ANGEL REVIEWS: SEASON THREE

[Dalton]

iT'S an aNGeL SNeaK PeeK: The Year A.B.

by Josh Buckman
9/18/2001

I have tried to remain spoiler free the entire summer.

The plan was to enter the new season devoid of hints, allegations, and possible hopes inspired by reading the gossip and rumors flying around on the information superhighway. By avoiding all the hearsay and conjecture I felt that I could perform my task as a dutiful reviewer with a limited number of preconceived notions.

HOWEVER

I finally broke down and read the official press releases and the information provided on The WB website. Then I read the small, but juicy, tidbits Entertainment Weekly offered. What can I say? I’m weak. These little morsels were enough to send me into a frenzy of Angel anticipation. So this if fair warning for those who wish to remain ignorant of this new season’s prospects: the following article contains some set-in-stone fact, a smidgen of speculation, and possibly even a few spoilers.

Before the actual content of the new season is even examined, there are several major changes this season that are sure to really shake things up for Angel Investigations.

New Bat-Time, Same Bat Channel

Angel, a show about a crime-fighter who battles demons from Hell and sometimes drinks blood is now following another very popular show about a Baptist minister and his near perfect family. Anyone else see the need for the WB to get a bigger trash bin for the pile of angry letters from concerned parents?

On the bright side, 7th Heaven has the largest audience of any WB show, which means it could possibly introduce Angel to a whole slew of potential viewers. Cross your fingers, it really could go either way. The good news for many is that Angel swaps Dark Angel with Ally McBeal for competition over on the Fox. As popular as Ally is, it is less likely to draw viewers away from our favorite tortured soul than Jessica Alba wearing tight-pants and doing some sci-fi butt-kicking.

Separation Anxiety

Much to chagrin of diehard believers in the everlasting nature of Angel and Buffy’s relationship, BTVS has packed its bags and moved on over the UPN. This means that Buffy and Angel’s love has gone from "eternally yours" to "later, babe" faster than Darla can say "Bite me." It also means no more Buffy crossovers and no more Buffy lead-in.

The question is, can Angel survive on its own? The show has already begun to establish itself as a more grown-up version of BTVS. The real trick the writers face will be to balance enough of the Buffyverse mythology to keep long-time fans happy with enough separation and new storylines for those who might be watching Angel for the first time. Too much BTVS history will make the Buffy crew’s lack of involvement very conspicuous, while not enough may leave those aware of past events feeling cheated.

Bigger and Better

Major changes behind-the-scenes and on the screen have taken place. First of all, in the grand tradition of ER and The Sopranos, Angel will now be broadcast in letterbox format. This gives the show more of a cinematic appeal and fans a wider view of the action.

Secondly, two new writers have joined the crew. Jeffrey Bell, who has done work on the The X-Files, and Scott Murphy, who has worked on Strange Frequency and The Huntress, join Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, Tim Minear, and Mere Smith as Angel scribes.

Finally, Amy Acker’s Winifred "Fred" Burkle joins the crew full-time. The gang rescued Fred from the Pythia dimension last season. The addition of Acker brings the full-timer count up to five, a number that puts it on par with the early seasons of BTVS.

Past Sins, Old Lovers, and Incest?

So what exactly is in store for the Bat-Gang this season? According to the official WB statement, Angel is going to spend some time dealing with the consequences of his actions, whether they happened 300 years ago or 3 hours ago. Time discrepancy aside, this isn’t much of a change from the usual. Darla’s back and, if my hunch is correct, she’ll be up to no good. A major new "villain" has been confirmed. This is a guy who has hunted Angel for quite some time, seeking revenge for the death of his wife and children.

Many Angel watchers see the current Bat-Gang members as a kind of weird family unit. Perhaps that is why the insinuation that Angel will develop "growing yet unrequited feelings for Cordelia" is deeply disturbing. A romance between Queen C and her big-brother type boss? Is this possible? Is it likely? Most importantly, is it sanitary?

Rumor has it (well, The WB said) that the two other male team members are scheduled to take romantic interest in the newcomer. This is kind of hard to picture, considering the girl went just a teensy bit crazy after being trapped in a demon dimension for a couple of years. Maybe she gets a grip on reality after a summer in back in LA. Apparently she is sane enough to realize that her rescuer is a hottie-pattotie and develops a big fat crush on Angel.

But details about relationship entanglements aren’t all that we are dying to know.

These following questions, among others, plague the minds of avid Angel advocates everywhere:

How does Angel deal with Buffy’s death?
Will Wesley finally stand up to his condescending father?
What does Wolfram & Hart have in store for Angel this time around?
Will Gunn find contentment with working for AI?
Will The Host have an opportunity to do the dance of joy?
Can Fred still get her old job back at the library?
And most importantly . . .

What will Cordelia’s hair look like?
Tune in for the Angel premiere to at least get a glimpse at the answers to these questions and more. Then be sure to come back here to read the review and offer your thoughts and opinions about its triumphant return.

Until then, feel free to discuss your hopes and predictions for the upcoming season on the boards and add any hot bits of rumors and gossip to the spoilers section.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
9/24/2001

"When we lose one we love, our bitterest tears are called forth by the memory of hours when we loved not enough."
-Maurice Maeterlinck, Wisdom and Destiny, 1898

Is there such a thing as one true love?

James the vampire sure thought so. He and Elizabeth were together for over 200 years. He believed in his one true love so strongly that when she died, he decided that his life no longer held any meaning. After his attempt to avenge her death, he willingly went to join her in whatever afterlife is in store for vampires.

A 200-year-old devotion like that is a pretty good argument for the credibility of one true love.

Buffy is out of Angel’s life forever now. If there is only one true love for each person, then either Buffy was not Angel’s, or Angel will spend the rest of his immortal life without finding another. Few would disagree that Angel’s love for Buffy was true. If this is so, does her departure mean that Angel is destined to be alone forever?

"She was the love of your life and she died."

Perhaps this phrase, "love of your life," as Cordelia used it, is more relevant to the situation than the concept of "one true love." Up until this point in time, Angel had never loved another person the way that he loved Buffy. She was the love of his life. Now she is gone.

However, his heart is still beating (figuratively, of course). He still cares about people and even possesses strong emotional attachments.

These facts leave Angel the opportunity to find another love of his life. It may not be as cosmic and tortured as his relationship with Buffy, but that will not make it any less meaningful. At this point in time, Angel is immortal. He’s had a long life. It is reasonable to think that one who has lived so long may have more than one true love.

Even so, the loss of Buffy is not an easy one to handle.

It is true that Angel hasn’t exactly had a lot of contact with her lately. He began distancing himself by moving to L.A. Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but in sometimes it’s more a case of "out of sight, out of mind." He has been dealing with the loss of Buffy’s affection for quite some time now. However, he was not prepared for her death. In fact, he even sacrificed his own humanity in order to be better able to protect her when the time came.

How to deal with the loss of loved ones has become a rather poignant topic very recently. When does the pain end? When does the guilt end? Is it wrong to move on? These are all questions that the survivors often ask themselves in the aftermath of such emotional trauma.

Angel is asking the same questions. He did not have that chance to protect Buffy. He is alive and she is not. Now, he is moving on without her. He is finding comfort in the caring of another and in the friendship of those around him. He is dealing with the loss and is not ready to sacrifice himself over a broken heart.

It’s no wonder he feels like he’s betraying Buffy.

However, as Cordelia points out, the ones that we have loved and lost would rather us honor their memory by continuing in life rather than in self-torture or death.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is no different. Angel would have given his life to save her, but that opportunity never arose. Now is the time for healing and for moving on.

