Everyone's wondering, "Is Vaughn really dead?" and "Why did Michael Vartan leave Alias?" and "Who the hell is the frozen dude in the box?" Well, Ausiello at TV Guide has some (possible) answers.
It went like this: after his breakup with Jennifer Garner, he wanted to leave the show, and told producers maybe Vaughn could die on assignment. They said no, you have a contract. Then this season producers wanted to give the show a boost and remembered that Vartan wanted to be killed off so they wrote the current story. By this time Vartan had changed his mind and wanted to stay, but the producers already had the story in motion. They always planned to have Vartan come back for a few episodes...but they never got Vartan to sign that contract!
Luckily, negotiations are continuing...stay tuned...
(And if you're wondering if the popsicle in the box is Vaughn, Ausiello says "that would be a little too obvious, don't you think?" - which you can take any way you like. Personally, I think it's Rambaldi in the box - a little too sci-fi, but it's probably the last season of the show, so why not go out with a big bang and end the Rambaldi story once and for all?)














Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-12-2005 @ 10:43PM
Emma said...
Give me a break. They rewrote the storyline when they found out Garner was pregnant and only then did they decide to kill "Vaughn" off so her pregnancy would be front and center stage of the storyline. JJ had promised MV a good storyline after the finale of S4 with him telling Syd he was not Vaughn. ABC/Bad Robot have lied through their teeth regarding MV's departure and now are trying to put the blame on him for wanting to leave. I hope everyone remembers that the breakup occurred well over a year ago and it was only natural for him to be upset when shooting resumed in 2004 and you certainly can't blame him for saying he wanted to leave...if he said it...knowing that he would have to be doing love scenes with her in the very beginning episodes of the season. As time went on during the season, he got over it and he and Garner were on good terms, at least so sources say. ABC shot themselves in the foot by letting him go without having a backup contract to return for a few more episodes. I hope he tells them to shove it and I hope the ratings continue to drop. Since his departure, you couldn't pay me to watch Alias.
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10-13-2005 @ 1:13AM
rosanne said...
Emma, you are so on point. I agree with everything you have said. I to hope that Michael Vartan does not go back to this show.
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10-13-2005 @ 3:14AM
Anonymous said...
I agree with you too Emma. As much as I miss seeing Vaughn/Vartan on ALIAS I do hope he tells them to shove it and not come back! At this point it would be way too unrealistic even in ALIAS standards for him to show up after getting shot that way. If the pregnancy storyline had to be the new thing on ALIAS at least they could've sent Vaughn to hide until it was over.. I am absolutely upset with the way they wrote off Vartan and it would only piss me off more if they bring him back.
p.s. I've stopped watching ALIAS, it's just too depressing and too damn boring and irritating to watch Syd and her 'hormones'!
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10-13-2005 @ 8:34AM
Amber said...
Well, either way, I'm glad he's gone. He was a real drag on the show. Then again, I've stopped watching the show this season, and I would have done this if Vaughn had stayed or gone. It's just not entertaining anymore. But this version of events sounds like the most plausible. I trust Ausiello more than I trust Kirsten at Eonline.
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10-13-2005 @ 10:15AM
PamB said...
I am just sick that they axed Vaughn. I thought he brought a real energy to the show especially since everyone already knew about his breakup with Syd. I totally enjoyed seeing them together. His devotion to her cannot be faked and it brought a level of reality and real emotion to the show. I still won't miss a minute of the show but I am very disappointed.
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10-13-2005 @ 12:40PM
Jen said...
I'm much more upset about Weiss and Nadia being gone (and of course, Lena Olin). I'm this close to not watching anymore. But how they handled Vaughn's death was so tacky and disrespectful to both the actor and the character. Ouch!
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10-13-2005 @ 12:42PM
Kristina said...
