This one was a toughie, but in the end it came down to who Sydney could best live without, i.e. who wasn't there at the conception of the show and who isn't an integral part of her life. Answer: Vaughn. I can actually picture the show moving forward without him there. I didn't want to be all anti-Vaughn, but when I think about it, Syd needs Dixon, Jack, and Marshall -- they are all people from the very beginning of her trek into spy-land. Weiss is hilarious. Sark is, well, Sark. ^_^ Carrie rocks. Francinator brings interesting aspects to the show. Sloane is the necessary evil force on the show. That leaves Vaughn, who isn't anything buy eye-candy and supposed love interest for Syd. But lately all he's done is hurt her. Since I see no future to the S/V relationship, he is not very essential to the show, IMO.
Heh heh... Let the flaming begin! ^_^ j/k of course!
Les