Wow. Can't say that I've been very compelled to keep up this season (I figure I'll do some kind of a Season 5 marathon sometime), but sadness. =( Maybe now Drew can officially join the "Lost" writing staff.

einral | November 24, 11:47 CET

Jeffrey, Drew, and Amy will all continue to be in demand, I'm sure.

But, with no disrespect intended to fans of Alias, it just didn't do a thing for me.

And the sentence from the article that screamed out at me was that Jennifer Garner was nominated for four, four, consecutive, consecutive Emmys . . . someone remind me how many Emmy nominations the entire cast of BtVS collectively received in the seven years of the show?

On second thoughts, don't.

SoddingNancyTribe | November 24, 12:33 CET

The nominations for Jennifer Garner are...really puzzling, IMO. There are, or have been, far better actors on far better shows (including Mutant Enemy's) that have run since Alias started that were never nominated. Garner's rarely done much for me in the shows and films she's been in.

I would like to give Alias another shot and maybe even rent all the DVDs so I'm up on my Abrams-viewing. I only watched the first half of the first season...there was some stuff in there I liked, but it felt like I'd already been-there-done-that with La Femme Nikita, only with more intrigue and a heightened fun Euro-trashy feel to it. It's way on the back-burner, but I'll try Alias again.

[ edited by Kris on 2005-11-24 11:40 ]

Kris | November 24, 13:38 CET

Alias is a show I'd thoroughly recommend after any Whedon work. Sure it's not totally perfect being a tad contrived and unbelievable in some parts. But on the whole, all the strongest and best elements of genre television are there and you will get swept away in these. The story arcs, thought out mythology, metaphors for real life, complex character motivations and great actors and acting (Lena Olin anyone?). It even shares a very similar grand plan to the one in Serenity toward the end of its fourth season.

I'm also very glad that they've planned a ordered conclusion to the show. Otherwise it could've been the next X-Files - a show that began strongly but totally lost its energy, focus and coherency by its end.

A must for any fan of genre television.

StaffOSimon | November 24, 13:57 CET

My original headline was going to be 'Alas, no more Alias'. It's always a shame when a well regarded genre show has to end.

Simon | November 24, 14:10 CET

Otherwise it could've been the next X-Files - a show that began strongly but totally lost its energy, focus and coherency by its end.

Well, it's already done this. But we'll see if the ability to write a half-season finale will do something for them.

In general, when the star of a show wedges their way into a producer spot, it tends to signal the end of a decent show. I presume the only reason Garner is still running around on missions while her character is pregnant is because she demanded it. Too bad because if her commitment had been to the show rather than to herself, she would have seen that relegating her character to a desk and a communications system -- making her the handler for a new agent or two, and getting to see the spy world through Vaughan's eyes -- would have been more compelling, character-wise.

But, hey, wow, that was a little further than I was going to go into it, but whatever. Main point: It's a pale shadow of its former self.

The One True b!X | November 24, 14:26 CET

It's all down to Rebecca Locke. (I kid, I kid).

gossi | November 24, 14:33 CET

I really like this show, and it'll be sad to see it go. I've never gone off it but this season so far in particular has been very good, hope it can keep that up and deliver a satisfying finale. With this being the final season I really hope we get to see Irina and Will one last time. Wonder if Syd will get a happy ending, or if the final episodes will see her life completely destroyed.

This was my favorite American show since Angel ended, not sure what it'll be next, probably Veronica Mars, but there's no guarantee that'll last past this season either.

Ghost Spike | November 24, 14:39 CET

I actually just started getting into this about a month and a half ago, I think. I've watched seasons 1-3 on DVD and am currently watching season 4. So I've seen a lót of episodes of this show in a relatively short period and I have to say that I like it. I do feel the edge has gona out of it somewhat in the fourth season (I'm four eps in now), but it's still fun to tune in.

A final fifth season which gets the chance to wrap things up nicely sounds perfectly fine as far as I'm concerned. Five years is nice run for any show and I think Alias might just be 'done' after it's fifth season. Unlike Angel for instance, which I think could've gone on quite nicely if it hadn't been cancelled.

GVH | November 24, 15:33 CET

When it 1st started Alias was the only show throughout both Buffy and Angel (and Firefly) that came close to challenging them (though only for brief periods, probably the begining of seasons 7 and 4 respetively) and I was convinced that once there were no Whedonverse shows on the air it would reign supreme as my favourite show. Sadly though from somewhere near the end of season 3 onwards, IMHO, it's just been a shadow of it's former self that whilst has had it's moments has never recaptured the glory of the 1st 2 seasons. I will definitely be sad to see it go, it's one of the few shows that I used to watch a new episode twice the week it aired and I do love some of the characters.

