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A Dark Turn Review by Jenn

A Dark Turn Review
By: Jenn aka SourAngel47

 

A Dark Turn

Overall rating: (1-10) 9.12

Now that's what I call elevator music:  At first, I was thinking to myself, "Did I miss something?  Are we supposed to know who these people are?"  But I held out faith, as I always seem to do, and continued to watch.  I'd read TVGuide's summary, so I'll admit that I was scared that it was going to be Vaughn, rather than Sark, who caused it.  I know, I know, I'm a horrible Vaughn!Fan, please don't publicly stone me to death for it!  And that sure was a lot of work just to pick a pocket.  Geez, Oliver Twist!

Knock, knock:  I loved Jack in this episode, especially in this scene.  I think that Kendall's comment ("You ex-wife mentions...") got to him a lot more than he let on (naturally, because he's Jack) and this became more apparent as he's talking with Irina.  He's able to speak with her with less animosity and betrayal in his voice, and seems much more relaxed and less guarded than previously.  Despite the fact that we know what happens, I loved the "And give Sydney her reason to get out" line.


The hat trick:  Quite possibly one of the best scenes of the episode, in my opinion; definitely the best in my 'shipper heart's opinion (and we all know that it has one of it's own!)  It was great to see Sydney and Vaughn outside of the office, where they could be themselves.  This makes up a little bit for not being able to see them at the hockey game. ("Firebomb")  We got to see that Vaughn has a life outside of work, outside of Sydney, and that he wanted to share that part of his life with her, rather than keep it to himself.  Very brave move, in my opinion, because should something happen to the relationship, whenever he goes skating, or to watch/play a hockey game, he's going to think of her.  And if that's something he does often...And then as the two are happily chatting, without a care in the world, (er, okay, maybe not) and then she brings up her mother, as she might with anyone else, and completely kills the mood.  Their words don't change much, but the tension in the air skyrockets.  I think that if they weren't together romantically, it probably wouldn't have been as significant, but it was just another reminder of everything that still stands between them, and there's no trace of a reminded of everything they've already overcome.

Have you two gotten it on yet? Congrats to Sydney for not divulging the intimate aspect of her relationship to Yeager.  I think Yeager's like Evil!Francie and gets off hearing about and watching other people have sex!  Hehe, just kidding...sorta...

"Oh Jackie, can I eat this one for dinner?"  Classic Marshall in this scene, which we all know that I love.  Of course he would try to suck up to SpyMommy by complimenting the daughter that she's had next to no relationship with for the past 20 years.  But whatever.  "Wow, you're tough!"  Well, no kidding, sweetie!  Stupid line, but true Marshall, so I'll let it slide.
Hey Yeager, where the hell are *your* priorities?  Grr, stupid jerk-person.  *grumbles*

Who's watching *your* back?  I thought it was great, not to mention incredible character development, that Jack saved Irina's life.  He could have let her die, and there was a time when he would have gladly said "Screw the mission," and killed her himself.  So one of two things happened:  either he trusts her now (which I'd be hard pressed to believe) or he's more concerned with Sydney getting out of the life of espionage than letting Irina hurt him again.

*Swallows*  Did anyone else think that Vaughn was letting his guard down about his research in this scene (the one at Sydney's house.)  He seems very edgy about not having been included in the op, and all the viewer knows at this point is that he's under suspicion for betraying the CIA.  We, like Sydney (though her to a lesser extent, I think,) were beginning to doubt everything he did, and read into everything he said.  No longer was he just "Michael Vaughn, the great guy, Sydney-obsessivist" but he was an actual person (well, character) with flaws and uncertain loyalties.

I think that showing Sydney pull out Vaughn's laptop was a great move.  Speaking of humanizing the characters, I think this did that for Sydney as well.  It made us realize that we're not the only one's questioning Vaughn.  As many lies as she's been told, she has a very good reason not believe anything anymore.  Even Vaughn.

Daydream believer:  There was more to Vaughn's comment about Will's dreams going away than what was just on the surface (per usual) but I've yet to figure out what it was.  :(


Ya know what they say about loyalty:  Can anyone picture Vaughn going insane?  As much as part of me would love to see that, I'd rather have them live happily ever after (yeah, I'm a sap, I know.)  And I thought it was so sweet how he was gonna give her the key...there was more to that, too...like he was also giving her his heart (even though we know she already has it) or opening himself up to her a little bit more.  But then I (as well as every other 'shipper out there, I'd imagine) was heartbroken when he said, "Obviously, an inappropriate move."

"Would you betray someone you love?"  I knew this line was coming, not in this context, but it was better coming from Sydney than Yeager.  (Wasn't he the one who said it on the preview?  I don't remember.)  It was really sweet of Sydney not to make the copy of Vaughn's hard drive.  It proves that she trusts what's in her heart, what she knows rather than just what she's been told.  She isn't sure what's going on, but she takes what she's certain of, and believes it all the way.  Granted, it sorta came back to bite her in the ass, but regardless, she trusted the one she loved.  And I commend her for that.

Also, Jennifer Garner's performance in this scene was amazing.  You could feel the anger and animosity toward Yeager (and herself) coming off of her.  Absolutely amazing.

"I love you, Mommy!"  This was probably the most powerful scene in the entire episode.  Irina has a plan, but still wants to see her daughter before she initiates it.  She wants Sydney to know that she loves her, despite the fact that she was just part of Mommy-dearest's undercover op, but when a solid bond starts to emerge, she wisely pulls away, not just for her sake, but for her daughter's as well.  Irina knows she won't be back ("Mom, you're coming back."   "I hope so.") and doesn't want to get more emotionally attached to her than she already has.

You are getting sleepy...and horny...  All right, the scene with Will and EvilHypnotist!Francie was just...vomit-inducing.  *shudders*

ParentalSpy!Whoopie:  I know that a lot of people thought that Jack was out of character in this scene with Irina.  I disagree.  I believe he was in rare form, but not really out of character.  He's such a complex character, and we know so little about his past, that I doubt there's anything he could say or do that would be really OOC.  Personally, I think they've been dancing around this since before their last mission together, in India.  I think they probably would have hooked up then, but Sydney was there, and that probably would have created a bit of an awkward situation.  "See, Mommy and Daddy have been apart for 20 years.  She was dead, but now she's not.  She hurt us all, but see, my dad hasn't gotten any in a long LONG time, so he figured 'what the hell' and did her on the mission.  Good for them!"  *rolls eyes, but smiles at the wonderful use of sarcasm*

What a good friend:  I think it was really great of Weiss to stand up and risk his job and stuff to help Vaughn.  He, like Sydney, knew that Vaughn was loyal, and was willing to risk everything to prove it.

"Just one look, that's all it took..."  Loved the look on Vaughn's face at the bar when Sydney sits down next to him.  It clearly screams "Oh, sh*t!"
Speaking of looks, that look Irina gave the sky (presumably Jack) was priceless.  A sorrow-filled good bye, with a hint of a thank you in there too.

Hit the road, Jack:  Jack's reaction to Irina's betrayal was just incredible.  Loved it!

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