(S01E03) Because USA does so many things right with its original series, I've been confident that 'Covert Affairs' is going to grow into itself. Sure, the pilot was full of ridiculously skimpy outfits that are in no way appropriate for any office, much less the CIA, and the second episode was full of Canadian flags and Scotiabank signs in "D.C.," but I knew they'd eventually find their footing.

This week's episode, the series' third, proved me right. Even though there was some pretty obvious green screen during the drives in Venezuela, I was able to buy into the story way more than I had the previous couple of weeks.

Instead of exposition, we were able to focus more on Annie's mission and her team, including Auggie (Christopher Gorham), who really needs to play a bigger role in this series.This episode was also helped along by its guest stars, Lana Parrilla of the much-missed 'Swingtown,' and Michael Steger, who plays Navid on the '90210' reboot.

As I was watching tonight's episode, it reminded me of the glory days of 'Alias,' when we focused on Sydney's life as a spy, and how she balanced it with her "real life," before the series got bogged down with all of the Rambaldi nonsense. 'Covert Affairs' seems to be turning into everything I wanted 'Alias' to be, and more. It's lighthearted, but still has some nice action sequences (which are only going to get more awesome with time). Plus, we have a mystery arc: Annie's ex, who left her on a beach under mysterious circumstances, only to reappear in D.C. just in time to save her life.

I like how we didn't learn anything about him in this episode. He wasn't watching Annie from across the street, or wistfully staring at his bracelet. Instead, she was the one pining -- but just enough to let us know this story line is still going on. Although it certainly verged on it, this side plot didn't take away from the mission of the week.

As for the mission of the week, I was fascinated by the research Annie put into it. It certainly helps that she speaks four languages, but I admired all of the James Monroe research that she did as well. She certainly seemed to know that her cover may be tested, but is still too much of a rookie to take the book out of the car when she's going to meet the bad guy. It got her shot, and if it were real life instead of a TV show, it would have gotten her killed.

All in all, it was a solid third episode. Each one is better than the last, so I'm really looking forward to seeing where this series goes.

What about you guys? Has 'Covert Affairs' sucked you in too?