defying double agent who's working for the CIA to bring down
the corrupt intelligence agency SD-6.
But as Sydney Bristow on "Alias," which returns for a second season
tonight, Garner is more than convincing. When she takes down beefy
bodyguards twice her size, you believe she can do it. Garner exudes a
steely confidence and laser-like glare that betrays her cutie-pie
exterior. If I were kidnapped and strapped to some chair by a
slithery bad guy, I'd want Sydney to save me - then buy me a drink.
The industry has certainly taken notice of Garner's star-making turn
on "Alias." The West Virginia native was nominated for an Emmy. In
January she won a Golden Globes for best actress in a drama while
beating out such veteran actresses as Edie Falco ("The Sopranos") and
Sela Ward ("Once and Again"). Her genuine surprise reaction was
priceless.
And so is "Alias."
With its dense plotting, fast-moving action and wonderful
performances, this ABC gem remains one of TV's best dramas. Each week
it looks as if you're watching a big-budget feature film.
"They do a remarkable job in creatively using locations and sets that
look as if they're traveling around the world when they are in fact
usually right in the back halls of some of those Disney lots," notes
Susan Lyne, ABC's entertainment president.
Adds Lloyd Braun, chairman of ABC's entertainment television
group: "If you ever want the cheapest trip you've ever had to Monte
Carlo, come to ABC on a given date and you'll see it."
As with "The X-Files" - ah, Sunday nights will never be the same
without it - paying attention to "Alias" is paramount. You can't miss
the first 15 minutes and expect to keep up with the sharply drawn
characters and Sydney's shadowy world.
Sometimes that world is a bit too shadowy and murky. "Alias"'
intricate mythology can be more complicated to follow than a NASA
manual. Just keeping up with all of Sydney's wigs and eye-popping
dresses can be tough enough.
J.J. Abrams, the show's creator, has said the stories will be easier
to follow this year. That can only help a series that struggled to
find a large audience. Despite all the buzz, only an average of 9.7
million people watched "Alias" each week. The show finished the
season ranked 65 out of 191 network shows.
There's no question ABC wants to see those numbers get better.
That'll be a tough order, considering "Alias"' competition is "Law &
Order: Criminal Intent" on NBC and "The Sopranos" on HBO.
To help boost viewers, the producers hired Swedish-born film star
Lena Olin ("Chocolat") to play Sydney's mom. If you recall, Sydney
thought her mom was an English professor who had died in a car crash.
Actually, mom is very much alive and is a KGB operative who faked her
own death. Now she's the leader of a rogue organization obsessed with
collecting and piecing together the mysterious Rambaldi device. Olin
is scheduled to appear in 16 of the show's 22 episodes.
Also, look for Dixon (Carl Lumbly), Sydney's SD-6 partner, to become
even more suspicious of Sydney's activities. Meanwhile, SD-6 director
Sloane (Ron Rifkin) is guilt-ridden over poisoning his cancer-
stricken wife (Amy Irving).
And what about Vaughn (Michael Vartan), Sydney's smitten boss? The
last time we saw him he was presumed drowned after a mission went
bad. Calm down . . . he survived and will continue falling for Sydney.
He won't be alone.
© Cox News Service
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