It’s Really Good to See You Guys

Angel’s back from Sri Lanka and the whole crew is there to meet him. Cordelia greets him with her streak-free new ‘do and a genuine "I’ve missed you" hug. Wesley shows off a new, laid-back look while Gunn sticks to his classic duds and heavy sarcasm. The three of them have been working hard as demon-slaying detectives in his absence and seem to have a pretty good handle on things. Nevertheless, they are glad to see the return of the dark knight. Who wouldn’t be? He’s bearing gifts and wearing clothes with actual color.

Fred, Merle, The Host, and the never-before-seen Holtz are back, too. So is Darla.

So is Darla.

Pregnant Darla.

"Life’s full of surprises."

I’m convinced that the only appropriate response to this revelation is high-pitched screaming.

Who knew vampires could have babies? Is it Angel’s baby? Has it been near nine-months already? What is she doing seeing a shaman in Nicaragua? How does this all fit into the PTB’s plans? Will her drinking somehow affect the baby’s health? How on earth do you nurse a vampire baby?

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait patiently for the answers to these and many more questions, since Darla’s end of the episode teaser was just that.

In the meantime, Angel will continue to fight demons and injustice in L.A. with a new cinematic flair, complete with larger sets, a movie-like soundtrack, and widescreen projection. Looks like we’re in for a wild ride, one that I know I can’t wait to get back on.

As for next week . . .
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As we saw this time around, Cordelia is still getting really bad hangovers from her headaches. They seem to get worse and Angel decides to track down whom or what is making her suffer and put and end to it. Is this foreshadowing of his devotion to a new love-interest or just Angel looking out for a friend? If the way he was looking at her during their conversations is any indication, I’d say a new love is in the works.

Thanks for dropping by for the new season of Angel! Think I left something out? Disagree with something that was said? Want to discuss Wesley and Gunn’s fear of a rat’s beady eyes, beady teeth and the whooshing of its tail? Make your thoughts known by leaving comments on our board below.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
10/1/2001

You will find that the mere resolve not to be useless, and the honest desire to help other people, will, in the quickest and delicatest ways, improve yourself.
John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)

Angel’s worst fear came to pass.

His enemies hurt his friend in order to get at him.

Angel has always been concerned about the effect his crusade against the forces of darkness would have upon those closest to him. Before, in an attempt to cut him off from The Powers That Be and leave him friendless and weak, a demon working for Wolfram & Hart put both Cordelia and Wesley in the hospital.

The memory of this occurrence assuredly contributed heavily to Angel’s decision to cut himself off from his friends for their own protection nearly a year ago.

Once he realized that he really needed his friends and that they needed him, Angel returned to the group. By doing so, he also hoped to be better able to protect them by having them near.

However, an unseen force was able to attack Cordelia in their very midst, causing her to suffer unspeakable pain. Worse yet, the entire purpose of the attack was to force Angel to do the bidding of Wolfram & Hart.

It was just as he feared.

However, instead of struggling over regrets or beating himself up, Angel took action. Action without fear of consequences. There is no telling what Angel has unleashed upon the world or what fierce advantage he may have provided Wolfram & Hart by rescuing the man trapped in the fire. Cordelia is right. Wolfram & Hart won. Lilah got Angel to do what she wanted.

It isn’t about winning. It’s about what’s at stake.

Not once did Angel puzzle over the "right thing to do" or even consider what giving into the demands of such an evil organization might bring about. He had to save Cordelia. No two ways about it. Fear or no fear, consequences be darned, it was time to get Cordelia her brain back.

Has there ever been a former evil vampire more devoted to his loved ones?

Speaking of "loved ones," with Cordelia’s mind and body in peril, we were given a chance to witness the growing relationship between Angel and Cordelia take a few leaps. They have cared about each other for quite some time now, but it appears to be moving into something deeper. The lingering looks, the need Angel had to be by her side, the gentle way he spoke to her, and his threatening of Lilah all suggest that they are becoming more than close friends.

Cordelia, in a rare moment of emotive revelation, told Angel that she feared losing her visions, simply because then she would no longer be of use to Angel. As much as it pains her, she kind of likes being the Lassie of the group. However, Fred also demonstrates a desire to feel needed by Angel. She just about tripped over herself with glee when Angel mentioned that he "needed" her to do something for him. It is no secret that she is currently Angel’s biggest fan, most likely to the point of obsession.

So what does this mean? Perhaps it means there is a catfight for Angel’s affections in the future. Cordelia and Fred’s conversation at her apartment was oddly reminiscent of the condescending talks she used to have with a meek, tongue-tied Willow. Throw Darla with a baby into the mix and emotions, tempers, and even hormones are sure to flare.

A Few Gripes

Overall, this was an engaging piece Bat Gang adventure material that helped to strengthen the bond between Angel and Cordelia. However, some aspects of the entire situation really stuck in my craw. Yes, these can be explained away, but they are still troubling. For example:

Why didn’t Cordelia show the gang the scratch marks immediately? She is not exactly one to keep quiet about her own suffering. Who else is going to help take care of them? What did she hope to gain by hiding them?
Angel was in Lilah’s office. She was pretty much at his mercy. Why even play her games at all? Why not just grab her by the neck and beat the living daylights out of her until she helps Cordelia? That, or something similarly as intimidating, seems more like Angel.
Wesley’s behavior. I’ve always been impressed with his bumbling, yet determined conduct, but now he just seems overly subdued. Seems to me he’s been skipping out on his morning coffee.
As for the future, the grim-looking man that Angel freed from the prison of fire is sure to return to stir up some trouble for the gang. So many baddies, old and new alike, and so little time. At least ugly-brain boy won’t be back to cause any trouble. Angel sure cured his headaches and Cordelia’s at the same time. Vicious? Yes. Over-the-top. Yes? A telltale sign of how deeply Angel feels about Cordelia? I think you know my answer.

Next Week: Angel has to deal with Gunn’s old vampire-fighting crew. It seems they think of Gunn as a traitor and are out for Angel’s blood. Poor Gunn. With friends like these . . .

[Dalton]

Loyalty and Loss

by Josh Buckman
10/8/2001

"Things aren’t always so simple as just going out and slaying the big bad ugly. There are in this world shades of gray."
--Wesley Wyndam-Pryce

Shades of gray.

Angel’s entire life is colored in shades of gray.

He’s a bloodsucking killer that helps people. It doesn’t get much more muddled than that.

Gunn, however, used to live in a world of black and white. Vampires and demons are bad; humans are good. It is okay it kill one, but not the other.

Then his sister became a vampire. He was forced to kill her. Everything changed.

Instead of following the road to vengeance, Gunn decided to hook up with Angel and his crew and continue to fight the good fight with a new perspective. He still clung to his ideals, filtering everything through the lenses of either black or white, but somehow he understood that things weren’t quite so clear-cut. He understood enough to know that there were those better suited to make the judgment call. Angel with his experience. Wesley with his knowledge. Cordelia with her visions. These were the ones to follow on the path of righteousness.

On the other hand, Gio is the guy who represents the worst in the kind of men who lead others down the path of hatred. Haunted by misdeeds of his past, he convinces the others with the power of his words--playing on old hatreds and stirring up feelings of allegiance to a warped and distorted version of a once noble cause.

If you had a hard time believing why seemingly good people like Rondell would listen to someone who appears to be spouting all kinds of absurdities, you might also have a hard time understanding how other men have managed to persuade hordes of reasonable adults to participate in the lynching of a black man or to be a part of a concentration camp.

