By John Keegan and Gregg Wright
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.
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.
Walt said it himself in an earlier episode: The profits from cooking meth were going to be smaller than when he was working for the Fring organization. The cut of the pie was going to be bigger, though. The cost of "hazard pay" seems to not be of Walt's liking. He thought that since he was the proverbial big man on campus now, he should get to reap the benefits without the hassle of paying employees. While he is king of the operation, there are the little details that Walt completely overlooks.
Well, it took nearly two-thirds of the season to finally happen, but it looks like this season of "True Blood" is starting to find some measure of direction. Various subplots are starting to intersect, and though it's still not happening enough for my taste, it's better than the wheel-spinning we've seen up to this point.