Alias (TV Series) In Dreams... (2005) User Reviews

A tragedy in Sloane's past

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 20 September 2010]

As this episode begins the Arvin Sloane impostor approaches a monastery, this isn't like other monasteries however as there are armed guards! Here they have discovered a way to make the bees behave in a less aggressive manner. This is somehow linked to an orchid; an orchid that fake Sloane wants and will willingly kill to obtain. It turns out that Rambaldi created this orchid. In an attempt to lure him out APO leaks information suggesting that they have some import and documents concerning the orchid and that they are too be auctioned soon. The documents are stolen but are soon retrieved along with fake Sloane. Even when confronted with the real Arvin Sloane he refuses to say who he really is. Marshall works out that this is because he really thinks he is Sloane. It turns out that Sloane's memories and a former associate of Sloane's at SD6 copied brain patterns into the fake's brain. Getting him to reassert his own personality will be difficult and potentially dangerous; Marshall will have to record Sloane's brain waves as he remembers a particularly traumatic event and then upload them to the fake's brain. As Sloane relives the past we learn that he first became obsessed with Rambaldi after he lost his baby daughter many years before.

While this episode had far less action than most episodes it wasn't bad; as always Ron Rifkin was brilliant as Sloane and guest star Joel Grey put in a fine performance as the unknowing impostor. It also made a nice change to see Mía Maestro's Nadia don a funky wig to go undercover.

Jennifer Garner directs one of season 4's best episodes

[gridoon2024 · 8/10 · 20 January 2010]

By using some fake Rambaldi documents as bait, the APO team manages to capture Arvin Clone, but only after he has stolen and hidden away a centuries-old orchid which contains some powerful chemical substances. The Clone is still convinced he's Sloane and won't reveal the location of the orchid, but Marshall comes up with a solution: the real Sloane will have to live through a painful memory, which will then be recorded and loaded onto the Clone's brain - this should shock him back to his original identity and then he will talk. "In Dreams" is the only episode of "Alias" directed by its main star, Jennifer Garner, and truth be told, she does a terrific job. Somewhat similar to season 3's "Conscious", this offbeat episode is largely a mind trip; the transitions between reality and memories / fantasies are beautifully done. The acting is superb, not only by Ron Rifkin (as usual), but also by Joel Grey as Arvin Clone - he is SO convincing that for a moment he had me thinking that he could actually be the genuine article! There are also two welcome guest returns of season 1 & 2 cast members. A very good episode - but don't forget to bring your handkerchiefs, you may need them. *** out of 4.

One Character.. One Episode !

[elshikh4 · 4 March 2008]

At this phase of (Alias), they made something good that maybe not all the continuous shows could do it; they made episodes starring mainly one character of the series' family, for the beauty of the character or its actor?, or for the sake of the continuance itself? Whatever the real reason was, it turned out to be nice altogether, and scarce too; because in other successful long-running shows, they might've never made something like that. For instance, I watched lately a documentary about "Miami Vice", another show which lasted for some years, and they never ever made one episode about one of the female characters, who were co-starring the show, even in the most rainy days of it, when the writers nearly didn't find anything to present.

So at those days of season 4, you'll find: (Ice) as (Vaughn)'s episode, (The Orphan) as (Nadia)'s episode, (Tuesday) as (Marshall)'s episode, then (Mirage) as (Jack)'s episode, and at last (In Dreams...) as (Sloane)'s episode.

This one was solid, wonderful, and moving. The sci-fi managed to be original and clever, plus it was emotionally effective to witness the soft side in Mr. (Sloane), and - for the first time ever - his own tears. Though the basic weak point was that he was crying over his late daughter who died because of a natural cause, so I don't think that the mighty (Arvin Sloane) could be that sensitive over a matter that he just had no hand in it, moreover there were so many crimes that he did in the past which could bother him, not to forget that he already got another daughter, (Nadia), and she with him indeed!

I thought that it might've been harder if he was partly the reason why (Jaclyn) died, so he got the motive to blame himself eagerly. Also I didn't buy the cock-and-bull story about putting what in the water, to be who, and how that didn't work because whatever! Still the thing to irritate more was that manipulation of the characters: Bad, Good, Bad, then Good! Some will think that's the beauty of it, some will think that's the ugliness of it, but who said that this show is about thinking?!

I loved the powerful music; whether at the bees' revolution, or during the critical moment of (Sloane)'s past, the cinematography of the dreams' sequences, that exotic spectacular location of (Sloane)'s heaven, and the directing of the whole thing especially the action out the auctions' hall. By the way, I was surprised when I knew that the episode was directed by (Jennifer Garner) herself. Too sad that she didn't direct more of (Alias), or rather anything else to date!

The academy award winner (Joel Grey) was so wicked as (Arvin Clone), the forever charming (Amy Irving) was sensitive as the bereaved wife even if it was just for couple of minutes, and for sure (Ron Rifkin) did such a fine job, perhaps his best, but I believe with another script, and stronger motives, that would've been great.

This is the last one of what I call a character's episode, as they would devote themselves to the season's climax. Good work though.