I feel similar to Emma - I miss Michael and will not be watching Alias this season. I think that Alias used bad business sense in not only getting rid of a talented actor, but also the numerous and amazing plot twists that last season's bombshell could have opened. It is uncomfortable to work with someone that you have been involved with, but they are all professionals and should have showed the ability to rise above it all.
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10-13-2005 @ 4:01PM
Reenie said...
This seems to be the 'company line' that ABC is touting & they think we are dumb enough to believe it, which stokes the fire for me against the suits who cow-towed to Afflecks & Co. I agree with Emma as well. What they did to Vartan was despicable, and ruined one of my favorite characters.
I no longer watch the show. I hope it sinks into ratings hell.
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10-13-2005 @ 5:54PM
Jeannie said...
I think they had to remove Vaughn so that pregnancy did not take center stage. I love Vaughn - but it makes sense. If Vaughn were there, would he even let Syd work? No way. This way she has a "mission" to find who "killed" him. As for it being plausible - why wouldn't he wear a bullet-proof vest in a situation like that? Yes, he was still shot - but it could be survivable. Syd and Spydaddy sent him into hiding to protect him while he recovers. Syd needs to find out who the "killers" are so that he can come back safely. I hate that he's gone, but let's face it - it would be all about them prepping for baby - and that's not the Alias tone.
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10-13-2005 @ 9:02PM
Kelly said...
Everyone's right. The show SUCKS now that everyone is getting killed off, or is leaving. Especially Vartan. What a hottie. But seriously, he really added to the show and I sympathize with him, that had to be really hard dealing with the kissing scenes, and just plain being around Garner and Affleck when he visited the set. But actually, the show started going down hill when Vartan and Garner broke up. The kissed less, made out less, and never slept together. What--did they have like a shower scene together, and that's it?? Their kisses sucked after they broke up in real life, and now everyone's trying to get off the show before it's canceled.
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10-14-2005 @ 4:17AM
Bettina said...
I can't even stay awake for the show any longer and if I never see Garner again it iwll be a day too soon. Garner has been around the block more times than the sidewalk and for all anyone knows Vartan could be the father of her child. I read the spin she put out about how she got drunk and had a one night stand with Ben Affleck. As I recall Ben Affleck is an alcoholic so what is she doing getting wasted and pregnant on a company time. Both Ben Affleck or Jennifer Garner are very selfish individuals that seriously lack the compassion to be fit parents. He is drunk and she is morally limber. I like to see Vartan back but with Nadia. Garner has lost my attention but I do believe the paternity of her child is in question and after the child is born a best interest hereing should take place so the welfare of Garner's baby is not in jeporady by someone who falls off the wagon and a mother who sleeps around. Vartan did his job. Affleck isn't associated with the show or Disney(Burnt that bridge over the Weinsteins) and Garner clearly didn't care enough about the cast and crew to consult someone that she might be thinking about getting pregnant. There is a Blog out there that also says they (Garner and Affleck) aren't really married and I am inclined to believe that story. Garner is through in Hollywood and as a parent. I shall waste no more time on the show or the subject.
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10-14-2005 @ 12:52PM
Julie said...
Thanks Jeanine...your insight lifted a weight off my shoulders. I was FURIOUS they killed off Vaughn in the first episode, especially with this being the last season, but let's face it...if not it would have been baby, baby, baby and that's not Alias' style. I will miss Vaughn/Vartan. I think he's fabulous. Here's to hoping for a return from hiding in the last several episodes.
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10-14-2005 @ 8:04PM
Kaitlan said...
Well I hope that Vartan will come back, and I don't care how as long as they don't bring him back from the dead. That would be stupid! I really miss him. The show just isn't the same without him. So I hope that he comes back soon, and for good. But who knows with this show. Even is he is not a regular if he comes back, they could turn him back into a regular. So that would be all good. I just hope that he comes back. I really really miss him!!
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10-24-2005 @ 4:58PM
sam said...
