Having failed to get the correct location of the Horizon from the hypnotized Sydney, Irina Derevko tries a different approach: after killing the CIA division director who had been exposed by Jack as a double agent for Prophet Five, she visits Sydney at her own home, tells her that she's concerned about her safety and proposes to go get the Horizon herself, after Dixon and Renee learn its true location. Jack shows up and he wants to go with her, and Sydney won't be left behind, even though her baby is due any day now. The three of them do get their hands on the Horizon, but what follows is Irina's betrayal, an attack by Peyton and her team, and Sydney finally giving birth to her daughter. "Maternal Instinct" benefits from the enigmatic (as always) presence - and great (as always) physique - of Lena Olin, though I expected the series to carry out Irina's deception longer, instead of having her blow her cover so soon. Other highlights include the opening truck-van smash ("Alias" does vehicle smashes very well), a hilarious Marshall moment (when Tom walks into his office), Renee in fishnets, and Peyton with a rocket launcher! There is also one of the most WTF final shots ever, in a show full of WTF final shots. I bet this one got the fans theorizing like crazy until the next episode aired back in 2006. *** out of 4.
Review of Maternal Instinct
