WHEN ALIAS TOUCHED down on ABC in 2001, the J.J. Abrams-created series dazzled viewers and critics as a butt-kicking breath of fresh air. Starring Jennifer Garner as spy Sydney Bristow, the action-packed drama boasted not only a female central character but also mythology-heavy storytelling. The show's heart-stopping cliffhangers and hairpin turns left viewers picking their jaws up off the floor. And no hourlong installment prompted more reaches for defibrillators than "Phase One," broadcast the night of 2003's Super Bowl XXXVII-a victory by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the Oakland Raiders. The episode earned Alias its best ratings ever.
A hard-to-fathom 20 years old this month, that episode sees heroine Sydney defeating longtime CIA enemy target the Alliance of Twelve, the sprawling organized crime syndicate she'd been trying to take down...ever since she learned in the series pilot that she was working for the Alliance and not the CIA.
That's right: A double agent had been born on day one.
A Bold Grab for Viewers
"I remember reading the 'Phase One' script with extra interest because I knew it was potentially a game-changer for us," Michael Vartan, who played Sydney's CIA handler and love interest Michael Vaughn, tells TV GUIDE MAGAZINE. "It was going to be the big Super Bowl episode that [could] put us over the top in terms of ratings." To that end, Season 2's 13th episode brazenly rebooted Alias, with the goal of transforming a cult fave with a rabid fanbase into a bona fide hit. It was a lot to expect of a cool little counterintelligence drama, but the script did its job.
Denne historien er fra January 16-29, 2023-utgaven av TV Guide Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra January 16-29, 2023-utgaven av TV Guide Magazine.
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THE CHOSEN
It's a bumpy start for Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) and His followers in the fourth season of the Bible-based historical drama. They're about to face rougher terrain-and we're not talking about sleeping arrangements on the road. Jesus' cousin, preacher John the Baptizer (David Amito), has been executed by King Herod (Paul Ben-Victor), and the group is reeling from that loss. In September 8's episode, Jesus declared apostle Simon (Shahar Isaac) is now \"Peter,\" the rock of the group. They're going to need him for what's to come.
FOUND
The chains are now off in the cat-andmouse game at the center of this perpetually taut NBC thriller. In Season 1, public relations specialist Gabi (Shanola Hampton) held her former kidnapper, Hugh Evans, aka Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), captive in her basement and used him to help her team find missing people.
ELSBETH
Carrie Preston has played quirky, brilliant Elsbeth Tascioni for 14 years, through memorable appearances on The Good Wife, The Good Fight and now this warmhearted mystery. Viewers can't seem to get enough of this over-the-top Chicago defense attorney turned NYPD police consultant-and unofficial detective.
FBI
Last season ended with Special Agent Tiffany Wallace (Katherine Renee Kane) completely spent after a harrowing struggle to track down and finally kill the terrorist who murdered fellow agent and friend Hobbs (Roshawn Franklin).
RETURNING FAVORITES
Everything's coming up roses for Joan Vassos, whose search for a new romance begins our annual look at all the shows you love
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
As the third young woman hired to play The Young and the Restless' Sharon Collins in 1994, Sharon Case didn't really know if her new gig would last. \"Soaps tend to be a revolving door,\" says the actress, who had previously appeared as Dawn Winthrop on General Hospital and Debbie Simon on As the World Turns. \"I didn't have super-high expectations.\"
Only Murders in the Building
This season's investigation introduces a set of West Tower oddballs harboring secrets across the courtyard
BOLD'S KARATE KID
The Bold and the Beautiful's Sean Kanan is thrilled that he is once again playing Mike Barnes in the sixth and final season of Cobra Kai, streaming now on Netflix.
Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement
LEE AND ROSEMARY COULTER, is that you? When Calls the Heart stars Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith (above) may be reuniting for this new Hallmark Mystery movie, but their roles are a far cry from the Hope Valley power couple they play on the Western romance series.
WHAT'S WORTH WATCHING
Your day-by-day guide to the week's best television