I also have no problem with Jen getting Emmy nominations as I do think she's a very good actress (that's putting aside the disgruntlement that none of our favourites ever got nominated as that's a whole different issue). Her ability to play different "aliases" week in week out, often speaking a varity of different languages with what, to my untrained ear at least, sounded like very believeable accents.

So yeah, I'll be sad to see it go, but nowhere near as sad as I would've thought I'd be if you'd told me back during season 2.

Paul_Rocks | November 24, 15:34 CET

Heh, yep, to my ears too. That is, untill they started speaking Dutch in a season 4 ep. That very much sucked ;-). Also: they were in the University of Amsterdam which looked like it was located in the former Soviet republic or something, seeing how shabby it looked ;-). Plus: somehow they thought 'Klaus' was a dutch sounding name. That'd be German. Same as the accents the actors seemed to be trying for ;-).

Other than that: I agree. JG does a fine job every week. But she's not the strongest actor in Alias, and she doesn't quite match up to the better actors in Whedon's shows. Imho, of course.

GVH | November 24, 16:47 CET

Since I'm one of those that think that the show already have overstayed its welcome these news doesnt make me sad.

While Alias in its first seasons felt like a show with interesting characters and a intriguing plot, the latter seasons IMO have showcased what happens when showrunners find themselves with a network willing to pay for new episodes, an interesting set up, characters and an audience but scrambling to find ( and many times not succeding in finding ) an interesting story to tell.
In desperation they have retooled the show a couple times, still not being able to come up with a story as interesting as the one they started out with.
If they had decided to close shop after the Sydney doublelife/SD-6 storyline had ran its course the show would have been remembered as a great show, with the audience clamoring for more, now a lot of people have already moved on to fresher and more interesting shows.

Be interesting to see if they even bother to make any sort of conclusion to the Rambaldi thing.

jpr | November 24, 16:55 CET

Well its good to see so many Whedonverse actors compensating for some understrength acting on Alias. I got a kick out of seeing Atherton Wing in the pilot and whenever Gina Torres appeared, she thrilled with that same charisma she showed us throughout Firefly. We now have Amy's Ackting on the show plus Jeff and Drew can sure write up a storm.

StaffOSimon | November 24, 17:07 CET

Once I learned to accept the fantastical element to it, I've enjoyed it, although I am an on again, off again viewer. Still, I've watched all this year and very much appreciated that Sydney did not just pick up and move on. That she continues to mourn the loss of her baby's father.
And I am loving Amy Acker who seems to be playing to her strengths. She looks so little and innocent.Then, blam!

Lioness | November 24, 17:19 CET

In fairness, Angel retooled a great many times, and constantly changed theme, focus and arcs. At times it was muddled. But it was still a great show. I think the same is likely true for Alias.

gossi | November 24, 17:44 CET

Alias another great show coming to an end soon. But 5 years is a good run, end on a high. I've only seen the first 2 seasons, so I got 3 to watch, looking forward to it.

Jeffrey Bell and Amy Acker free for Angel type work maybe..

SeanValen | November 24, 18:13 CET

I have to say that I'm glad they decided to end it if Jennifer Garner's leaving. It would have been like Buffy...without Buffy. We were late to the show on being fans. I've enjoyed all five seasons and am very happy that they will allow the writers and the gang to actually plan their own ending in a timely manner.

The gang will have no problems finding work, as they are all quite excellent!

ctofine | November 24, 18:56 CET

I'm really not surprised to hear this, what with all the rumors that Garner was to leave after this season (even though the response has always been that her contract held her to the show beyond this season). Like others, I was a regular viewer for the first two seasons, and then I lost interest in s3, came back for part of s4 before losing interest, and I came back for this season because of AA. Were it not for AA, I would have lost interest again.

I don't think Garner is a weak actress, but there are certainly many who are better -- one just has to look at how she loses out in comparison to many of her guest stars -- Torres being one of the earliest to completely take over the screen in their scenes together. And, as said above, Garner's not even the strongest actor among the regulars on her own show. But she does carry off the physical aspects of her character very well, and she is certainly a capable lead.

