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Date Posted: 10:15:16 11/06/03 Thu
Author: Kuzibah
Author Host/IP: 12.175.117.195
Subject: Angel 5/6 *SPOILERS*

I have the feeling last night's episode will become notorious as being one of the bad ones, one of the "What the hell were they thinking?" episodes that fans laugh about, the "Spock's Brain" of Angel fandom. This feeling will perpetuate across America for one simple reason: There isn't a Mexican wrestling subculture in this country outside of SoCal. Kids in Kansas don't know who Santo was. People in Mississippi don't understand why the wrestlers never remove the masks. Even the show itself said the era of Los Luchadores is past (it isn't).

And all this will be unfortunate, because I loved it.

For those of you unfamiliar with Luchadore culture (which is most of you, I'd bet), Mexican wrestling is more than simply a South of the Border WWE. The fights are real. The fighters, if they win, achieve a status somewhere between Basketball Star and Folk Hero. And they never, ever take off their masks voluntarily. The best-known wrestlers are buried in them when they die. If the masks are removed following a devastating loss on the ring (a relatively rare event) the un-masked wrestler will leave the sport in disgrace. Many have committed suicide.

Last night's episode proceeded nicely from the premise that the campy monster/wrestler movies made in Mexico are real. Number Five's story, and that of his brothers, followed the logic of those films wonderfully. And they all wrapped neatly around Angel's disillusionment with his destiny and re-affirmation of his mission.

The whole episode was really a showcase for DB and he rose to the challenge, which was nice. Angharad suggested awhile back that DB would benefit from a mentor of sorts, and I wonder if JM may not be that guy.

And speaking of Spike, along with Fred, Gunn, Lorne, and Wesley... were they in this episode? Did they need to be? Well, no, not really, it was all about Angel and the wrestlers, so we'll worry about them next week.

Actually, there are two small bits I want to mention. I liked Spike's willful (and instantaneous) twisting of the facts to make Angel into a guy who beats up mailmen, and I wonder if this was a comment of the spoiler-whores who take a small bit of news and quickly spin it into the creative demise of the show. Probably not, but it certainly sounds like them...

The other bit (cue foreshadowing music) came when Angel mentioned to Wesley one of the major plot points in the Connor train wreck, which Wesley has now forgotten, thanks to Angel's deal with Lilah. Unfortunately for Angel, Wesley is not one of the Euro-hos on Joe Millionaire, and is probably researching and analyzing that off-hand remark until he passes out from exhaustion. Hopefully, this will necessitate another visit to McOracle, causing me to giggle with glee.

Next week: Ninjas. And as we all know, ninjas make everything better...

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Replies:

[> I've only seen about 20 minutes so far. -- Grim ,_,_), 10:41:24 11/06/03 Thu (66.95.229.84)

But I liked what I saw.

I remember seeing some of those Santo films when I was younger and wondering, "...the Hell?"

From what I can tell the subculture has been captured perfectly. Sadly I also agree that many viewers just won't get the joke. Am I too hard on the audience? We'll see.

More after I watch the entire show tonight.


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[> [> Now that I've seen the whole thing. -- Grim ,_,_), 09:39:10 11/07/03 Fri (66.95.229.84)

A good time was had.

5 was a wonderful character. The idea that all the Santo movies were real is hilarious, especially if you've ever seen any of them.

Lorne: That's not what I read on the Web.

Priceless.


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[> I am now a complete and total Angel fan. -- Mo, 12:47:14 11/06/03 Thu (24.128.159.238)

The past two episodes have won me over. Last night was wacky, funny, and also poignant, and the whole thing worked, at least in my opinion. I loved that Number 5 didn't have any other name. I thought DB did a great job this episode. And, like you said, next week: Ninjas!


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[> As I said in your Live Journal... -- wwolfe, 14:20:38 11/06/03 Thu (161.149.63.100)

I live in souther California, but I don't know about the wrestling history you discuss.

I enjoyed the episode anyway, though. I liked how the other brothers appeared at the end after Number Five died.

The mention of Connor was definitely a huge foreshadowing moment. I anticipate a moment when Wesley, reading one of his research volumes, will realize what happened, pause thoughtfully, and then quietly remark to himself, "Good Lord - that's one of the dumbest plot twists I've ever heard." And then, after another thoughtful pause, say, "On the other hand, I got to sleep with Lilah..."


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[> Re: Angel 5/6 *SPOILERS* -- Mcookies, 20:58:21 11/06/03 Thu (64.12.96.15)

My favorite part was when Angel, Spike, Wesley & Gunn were riding in the car. Gunn (I think) wanted to know why Spike got to ride in the front seat. "I called shotgun." Then Wesley holds up his shotgun and says "Oh, I thought we were doing a weapons check." Gunn has an axe. I was rolling on the floor!


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[> I really liked this episode. =) -- Delirium, 00:59:58 11/08/03 Sat (68.122.213.199)

I've been lukewarm on most of the "Angel" episodes because they (and some of the characterizations) have felt a bit off, but I liked last weeks and kinda loved this weeks.

I don't know much more about the history of the Mexican wrestlers than what Kuzibah has outlined above, but I did watch a few of the Santo movies. I distintly remember one involving Aliens and flying saucers. There was also another guy by the name of "Mil Mascaras" (one thousand masks) that was also populare in the movies. I know the WB has a morning cartoon called "Mucha Lucha" that is simply adorable. It's about these kids in elementary who are in Masked Wrestling school. I last caught it at 9:30 am on Saturday on the WB though I don't know if it is only on the Local station or if it is part of the national programming. If you're flipping channels and run across this little gem, stop by and give it try. =)

They did a really good job with it. Though is it wrong to have been incredibly amused by the pint-sized versions of Los Hermanos Numero? :P

-Del


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[> wasn't bad -- GG, 07:52:58 11/10/03 Mon (62.254.32.4)

can't wait to see if anything happens with Angel's slip to Wes about "the father will kill the son"


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[> I finally watched my tape last night -- Pouncer, 12:46:55 11/10/03 Mon (156.80.140.134)

I loved it too. I have nothing more to add, but I thought it was a great exploration of ennui and hopelessness. Angel's been feeling those emotions at W&H and finally got it pointed out to him. Spike had me rolling with his quips, yet there was also a huge amount of poignancy because of Numero Cinco.


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[> [> Speaking of tapes... -- Kuzibah, 13:09:24 11/10/03 Mon (12.175.117.195)

Thanks very much!


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[> [> [> Yay! I'm glad you got it. -- Pouncer, 14:29:56 11/10/03 Mon (156.80.140.134)


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