View source for Alias season 2

{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox television season
| bgcolour      = #bb933c
| season_number = 2
| image         = Alias (season 2) DVD.jpg
| caption       = Season 2 DVD cover
| first_aired   = {{start date|2002|9|29}}
| last_aired    = {{end date|2003|5|4}}
| network       = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| num_episodes  = 22
| episode_list  = List of Alias episodes
}}

The second season of ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'' premiered September 29, 2002 on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and concluded May 4, 2003 and was released on DVD in [[DVD region code|region 1]] on December 2, 2003. Guest stars in season two include [[David Carradine]], [[Ethan Hawke]], [[Richard Lewis (comedian)|Richard Lewis]], [[Faye Dunaway]], [[Rutger Hauer]], [[Christian Slater]], and [[Danny Trejo]]. The thirteenth episode of the season, "Phase One", aired after [[Super Bowl XXXVII]].

==Cast==
===Main===
* [[Jennifer Garner]] as [[Sydney Bristow]] (22 episodes)
* [[Ron Rifkin]] as [[Arvin Sloane]] (22 episodes)
* [[Michael Vartan]] as [[Michael Vaughn (Alias)|Michael Vaughn]] (22 episodes)
* [[Bradley Cooper]] as [[Will Tippin]] (19 episodes)
* [[Merrin Dungey]] as [[Francie Calfo]] and [[Allison Doren]] (21 episodes)
* [[Carl Lumbly]] as [[Marcus Dixon (Alias)|Marcus Dixon]] (16 episodes)
* [[Kevin Weisman]] as [[Marshall Flinkman]] (21 episodes)
* [[David Anders]] as [[Julian Sark]] (15 episodes)
* [[Lena Olin]] as [[Irina Derevko]] (17 episodes)
* [[Victor Garber]] as [[Jack Bristow]] (22 episodes)

===Recurring===
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Terry O'Quinn]] as [[List of Alias characters#Assistant Director Kendall|FBI Assistant Director Kendall]] (16 episodes)
*[[Greg Grunberg]] as [[Eric Weiss]] (8 episodes)
*[[Patricia Wettig]] as Dr. Judy Barnett (4 episodes)
*[[Faye Dunaway]] as Ariana Kane (3 episodes)
*[[Amy Irving]] as [[List of Alias characters#Emily Sloane|Emily Sloane]] (3 episodes)
*[[Amanda Foreman (actress)|Amanda Foreman]] as [[Marshall Flinkman#Carrie Bowman|Carrie Bowman]] (2 episodes)
*[[Christian Slater]] as Dr. Neil Caplan (2 episodes)
*[[Ric Young]] as Dr. [[List of Alias characters#Dr. Zhang Lee|Zhang Lee]] (2 episodes)
*[[Derrick O'Connor]] as [[List of Alias characters#Alexander Khasinau|Alexander Khasinau]] (1 episode)
}}

== Episodes ==
{{see also|List of Alias episodes}}
<onlyinclude>{{Episode table|background=#bb933c|overall=3|season=3|title=19|director=15|writer=17|airdate=14|viewers=9|country=US|episodes=