Or how someone could be convinced to fly an airplane into a building full of civilians.

Unfortunately, somehow racism and fanaticism often manage to get around logic and understanding just fine.

As Gio said, "He ain’t okay. Look at him!" He could be saying that about a guy with a green face and horns or one with a beard and a turban.

Either way, he had completely lost hold of what was important. Freedom and safety, once the original goals, had been perverted into indiscriminate killing to satisfy a burning hatred and a lust for violence. Whether or not he’d ever really been a part of the original mission is unclear, but like many other false prophets, he was able to lead astray many that were.

Because of this, Gunn had some hard choices to make. He knew that the old gang had gone off course, but he still felt loyal to them and their old cause. He still felt the need to protect the streets, keep demons from harming others, and to further the original mission. Which group was he going to be a part of? The group that had the overzealous, indiscriminate attitude or the one that often helped those demons he used to oppose?

Fortunately, Gunn was able to realize that his true loyalties did not lie with one group or another, but with what is right and wrong. It would have been easier for him to lump everything that looked like demon or lived like a demon into the big category of EVIL. Instead, he chose to recognize that the world is made up of individuals, as well as groups, and each demon’s actions should determine his or her deserved fate.

Perhaps Mark Twain put it best when he said, "Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul."

Other Bits

Nowadays Wesley is just a shadow of his former sheepish self. Gone is the scaredy-cat that trembled at the thought of combat. He’s matured into a man who risks gunfire in order to save a friend, stands up to a mob of blood-thirsty demon killers, and doesn’t take crap from potentially disloyal employees. Wesley has really grown into his role as a leader. Even so, it is still a bit strange to hear him referred to as "the boss." Maybe it’s the new hair.

Wesley wasn’t the only one to show his true mettle in the face of danger. Fred showed she had enough guts to sing about her mental capacity on stage AND point a crossbow at the throat of a man who wanted to hurt her big, hunky savior. Not bad for a girl who spent the last three months scribbling on her walls.

Poor Cordelia. She tries to show Fred a good time and ends up putting her right in harm’s way. Not exactly the best way to accomplish girl bonding. You could really hear then concern in her voice when she told Angel about telling Fred that she would be safe. To top it all off, she has to listen to three air-headed fates go on about how Angel is "equipped." She’s had better nights.

Speaking of Cordelia, her and Wesley’s reaction to Angel’s comment about "going dark" and killing Merle was classic. Almost as classic as Angel asking her that if he really wanted to kill Merle, would he have brought donuts? She put Angel on the list of Merle’s enemies, in a way letting him know that she’s still concerned about his bad-vampire proclivities. This would certainly stand in her mind as a roadblock to the much-debated possibility of a romantic relationship between the two.

As for Angel, could his comments be some kind of foreshadowing? Not once, but twice, was the possibility of his reversion to the dark side mentioned. Who knows how he will react to the knowledge of Darla’s pregnancy? Only time will tell.

Next Week:

Angel gets a case of Freaky Friday when a dying man casts a spell on him that switches their bodies. The old man decides it is time to live it up while Angel is left to rot. Mistaken identity hijinks are sure to ensue.

[Dalton]

Watch What You’re Seizing

by Josh Buckman
10/15/2001

"It is invariably saddening to look through new eyes at things upon which you have expended your own powers of adjustment."
--F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

While desperately searching through the schizophrenic mess of this episode for a coherent theme, I think I may have inadvertently stumbled upon the over-arching premise for the entire season.

Near the end, when Angel in Marcus’ body is about to be slain by Marcus in Angel’s body, Angel advises Marcus that he doesn’t know what he is getting into. Angel also informs Marcus that he might have the power and the attitude, but there is one thing he doesn’t have.

Friends.

At first, it just seems like a clever entrance to a joke about the gang being right behind him with "big heavy things." However, upon closer examination, it could turn out to mean so much more. Try to bear with me as I attempt to explain my reasoning.

First of all, Angel knows that Marcus is attempting to make himself immortal through the use of Angel’s body. Second, Angel knows what it is like to be immortal. He knows what it is like to live for centuries. He knows what it’s like to experience all kinds of pleasures of the flesh. Third, He also knows that Marcus is egocentric and self-serving, someone who has always been alone.

So what is the reason that Angel gives for Marcus not being able to hack it as an immortal? Friends. Because he’ll never have friends. Marcus has a weak heart because he never uses it.

Is this Angel letting slip the explanation for his newfound gregariousness and extraversion? Is he letting everyone know that the reason his is able to get through life as a tortured immortal is with the help of his friends?

I believe the answer is yes.

We’ve already seen a growing bond between Cordelia and Angel. They speak as equals and continually demonstrate that they really know each other inside and out. Angel confirmed how deeply he cared for her during her ordeal with the visions. Wesley reaffirmed with a concerned look and gentle hand that he was willing to help Angel in whatever he was going through. Even Gunn, who recently struggled with choosing between two groups of friends proved to everyone where his loyalties lay.

And Fred. Poor, sweet Fred, who broke our hearts with her unabashed enthusiasm at the pretend Angel’s request that she prepare for a night on the town. She found out tonight that friendship was the only possible relationship for her and Angel.

Who can’t relate to that? It is never easy to find out that the one you would most like to be with only wishes to be friends.

However, friendship is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Angel has to deal without romance, family support, and even comfort foods, but with his friendships, he still has something to hang on to. Love, true romantic blissful love, is never going to work out for Angel. He has the whole curse thing working against him. True friendship, however, will perhaps provide Angel with the only kind of love and happiness allowed him. Because, in a way, love is everything.

One thing is for certain; Angel is going to need to support of those friends more than ever when Darla shows up at the door and announces he’s a daddy.

It’s the little things that make it all worthwhile

Although this adventure did little to expand on the already overdone stolen identity storyline, it still had its moments. For example:

Cordelia and her suggestion for Julia’s next movie, Pretty Skanky Woman.
Fred commenting on the supermodels: "I spent years in a cave starving. What’s their excuse?"
Is Pilates like Tae-Bo? Sure, if you’re living in 1999.
Cordelia again with her praising and demoralizing speech to Angel. "You’re handsome and brave and heroic, emotionally stunted, erratic, prone to turning evil, and, let’s face it, a eunuch."
Wesley’s oh-so-calm demeanor at Angel’s strange behavior. The "talk" alone was crazy enough, but Wesley managed to show how used they all must be to Angel acting totally out of character.
The writer’s acknowledgement that Buffy was resurrected also deserves kudos, especially when it would have just been easier to never mention their competing-network counterpart’s name again.
So what is in store in the future for Angel and his friends? How is Angel going to react to the sudden reappearance of the love of his life? We can assume that the pseudo-Angel’s little tryst with Lilah is sure to have pretty severe consequences. Also, Fred is going to have to make some major decisions regarding how close she wants to remain to Angel now that the possibility of romance is over.

And speaking of Fred . . .

Next Week

Fred’s parents show up and want to take her back home. So how come she takes off running instead? It is up to Angel and the gang to figure out what is really going on with the Burkle clan.

Until then, hang around and throw your thoughts down on the message board. Each piece of thoughtful speculation, provocative question, and constructive criticism is treasured like gold.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
10/22/2001

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life."
--Richard Bach, Illusions

Fred has had a tough five years. Living in a dimension where humans are no better than cattle has got to be a traumatizing experience. However, as bad as her life on Pylea was, the memory was endurable because she believed that it would all end in the typical fairytale fashion. If all of the other unbelievable things that happened to her could be true, why couldn’t the possibility of being rescued by a handsome man and living happily ever after in his castle be true as well?

