We started Alphas this season with a bunch of mythology episodes, but lately we’ve been getting more into the characters each week. The characters are the most important of this show, so I’m actually glad to see they’re getting their due.

“Bill and Gary’s Excellent Adventure” has Bill and Gary, obviously, pursuing a case together. Bill’s hoping that solving it will get him reinstated in the FBI. Which works well because Gary’s hoping to solve a case with his new partner, Bill. This episode was indeed most excellent.

Alphas: (s01e06): Bill and Gary’s Excellent Adventure

Rachel: Gary, we’re gonna have to run.
Gary: No, we just ate. You’re not supposed to run after you ate.
Rachel: Please Gary.
Gary: It’s a medical fact!

Bill is arguably the least liked and most one dimensional character on the team, so I’m glad we finally got an episode developing him a bit more. And it’s only made better by the addition of everyone’s most loved character, Gary. Gary is like Bill’s human credential on the team, the person who makes him seem not so bad. Together, they’re quite a dynamic duo.

Gary: I told you it was there, I’m a good partner.
Bill: Yes, you are a good partner.

Which makes Bill and Gary on the road the best thing ever. Usually, Bill’s really annoyed by everything Gary says and does, but this week he ends up needing Gary’s help to track a cell phone signal and find a missing girl. And he persuades Gary to help him by agreeing to let him drive. It’s a great bit of continuity because Gary’s been begging everyone to let him drive since the series premiere. Unfortunately, it’s kind of a trick on Bill’s part, though he does end up giving Gary driving lessons.

Just like last week in Rachel’s standalone episode, Bill hasn’t quite found his place at DCIS. He’s still trying to get back into the FBI after his ‘rage incident’ was caught on video. I like that each of the characters on the team have a different reason for being with DCIS: For Bill, it was a temporary replacement of where he really wanted to be. For Rachel, it was because she didn’t fit in anywhere else. Gary needed a place to learn and grow. Hicks was pressured into joining, and Nina is hoping to do some good. One by one, they’re realizing this is the place for them.

I expected this episode to be completely Bill and Gary centric, but we also got a bit of Nina background this week, too. She’s been just as in the background as Bill, so it was interesting to learn she blames herself for unknowingly pushing a boyfriend suicide. Also, Nina and Cameron have been hinted at before, and this week they get physical. I actually prefer Rachel and Cameron a bit more, but I’m willing to see where this goes.

Next week, Firefly’s Summer Glau. Emphasis on Firefly is Syfy’s and not my own.

Notes:

I loved Bill imitating Rosen when he decided to stay with the team. He had Rosen’s voice down!
Bill: Come on, you know. So why don’t you just say it? Go ahead, come on, I want to hear you.
Rosen: But Bill…
Bill: “Bill, you know, well, given the choice, uh, you’ve decided to stay. And, uh, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, science and…”
Rosen: Well, sounds like me, minus the “blah, blah, blah.” But you know, Bill, I’m a professional. I can gloat in private.