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Date Posted: 10:38:56 01/22/04 Thu
Author: Kuzibah
Author Host/IP: 12.175.117.195
Subject: Angel 5/10- SPOILERS!

So again "Angel" uses a somewhat standard television form to impart information to the audience that would be difficult to convey otherwise; in this case, the dream sequence. Since Frued's groundbreaking work linking the dream-state with the subconscious, the portrayal of dreams to reveal hidden elements about a character has been a useful plot device, and it is used to good effect here. Much as last year's episode where they took Angel's soul was really about Angel's desires for himself and his friends, last night's episode was a revelation of Angel's fears.

Ultimately, the show consisted of several good scenes orbiting around a premise that was totally asinine, but more on that in a minute. Let's look at the scenes-

The dream sequences begin fairly realisticaly, with a replay of two episodes ago, where Angel and Spike battle for the chalice from the palace, only this time, it does contain the brew that is true. From there the dreams become increasingly bizzare: Wesley stakes Angel, Fred cuts him open and pulls out his heart and soul, Spike screws "Buffy" in Angel's bed, Spike saves the world and becomes a real boy, while Angel fades into the background. You don't have to be Fellini to figure these sequences out; the symbolism is fairly obvious, although, I suspect, like "Restless," the images will be debated until the real Apocalypse ("Angel gave Fred a 'pearl necklace.' What could that mean?") And we also know that whatever else Angel was doing for the century or so between the soul and Buffy, he was watching a lot of movies: References included Pinocchio, Jaws, The Wizard of Oz, westerns, Camelot, musicals, The Marathon Man, and probably others I'll pick up when I watch it again.

Now, onto plot B. While Angel lay feverishly abed, Spike runs into Lindsey in a strip bar featuring a bunch of overdressed strippers. Lindsey introduces himself as "Doyle" (which, considering TNT had just re-run "Heroes" last night, as well, gave my heart a little squeeze) and explains some power (*NOT* the PTB, I noticed) is sending him visions of people in need, and Spike is the new hero to save them. Then they go on to re-enact the Cliffs Notes version of the "Angel" pilot, complete with a near re-enactment of the famous "double staking" fight.

This was all very well done on the part of James and Christian, and it was interesting to see their respective takes on the original iconic characters of the show. And Spike fights in slow motion! Hee! I've been waiting for that.

Unfortunately, this is where the plot falls apart. Follow this: Eve and Lindsey are working together to (presumably) bring down W&H by confusing the issue of who is the real champion, Angel or Spike. The Senior Partners are backing Angel, so Eve-il and Linds decide to make it look like Spike is the real hero. So, while Lindsey/Doyle sets Spike on the path of vigilante vampire that Angel so recently trod, Eve puts Angel into a coma with these little demon parasites. In fact, she is so committed to keeping Angel down that she hits him with a replacement parasite when he manages to get free of the first one. Then, just as the paralysing venom is about to put Angel into a permanent vegetative state, L/D informs Spike he is in trouble, Spike rushes to Angel and kills the little sucker.

Okay, huh? What are they doing this for? If Eve and Linds are working together, what was the whole point? Were they trying to take Angel out with the parasites, and, if so, why send Spike? If they were simply trying to incapacitate him, why use something as risky as these parasites seem to be? And while the dreams filled Angel with self-doubt, I don't see how that's anything they could have possibly controlled. How did they know he wouldn't just dream he hadn't studied for a big test, or was naked in the parking lot at the A&P? And if Lindsey's visions are faked, how did he know the when and where of the two vampires attacks? It just doesn't all hold together.

That being said, the dialogue was tight and the characterizations were more on than off, so aside from the elephant in the room, the script was pretty good. The stuff with Harmony from last week was carried over, and Wesley had a lot more to do than usual, which was nice. (Allow me to digress. Last night's episode just brought into relief how Alexis has been criminally underused this season in favor of giving Gunn, Fred, and Eve all of the knowledge that made him useful to Angel in the first place. I mean, if Gunn can speak various demon languages and has a comprehensive knowledge of their customs, and Fred is not only a physicist, but somehow also is an expert in demon physiology, ancient relics, and whatever other arcana happens to come up, and Eve can just pull knowledge about prophecies and so forth out of the air, then what the hell is Wesley on the payroll for? No, really. What does he do that Gunn/Fred/Eve can't do faster and better? And considering Alexis can act circles around the three of them with half his brain tied behind his back, why are ME doing this? This is the monkey-crackiest development yet! Okay, digression over.)

Finally, this was the directorial debut of David Boreanaz, and I think it was pretty auspicious. He's obviously learned a lot from Joss and the other directors, and it was nice to see his work. It's always good to have this on your resume, so a nod to ME for letting him stretch his legs in this way.

Next week: looks like not all the proto-slayers were having slumber parties at Buffy's house. (Cue the bwa-ha-ha.)

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Replies:

[> As I said elsewhere... -- wwolfe, 11:11:30 01/22/04 Thu (161.149.63.100)

I have to start by saying how completely and deeply off-putting I found the use of Buffy in Angel's dream. I found it sleazy in and of itself, and also a cheap and blatant exploitation of the deep fondness so many of us have for the character and the show. I can't help but wonder if Sarah heard that this little scene was being filmed and decided on the basis of that fact that she wouldn't make a guest appearance on the show, after all. Or was THIS supposed to be her guest appearance? If so - sheesh. Whatever the case, shame on the people who thought of it. No class, fellas.

Apart from that, which left a major bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the episode, making it very difficult for me to renew my suspension of disbelief, I thought the episode suffered from way too much dependence on Eve. Both the writing and the playing of this character are so inept that any episode which focuses on her must suffer as a result.

On the good side, I agree with your observations about Wesley in this episode (and, sadly, also with what you said about the misuse of his character over the course of the season). I was a little confused with why I was supposed to be viewing Wes and Gunn in such an ominous light when they appeared at Spike's door, but otherwise, Wes all good. The best aspect of the episode, and probably the most interesting philosophical issue raised this season, is the continuing debate over whether bad means can be, or ought to be, used to achieve good ends. This has special resonance at this moment in our history, although it would have been relevant at any time since World War II, and I appreciate that they aren't offering any simplistic, self-righteous moral pronouncements. The shades of gray and the insistence on the difficulty in answering the question are refreshing.

Do people think the show has now found a purpose for Spike?


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[> All I have to say... -- Mo, 11:50:02 01/22/04 Thu (24.128.159.238)

Is that watching THIS episode when suffering from a fever of 101 is like watching Alice In Wonderland on 'shrooms.


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[> [> I'm fighting a flu, too. -- Anthony, 12:21:03 01/22/04 Thu (67.160.214.245)

And man, did I feel Angel's pain last night or what.


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[> On the surface I liked it. -- Grim ,_,_), 12:47:56 01/22/04 Thu (66.95.229.84)

While thinking more deeply, I didn't.

I loved the little vignettes, but they didn't hold anything together for me.

Why the heck would Lindsey send Spoike to foil the plot that he and his compatriot had just hatched?

I hope this can be pulled out of the fire.


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