Episode Report Card Erin: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT When Good Sketches Go Bad
By Erin | Season 1 | Episode 15 | Aired on 03.02.2002
Vaughn assures Syd that she'll have back-up. Spy Daddy's chowing down with Syd and the crew this evening. Spy Daddy assures Sydney that he'll be able to help her that night. He goes on to say that, since Sloane's wife thinks that Sloane is the C.E.O. of a bank, Sloane will have to hide the Rambaldi unveiling from her, thereby guaranteeing that Syd will catch a glimpse of the manuscript right in Sloane's office. Convenient, considering that this is the EXACT location where the CIA would like Sydney to plant the paper clip bug.
Here's the plan. During dinner, Sergeant Stupid will call Sydney on her cell phone. She'll pretend it's a friend in need. Syd will excuse herself, go to Sloane's office, break into the safe, pull out the authentic Page 47, and replace it with a fake one. According to Private Whatever-The-Hell, Sloane's office safe is a cushion model. No, I don't know what "cushion model" is. And no, I really don't care. Vaughn hands Syd some sort of device that's supposed to help her break into Sloane's safe. "The guys that made it are the same guys who did the paper clip," says Vaughn, wondering what Sydney would look like all naked and covered in Miracle Whip. "They say it's bitchin' so, I'm assuming it's 'bitchin'.'" Yeah, the words "bitchin'" and "Vaughn" don't really go together, do they?
Syd's not so sure about this plan. I mean, not only does it endanger her and Spy Daddy, but she's taking Will tonight and -- WHAT? Spy Daddy's all, you're WHAT? Syd's all, yeah, Emily told me to bring someone, what's your prob? Spy Daddy's all, um, nothing. It's cool. But, like, it's so NOT cool. In fact, it's so NOT cool that Spy Daddy motors off to prepare for the evening. Vaughn looks longingly at Syd's bare shoulders and tells her that if she can make the switch, great. If not, is she available later for a little friendly game of Othello? Whocka-whocka. "So, you're taking Will?" Sergeant Snoopy asks, like it's any of his fucking business. "Yeah," says Syd. "Well," says Vaughn, playing pocket pool, "you look really pretty." Syd thanks him and makes a mental note to sport head-to-toe Teflon armor the next time she meets with Special Agent Sex Monster.
Then there's a doorbell ringing and the door opens and Lord Almighty, it's Amy Irving who answers. Like, I knew she was playing Emily and everything, but it's still sort of a shocker. Emily greets Sydney warmly, and Syd hands her some roses. Lois Lame's standing behind Syd, and she introduces him to Emily. There is something so intrinsically calming about Amy Irving. Seriously. In any role she's ever been in (besides The Fury, which doesn't really count because Andrew Stevens is in it and he's fuck-all for talent), she just radiates peace and tranquility. I don't know why I even mentioned this but, like, I just love Amy Irving.