Last year the show was electric, from the stories down to the guest stars. Let's see, you had Djimon Hounsou, Vivica A. Fox, Isabella Rossellini, David Carradine, Quentin Tarantino, Justin Theroux and Ricky Gervais. This year you had Angela Bassett for a couple of bit pieces, Gina Torres for a second, Isabella Rossellini just as a reprisal and Lena Olin for a few fleeting moments. While guest stars don't make a show good, the absence of them is telling. The stories for this season are bad; they completely leave the Rambaldi story out of 90 percent of the season. I don't care if it ia all tied together in the end! This keeping it quiet stuff and alternate meanings crap is getting old. Just get to the point already!
"Alias" is beginning to smell like a show that has run out of ideas and the one good idea they have they keep for the cliffhanger to the next season. Not really fair for regular viewers if you ask me.
The one thing I did like about the fourth season, something I get a feeling a lot of fans didn't like, is the addition of Sydney's sister, Nadia. Nadia is played by Mía Maestro, whom you will also be able to see in Warner Bros' upcoming remake Poseidon. Aside from the fact that Mía is GORGEOUS, far more attractive than Garner, she is more believable in her role in the show. And while her storylines may a bit obvious and run-of-the-mill she is still fun to watch.
In the other corner, Garner has never seemed right to me in her part and it isn't all her fault. I blame the writers for not leaving a tactic that worked in early seasons but begins to wear thin as the years move on. I am sorry, putting a wig on and dressing like a slut is no way to "divert" attention from yourself or be clandestine when on a "spy" mission. Also, while I am on the subject, can these "professionals" just once accomplish a mission without screwing it up? I am tired of all this prep work and walkie-talkie jargon just to watch them get caught in the act or make a narrow escape. Just once I would like to see them embarrass the bad guys and get away clean, right under their noses. Make 'em look bad for crying out loud!
As for the DVD set itself, it is impressive, just as the "Alias" DVDs have always been. Packed with four audio commentaries, an uncut episode 6 ("Nocturne"), and the usual season specific special features this one ranks up there with the others. The only problem is that the season itself can't live up.
For the fans of the show you most likely have already bought your set, but for those of you on the fence I suggest you count your pennies and see if a half-assed season is worth it to you. This one has about four episodes that really relate to the overall "Alias" story; if you skip them you won't be too lost.