Alias backdrop
Action & Adventure•Drama

The Best Episodes of Alias Season 1

Every episode of Alias Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Alias Season 1!

Binge this in 17h 1m•Peaking at 8.5/10

Sydney Bristow, an agent who has been tricked to believe she is working for the U.S. government, is actually working for a criminal organization named the Alliance of Twelve. Upon learning this, Sydney becomes a

Airs on
ABC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Alias Season 1 Episode 1 - Truth Be Told
    8.2/10(1471 votes)

    #1 - Truth Be Told

    S1:E1

    Sydney's loyalties are tested after a tragedy exposes the dark side of her superiors and the underhanded doings of her own father.

    Director:J.J. Abrams
    Writer:J.J. Abrams

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Alias Season 1 Episode 2 - So It Begins
    7.7/10(949 votes)

    #2 - So It Begins

    S1:E2

    Sydney gets shocking info on her dad's role in Danny's murder and takes on a countermission against the SD-6 to bring down an arms dealer linked to a missing nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Will begins to grow suspicious of his friend's secret life; and Vaughn is taken off Syd's case after his mishap puts the entire world in danger.

    Director:Ken Olin
    Writer:J.J. Abrams

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Alias Season 1 Episode 3 - Parity
    7.6/10(845 votes)

    #3 - Parity

    S1:E3

    A mission to steal an ancient sketch pits Syd against her sworn nemesis, a Russian agent who's after the same target. But when the container holding the painting proves impenetrable, the two foes are forced to team up to satisfy their respective agencies. Meanwhile, Will begins to notice something very fishy about Danny's murder; and Francie frets over her guy's possible infidelity.

    Director:Mikael Salomon
    Writers:Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Alias Season 1 Episode 4 - A Broken Heart
    7.5/10(808 votes)

    #4 - A Broken Heart

    S1:E4

    Sydney and Dixon go on a dangerous case involving the safety of the United Commerce Organization. Francie confronts Charlie about his secret date with another woman, and Will continues to get closer to the truth about Danny's murder.

    Director:Harry Winer
    Writer:Vanessa Taylor

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Alias Season 1 Episode 5 - Doppelgänger
    7.7/10(756 votes)

    #5 - Doppelgänger

    S1:E5

    Sydney's secret double agent status is jeopardized after she smuggles a biotech engineer into SD-6 from her mission in Berlin. Will meets a woman who confesses that she was having an affair with Danny shortly before his death. Vaughn informs Sydney that her father may be working for a third secret operative agency.

    Director:Ken Olin
    Writer:Daniel Arkin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Alias Season 1 Episode 6 - Reckoning
    7.6/10(732 votes)

    #6 - Reckoning

    S1:E6

    Sydney goes undercover in a mental institution to get information from Shepard, a man who has been unconsciously programmed to be a deadly assassin. Meanwhile, after Sydney becomes convinced that her father was responsible for the death of her mother 20 years earlier. Will discovers the true identity of the woman who claimed having an affair with Danny and Francie is relieved to learn that Charlie is not having an affair other woman. Marshall finds the computer worm planted in the SD-6 mainframe by the CIA.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Jesse Alexander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Alias

    READ
  7. Alias Season 1 Episode 7 - Color Blind
    7.9/10(742 votes)

    #7 - Color Blind

    S1:E7

    While helping Shepard escape from the asylum in Bucharest, Sydney discovers the shocking connection he has with her past. Meanwhile, after tracking the computer virus secretly planted by the CIA, Sloane is confronted by Alliance representative Alain Christophe, who suggests that one or more moles may have infiltrated SD-6. Will continues to investigate the woman claiming to be Danny's mistress and Sydney finds out the truth about her father's involvement in her mother's death 20 years earlier.

    Director:Jack Bender
    Writers:Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Alias Season 1 Episode 8 - Time Will Tell
    7.8/10(694 votes)

    #8 - Time Will Tell

    S1:E8

    Sydney must undergo an extensive lie detector test to satisfy Sloane's frantic search for the SD-6 mole. Meanwhile, with nemesis Anna Espinosa following her every move, Sydney seeks out the connection that a device may have to the 500-year-old prophetic Rambaldi sketch. The mystery of Kate Jones deepens as Will continues to investigate Danny's death; and Sydney discovers that a keepsake from her mother Laura contains more disturbing connections into Jack's past alliances.

