AlphasSuper. And all too human.
Five ordinary people with superhuman physical and mental abilities are brought together to form one extraordinary team of Alphas. Operating within the U.S. Department of Defense, the team investigates cases that point to others with Alpha abilities.
CreatorZak Penn
Pilot
Jul 11, 2011
Operating within the Defense Criminal Investigation Service of the U.S. Department of Defense and led by preeminent neurologist and psychiatrist Dr. Lee Rosen, an expert in Alpha phenomena, the team investigates cases that point to others with Alpha abilities. As they work against the clock to solve this new brand of crime, they must prevent their own personality differences and disparate backgrounds from interfering with their ultimate mission to catch the enemy.
Cause & Effect
Jul 18, 2011
A problematic former patient of Rosen's escapes as Rosen is getting acquainted with his Department of Defense liaison, and the rest of the team tries to balance their normal lives with their work as Alphas.
Anger Management
Jul 25, 2011
The team moves to new offices following the attack on Rosen; violent riots break out on the east coast, which are linked to a runaway teen.
Rosetta
Aug 1, 2011
The Alpha team closes in on Red Flag and rescues an autistic woman, Anna, with the ability to translate any language. The team tries to figure out Red Flag’s plan while Gary bonds with Anna.
Never Let Me Go
Aug 8, 2011
Rachel goes on a date that ends with a powerful kiss; Rosen's team officially joins the Defense Criminal Investigation Service, and their first case is to probe a series of deaths linked to a high school in Pennsylvania.
Bill and Gary's Excellent Adventure
Aug 15, 2011
While Bill and Gary take on a case of their own, Nina and Cameron grow closer.
Catch and Release
Aug 22, 2011
The team is ordered to find and protect Skylar, an Alpha with skills that could be dangerous in the wrong hands.
A Short Time in Paradise
Aug 29, 2011
Hicks and Nina are entranced by a deadly cult leader named Jonas.
Blind Spot
Sep 12, 2011
The team finds themselves under siege by an undetectable Alpha when they bring in a potential Red Flag member for questioning.
The Unusual Suspects
Sep 19, 2011
The DoD imprisons Rosen and his team after they suspect that one of the members is a Red Flag traitor.
Original Sin
Sep 26, 2011
Rosen and his team find out about a secret red flag meeting. Things come to ahead for the team and the future is cloudy.
GenerationofSwine
@GenerationofSwine
No, sorry, we have seen this before over and over and over again. And though you do have shows like Poltergeist Legacy that did it and managed to be entertaining and as brilliant as Kolchak.... .... Alphas does it and offers nothing new to the table. There are a lot of shows like this that have at least added something new to the concept. That isn't saying that it can't be enjoyable, it just adds nothing to the concept we have seen so often in the past.
misubisu
@misubisu
## **Alphas (2011) Review: A Promising Cut Short - 7/10** In the crowded landscape of early 2010s superhero television, *Alphas* carved out a distinct and compelling niche. Eschewing flashy spandex for a more grounded, almost procedural approach, the series asked a fascinating question: what if superhuman abilities were simply advanced, yet flawed, extensions of the human brain? For two seasons, it built a compelling world of science-powered metahumans, only to be tragically axed just as its narrative engine was hitting its stride. ### The Strengths: A Brainy Take on Brawn *Alphas* excelled at its core concept. The titular team wasn't comprised of gods or billionaires, but of individuals with hyper-specific neurological abilities. Dr. Lee Rosen (a wonderfully empathetic David Strathairn) led a group including a man with enhanced sight that granted him super-aim, a woman who could interpret subconscious body language, and an "autistic savant" who could see and manipulate electromagnetic fields. The show treated these powers not as magic, but as skills with very real limitations and physiological costs, a refreshingly scientific angle. The show’s procedural format worked well, with the team investigating cases-of-the-week involving other Alphas. This allowed for creative applications of their powers and introduced a rogues' gallery of unique antagonists. The standout was undoubtedly the primary villain, Stanton Parish (a chillingly calm John Pyper-Ferguson), leader of the shadowy organisation "Ghost Train," whose long-term vision for the Alpha race provided a compelling, intellectual threat. ### The Tragic Flaw: An Abrupt End on the Cusp of Greatness The score of 7/10 reflects a show of high potential that was never fully allowed to realise it. The first season was a solid setup, but the second season saw *Alphas* dramatically level up. The stakes were raised, the character development deepened, and the overarching conspiracy with Parish and the Department of Defence was weaving a complex and gripping tapestry. **[Just when it was starting to ramp up]** is the perfect description for its cancellation. The Season 2 finale is one of television's most infamous cliffhangers—a breathtaking, game-changing event that left every main character in a state of catastrophic peril and the entire world forever altered. It wasn't just a tease; it was a paradigm shift, a promise of a brand-new, high-stakes status quo for a potential third season. To have the plug pulled at that precise moment leaves a permanent stain of "what could have been" on the entire series. ### The Verdict **7/10 - A Fascinating, Unfinished Symphony** *Alphas* is a show that is both highly enjoyable and perpetually frustrating to revisit. Its intelligent premise, strong character work, and unique take on superpowers make its two seasons well worth watching for any fan of the genre. David Strathairn's gentle yet firm leadership grounds the ensemble, and the final episodes of Season 2 are some of the best sci-fi television of its era. However, the knowledge of its abrupt, unresolved ending hangs over the entire experience. You invest in this world and these characters, only to have the journey cut off at its most pivotal moment. It remains a beloved cult classic, a tragic reminder of a brilliant show that was just hitting its alpha stride when it was prematurely silenced. **Watch it if:** You enjoy intelligent, character-driven sci-fi and don't mind a great journey with a deeply unsatisfying, abrupt ending. **Skip it if:** You require narrative closure from your television series; the finale's cliffhanger will feel like a betrayal.