I'm happy for all involved, however, that they were given sufficient notice to tie things up -- unlike the way certain Whedon shows have been handled by their respective networks.

palehorse | November 24, 19:00 CET

Count me in with the kiddos who believe the show's overstayed its welcome. It's gone from the show we watched for 3 hours a night on DVD to the show we can barely remember to watch. Season 4 lost us and Season 5 is just, well, lame. I remember two stand-out episodes in Season 4. I'll bet you Whedonversers can guess which two. . . Sporks and Suburbs. Ah, Drew.

But I digress. . . the show has started to get that season-nine-ish feel of the X-files (or whenever it was that the new agents took over). Boo for that. It's lost. And tired. And needs to be put to sleep.

GrrrAargh | November 24, 19:16 CET

Have just recently come to the Alias camp. Watched S1 and saw hints of what it could be, was amused enough to try out S2 which I was told was a huge step up and I agree. Loved S2, will start S3 soon which I'm told is no S2, but we shall see. Regardless of its uneven performance and other factors, its still head and usually shoulders above the majority of whats out there, so I am sad to see it go the way of the dodo... better than having it X-files completely on us, though.

zeitgeist | November 24, 20:04 CET

Season 1 is fun, season 2 a bit much already, and season 3...unintentionally hilarious.

Ilana | November 24, 20:22 CET

Alias is currently my favorite show on television, and one I've been watching since the night the first episode aired. I'll be sad to see it go. However, I feel that ABC has always done right by the show, and that makes me happy. They've promoted it well over the years and kept renewing it despite cult size ratings. Even though it's being cancelled, I'm glad they're giving the writers enough notice to craft a compelling finale.

In my dream world, JJ Abrams would come back to write and direct the finale. I wonder if he'll be too busy with Mission: Impossible 3.

MindPieces | November 24, 20:26 CET

"In general, when the star of a show wedges their way into a producer spot, it tends to signal the end of a decent show. "

The star getting a producer credit (see also The Shield and CSI) usually means little except that the show has been on for awhile. It's usually a creative way of giving the star more money, without upsetting the rest of the cast. "That's their producer money!" but the actor still has little input.

Alias's first season was the best first season of any show I'd ever seen. Season two kicked ass. Season three was horrible and the quickest I'd ever seen a great show go bad. Season four was okay, but lacked focus. Season five has been very entertaining and the most fun the show's been in a long time. And I'm glad it's ending on that note.

Eric G | November 24, 21:25 CET

This has always been a "must see" show for me. I enjoyed it even during its struggles. I'm sorry to see it go, but I am sure that JJ will come up with more goodies to entertain us.

TamaraC | November 24, 21:38 CET

I quite enjoy Alias but with this season having a whole lot of new cast members and it just did not feel like the same show anymore. Sinc ethe second episode it really fealt like this was the last season.

Jonas | November 24, 21:59 CET

For me, Alias lost it in S2. The Rambaldi (?) stuff became never-ending and pointless, and Sloan had more spare lives than a stray cat. What really killed it, though, was when Francie was killed and was replaced by an exact look-alike who did everything possible to draw suspicion to herself. Her closest friends never noticed. Unbelievable plots are one thing, but unbelievable characters are instant death to a show, as far as I'm concerned. Not that character believability had ever been Alias's strong point....

MissKittysMom | November 24, 22:22 CET

I have to admire the timing of the announcement just at the start of a American holiday. Great way to get less publicity and of course most of the online fans will be either travelling or be with their families.

Simon | November 24, 22:53 CET

Neither really surprised or... y'know... annoyed about this. Alias has been better this season than it has in some time (imo), so it's a good time to cap the series. Plus, the show already does feel a little tired.

The one thing that surprises me is that they made this announcement so soon after they said they were putting Alias on after Invasion in an attempt to regain the ratings from last season. It seems odd to move the show for two weeks as a ratings experiment and then cancel it before it is tried.

rabid | November 24, 23:00 CET

I just hope they wrap up the Rambaldi mystery somehow, and that the series has a satisfying conclusion. I'm mostly bummed about this because we didn't get the Sark/Sydney romance that I wanted. :(

electricspacegirl | November 24, 23:23 CET

Alias's first 2 seasons are the strongest piece of storytelling ever. It rivals seasons of Buffy and Angel. It was that DAMN good. Season 3 was good. Season 4 was a wreck, a series of stand alone nonsense and what seemed to be zombies? . Season 5 I've seen only one episode and it bored me. They rehashed the whole working for an organization the person thought was good but is really bad. It was awesome the first time around and now it seems cheap. I will tune into the end of Alias. JJ Abrams is an example of crappy creator. A person who doesn't stick by his projects. Creates all this other stuff and never stays around.

