Having orchestrated Sloane's "death and resurrection", Jack enlists him to find "The Passenger" with the help of the Rambaldi device called "The Hourglass". Meanwhile, Vaughn learns that his father was also a Rambaldi follower who was killed while trying to free "The Passenger" from KGB custody, and then he is kidnapped and tortured by Sark and Lauren for any new information he may have. This is the episode where we finally meet "The Passenger", who turns out to be an agent working for Argentinian Intelligence. She is played by Mía Maestro, and wow, can you say "love at first sight"? Not only does she look spectacular, but she also bears a striking resemblance to Lena Olin, who, of course, was playing her on-screen mother in Season 2. Her character also has a few tricks up her sleeve....the scene where she snaps out of her pretended catatonia and fights the prison guards alongside Sydney is perhaps the most purely satisfying moment in the series since Irina, Jack and Sydney were all together saving the world in Season 2's "Passage". Besides Mia's great casting, this episode offers plenty of twists and turns, from Lauren displaying some remaining traces of humanity (or does she?) to Sloane demonstrating just how important it is for him to listen to Rambaldi's "ultimate" message. The only reason I'm not rating "Blood Ties" even higher is Sydney's unbelievably easy entrance into the prison. *** out of 4.
Review of Blood Ties
