When we last left Alphas, there was a definite sense of change, and all of it was for the better.

"Walk Up Call" tempers the expectations I’ve placed on Alphas for almost a year now. But while the shape of this season is largely coming back together in ways we saw last year, now there’s the added benefit of having clarity and definition. Last season was all about Red Flag, and going about the same objectives in differing ways.

Now, Stanton Parrish and his merry brotherhood of mutants are out to reshape the world, and to exert their superiority over the government. However, the true struggle now is placed directly into the laps of our Alphas. How can their team continue to work for a government that has consistently shown that their goals are not always in line with their own? Yet... how can their team idly sit by and let Parrish wreak havoc on the innocent people caught in the middle? Mix all of those variables with the world now knowing who they are and what they are capable of, and things can get murky fast.

It’s all steeped in superhero clichés, but why try to fix it when it’s good storytelling?

Although things were shaping up to be (mostly) the same by the close of the episode, Dr. Rosen’s short stint in lockup after his revelation speech changed everyone. Cameron and Bill tried their best to continue to put rogue Alphas away in hopes that by doing so they themselves could be seen as assets rather than threats. Sadly, for all Cameron and Bill tried to do, they couldn’t prevent Gary from being used as pawn, and things beyond Gary’s control end up getting him locked away in Binghamton.

Rachel ended up going back home, and shutting out the world and all of its assaults on her senses while Nina got back into her conning game. Nina is really the most worrisome out of all the Alphas because she’s pushing people again, all to fill the personal loss when the team broke up, and this time it looks like she’s actually addicted to pushing people.

While Rosen doesn't have a real power I find it interesting that without him acting as the glue the entire team falls apart. Without his calming presence they can't function.

The team is back to playing to their old character habits, but now forever changed by the events that shaped them last season; in addition to the events during this eight-month gap that we haven’t had a change to see. The most interesting changes amongst them is what happened between Nina and Cameron: the two of them have gone from being attached at the hip to hating each other.

Compared to last season, it looks like Alphas isn't dragging its feet this summer, but, instead, continuing the fun, frantic pace of the season finale.

What did you think of tonight’s Alphas premiere?