Unfortunately, the demon dimension and her life in a cave were not part of a fairy tale. They were both realities. So is Angel’s lack of romantic interest.

Thanks to the confrontation with her parents, Fred finally realized that she wasn’t living in that fairytale, and sadly, happily-ever-after rarely occurs in real life.

So now that Fred’s back in reality, she has to figure out what to do with her self. On one hand, there’s her old life in Texas. Her parents have come to care for her and are showing her nothing but love and support. They would be thrilled for her to come back home and pretend as though nothing had happened.

On the other hand, there is the gang at Angel Investigations. She’s been accepted and welcomed despite, nay, dare-I-say because of, what happened to her in the past. No pretending, nor denial, need be involved in this life.

No one ever really wants to pretend. Life is hard enough without having to keep up some kind of front or false pretense. Whether you’re faking it because you hate your job, you’re in a loveless marriage, or you’re afraid of disappointing your parents, it is never easy to act as something you’re not.

Fred realizes this. Despite how much her parents love her, she knows she must have her own life now. She chooses to stay where she’ll be accepted and can hopefully do some good. She makes this choice knowing that it is up to her to find her own destiny and not some prince riding in to rescue her on a horse.

So, now that she has chosen to stay in L.A., how exactly does she fit into this operation?

She has already explained everyone else’s role: Angel is the Champion. Wesley is the brain. Gunn is the muscle. Cordelia is the heart. So what exactly is Fred going to be?

The overly talkative spaz?
The ingenious, yet disturbed, inventor?
The nutty old goon-bird up in her room doing nothing but mooching off Angel?
Or one of the reasons this season still has a little bit of mystery left?
It seems she qualifies for all of the above. Fred’s adjustment to the real world and life back in L.A. has had more character development than all of the other members of the team put together. Gunn’s pretty much closed the book on his former life. Angel refuses to show us any kind of reaction to Buffy’s death and resurrection. The possible romantic sparks between he and Cordelia have all but completely fizzled. Wesley has had less to do than Ricky Lake these days. Wolfram and Hart are have cut their evil scheme output in half. Darla is still AWOL. That leaves Fred and her fast-paced journey from crazy, lovesick puppy to functioning member of the team as the most character-driven aspect of the season so far.

Having said that, this question still remains: if the scariest thing that Fred had to deal with was facing reality by confronting her parents, what was with the big hoo-ha that The Host gave both Fred and Angel? Telling Fred that she hadn’t run far enough and Angel that it was all going to get "ugly" was pretty dramatic. Seems to me that was just a bunch of hokey thrown in to further convince the viewers that Fred’s parents were some kind of murderous demons bent on the torturing and oppressing their long-lost daughter.

Instead, they turn out to be completely sympathetic and understanding parents who simply missed their child. No wonder the gang thought something was up with them. Cordelia’s parents have yet to make any kind of appearance in her life since she moved to L.A., Gunn had to take care of himself and his sister without the help of parents, and Wesley’s parents beat him down until he became a quivering mass of self-doubt. There are parents who show concern for their child’s well being? Imagine that! I thought Joyce Summers was the only one with that going on and look at what happened to her.

So now Fred is officially part of the team. She has realized her true path in life. Her exact role is likely to undergo some tweaking throughout her stay in L.A. In the meantime, we the viewers were treated to increasingly improved demon costumes and special effects, a hysterical dramatic interpretation of Angel and Buffy’s relationship, and comments about Judge Judy laying the smack down. As I’ve said before, it is the little things that make it all worthwhile.

Something to Consider

Last week, a comment was made on the board that perhaps the gang does not really know Angel as well as they think they do. This intriguing idea leads into an important question: what exactly IS up with Angel this season? Don’t get me wrong. The new, loveable, Angel is a treat to watch. However, bouncing around when it is his turn to get patched up and jumping when his cell phone rings seems a bit out of character, especially after all the supposed emotional turmoil he must be suffering through due to Buffy’s death/life. Has he really made the change from brooding man of the shadows into a happy-go-lucky vampire that has accepted his fate? Or perhaps all of this is merely a setup to contrast how he will act when Darla comes-a-knocking.

Next Week

Remember when Angel freed that sinister looking man from the fiery prison in order to save Cordelia? This bad guy returns with the power to bring out the worst in men through a single-touch, and he’s using it to start a wave of violence against women. What will happen when he manages to infect one of the gang’s own? Tune in next week to find out, and then don’t forget head back here to lay some smack down of your own.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
10/29/2001

According to the National Organization of Women, every day four women die in this country as a result of domestic violence, which they refer to as "the euphemism for murders and assaults by husbands and boyfriends."

Sometimes what humans are capable of is far more frightening than any demon lurking in the shadows.

The sheer savageness and brutality of the attacks against Lilah, the female cop, and Fred slapped the viewer in the face with the horror of this kind of violence. Yes, a certain villain that can bring out the worst in men inspired these attacks, but this is not always the case. Humans hurt humans every day without demonic initiation.

Although the entire "bringing out the primordial misogyny" scenario may have bordered on overstatement with a side of preachiness, the episode’s message was presented forcefully, forebodingly, and effectively. Despite the political and moral agendas, the story was gripping, intense, and as scary as any episode we’ve ever seen before. In it, several of the characters took on the form of an amalgamation of traits commonly found in those who often participate in the real-life drama of violence against women.

Billy was the symbolic abuser who thinks of women as less than human. His political associations and far-reaching influence protect him from the official channels of justice.

Lilah was the battered woman who refuses to take action due to some lingering sense of obligation and loyalty. She is also the woman who is afraid that no one really has the ability to make the abuse stop.

Wesley was the man who blames the woman for the abuse that he deals her. It is the provocative way that she dresses and the way that she teases him that has led to a physical reaction.

Are these stereotypes? Yes. The real question is if they are accurate stereotypes. Are they traits that should be recognized and dealt with so that domestic violence and other forms of abuse can be intercepted and eliminated? Again, yes.

The effects that this violence has on women -- Cordelia described the feelings of helplessness and degradation that comes with this kind of physical abuse -- is unfathomable to many of us. Angel Investigation’s latest case provided those of us outside of these situations with a greater empathy and a need for action.

Despite the effectiveness of the overall story, there was at least one aspect in which it fell glaringly short. Our understanding of Billy was severely limited. Why did he hate women? What made him want to watch them being tortured and killed? How did he obtain his demonic powers? How did he get trapped in a fire prison in a demon dimension? Because of all these unanswered questions and unknown motivations, his entire character fell as flat as he did after Lilah shot him.

Not so with Wesley.

All work and no play makes Wesley a dull boy

Wesley, although sometimes a bit bumbling, was always the perfect gentleman. To be so utterly transformed into a misogynistic sociopath must have torn all of his seamless English dignity to shreds. Alexis Denisof should be commended for making this dramatic shift in personality seem so natural and believable. Although liberal borrowing from Jack Nicholson in The Shining obviously occurred, Denisof’s acting was perfectly creepy in it’s own right. "Lie to me again and we’re going to have a problem," was enough to send chills down my spine.

Now that he has recovered from Billy’s influence, his shame over his actions makes it hard for him to even speak to Fred, and understandably so. Wesley was their leader, their friend, and possibly Fred’s new love interest. He tried to kill Fred. It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t his fault, he still feels responsible. What would have happened had he succeeded? How can he face his friends again and ask that they trust and follow him?

He should thank his lucky stars that his intended victim has been amazingly rational about where the blame should be placed, despite the fact she was hunted and humiliated by someone she trusted. If it had not been for Fred making the first steps and assuring him that it wasn’t his fault, he might not have ever returned to the hotel. Guilt and shame are powerful and paralyzing emotions.