{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=23
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
 |Title=The Enemy Walks In
 |DirectedBy=[[Ken Olin]]
 |WrittenBy=[[J. J. Abrams]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2002|9|29}}
 |Viewers=11.31<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41465735/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 23-29, 2002)|date=October 2, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney finds herself face-to-face with her [[Irina Derevko|mother]], whose intentions for her daughter are made chillingly clear. Meanwhile, Sydney continues her search for Vaughn, not knowing if he is dead or alive after being swept away by a wall of water in [[Taipei]]. Will's life is forever changed when he learns the truth about [[SD-6]] and Sydney's life as a [[double agent]]. Marcus Dixon must decide whether or not to inform Sloane of Sydney's suspicious activities.
 |LineColor=bb933c}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=24
 |EpisodeNumber2=2
 |Title=Trust Me
 |DirectedBy=[[Craig Zisk]]
 |WrittenBy=[[John Eisendrath]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2002|10|06}}
 |Viewers=9.73<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41465924/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2002)|date=October 9, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney must decide whether her mother's goodwill gesture was sincere or an attempt to kill her. Will witnesses Francie discussing her restaurant plans with a man whose affiliations are questionable, and Sloane is made a full partner in the malevolent [[Alliance of Twelve]].
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=25
 |EpisodeNumber2=3
 |Title=Cipher
 |DirectedBy=[[Dan Attias]]
 |WrittenBy=[[Alex Kurtzman]] & [[Roberto Orci]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2002|10|13}}
 |Viewers=9.44<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41464992/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 7-13, 2002)|date=October 16, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney must outwit Sark in order to find a crucial piece of intel. Meanwhile, Jack faces [[Irina Derevko|Irina]] for the first time in almost 20 years. Will finally meets Vaughn and Sloane is haunted by his wife's death. Sloane, who drinks only water is seen drinking whiskey in his office.  We are told that Emily's garden is dead but Sloane finds it in full bloom.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=26
 |EpisodeNumber2=4
 |Title=Dead Drop
 |DirectedBy=[[Guy Bee]]
 |WrittenBy=[[Jesse Alexander]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2002|10|20}}
 |Viewers=10.08<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41463788/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 14–20, 2002)|date=October 23, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney's dealings with her mother lead Jack to take drastic measures to ensure his daughter's safety. Meanwhile Will is confronted by a mysterious woman about resurrecting his story on SD-6.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=27
 |EpisodeNumber2=5
 |Title=The Indicator
 |DirectedBy=Ken Olin
 |WrittenBy=[[Jeff Pinkner]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2002|11|3}}
 |Viewers=10.60<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41469485/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 28-Nov. 3, 2002)|date=November 6, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney discovers a terrifying secret when she's sent on a case to track down a new generation of weapons. Meanwhile, Vaughn suspects Jack of setting up Irina to take a fall. Sloane tells Jack the truth about Emily's death.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=28
 |EpisodeNumber2=6
 |Title={{visible anchor|Salvation}}
 |DirectedBy=[[Perry Lang]]
 |WrittenBy=Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2002|11|10}}
 |Viewers=9.33<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41468699/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 4-10, 2002)|date=November 13, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney's trust in her father begins to fade. Meanwhile, Sydney and Vaughn may have been exposed to a deadly virus while in [[Taipei]]. Sloane, haunted by Emily's death, begins to unravel. Vaughn enlists Will to help research a case.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=29
 |EpisodeNumber2=7
 |Title=The Counteragent
 |DirectedBy=Dan Attias
 |WrittenBy= John Eisendrath
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2002|11|17}}
 |Viewers=9.65<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41464769/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 11-17, 2002)|date=November 20, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney races to find a cure for Vaughn, but in order to find the antidote, Sydney must make a deal with Sark that could endanger Sloane's life. Meanwhile, Will continues his research for Vaughn and discovers some disturbing inconsistencies involving 20-year-old standardized [[IQ]] tests. Sydney finds out that Vaughn has a girlfriend.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=30
 |EpisodeNumber2=8
 |Title=Passage (Part 1)
 |DirectedBy=Ken Olin
 |WrittenBy=Debra J. Fisher & [[Erica Messer]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2002|12|01}}
 |Viewers=9.10<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41464119/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 25-Dec. 1, 2002)|date=December 4, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney, Jack and Irina must put aside their differences and go undercover as a loving family in order to seize six [[nuclear warhead]]s from an abandoned facility in [[Kashmir]]. Meanwhile, Sloane announces to a suspicious staff that Sark will be working with SD-6, and later he is contacted by an unknown group claiming that Emily is still alive.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=31
