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My main criticism about the region 2 set of Alias' first season was that the packaging wasn't upto the standard of the series itself. It's immediately apparent that for season 2, Buena Vista have tried to improve matters. Instead of six trays held together by sellotape we've got three double-disc cases in a cardboard sleeve.

While the packaging for season 1 centred around Sydney Bristow, this time it reflects the family nature of the season, with Lena Olin and Victor Garber also shown.

As with season one, I don't see much point in reviewing the 22 episodes included in this set. Anyone buying it will already be acquainted with the series as, unlike the first season, there's little point in taking a punt on this set if you're unfamiliar with the show. That's true of many series, but it applies doubly to Alias and anyone who hasn't watched from the start will have no idea what's going on.

That's because if Sydney's life wasn't complicated before, it certainly is when her mother, former agent KGB agent Irina Derevko, turns herself into the CIA.

Season 2 builds on the series' first year, continuing Sloane's obsession with Rambaldi, Sydney and Jack's attempts to bring down SD-6 and Sydney's relationship with her CIA handler Michael Vaughn.

As with season 1, the series balances Sydney's work with the CIA and SD-6 with her private life, including her relationship with her father, friends Will and Francie and of, course, her mother.

Alias is one of the best examples of contemporary US television, yet has been treated shoddily by UK broadcasters. This set therefore provides the ideal opportunity to watch it, and it's definitely a series that benefits from subsequent viewing and the ability to rewatch scenes if required. (Something that's especially handy when they involve Jennifer Garner in lingerie.)

As well as the episodes in widescreen, the set also has a decent amount of extras:

Four well-chosen episodes (Phase One, A Dark Time, Second Double and The Telling) have commentaries, which are once again provided by a mix of cast and production team, which gives them each a different feel. J.J. Abrams unsurprisingly proves to be the most interesting participant.

The season one set gave us a look at the making of the pilot, and this time we get a look at the season finale, The Telling. Along with a featurette on the series' look, it's the only extra outside of the commentaries that's really worth bothering with. The rest are deleted scenes, a blooper real, and a look at the making of the Alias video game - all are the sort of things you'll look at once and not bother with again.

But that's not really a major problem. Twenty-two episodes of one of the best TV series around, a couple of interesting extras and better packaging that last time around make this a must-have for anyone remotely interested in the series. And, if you haven't already picked it up, it's available for less than twenty quid online. back to the top

ALIAS: SEASON 1

Starring JENNIFER GARNER,
VICTOR GARBER, MICHAEL VARTAN, MERRIN DUNGEY, CARL LUMBLY, KEVIN WEISMAN, BRADLEY COOPER,
LENA OLIN, DAVID ANDERS

BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAINMENT

REGION 2 PAL ( CERTIFICATE: 15


RATING: 9/10


NEXT RELEASE:
SEASON 3

PREVIOUS RELEASE:
SEASON 1