ChosenOne5376 | November 24, 23:23 CET

This is quite disappointing for me. I got into Alias a year or two ago, and I think it is really entertaining, perhaps not quite up to the same standard of Jossverse shows, but I still think it's something that is well written and well acted consistantly, which is becoming an increasing rarity on television.

Let's see, that's Buffy and Angel gone, Futurama, now Alias too, and of course the whole Firefly thing. There are only a small number of shows I watch that are still on the air. Lost. 24. Without A Trace. That's about it. And although I like them, not as much as Alias.

In my opinion, Jennifer Garner did deserve her Emmy nominations, but it is of course incredibly unfair that there were so few nominations for Joss's shows, and usually only related to make up or special effects, because there were many fantastic performances which were much better than what we usually see on TV. I mean Desperate Housewives? It's entertaining but basically a soap, very few good performances.

But I do think Jennifer Garner was great, even if you just watch the pilot episode you see a whole range of emotions. She can play the confident, happy college girl, the tough, vengeful spy, or the vulnerable, devastated woman. When she finds her fiancee dead in the bath and has that sort of silent scream... that was really fantastic and it wasn't written in the script, but something Garner did herself. And she does seem more imposing than Sarah Michelle Gellar, although of course she did have slayer powers.

I'm just saddened by this. I'm working through season three of Alias, so at least I will have two more seasons to watch, but from what I've seen, even if the show shifts its tone it has always maintained a consistant quality, and I think it deserves to stay around for as long as possible. I did think that with Lost becoming so popular this would have increased Alias' ratings, but not so much, unfortunately.

I'm interested to see how the show ends, and I hope they finish all the main plot lines satisfactorily, but leave some stuff so there could be a movie or something in the future. The Rambaldi arc, for example.

So basically this is saying that the show was cancelled? I'm actually interested to see what the real story is. Certainly with Lost and Mission Impossible you'd think JJ Abrams isn't quite as interested in it as he once was, and of course Garner has got married and pregnant, with a very promising movie career. Perhaps the cast and crew also felt it was just time to move on?

[ edited by Razor on 2005-11-24 21:26 ]

Razor | November 24, 23:25 CET

Even though I thought the show seriously faltered with Season 3 (after two terrific seasons, IMHO) and never regained its footing, I'd like to see a Season 6. I admire Jennifer Garner's and ABC's decision to incorporate her pregnancy (especially given how heavily pregnant she is) and not try a do some B.S. cover-up. But I'd like to see the show go out with Sydney fully back in action.

In spite of its flaws, I still find myself enjoying the ride. I'm intested just enough to see the thing all the way through to the end. But I understand the reasons why some gave up on it.

Also, I'm diggin' seeing Amy on the tube again.

[ edited by batmarlowe on 2005-11-24 21:58 ]

batmarlowe | November 24, 23:56 CET

It was a fun show. Not without it absurdity, but endurable.

The ironic part, is that while Felicity's demise featured a very involved JJ Abrams in the ending process, I doubt he'll be around for the end of Alias, since he's so busy with MI3.

I'm actually really enjoying Amy's Kelly Peyton, menacing in a fun way. As I posted somewhere before, I'd like to see her teaming up with Gina's Anna Espinosa, one of these days.

I think the show has been having very uneven seasons since season 3, where it kind of got lost for me. I was still watching the show, but wasn't as much fun as before. Garner's pregnancy isn't helping the show at all.

Good to know that they're at least going when they still can sing a high note.

Numfar PTB | November 25, 04:12 CET

The first two seasons were incredible. On that note, I saw this coming.

MySerenity | November 25, 05:09 CET

Well, another one bites the dust. I agree that the first 2-3 seasons were great. The last 2 unfortunately haven't done much for me.

Has Jen Garner become a victim of the Affleck curse? LOL I hope she finds good projects after this because she isn't a bad actor and I've heard that she's a genuinely nice person.

Silent Night | November 25, 06:53 CET

Yes, Ben Affleck ruins everything...Jennifer Garner is a fantastic actress and I do hope she can have a career beyond Alias. It's about time they put this show out of its misery. I agree with what's been said above. The first two (maybe three) seasons of Alias were just incredible. It's been downhill ever since. And, this season with the recycling of Season 1 plot lines, puhleeez! Even The X-Files left with more dignity.

mai | November 25, 19:53 CET