 |EpisodeNumber2=9
 |Title=Passage (Part 2)
 |DirectedBy=Ken Olin
 |WrittenBy=[[Crystal Nix-Hines]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2002|12|08}}
 |Viewers=9.21<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41467785/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 2-8, 2002)|date=December 11, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney and Jack continue on a mission to take control of six [[nuclear warhead]]s. Irina meets up with Gerard Cuvee and we discover where Irina's loyalties lie. Meanwhile, Sloane informs the [[Alliance of Twelve|Alliance]] that Emily may still be alive.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=32
 |EpisodeNumber2=10
 |Title=The Abduction
 |DirectedBy=[[Nelson McCormick (director)|Nelson McCormick]]
 |WrittenBy=Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2002|12|15}}
 |Viewers=9.59<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41464303/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 9-15, 2002)|date=December 18, 2002|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Jack meets Alliance counterintelligence head Ariana Kane ([[Faye Dunaway]]), who is sent in to investigate Emily's disappearance and to discover who is trying to [[blackmail]] Sloane. Meanwhile, [[Marshall Flinkman|Marshall]] is sent on his first mission with Sydney as his partner.Vaughn schedules Will to take a CIA psych test. Francie gets suspicious over Sydney and Will's secretive behavior.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=33
 |EpisodeNumber2=11
 |Title=A Higher Echelon
 |DirectedBy=Guy Bee
 |WrittenBy=John Eisendrath
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|1|05}}
 |Viewers=9.66<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41429902/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 30, 2002-Jan. 5, 2003)|date=January 8, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=After completing his first mission with Sydney, Marshall's life is placed in mortal danger. Meanwhile, Ariana Kane suspects Jack as being the prime suspect in the disappearance of Sloane's wife. Vaughn learns the truth about Jack's involvement in the murder of CIA agent Haladki and Sydney confides in Francie about her feelings for a fellow co-worker.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=34
 |EpisodeNumber2=12
 |Title=The Getaway
 |DirectedBy=[[Lawrence Trilling]]
 |WrittenBy=Jeff Pinkner
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|1|12}}
 |Viewers=9.42<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41430025/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 6-12, 2003)|date=January 15, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=While Alliance counterintelligence head Ariana Kane tracks Sydney in order to catch her fugitive father, Jack elicits Irina's help in finding Sloane's [[blackmail]]er. Meanwhile, Sydney and Vaughn risk exposing their covers to SD-6 when they share a romantic dinner together while on a case in [[France]].
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=35
 |EpisodeNumber2=13
 |Title=Phase One
 |DirectedBy=[[Jack Bender]]
 |WrittenBy=J. J. Abrams
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|1|26}}
 |Viewers= 17.36<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zap2it.com/news/custom/photogallery/tv/la-et-post-super-bowl-tv-shows-pg,0,1005134,showall.photogallery |title=Best & Worst: Post-Super Bowl TV |publisher=Zap2it |access-date=April 21, 2021|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925220310/http://www.zap2it.com/news/custom/photogallery/tv/la-et-post-super-bowl-tv-shows-pg%2C0%2C1005134%2Cshowall.photogallery |archive-date=2012-09-25 }}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney and Jack are confronted by the new director of SD-6, one Geiger ([[Rutger Hauer]]), who replaces Sloane, whose whereabouts and intentions are unknown. Sydney learns of information that could destroy SD-6 and shut down the Alliance. Francie is killed by what looks like her [[doppelganger]].
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=36
 |EpisodeNumber2=14
 |Title=Double Agent
 |DirectedBy=Ken Olin
 |WrittenBy=Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|2|02}}
 |Viewers=11.39<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41429835/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2003)|date=February 5, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney, Vaughn and Jack must determine whether CIA agent Lennox ([[Ethan Hawke]]) is who he says he is after his deep cover mission is compromised in Berlin. It is discovered that an agency has built a machine capable of replicating a human being's appearance. In this case, there are two agents Lennox at large and Sydney must discover which one is the real one and which one is fake. It is hinted that the machine has been used before to replicate someone else this way (Francie).
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=37
 |EpisodeNumber2=15
 |Title=A Free Agent
 |DirectedBy=Alex Kurtzman
 |WrittenBy=Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|2|09}}