My sister and I have watched Alias since the beginning. The first two seasons were great. The third was a bit peculiar, but definitely good enough. Last season made little sense. And this season is EXHAUSTING! Each week we say we've given up on the show but watch, hoping against hope that Michael Vartan will be brought back. I don't hate JG. But I really think it was a mistake last season and this season to turn the show into the JG show. I liked the first two seasons so much because it really was an ensemble cast. Now it's just JG and "the rest". In terms of character development and storylines, this season is better than last season - that was just a sad joke - and if Michael Vartan hadn't died, I was all set for a great season. But then he was really dead. We were stunned. But it seems like the show is just biding its time until it's canceled.
Vartan coming back (he could be revived like Sloane was after being executed) would really improve the whole thing - his death just didn't make any sense and wasn't respectful of the storyline or the fans. I TOTALLY agree that a sugary sweet JG and MV preparing for baby would be the WRONG tone for Alias - but I don't think that would be necessary. It could really be an ensemble show again - where each character gets a chance in the field and on assignment. I hope that there are enough shows that haven't been taped so that fan input can be incorporated into the show. I have read few positive articles and posts about MV's departure.
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10-26-2005 @ 9:19AM
melba boone said...
I have watched Alias from the very beginning...Not as good as the first two seasons..I don't care how you bring Michael back just bring him back. The show really sucks without him..
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10-27-2005 @ 12:04AM
Claudia said...
I love Alias, but I miss Michael Vartan. He's such a hottie, they need to bring him back and put more sex on the show. I loved the second season it's my favorite but all the rest are good too! Please bring Miahael Vartan back!!!!!!
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10-27-2005 @ 8:22PM
Diane said...
I am so disappointed Vaughn is gone ... the story lines this year are sadly lagging ... the Sid-Vaughn story line was a little extra through all the intrigue ... I find myself watching less and less ... so if ABC thought they were jazzing up the show ... they were wrong, and how many times can they change the time slot and expect to stay in the ratings ... They have spoiled a very interesting and innovative show.
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10-28-2005 @ 11:49AM
Terri Heller said...
Please, Please, Please bring Michael Vartan back - The show isn't the same without him. I liked seeing his character vaughn going out on missions and I especially like the chemistry between him and Sydney. I miss seeing his adorable face every week and now there is no one that hot on the show to check out every week.
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10-28-2005 @ 12:56PM
Rachelle said...
I missed the first episode of this season because ABC changed time slots. I was so lost when I caught the second episode because the last scene was Vaughn telling Sydney he wasn't really Michael Vaughn. When I learned that Vaughn was killed, I died! I thought that I watched Alias because it was refreshing to watch a chic to some @$$ kicking. But, since I've been watching...secretly hoping that Michael Vartan/Agent Vaughn will really be alive, I'm not as impressed with the butt kicking. It's not realistic anymore. Jennifer Gardner did a lot of her own stunt work, but it's hard to believe her in that kind of position being pregnant in real life. On top of that, I'm surprised that anyone is letting her go on missions due to her pregnancy. And can I just say she did the dumbest thing hooking up with Ben Affleck over Michael Vartan.
Anyway, I want Michael Vaughn/Vartan to return. I like Jennifer Gardner, but I'd rather see someone else infusing chemistry on the show with Michael Vartan the way they did on Season Two.
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10-30-2005 @ 12:24AM
Alaa said...
Im too freaking pissed right now to add a comment. WHY THE HELL DID THEY HAVE TO KILL VAUGHN? He was definately my favorite character on the show and Im not sure if Ill be watching it anymore now that hes gone. Im seriously so depressed right now. Ive been a major Alias fan since the beginning and Im very, very disappointed. They apparently have no respect for the fans who have stuck by the show for the past four seasons. Ive heard that the ratings have been pretty bad since Vartan's been gone, and Im glad. I really hope they bring him back, but I dont think the show will be able to regain all the fans it's lost since his departure. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I'll be back to finish my comment once Ive calmed down.
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