This is just such a good ep! I don't want to look at it all deep and find the metaphors and stuff. I just want to love all the kick ass action and wicked Faith and the great final scene in the rain and . . .
You know?
So, taking what Erin has said to heart (that the demons on Angel are often a signal to what's going on in the ep) I watched the first scene to see what kind of demons we had. And what are they? Hired muscle trying to murder someone that is causing trouble for W&H. Huh. And then Faith shows up and W&H try to hire her to take out Angel, who has been a thorn in W&H's side since the very first ep of the season. Huh.
Oh, and the demons have melty faces too, but I'm not sure how metaphorical that is and how much it's just cool make-up. ;D
Man - this ep just rocks with killer scenes, tho' doesn't it? Faith getting off the bus, perfect set-up with the guy who thinks he's gonna be preying on some poor innocent down on her luck girl and then she just kicks the snot out of him! (Anyone else have flashbacks to a subway and a fight with a slayer when she takes his coat?)
Eliza D is just so amazing in here. Yep, crazed and violent and yet also with that look in her eyes that shows you she is still reeling from the events that happened in Sunnydale. Her final breakdown in the alley - "I'm bad, I'm evil, just do it, just kill me". Woo. I still get chills when I watch it again.
And Wes! I see this episode and the one that follows as so amazingly pivotal for the future of Wes. IMHO, his torture by Faith is one of the main pivot spots sending him down the path to darker, crazier Wes. Without it, I think we would have seen TakeCharge!Wes and Serious!Wes and Leader!Wes, but I'm not sure we would have seen GirlInCloset!Wes - even taking the whole Connor throat-cutting thing into account.
The "case of the week" storyline - gang guy saved by Angel who hopes to convince him to do the right thing, to "face his demons", etc. Could we
get more metaphor for Faith's journey in here?
OMG! Faith dancing at club Hell. Talk about perfect scene - just perfect!
And then, to put another layer on it, we have the flashbacks to Angel's past. And what part of his past? The most important arc of all for him - the actual getting of his soul and those all important first moments afterward. Seeking Darla out and being driven away. The fear and craziness and guilt. The hunger that he still has for blood, and the pull toward what the soul is telling him. Almost killing the woman in the alley and then stopping himself. Gee - any lessons here for Faith, do ya think?
I gotta tell you though, when Faith shoots the crossbow at him and he turns and catches the arrow? I'm right there with her saying "that was so cool!". ;D
Mmmmm. Sexy Faith and Lindsey and Lilah stuff!
Lindsey: We can get you off.
Faith: You don't know how many men have promised me that.
Lilah: I'm certain you won't be disappointed in
our performance.
Yowza!
Faith taunting Angel in his office - giving him the gun with one bullet. Taking the chance that he won't fire twice and perhaps hoping he will.
I tell you, watching Angel and Lindsey in the office at W&H? Well, obviously I'm biased, but - the slash just writes itself, people! ;D
But seriously, when push comes to shove, the whole episode really comes down to 3 main things. Faith torturing Wes. Angel's post-soul journey. Faith breaking down in the alley and asking Angel to kill her. 'Cuz that's what it's all about.
Lola
Very scarily well-done gag on Wes in the torture scenes. In fact, all those scenes are done a bit too well.
Angel Episode Festival and the third most requested show!
