Project Helix
Encyclopedia
Project Helix is the name of a fictional technology in the TV series Alias. The device is used to rewrite a person's DNA
, effectively morphing them into a clone of the person from whom the replacement DNA was procured. The only way to detect a double is through a deliberate flaw built into the process, detectable by an ocular scan. It is unknown whether the process is reversible.
Since its creation, there have been three known and two possible subjects of Project Helix:
It was with Anna's doubling that something of the mechanics of genetic doubling were shown. Initially a small sample of Sydney's DNA was collected (by cutting her in combat). Sydney was later locked in a train car and additional genetic material was collected by deluging her with an unknown chemical agent. The chemical was collected and Anna was submerged in it for an unknown length of time (in the episode "Double Agent" Jack Bristow
states that the subject must be placed in an induced coma for "several days").
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
, effectively morphing them into a clone of the person from whom the replacement DNA was procured. The only way to detect a double is through a deliberate flaw built into the process, detectable by an ocular scan. It is unknown whether the process is reversible.
Since its creation, there have been three known and two possible subjects of Project Helix:
Confirmed Project Helix subjects
- Jim Lennox - A CIA agent who, with his partner (and fiancée) Emma Wallace, infiltrated the organization of Helix inventor Dr. Enzo Markovic. Lennox was captured and used as the genetic source to transform Markovic into his double. Lennox was rescued by a CIA team led by Sydney BristowSydney BristowSydney Anne Bristow , played by Jennifer Garner, is the main character and protagonist on the television series Alias. She is an American woman with Russian-American family background who works as a spy for the CIA....
and traveled with her to PolandPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
to retrieve the schematics of the Helix device and destroy it. There they encountered Markovic, still Lennox's double. Lennox killed Markovic and Sydney destroyed the Helix equipment, but not before discovering that another duplicate had been created. - Francie CalfoFrancie CalfoFrancine "Francie" Calfo is a fictional character on the television series Alias, portrayed by Merrin Dungey. She is Sydney Bristow's close friend.-Biography:Francie was Sydney Bristow's best friend and roommate during the beginning of the series...
- Sydney's roommate and best friend. An agent named Allison Doren, lover of Julian SarkJulian SarkJulian Sark is a recurring fictional character portrayed by David Anders on the ABC television series Alias. The series follows Sydney Bristow, an operative working for an organization called SD-6 which she believes is a covert branch of the Central Intelligence Agency...
, was transformed into Francie's double and then killed Francie. Allison used Francie's identity to infiltrate and bug Sydney's apartment and continue Francie's relationship with Will TippinWill TippinWilliam "Will" D. Tippin is a fictional character, one of Sydney Bristow's friends on the television series Alias. He is portrayed by Bradley Cooper.-Character biography:...
. Will was at the time working as an analyst for the CIA and Allison hypnotically extracted intel from him as he slept. He and Sydney became suspicious of Allison, which led Allison to attempt to kill Will. Sydney exposed Allison as an impostor (by offering her coffee ice cream, which Francie hated) and Sydney and Allison engaged in a pitched battle, leaving both of them critically wounded and presumed dead. Both survived, and Allison was later killed by Will. - Irina DerevkoIrina DerevkoIrina Derevko , is a fictional character on the television series Alias, and a main character during the second season of the series. Irina, played by Lena Olin, is the mother of the central character, Sydney Bristow.-Biography:...
- Sydney's mother, former KGBKGBThe KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
agent and leader of an international criminal enterprise. She was doubled as part of a plot by her sister, ElenaElena DerevkoElena Derevko is a fictional character from the television series Alias, played by Sônia Braga.Elena is the sister of Irina and Katya Derevko. Considered to be the most ruthless of the Derevko sisters, Elena is the secret leader of The Covenant. She was first mentioned in the season three episode...
. An unnamed member of Elena's organization, The CovenantCovenant (Alias)In the television series Alias, The Covenant is a large, powerful, and secretive intelligence/terrorist organization.The Covenant was a "loose affiliation of Russian nationalists" composed of retired KGB and former Central Committee members, all dedicated to the new world envisioned by Milo...
, volunteered to be doubled. The faux Irina was killed by Jack BristowJack BristowJonathan "Jack" Donahue Bristow, played by Victor Garber, is Sydney Bristow's father on the television series Alias. Jack is widely referred to as "Spy Daddy" in Alias fandom, and consistently ranks as one of the most popular characters on the show...
after Elena set it up to look like Irina had taken out a contract on Sydney's life.
Possible Project Helix subjects
- Doctor Aldo Desantis - Researcher with Prophet Five. He was in a cryogenic case that was stolen by sometime APOAuthorized Personnel OnlyAuthorized Personnel Only , is a fictional black ops unit within the Central Intelligence Agency in the American TV series Alias. It was formed at the beginning of Season 4 and is headquartered beneath the Los Angeles Subway system....
ally Renée RienneRenée RienneRenée Rienne is a fictional character in the spy-fi television series Alias. Played by Élodie Bouchez, she was introduced as a new character for the fifth season...
under the belief that her father, Luc Goursad, was inside. When Rienne opened the case and Desantis emerged, he initially attempted to impersonate her father but was swiftly uncovered as an impostor by Sydney. He was extracted by Gordon Dean. Desantis was later tortured by Jack Bristow in an attempt to locate Sydney (who was being held captive by Prophet Five on a ship in the North Atlantic) and then killed by Rienne. - Anna EspinosaAnna EspinosaAnna Espinosa is a fictional character from the television series Alias, . Born in Cuba, raised in Russia, Anna was a Soviet spy at some point, until the collapse of the Soviet Union...
- Former KGBKGBThe KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
agent, former agent of K-DirectorateK-DirectorateK-Directorate is a fictional organized crime group in the television series Alias, headquartered in St. Petersburg. It is an enemy of the Central Intelligence Agency and of the Alliance of Twelve. It figures most prominently in the first season....
, follower of Milo RambaldiMilo RambaldiMilo Giacomo Rambaldi is a fictional person from the American television series Alias. The work of Rambaldi, often centuries ahead of its time and tied to prophecy, plays a central role in the show.According to Alias creator J.J...
and later a freelancer. Anna was transformed into a duplicate of Sydney by Prophet Five in an effort to allow Anna to serve as the "Chosen One" spoken of in the prophecies of Rambaldi. While doubling Sydney, Anna murdered Rienne. Anna attempted to deceive Michael VaughnMichael VaughnMichael C. Vaughn is a fictional character on the television series Alias. Played by Michael Vartan, Vaughn is one of Sydney Bristow's co-workers and her ongoing love interest. He, like Sydney, is skilled in a variety of areas...
into believing she was Sydney but was unsuccessful. She and Vaughn battled in an underground bunker in GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Anna was about to shoot him. Sydney, however, intervened and killed Anna, briefly assuming her identity to infiltrate Prophet Five.
It was with Anna's doubling that something of the mechanics of genetic doubling were shown. Initially a small sample of Sydney's DNA was collected (by cutting her in combat). Sydney was later locked in a train car and additional genetic material was collected by deluging her with an unknown chemical agent. The chemical was collected and Anna was submerged in it for an unknown length of time (in the episode "Double Agent" Jack Bristow
Jack Bristow
Jonathan "Jack" Donahue Bristow, played by Victor Garber, is Sydney Bristow's father on the television series Alias. Jack is widely referred to as "Spy Daddy" in Alias fandom, and consistently ranks as one of the most popular characters on the show...
states that the subject must be placed in an induced coma for "several days").