VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, [3], 4 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 09:15:35 01/15/04 Thu
Author: Kuzibah
Author Host/IP: 12.175.117.195
Subject: Angel Episode 5/9 *SPOILERS*

There is a tendency for shows with a large supporting cast to, at one time or another, do an episode that entirely focuses on one character in the course of an "average" day. Star Trek: Next Generation did it twice ("Data's Day" and "Below Decks"). Even "Buffy" did it ("The Zeppo").

This week "Angel" looked at a typical day at Wolfram & Hart through the eyes of Angel's secretary (excuse me... Executive Assistant), Harmony. First, I have to say Mercedes McNab did a really great job this week. Her portrayal of Harmony has always been amusing, and while I expected to tire of seeing her on a regular basis, I find that she's been very well integrated this season, and I've enjoyed her addition to the gang. I realize I should have been giving more credit to McNab, as last night made clear that much of the charm of the character is in her performance.

The set-up was good. Harmony isn't just a brainless, unfeeling ditz, but she's silently suffering with everyone treating her like one. She's learned what all good servants (and service people) know: The point of your job is to be taken for granted.

Meanwhile, the second half is being set up. There's a big "peace accord" being brokered between two demon clans (again, sort of "Star Trek: NG," but whatever) and everybody having hysteria over it. After Harmony screws up (but not really), Fred extends the hand of friendship and suggests they go out. They hit a bar, Harmony hooks up, and the next morning the guy, who happens to be the person brokering the accord, is dead in Harm's bed of a vampire attack.

At this point, McNab really started to shine. Her panicked breakdown, during which the camera followed her around the office in more-or-less real time, was terrific. The premise of the show succeeded or failed on her performance, and I'm impressed by how well she rose to the challenge. I'm also glad the script let Harm be Harm. No secret depths revealed. No heretofore hidden revelations coming to light. Just Harmony coping as best she can.

Of course, with Harmony as the focus, other characters fell into the background, some further than others. Spike left just after the opening credits to go to Buffy, than was back for the denoument with a fairly lame explanation why he didn't get very far. Eh, whatever. I mean, we all know the real reason is because the suits at the WB think he's hot, but I don't know if pointing out a weakness in the general arc (i.e.- Spike's sacrifice at the end of last season loses all meaning if he's alive and well this year) is entirely the best script strategy.

No Eve. Whew. (And on a side note: Did any of you read where the actress who plays her claimed to have no idea Eve might have been evil until she got the script for 5/8? Please. Although that does explain some performance choices.)

And finally, the "welcome video" at the front of the show was a scream. The editor deserved special props, and I loved that two of the companies W&H are involved in are Yoyodyne (from the cult film "Buckaroo Banzai") and Newscorp (who own obscene amounts of the international media, including FOX and TV Guide. To quote Buffy in "Living Conditions": I knew it!)

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Now I can't wait to see it. -- Pouncer, 09:52:52 01/15/04 Thu (156.80.140.91)

I've always enjoyed Harmoney, and to hear of a Yoyodyne shoutout! Oh my.


[ Edit | View ]

[> [> Small Addition -- Kuzibah, 10:21:29 01/15/04 Thu (12.175.117.195)

According to someone on the Angel board, the third company mentioned was Weyland-Utani, which was from the "Alien" movies (one of which was partially scripted by Joss.)


[ Edit | View ]

[> I really enjoyed Harmony in this ep. -- Grim ,_,_), 10:47:14 01/15/04 Thu (66.95.229.84)

She has been grating at other times (or perhaps just misused).

A nicely self-contained mini-epic.


[ Edit | View ]

[> It was a lot of fun. -- wwolfe, 11:23:15 01/15/04 Thu (161.149.63.100)

And it's nice to see the favorable response, since the funny episodes are almost always underrated.

I thought it was a funny touch to have Harmony go into vamp mode while brushing her teeth, so she could get her fangs.

I laughed out loud when she told Fred that they were a lot alike, except Fred didn't have "as much up front." The expression on Amy Acker's face in response might have been the first time I took any pleasure from her performance.

I liked the recurring shots of Harmony opening the janitor's closet to dump people inside it.

And, even though I knew what was coming, the resolution to both the vamp who framed her and the conflict between the two groups at the conference was amusing ("Works for me!").

Plus, the opening was a howl. I loved how David played Angel as a stiff in front of the camera. And, like everyone else, I always knew Rupert Murdoch was in league with the Devil.

Aside from what Kuzibah said about Spike's presence this year, I'm amazed how much I've enjoyed this show so far. I've thought about it a lot and I can't recall another show that fell apart so badly and then managed to come back so strongly.


[ Edit | View ]

[> I was laughing extremely hard last night. -- Anthony, 19:02:18 01/15/04 Thu (68.192.121.29)

Pretty much from the opening to closing, I was rolling on the floor. It was up there with "Something Blue" and "Him" in humor for me.

I want to see more Harmony/Fred bondage. And I suppose they could hang out once or twice in the future, as well.

--acz


[ Edit | View ]

[> [> I'd like to see some Harmony/Fred bondage too! -- Grim ,_,_), 08:45:07 01/16/04 Fri (66.95.229.84)

Oh, wait. That's not what you meant.

Though I DID like their scenes together.


[ Edit | View ]

[> Re: Angel Episode 5/9 *SPOILERS* -- Mcookies, 13:10:41 01/16/04 Fri (66.28.244.34)

I'm a right biter. Who knew there were preferences?


[ Edit | View ]

[> [> How come nobody suggested the guy could have had his back turned? -- Mo, 20:53:07 01/16/04 Fri (169.152.251.99)

I mean, it seemed pretty obvious to me, and I'm not even a part of the CSI team, that if someone had their back turned, then even a right-biter would still have gotten them on the right side.

Overall, I liked the episode. My favorite part by far was the opening Wolfram and Hart video. I think Arrested Development has me completely spoiled as far as comedies go, though. After I watch one of those episodes, I'm all laughed out for the week.


[ Edit | View ]

[> [> [> Now there's a crossover I'd like to see -- Kuzibah, 08:54:27 01/17/04 Sat (68.80.18.137)


[ Edit | View ]


Forum timezone: GMT-5
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.