Question: I love Alias and ...
Question: I love
Alias and
24, and I am usually satisfied with saying that they are both equally entertaining and thrilling. However, after April 18, I can finally say that
24 has the upper hand. Both shows were in similar positions of possibly killing off major characters, but only
24 shocked us all by actually going through with it. The death of Chappelle (
Paul Schulze) was television at its very best. On the other hand,
Alias is, of late, getting kind of predictable. What are your thoughts on the unshocking survival of Sloane? — Luis C.
Matt:
First off, just let me say that Ron Rifkin's excellent understated performance as Sloane more than compensates for the show's kooky, baroque plotting. Both Alias and 24 have been favorites of mine since they premiered during the same season, and for a while, it depended on which week you asked as to which was my favorite. This season has been trickier. Alias was really hurt by losing Lena Olin, by bringing aboard the ineffectual (until she got nasty) Lauren, and by a general lack of focus and overall state of preposterousness (the Covenant, the Trust, the Passenger, the Hourglass, what next?). 24 was damaged in the first half of the season by pointless red herrings (the first virus hoax involving the teenage boy, all the turgid nonsense involving President Palmer until Sherry re-entered the picture), but lately has kicked it into gear, delivering the darkest and most gripping hours of almost any show this season. So yes, Chappelle's execution was a thrilling, disturbing, gut-wrenching piece of television. Sloane's resurrection pales by comparison, although it reminds us of just what a fantastic (in the literal sense of the word) piece of escapism Alias is, while 24 is a much darker, scarier place to be. But here's a different take on things.