Cordelia the Avenger

Cordelia, on the other hand, let everyone know that she was a woman of action. No matter how much she changes due to her new life as a demon-fighting protector of innocents, she still retains the fire and strength of her Sunnydale captain-of-the-cheer-squad days. Her training with Angel showed her taking the initiative; her showdowns with Lilah and Billy demonstrated her fearlessness; and her refusal to leave Angel’s side proved her loyalty and commitment to personal responsibility.

So, whether you see sparks or no sparks, it is obvious that the new strong, loyal Cordelia and the new touchy-feely Angel feel completely at ease with each other. Cordelia is even starting to get used to being "creeped out and comforted at the same time." Angel also seems to be overly concerned with what Cordelia thinks about him.

Does this mean romance is in the air?

One can’t ignore the conversation between Wesley and Cordelia concerning office romances. Perhaps her comments can be interpreted to mean that the romantic feelings in their relationship are only one-way. Cordy loves Angel as a friend and feels comfortable with him, but the fact he might turn into a soulless killer would keep thoughts of romance from anyone’s mind. She is not the type to be used or abused. Angel, on the other hand, might find himself attracted to the one woman who really knows him and doesn’t put up with any of his crap. Or, as suggested before, we are just having our minds messed with.

Next Week

Whatever the relationship between Cordelia and Angel might be, it is sure to get thrown out of whack as Darla returns with her bun in the oven. Hurt feelings, resentment, and questions about the baby’s origin are sure to ensue.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
11/5/2001

It’s official; Angel’s got a thing for Cordelia.

What exactly that thing is remains to be seen. Is it true love? A passing crush? A romance sprung from convenience? Simple boy/girl lust?

Whichever of these it may be, it is sure to be oft compared to Angel’s relationship with our favorite blonde slayer. This is the slayer that just recently returned from the dead and met with Angel, with apparently less than eternal love results. Is that even possible for the "destined duo?"

Spike once told Angel and Buffy that they would be in love until it killed them both.

Since then, Buffy has died. Not exactly as a result of her love for Angel, but does that mean their cosmic romance is over for good? What happened to these once star-crossed soul mates? Perhaps it is the dearly departed Joyce Summers who said it best when she once told Spike, "Sometimes, even when two people seem right for each other, their lives just take different paths." Or in some cases, different networks.

So, if Buffy and Angel have parted ways, Angel is free to find another girlfriend. Not entirely free, he is still a cursed vampire, but perhaps all this talk of Shanshu and one day becoming human has made him a bit braver when it comes to risking a relationship. Cordelia, the beautiful woman who is closest to him in his life at this point, is the natural choice.

Fred is the first to acknowledge the fact that Angel and Cordelia have some kind of attraction to each other. With all the innuendos and double-entendres flying around, it’s hard to believe that no one else noticed. When she meets Cordelia on the stairs, she tells her "kyerumption." This is the phrase from Pylea that refers to when two great warriors meet on the battlefield and acknowledge their similar fates. When explaining this to Angel, she seems to infer that Angel and Cordelia are the two warriors with similar fates. However, since she addressed Cordelia directly, perhaps it is these two women warriors who will share the same fate: to have their hearts broken by Angel.

For now, however, Cordelia is not going to concede that there is anything going on between the two of them. Are her small acts of caring and sexual jokes really different than how she would treat a friend, or is her heart feeling something that her head won’t allow her to accept? It is certain she is aware of Angel’s curse and its consequences, but can that awareness fully keep possible romantic feelings in check?

Well, if the chance of Angel becoming evil again doesn’t completely extinguish the fire, Darla’s reappearance is sure to dampen any remaining sparks. She’s a big, fat reminder that Angel has lied, has been rather promiscuous, and will now have to deal with raising some kind of unknown type of progeny that could possibly bring about the end of the world. That’s sure to douse passion faster than catching your lover with a Chaos Demon.

Cordelia reacted to the hurt Darla’s revelation caused by lashing out at Angel in the most effective way – taking Darla’s side. Sure, she may have felt some compassion for a women who looks as if she is carrying a couple of bowling balls in hers stomach as the result of some male’s wanton passion, but she knows who Darla is and the evil she’s done. Her helpfulness toward Darla was really the best way to kick Angel where it counted.

On the other hand, Angel’s reaction to Darla’s pregnancy was very similar to other guys who have just found out that whatever method of birth control they used failed to do its job. It’s just not comprehendible that a single night of wild abandon could have resulted in any kind of long-lasting consequence. And when the consequences come knocking, the denials and excuses start flying.

Fortunately, after his bout with embarrassment and guilt, Angel came to terms with the fact that what is growing in Darla is his responsibility. It doesn’t matter how evil Darla is, Angel is the one who made the decision to sleep with her, and now he is accountable for his actions. If that means raising the problem child of the century, then so be it.

Hits

Things that make you go "mmmm, Angel." (but not in the sexually-evocative way)

One of the best characteristics of this show is the attention given to past occurrences in its own mythology. References to Buffy, Shanshu, The Host’s club repairs, and Cordelia’s previous pregnancy not only keep it from becoming too episodic, but also reward loyal viewers with a nudge-nudge, wink-wink that only makes watching more pleasurable.

When the museum owner caught Wesley and Gunn, they used quick thinking and ingenuity to get themselves out of the situation instead of magic or violence too often relied upon by some certain junior detectives.

Fred continues to prove that she is a valuable addition. Her help with the prophecy, the little speech about destiny, and acceptance of Cordelia and Angel’s attraction was all very endearing. Also, her obvious confusion over Angel’s past relationships was something any new viewer is sure to feel. Thank goodness they keep a chart in the files!

The two best lines:

"This is way beyond my Ken . . . Barbie, and all my action figures." The Host
"We tried to stop her by hitting her fists and feet with our faces." Gunn

Misses

Thankfully, the good far outweighs the bad.

There was absolutely no explanation given for why the gang was searching for the new prophecy. What brought about this sudden concern for the end of the world? Because there was no apparent reason, it looked like a glaring plot device.

Holtz is back. This could be a hit; it remains to be seen. But does death or time mean nothing in Angel’s world? If the writers aren’t careful, it could get as silly as the comic books in which a character’s death means nothing because there is always the possibility of resurrection. If Doyle pops back up, I’d be afraid that the shark jumping might follow.

Next Week

Darla’s about to pop, and Wolfram & Hart wants to do everything in its power to get their hands on the kid. A vampire cult also wants the baby because they believe it is the miracle child. I wonder what all these miracle child/chosen one cults do for a day job?

Until then, rant and rave about love interests, Darla’s fat suit, or even Cordy’s developing vision power (hmmm-Carter?) on the oh-so fabulous message boards! See you next week, same bat time, same bat channel.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
11/12/2001

Quickening means to come to life, or to enter into a phase of growth and development. That is exactly what the baby inside of Darla is in the process of doing. This is particularly remarkable because that means, unlike either of its parents, it is alive.

Vampires are bringers of death. They have very little to do with life. It is no wonder that the event of a vampire nativity is causing such a stir among the supernatural world. As Darla is on the verge of giving birth -- a vampire giving life -- all of the players in this cosmic game of chess have made their appearance on the board.

What moves they will make remains to be seen.

Daddy and Mommy – the king and queen

Angel and Darla never expected that a night of wild passion would result in a bouncing baby boy. Now that they are faced with the looming promise of parenthood, is it possible that priorities may be shifting?