    Director:Perry Lang
    Writer:Jeff Pinkner

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Alias Season 1 Episode 9 - Mea Culpa
    7.9/10(702 votes)

    #9 - Mea Culpa

    S1:E9

    Sydney's life is placed in mortal danger when Sloane is informed by his superior that she is the SD-6 mole. Meanwhile, Dixon's life hangs in the balance after he is shot on a mission, and Will realizes that his discovery of Kate Jones' pin could uncover some unexpected information.

    Director:Ken Olin
    Writers:Erica Messer, Debra J. Fisher

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Alias Season 1 Episode 10 - Spirit
    7.7/10(674 votes)

    #10 - Spirit

    S1:E10

    Sydney briefs her CIA handler, Agent Vaughn, on her recent captivity at SD-6 and is surprised when he unexpectedly gives her a Christmas gift. Meanwhile Jack has to find a way to save Sydney when he discovers that Sloane has ordered her tortured and killed for being the suspected SD-6 mole. Will may be making the mistake of his life when he begins to research a name heard on a mysterious audiocassette -- SD-6.

    Director:Jack Bender
    Writers:J.J. Abrams, Vanessa Taylor

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Alias Season 1 Episode 11 - The Confession
    7.8/10(665 votes)

    #11 - The Confession

    S1:E11

    Sydney is grateful and proud of her father after he saves her life while on a case in Havana. But her admiration is short lived when Vaughn discovers further evidence that Jack may have been responsible for the deaths of over a dozen CIA officers many years earlier.

    Director:Harry Winer
    Writers:J.J. Abrams, Daniel Arkin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Alias Season 1 Episode 12 - The Box (1)
    8.3/10(780 votes)

    #12 - The Box (1)

    S1:E12

    When armed intruders take over SD-6, led by McKenas Cole, a man bent on exacting revenge on ex-boss Sloane, Sydney and Jack must work together to save their colleagues. Meanwhile, Will fears that his investigation of SD-6 and its link to the murder of Eloise Kurtz is placing his life in jeopardy.

    Director:Jack Bender
    Writer:Jesse Alexander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Alias Season 1 Episode 13 - The Box (2)
    8.2/10(745 votes)

    #13 - The Box (2)

    S1:E13

    Vaughn disobeys orders and attempts to help Sydney and Jack avert the destruction of SD-6 headquarters and all its occupants. Meanwhile, McKenas Cole continues his vendetta against Sloane and searches for a mysterious device. A desperate but determined woman convince Will to continue his investigation of SD-6 and the imprisonment of David McNeil.

    Director:Jack Bender
    Writer:Jesse Alexander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Alias Season 1 Episode 14 - The Coup
    7.4/10(658 votes)

    #14 - The Coup

    S1:E14

    Sydney and Dixon are sent to Las Vegas to gather information from a K-Directorate agent who has ties to the group that attacked and nearly destroyed SD-6. Meanwhile, Sydney learns some shocking news about Francie's fiancé, Charlie, Will begins his journey in discovering what SD-6 really is, and Jack continues to try to be more of a father to Sydney when he helps her decide whether or not to continue with graduate school.

    Director:Thomas J. Wright
    Writers:Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Alias Season 1 Episode 15 - Page 47
    7.8/10(667 votes)

    #15 - Page 47

    S1:E15

    Vaughn asks Sydney to use her friendship with Sloane's wife, Emily, to gain access to a mysterious Rambaldi book which happens to be under lock and key in a safe at Sloane's home. Meanwhile, Will is kidnapped and told to drop his investigation of SD-6 or risk the lives of his family and friends, including Sydney's.

    Director:Ken Olin
    Writers:J.J. Abrams, Jeff Pinkner

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Alias Season 1 Episode 16 - The Prophecy
    7.8/10(635 votes)

    #16 - The Prophecy

    S1:E16

    Sydney is tested by the DSR to discover her mysterious link to a chilling 500-year-old picture and prophecy foretold in a Rambaldi manuscript. Meanwhile, after uncovering the identity of the rogue group leader, "The Man," Sloane learns through fellow Alliance of Twelve member Edward Poole that a close friend may be in cahoots with the enemy.

