By John Keegan and Edmund Boys
Leading up to the latest “Newsroom”, a couple of factors had conspired to lead me to the conclusion I should give the show a bit of a break. Aaron Sorkin went on NPR’s Fresh Air and openly admitted it was a fantasy, an “aspirational” show about how he wished the news was presented. Then, during our podcast discussion, I was reminded of something I’d commented on in the pilot. We’re watching this story from its raw beginnings, with a group of deeply flawed characters who will (presumably) grow into the surreal, hyper-intelligent competence we expect in a Sorkin cast. So, I was prepared to ease up on my kvetching about unreal office politics and give the characters some time and space to develop.
Leading up to the latest “Newsroom”, a couple of factors had conspired to lead me to the conclusion I should give the show a bit of a break. Aaron Sorkin went on NPR’s Fresh Air and openly admitted it was a fantasy, an “aspirational” show about how he wished the news was presented. Then, during our podcast discussion, I was reminded of something I’d commented on in the pilot. We’re watching this story from its raw beginnings, with a group of deeply flawed characters who will (presumably) grow into the surreal, hyper-intelligent competence we expect in a Sorkin cast. So, I was prepared to ease up on my kvetching about unreal office politics and give the characters some time and space to develop.
Alphas recently returned to Syfy for its second season. One of the stars of the series is Malik Yoba, who plays Bill Harken, a former FBI agent who is a hyperadrenal Alpha. Harken has the temporary ability of super strength by activating his "fight or flight" response by flooding his system with adrenaline. Of course there is a downside - using it too long could cause a heart attack.
It's fitting, perhaps, that Sara Ellis would make her return to the show just when Neal is sent undercover to woo a beautiful heiress. The episode doesn't really milk the tension of this situation, but I found that more refreshing than disappointing. Sara remains extremely professional about the whole situation. And though Neal does confront Sara about what little tension does seem to have arisen between them, Sara is quick to explain that it's not Neal's fault. She has a personal reason for being bothered about Neal's departure.
James Wolk, who has previously appeared on television in series such as Lone Star, Shameless, and Happy Endings, plays the part of Douglas Hammond on Political Animals. Douglas is the son of Secretary of State (Sigourney Weaver) and former president of the United States (Ciarán Hinds). He works as his mother's Chief of Staff and tries to balance the politics with his own personal life, while also trying to help his twin brother keep it together.
Mary McDonnell is probably best known for her role as President Laura Roslin on the Syfy remake of Battlestar Galactica. She, however, has appeared in various films in the past such as Independence Day and Donnie Darko, and on television in series such as ER and Grey's Anatomy, and of course in the role of Captain Sharon Raydor in The Closer.
Most fans probably know Jean-Luc Bilodeau from his role as Josh Trager on Kyle XY. Bilodeau currently stars in his own new series on ABC Family, Baby Daddy.
Much like the concurrent episode of "Warehouse 13", this installment of "Alphas" is more notable for all the details surrounding the main plot than the case itself. As interesting as a man burning away his life due to his "super-speed" ability might be, it's not a particularly novel concept. As befitting a show like "Alphas", it comes down to how these events affect the characters.
Last Thursday's episode of Burn Notice caused quite the uproar among fans. The episode had a lot going on: by the end of the episode, the problem with Anson Fullerton (Jere Burns) was over, but at a price. The mystery person who killed Anson took Michael (Jeffrey Donovan)'s brother Nate (Seth Peterson) with him.
As season three of Covert Affairs unfolds, fans are noticing a faster pace and higher stakes for CIA agent Annie Walker (Piper Perabo). Series co-creators Matt Ord and Chris Corman recently told Scifi Vision that they “made a conscious choice to amp up the stakes this season.” 
Considering that the season premiere was foreshadowing some nasty future direction for Claudia, I think a number of fans were expecting her search for a "solution" to Steve's death was going to lead her down that path. This episode makes it clear that things are going to be a bit more complicated in that regard. Claudia seems destined for darkness, but perhaps not quite yet.