Angel has been a protector of mankind, committed to doing what is best for humanity. Being a vampire and all, he never expected to be able to have a son. A living, breathing, human son. This is a big deal for anyone, but especially for someone who knew there was a possibility that his baby might "skitter out." Parents tend to want to be able to give the world to their children. Will Angel be expected to give up his child for the world? If it comes down to letting his child live and bringing about the end of the world or killing his own baby, will he be able to do it?

On the other hand, Darla, as a vampire, has always been evil. She’s pretty good at it, too. This baby is causing her lots of pain, physically and emotionally, so she’d rather just be rid of it. Or would she? Darla showed a bit of Spike’s characteristic conflict between the desires to be an evil vampire and possible good or loving intentions. There’s a chance that the maternal instinct is kicking in, even for this ruthless killer. When the baby comes, she may decide that it’s not such a bad thing after all.

The loyal friends – the bishops

Cordelia, Wesley, Gunn and Fred are all remaining a bit more impartial about the miracle of Darla’s child. They are a well aware of the possibility that it may be a thing of evil and a threat to the world. They even came up with some pretty imaginative ways of putting it down, if needed.

For now, however, they have promised their friend to help him figure out what is going on with his child. In the meantime, they will protect it almost as fiercely as he will. Even Cordelia, to whom the child will continually be a reminder of Angel’s past lie and romp with evil D, has agreed to help look after both boy and mother. Angel, who has some pretty big concerns on his mind, is lucky to know that he’s got such good friends to watch his back and provide him with counsel.

The evil law firm – the rook

Despite all of Angel’s past victories over this particularly scheming group of lawyers, Wolfram & Hart usually manages to remain one step ahead of him. This time, however, they are the ones who have been thrown for a loop. Darla’s resurrection was part of their plan, but apparently her pregnancy was not. Now their goal is to find the baby and its mother and use them for further research.

Regardless of their cool demeanors and $5,000 suits, these lawyers can do little to affect the game now. It appears that even these big baddies are way out of their league. We can only hope that they will decide to get involved on a more personal level and that in the mayhem the super obnoxious Gavin (whoops!) gets his head chopped off. Maybe even by Lilah. Then she can whack Linwood, too, the next time he starts another ridiculously out of place and boring monologue.

The time-traveling avenger – the knight

Holtz certainly has a reason to want revenge. Why he began hunting Angelus and Darla in the first place is still a mystery, but why he continues is easy to understand. With the help of a mysterious morphing demon, who has yet to reveal the nature of his involvement in the current events, he has another chance to bring retribution to the now expecting couple.

Angelus and Darla once left Holtz a note that said, "How can you hope to save others when you cannot save your own?" Is it possible that Holtz will soon have the opportunity to ask Angel that same question?

The freak shows – the pawns

Cyril, the creepy mail guy, calls up Tarfal Master on the demon 900-number to let him know what’s going down with the kid. The vampire cult leader said that his potentate Ul-Thar made them vow to protect the "miracle child." What other kinds of crazies and their cults are going to show up before this is all over?

And speaking of powerful masters shrouded in mystery, who or what is it that is that is protecting the child from harm?

Will the apocalypse foretold in the Nyazean scrolls come to pass immediately upon birth or later within the child’s life?

Will the next episode in the November sweeps bring us a conclusion to the game set afoot in this episode?

We can only cross our fingers and wait.

Click, it’s your move now. Discuss your reaction to the previous events and your prediction of those to come on the boards below.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
11/19/2001

Last time, the players were set on the board.

This time, the first player fell. Who would have thought it would be the queen?

Darla has never been one of those morally ambiguous vampires. As long as she’s had fangs, she’s been evil through and through. That suddenly starts to change when the life growing inside her affects her feelings and gives her a growing conscience. In hardly any time at all, she changes from a selfish, bloodsucking demon into a true mother.

In her love for her child she defied the restrictions of her body, her inner-vampire nature, and even a powerful ancient prophecy. Since her body was made to bring death, she sacrificed it in order to bring forth life.

Darla realized that she and Angel could never make up for what they had done in the past. But when she ended her own life, it was not because of overwhelming guilt or unbearable shame. It was because of love.

We still don’t know exactly how the baby was conceived, who or what has been protecting the baby, or what significance it will play in the future. We do know one thing, however. Angel’s son has already brought about some good – the redemption of his own mother.

For pretty much all of last season, I was clamoring for Darla’s demise. How strange it is to have actually shed a tear when she finally made her exit. It is a testament to the quality of this show and to Julie Benz as an actor that we have both hated and loved Darla at different times. I could not think of a finer way for her to make a final exit.

Now that Darla has gone for good, what has she left behind? Angel is now a vampire with a human child. Not only that, but their worst enemy has arrived in the 21st century as the perfect foil to Angel. Holtz is a human who had a vampire child. Angel was once evil and now works on for the powers of good. Holtz was once a good man who now works for the powers of evil. These two polar opposites are sure to clash in some kind of cosmic showdown. Angel, in a way, forced Holtz to kill his own child. Is it possible that Holtz will find a way to make Angel do the same and bring the cycle full circle?

Until then, Angel has a son. Something he could have never even dreamed of one day possibly having. This miracle child was surely created to fulfill some purpose, but Angel is likely to see him only as a gift, albeit one that is guaranteed to turn the world of Angel Investigations upside down. Whatever the child’s fate may be, Angel’s life is changed forever. If Darla, who is evil, can give up everything for her child, what will a good person like Angel do to keep it safe?

This one thing is certain – the game is far from over.

Between the two major tragedies of Sarah and Darla’s deaths, all the drama was nearly overpowering. However, there were still the trademark mood-lighteners and side bits that keep every second between the gasp inducing scenes of emotional carnage interesting.

For instance, Fred rattled off another one of her insightful and endearing speeches about the workings of prophecies. If those weren’t enough to make me love her forever, she even stayed behind with Angel and Darla to act as a witness to her sacrifice. If she isn’t careful, she might end up giving Cordelia a run for her money as the favorite flawed but loveable female on the show.

Lilah pulled off some goofy hilarity as well during her little talk with Holtz. Who else would have the nerve to walk right into the carnage at the hotel without any fear of harm? This, and her brilliant idea to highlight an ancient scroll, makes me wonder if she isn’t on some high-priced recreational drugs those lawyers can afford.

Again it’s poor, poor Lorne. He finally gets his club back into shape and it gets all blown up. If he ever gets to re-rebuild, he’d be smart to lock the doors if the Bat Gang came a-knocking. However, the scene with Gunn and Fred helping him test the violence protection device was classic. It’s a good thing Gunn is such a good sport.

Despite the successful integration of heart-wrenching drama and humorous interludes, this episode still seemed a bit sprawling and crowded. It surely is a taste of the chaos that is sure to be brought about by the presence of a child at Angel Investigations.

Children are never easy, even in a regular home environment. Now that Angel has a kid, will he be able to continue to fight evil? Will Cordelia or Fred be a mother-type? Will Wesley be the British nanny? Will the show resort to overdone jokes about dirty diapers and baby spit-up? (Heaven forbid!)

Unfortunately, the answers to these and other questions will have to wait until the season’s first stretch of reruns is over. Until then, maybe we should all take up aerobics or yoga classes on Monday nights. Or better yet, Lamaze.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
12/10/2001

If ever there was a parent who had good reason to be overprotective, it’s Angel.

Demons, vampires, a vampire hunter, and a biker gang are out to get his newborn child. Even an evil law firm wants to nab the baby in order to dissect and study his inner workings.

It’s enough to make a person consider the witness protection program as a viable alternative to day care.