 |Viewers=10.28<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41429778/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 3-9, 2003)|date=February 12, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney must make a life-defining decision regarding her future with CIA, while Sloane re-emerges and continues his obsessive quest to piece together the mysterious Rambaldi artifacts—with the reluctant aid of a kidnapped scientist named Neil Caplan ([[Christian Slater]]). Meanwhile, Dixon's marriage is put to the test after he tells his wife the truth about his occupation.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=38
 |EpisodeNumber2=16
 |Title=Firebomb
 |DirectedBy=Craig Zisk
 |WrittenBy=John Eisendrath
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|2|23}}
 |Viewers=8.61<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41429660/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 17–23, 2003)|date=February 26, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=This is the episode in which it is revealed what some of [[Rambaldi]]'s mysterious artifacts really are: the pieces to build a reusable [[neutron bomb]] in the 15th century. Sloane is the one who controls it. Meanwhile, Vaughn begs Dixon to aid the CIA in rescuing Sydney, Will is called upon to participate in a crucial CIA briefing session, and Sydney notices that something with Francie is not quite right.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=39
 |EpisodeNumber2=17
 |Title=A Dark Turn
 |DirectedBy=Ken Olin
 |WrittenBy=Jesse Alexander
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|3|02}}
 |Viewers=10.69<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41429600/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 24-March 2, 2003)|date=March 5, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney begins to question where Vaughn's allegiances lie when she learns through CIA Agent Yaeger ([[Richard Lewis (comedian)|Richard Lewis]]) that he is under investigation. Meanwhile Irina and another crucial [[Rambaldi]] manuscript—this one about the secret of eternal life—are used as bait to try to catch Sloane. It turns out Vaughn had only been investigating Irina through his own means because the Agency was slow and he wanted to see if he could catch her in a lie or discover additional information. Sydney also welcomes Dixon to the CIA.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=40
 |EpisodeNumber2=18
 |Title= Truth Takes Time
 |DirectedBy=Nelson McCormick
 |WrittenBy=[[J. R. Orci]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|3|16}}
 |Viewers=9.66<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41424813/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 10–16, 2003)|date=March 19, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney faces off with her mother, while Emily must decide whether to side with her [[Arvin Sloane|husband]] or betray him.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=41
 |EpisodeNumber2=19
 |Title=Endgame
 |DirectedBy=Perry Lang
 |WrittenBy=Sean Gerace
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|3|30}}
 |Viewers=9.89<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41425843/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 24–30, 2003)|date=April 2, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney defies her father in her attempt to rescue kidnapped scientist Neil Caplan, while Sloane, seeking revenge for the assassination of his wife orders that Dixon's wife be taken out. Meanwhile, Allison in the guise of Francie manipulates an unsuspecting Will for his agency connections.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=42
 |EpisodeNumber2=20
 |Title=Countdown
 |DirectedBy=Lawrence Trilling
 |WrittenBy=R. P. Gaborno & Jeff Pinkner
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|4|27}}
 |Viewers=8.03<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41424238/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 21–27, 2003)|date=April 30, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=A Rambaldi manuscript prophesizes that an apocalyptic event involving a heart will soon take place. An agent ([[Danny Trejo]]) is sent after one man in Panama in order to steal his heart. Dixon's grief leads Vaughn and agency [[psychologist]] Dr. Barnett to question his intentions, as his thirst for revenge on Sloane intensifies. Meanwhile Sloane receives a life-changing revelation from a mysterious [[monk]] ([[David Carradine]]) in [[Nepal]], Sydney and Dixon hunt for the killer who stole the heart from his victim.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=43
 |EpisodeNumber2=21
 |Title=Second Double
 |DirectedBy=Ken Olin
 |WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay|s= [[Breen Frazier]]|t= Crystal Nix-Hines}}
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|5|04}}
 |Viewers=10.10<ref name="2.21-2.22">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41425184/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 28-May 4, 2003)|date=May 7, 2003|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 21, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney begins to question Will's identity when he's arrested for [[espionage]], under suspicion of being a double. Meanwhile Sark and Irina plot to recover the Di Regno heart, and Sloane makes Jack a business proposal.
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}{{Episode list/sublist|Alias season 2
 |EpisodeNumber=44
 |EpisodeNumber2=22
 |Title=The Telling
 |DirectedBy=J. J. Abrams
 |WrittenBy=J. J. Abrams
 |OriginalAirDate={{start date|2003|5|04}}
 |Viewers=10.10<ref name="2.21-2.22"/>
 |ShortSummary=Sydney confronts her mother, who reveals her true motivation. Sloane, for his part, begins to execute his new grand plan, Will struggles to figure out who's behind his set-up. Sydney and Allison have a vicious confrontation, which in turn leads to a starling revelation by Vaughn to Sydney!
 |LineColor=bb933c
}}
}}</onlyinclude>

