With her mother's organization in disarray, Syd is sent to acquire a disc of hers that will allow SD-6 to blackmail those she once did. But when Laura offers valuable intel to assist Sydney, can she be trusted?

This episode very much revolves around Laura, even though she remains encaged throughout it. The key question here is trust, whether it can be given, who to, and who is playing what games with who. Laura's desire to talk only to Sydney is a predictable one, but it does lead to some fantastic scenes between the main characters. Michael Vartan is splendid when he goes to visit her, noticeably shaky, saying the wrong things, and clearly not covering his hatred for Laura killing his father especially well. He keeps his composure, but you can see the anger within so well.

Likewise, both Sydney and Jack aren't keen to get involved. After one piece of correct intel, Syd feels it necessary to visit her mother and find out more information. Even though she sets the ground rules, however, you get the feeling that someone Laura is still pulling the strings. I don't know how, but there's just something about her, especially her smile as Syd leaves, that suggests she knows what she's doing and why. Jacks' confrontation with his daughter after she sees her mother is excellent, Jack giving Syd a serious warning not to trust anything Laura says or does, as she may not live to regret paying attention. It's a warning that looks like it may have fallen on deaf ears as Sydney tries to separate her personal and professional lives and finds she can't. And let's not forget this is the woman the Rambaldi prophecies said would cause devastation across the world.

Sydney's missions are the best element of this story. The first one racks up the tension fantastically, even though it's over nothing more than a fire alarm and whether or not Syd should trust her mother's instruction to pull it before opening a safe. While it seems she should have done, Jack makes a valid point when he claims pulling that could have made the situation even worse. Her second mission is even more exciting, as Sloane turns up to blackmail someone just as Syd is mid-theft. The close calls are fantastic, leaving me breathless, but demonstrating just how good this girl is. Great stuff once again.

****

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