Apparently it is also enough to make you distrust your friends and their ability to handle the child even for a moment. Angel believes that even one moment might make the difference in his ability to care for and protect his child. With such high stakes, he might even be right.

Unfortunately, this kind of distrust can only lead to hurt feelings. Angel Investigations is a kind of a family. A demon-hunting, world-saving, crime-fighting family, but still a family. If you can’t trust your family members, whom can you trust? Cordelia, who has the most reason to be upset at Angel’s distrust, understands the need for responsibility sharing and tries to explain to Angel how he needs to let others help him. Sadly enough, his admirable devotion to his child is what threatens to push those who have been closest to him even farther away.

I must confess, I got completely caught up in Angel’s "I’m leaving you to die" act. It was easy because the single-minded behavior he demonstrated in the protectiveness of his son was reminiscent of his obsession with Darla last season. I thought we were being tossed another reason to shake up the relationships between the Bat Gang members just when they were getting along so well. That kind of familiar territory runs rampant over on Buffy and wasn’t going to be surprised if it was pulled on its sister show. Thank goodness Angel didn’t blow off his friends and was just in the middle of an elaborate deception that seemed incredibly complicated and well thought out for having been devised in a janitor’s closet. In the end, they all came together like the incredibly diverse family unit they are.

Speaking of familiar territory

Tell me if you’ve heard this story before:

An older, mysterious man wearing a duster and gray facial hair approaches an attitude-filled young woman and offers to train her in the arts of vampire killing. She initially resists gives him plenty of sass but after a run in with some vampires she decides it would be better in the long run to take him up on his offer.

If you thought I was talking about Kristin Swanson and Donald Sutherland in the roles of Buffy the vampire the slayer and Merrick the watcher, you’d only be slightly off. That’s right, I was referring to Justine the vampire slayer and her new watcher, Daniel Holtz.

Sure, she might not have the super powers of the slayer, and he might not really be a descendant of the ancient order of watchers, but there is no denying the clearly visible parallels between the first incarnation of Buffy and this new vampire killer.

So what exactly is going on here? Why did writer David H. Goodman channel the spirit of early Joss Whedon? Some possible explanations include:

Holtz couldn’t know about Buffy, but maybe he knows of the watchers. Maybe he is even one of them.
It is a twist on the entire slayer fable that demonstrates how good people just slightly misguided can end up working for evil.
The WB wants its own version of the slayer back on the network to boost Angel ratings.
Goodman just thought it would be kinda cool.
Despite the blatant revision on the basic myth that spawned both Angel and its predecessor, this new development gives the Holtz revenge storyline a new and interesting angle. First he offs the minions hired to help in open defiance of his mysterious benefactor and next he is recruiting true vampire haters to assist him in his quest to kill angel. The inclusion of Justine the Vampire Slayer in his plan actually makes whatever he has up his sleeve somewhat intriguing.

Holtz has finally become an interesting bad guy and a foe worth watching.

Speaking of foes worth watching

Lilah is the only one of those over at the once formidable law firm of Wolfram & Hart. Her partner Gavin and her boss Linwood have proven themselves to be more goofy and ineffectual than either cunning or menacing.

Warning: rare completely personal rant ahead

I hope I wasn’t the only one cheering when Angel burst into Wolfram & Hart to scare the poop out of Linwood. That man has been working my nerve since his first spontaneous appearance at the law firm with his random fits of overacting and complete lack of charisma. The only downside to Angel putting him in his place by making him Connor’s godfather is that it probably means that we will see a lot more of him in the future. Bleh.

Finish him and Gavin off once and for all, I say. I never thought I’d admit this, but I miss Lindsey now more than ever.

Speaking of now more than ever

Thanks again for stopping by to read more ravings about all things Angel. Please take a moment to rate the article and then head over to the posting board to throw down some ravings of your own.

Before I leave you all to another round of winter reruns, I will close with my favorite line in this episode:

"He doesn’t like Smokey Robinson and the Miracles? I thought you said this kid had a soul."

Happy Holidays Everyone

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
1/14/2002

Welcome back, Angel Fans! After a long, painfully slow holiday break, we were finally treated to a new episode. An episode that, if you are at all like me, left you scratching your head and wondering, "What was that again?"

Instead, I believe the question we are supposed to ask is, "If you made one decision differently in your past, no matter how small, how would that affect your present and your future?"

The significance of momentary events and personal choices is something that has fascinated audiences for quite some time. Films such as It’s a Wonderful Life, Sliding Doors, and the recent Family Man all explore possible alternate realities. In television, everyone from Star Trek to Friends has taken the time to ask, "what if things were different?" Even Angel’s progenitor explored what might have been the fate of Sunnydale if Buffy had never arrived.

The hard part about putting together a "what if" storyline is figuring out how to fit them into the show’s regular reality. In some cases, the "what if" is just a flight of fancy that has no relation to actual events. In other cases, such as in Buffy’s The Wish, the alternate reality was created by events in the "real world" but is undone and made to appear as if it had never happened.

As in The Wish, Cordelia was once again at the center of reality altering mayhem in Birthday. However, this time it’s not a lack of Buffy in the new world, it’s a lack of Super Cordy and her visions. Also in Birthday, what exactly happened isn’t quite as clear or as neatly wrapped up.

In order to try and make sense of Cordy’s trip through the land of possibilities, let’s first set up the facts. Cordelia, after one whopper of a vision, is sent to the astral plane where she is forced to pick between dying a silent death or becoming the star she’s always dreamed of. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Well, after some persuading, she picks being a star. She is now a famous actress with her own television show.

This means that she never met Angel in L.A. and that they never worked together.

Logically, this would lead to the conclusion that . . .

. . . Cordelia never gained the attitude change from living in poverty.

. . . Cordelia would not have any strong emotional ties to Angel.

. . . Cordelia would have never been able to write 171 Oak on the wall of the run-down hotel.

But in the new reality, Cordelia acts humble and downright unselfish, feels connected to Angel enough to give him a big smooch, and follows her own clues that she left on the hotel wall!

Confused yet? Me too!

How is it feasible that the events in the old reality affected the new reality? Perhaps it is possible that all the events in her former, supposedly non-existent life influenced her new life because it was really just some kind of vision or dream to help her reaffirm her true purpose in life. But if this was the case, how could she and one-armed Wesley have saved that girl from the multiple-mouth demon?

Even if there is a way to clarify how both the realities existed and each had an impact on the other, it still would not explain:

Why the Hyperion was not run down.
How Angel got the visions. (Did he and Doyle make out?).
What exactly Cordelia’s show was about. It looked like a cross between Mary-Tyler Moore and Friends with a just touch of Blossom.
Oy! All of this alternate reality confusion is enough to make you reach for the Advil and swear off time-altering forever.

Perhaps, instead of continuing to try and piece together which of the events did or did not really happen, it would be best to just focus on what exactly we did learn on this outing.

First, Cordelia is a toughie. She had those visions a lot longer than Tammy without her brain exploding. She was also willing going to go right back to her body to help Angel, despite imminent death. Now Cordelia is a half-demon, which may make her even tougher. Only time will tell.

Second, something is definitely going on between Angel and Cordelia. I believe Angel’s exacts words were, "I’m more afraid of her dying than she is. What is that?" Yeah, Angel, what is that? A deep friendship and concern? Or perhaps, as the locking of lips would indicate, some kind of love? And what exactly was in that little box He was giving her for her birthday, anyway?

