See, I loved the Superbowl ep (except for the aforementioned lingerie show) because it made use of the ensemble cast and had a lot of interesting and new things going on. Whereas the pacing of "Double Agent" seemed very draggy, we didn't really learn anything much new, and the focus was all on Syd, Vaughn and Ethan Hawke's character at the expense of the others. Plus, FauxFrancie is so obviously fake it's pathetic.

The Rambaldi aspect, while silly in itself, interests me for its potential to affect the dynamics of the Bristow family. Is Irina really the one prophecied to "bind [Rambaldi's works] with fury" and so "render the greatest power [Sloane?] unto utter desolation"? If so, she's even more powerful and central to the story than we (or Sydney) thought. Plus, the Rambaldi gadgets are fun. I like puzzles and treasure hunts, and the Rambaldi stuff gives me both.

I just hope that ALIAS doesn't become the Syd/Vaughn schmoop show, that's all.