==Reception==
Despite earning critical acclaim from ''[[USA Today]]''<ref name="usatoday">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2003-01-23-alias_x.htm|publisher=[[USA Today]]|date=2003-01-23|first=Robert|last=Bianco|title=Super 'Alias' will bowl you over}}</ref> and attracting the largest audience of the series with 17.4 million viewers,<ref name="medialife">{{cite news|url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/jan03/jan27/3_wed/news3wednesday.html |publisher=Media Life Magazine |first=Toni |last=Fitzgerald |title=How ABC fumbled its Super Bowl edge |date=2003-01-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514131919/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/jan03/jan27/3_wed/news3wednesday.html |archive-date=2012-05-14 }}</ref> "Phase One" retained just 19 percent<ref name="medialife"/> of the [[Super Bowl XXXVII]] audience and has the dubious distinction of earning the lowest overall ratings for a program airing after a [[Super Bowl]] since at least 1987<ref name="medialife"/> and the lowest rating ever (8.3 rating) in the age 18-49 demographic for a post-[[Super Bowl]] program.<ref name="medialife"/> Much of this can be attributed to the fact that the episode didn't air until 11 p.m. on the East Coast, which also meant it was not eligible for the week's list of top primetime shows ranked by [[Nielsen Media Research]] and thus, the episode's viewership numbers were not factored in the series' overall 2002-2003 season average. This late slot was partially due to a decision to include a [[Bon Jovi]] performance in the post-game show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/la-et-st-super-bowl-episodes-deep-dive-20170205-story.html|title = Super TV: A look at some of the best post-Bowl episodes}}</ref>

In 2009, ''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked "The Telling" as #84 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rev-views.blogspot.com/2009/06/tv-guides-top-100-episodes.html|title=TV Guide's Top 100 Episodes|publisher=Rev/Views|access-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622070727/http://rev-views.blogspot.com/2009/06/tv-guides-top-100-episodes.html|archive-date=June 22, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Home release==
The 6-DVD box set of Season 2 was released in region 1 format (US) on December 2, 2003, in region 2 format (UK) on June 7, 2004 and in region 4 format (AU) on July 4, 2004. The DVDs contain all episodes of Season 2, plus the following features:
* Deleted Scenes
* Gag Reel
* Audio Commentary with cast & crew
* ''The Making of The Telling'' – An In-Depth Look at the Season Finale
* ''The Making of the Video Game''
* Featurette: ''Undercover: The Look of Alias'' – A Look at Costume Design, Makeup, and Disguises
(A skit filmed for ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' was advertised as being in the set, but was removed from the DVD set before release.)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb episodes|0285333}}

{{Alias}}

[[Category:2002 American television seasons]]
[[Category:2003 American television seasons]]
[[Category:Alias (TV series) seasons]]