    Director:Davis Guggenheim
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Alias Season 1 Episode 17 - Q & A
    7.3/10(661 votes)

    #17 - Q & A

    S1:E17

    While the FBI detains and questions Sydney about her past and possible ties to a mysterious Rambaldi doomsday prophecy, Vaughn and Jack must race to free her and find a way to clear her name before her cover is blown and SD-6 is made aware of the situation. Once the rescue op has been launched, in her quest to prove her innocence, Sydney shocks even her usually unflappable father when she makes a chilling discovery that may unravel the mystery of the 500-year-old prophecy – she finds proof that Rambaldi's writings may hold more truth about an alleged weapon of mass destruction - and the fate of her own family.

    Director:Ken Olin
    Writer:J.J. Abrams

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Alias Season 1 Episode 18 - Masquerade
    7.4/10(618 votes)

    #18 - Masquerade

    S1:E18

    While on a case to track the activities of Khasinau, a.k.a. "The Man," Sydney runs into her ex-lover, Noah Hicks, who broke her heart and left without saying goodbye five years earlier. Meanwhile, Sydney tells Sloane that she wants to find her mother; Jack is ordered to see CIA psychiatrist Dr. Barnett to help him deal with his churning emotions after discovering that his wife may still be alive; and Will and Francie become suspicious of Sydney's activities after finding one of her airline ticket stubs.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Alias Season 1 Episode 19 - Snowman
    7.6/10(622 votes)

    #19 - Snowman

    S1:E19

    Sloane begins to question where Noah's true allegiances lie, as passion ignites between Sydney and Noah. Meanwhile, Sydney continues to uncover new information about her mother, which disturbes Jack. A rogue assassin known as the Snowman is dispatched by K-Directorate to kill Khasinau, a.k.a. "The Man." Will and Francie confront Sydney about the mysterious airline ticket stub found in her jacket.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Jeff Pinkner, Jesse Alexander

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Alias Season 1 Episode 20 - The Solution
    7.6/10(642 votes)

    #20 - The Solution

    S1:E20

    In order to catch Khasinau and get closer to finding her mother, Sydney and Vaughn set up an undercover transaction for a Rambaldi artifact with Khasinau's representative, Mr. Sark. But Sydney's cover may be compromised when a SD-6 agent is sent in to thwart the sale. Meanwhile, Will is enticed to continue his investigation of SD-6 when he learns the identity of one of his kidnappers. Emily tells Sydney that she knows about SD-6, which forces Sloane to make the most difficult decision of his life.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Alias Season 1 Episode 21 - Rendezvous
    8.2/10(688 votes)

    #21 - Rendezvous

    S1:E21

    Will's life is about to change as he is sent to find the person responsible for leaking information to him about SD-6. Meanwhile, Sloane finds himself on the cusp of finally tracking down Khasinau when SD-6 captures "The Man's" right-hand man, Mr. Sark. Dixon becomes suspicious of Sydney's activities.

    Director:Ken Olin
    Writers:Erica Messer, Debra J. Fisher

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Alias Season 1 Episode 22 - Almost Thirty Years
    8.5/10(774 votes)

    #22 - Almost Thirty Years

    S1:E22

    In order to save Will's life, Sydney and Vaughn must destroy a familiar looking Rambaldi device, while Jack makes a risky deal with Khasinau's representative, Mr. Sark. Meanwhile, the CIA believes that one of their own is a mole for "The Man"; the Alliance comes to a decision regarding the fate of Emily Sloane; Dixon's suspicions about Sydney intensify; and Sydney finds herself face-to-face with "The Man."

    Director:J.J. Abrams
    Writer:J.J. Abrams

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Truth Be Told" is the best rated episode of "Alias" season 1. It scored 8.2/10 based on 1471 votes. Directed by J.J. Abrams and written by J.J. Abrams, it aired on 9/30/2001. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "So It Begins".