Third, the prospect of a Fred and Gunn relationship has officially entered the realm of possibility. However, Gunn’s comment about Fred’s coolness wins hands down for the most forced line of the night. Their little flirtation was cute, but it didn’t appear as natural as the chemistry between Fred and Wesley or even Fred and Angel.

Despite its convoluted timeline mess and obvious borrowing from many a plotline, Birthday still managed to open the second half the season with a mixture of humor and heart. It’s something that we’ve come to expect from the ol’ Bat Gang. The return of Skip and Cordy’s sitcom promo made it all worth the ride. However, here’s hoping that in the future, they’ll keep the past in the past and leave the alternate realities to the comic books.

[Dalton]

He Works Hard For the Money

by Josh Buckman
1/21/2002

The lack of emotional security of our American young people is due, I believe, to their isolation from the larger family unit. No two people - no mere father and mother - as I have often said, are enough to provide emotional security for a child. He needs to feel himself one in a world of kinfolk, persons of variety in age and temperament, and yet allied to himself by an indissoluble bond which he cannot break if he could, for nature has welded him into it before he was born.
-- Pearl S. Buck

Diapers, milk, clothes, school supplies, cable subscriptions, and college funds are only a few of the things Angel has to worry about providing for his son. It is no wonder that Angel has his vampire boxers in a twist over coming up with the funds needed to properly raise his offspring. Right now, the current rate for one year at Notre Dame is $24,500. That doesn’t include room and board, books, transportation or a host of other expenses.

This anxiety Angel feels about being able to supply his son with all of the things he might need or want in life is something most parents go through. Mothers and fathers alike want to give their children all that they never had. They are concerned that the kid won’t be happy if they can’t buy designer clothes, the latest toys, and an up-to-date computer. All of the other families drive an SUV, live in a nice suburban home, and own the latest in home theater technology. Who wants their child to be the one that feels "different" from the rest?

Sadly, in order to provide these material things for their children, parents spend more time at work, become obsessed with making money (which they don’t mind occasionally spending on themselves), and lose sight of what is really important to the kids.

Unfortunately, Angel also fell into the trap of confusing money making with properly raising a child. He lost sight of his role as a champion, as he seems to do an awful lot, and began to look at cash rewards as the sign of success.

Fortunately, within about a day, he was able to see the error of his ways. Thanks to the example of a dedicated friend and the constant reminding of Cordelia the Noble, he remembered what it is that matters more than money. Even more than money used for a college fund.

Family and the mission.

And what a family it is! Aunt Cordy sees visions and is part demon. Uncle Wesley is British and kind of stuffy. Uncle Gunn is an orphan from the streets. Aunt Fred is a bit loopy and a lot brainy. Uncle Lorne has horns and green skin. It doesn’t get much more diverse than that.

However, there is one thing that they all have in common. Okay, maybe two. First, they all serve a noble purpose in life – to help those in need. Second, they love Angel and will always care for him and his child. When it comes to growing up, how can Connor go wrong when selfless, loving people (and demons) surround him?

The money is nice. It can make things a whole lot easier. But its pursuit is certainly not worth sacrificing time and relationships or even the occasional demon-hunted bystander.

All Killer but Kind of Filler

The three cases the gang took on had nothing to do with Wolfram & Hart, Connor’s destiny, or even getting rid of Holtz. Instead, they provided a kind of comedic outlet for minor revelations.

The Zombie Stalker – Gunn and Wesley help a woman who is being stalked by her dead boyfriend and in the process find out that they both have a crush on Fred. The girl and the zombie’s love hate/relationship would have been a big "good gravy" if it weren’t for the convincing way the relationship was portrayed and Wesley and Gunn’s facial reactions. They make a great duo, but will the girl in the middle turn these good friends into bitter rivals?

The Fake Vampire Mafia – Angel learned a thing or two from a guy who loved his friend so much he was willing to trick Angel into helping him get revenge. Angel’s refusal to fight without getting paid was very reminiscent of the old Cordelia. It seems there may be a bit of role reversal lately, n’est-ce pas?

A New Head for Prince Nahdrah – I’m sure everyone saw this coming even before the cheesy laptop animation of Fred’s head removal and reattachment. What I didn’t see was Wesley completely knocking the prince’s head off with the briefcase (campy genius!). At least the gang got the cash and worked together to get Fred out of the jam. By the way, Rice Krispies called, they want their language back.

All in all, there were no major plot points advanced much this time around--just more affirmation of the mission and some group love and support (something that a certain sister show could use a lot more of, if you ask me, which you didn’t, so I will return to talking about the show I’m supposed to talk about).

Speaking of sister shows, Justine and Holtz continued in their roles as the meaner, grittier slayer wannabe and her meaner, grittier watcher. She even went as far as to say, "Feeling something is better than feeling nothing." Hmm, didn’t I hear someone sing about a very similar emotion recently? Now Holtz wants Justine to assemble a Scooby Gang of her own. It will be interesting to see if there is a meaner, grittier Willow and a meaner, grittier Xander in the bunch.

All in all, "Provider" provided some comic relief and more setup for things to come. Dare I even mention Angel and Cordy falling asleep together on the bed? Love, hate, and revenge are all on the air and bring with them a promise of an exciting "rest of the season."

Footnotes

Ever notice that when someone dials a wrong number in the movies or on television it always ends up calling a pizza parlor?
Lorne delivers the line and Wesley delivers the face. "One I’m sure we could all download at www I’ll never know the love of a woman dot com."
Cordy sets it up and Lorne brings it home. "Lorne, do these guys have groins?" "I think so, I’ve never knew one intimately."

[Dalton]

Passing the Time

by Josh Buckman
2/4/2002

Mortal lovers must not try to remain at the first step; for lasting passion is the dream of a harlot and from it we wake in despair.
--C. S. Lewis

Giselle is a young peasant girl who is love with her neighbor, Loy. A forester named Hilarion in is love with Giselle, but she disregards him. Loy dances with Giselle and professes his love for her. Jealous Hilarion discovers that Loy is really Count Albrecht, who is betrothed to another, and exposes him. Giselle goes crazy and dies. When she dies, she becomes part of the Wilis, the collection of the ghosts of young girls who died before their wedding day. These spirits avenge themselves by making the men they meet dance to death. When Hilarion comes to their grove, they make him dance until he dies. When Albrecht appears, Giselle intercedes for him and saves his life.

Such is the story of Giselle. Strangely enough, many of the biggest names in ballet find that the plot of Giselle, as well as those of other traditional romantic ballets, is quite absurd. It is the challenge that the dancers face, to make the impossible material appear believable.

Take a step back for a moment and consider the similar challenge the players at Angel Investigations face. Here, we have the story of a centuries old vampire that is a champion for the forces of good. This vampire falls for a beautiful young woman who recently went from ditzy cheerleader to part-demon, crime-fighting, vision-seeing champion girl. Although she has not expressed much interest in a relationship, they are able to share passionate feelings for each other due to the fact their bodies were possessed by a prima ballerina and her secret lover.

Sound far-fetched yet?

How about if we add that the people who work with the two potential lovers include a former vampire slayer’s watcher/English gentleman who has a crush on a brilliant, yet neurotic, physicist recently rescued from a demon dimension? This physicist, however, has a thing for a rough-and-tumble demon hunter from the streets. Their passion is sparked when the physicist shows concern over this tough guy’s stab wound.

Like the dancers in Giselle, it is the challenge of the writers and the actors to provide us with a performance that helps the audience with the suspension of disbelief and to make these seemingly impossible circumstances appear not only possible, but also likely.

The question is, did they succeed?

The answer is yes. When it comes to Wesley. From his fanciful daydreaming to his taking control of the bad situation, Wesley has never been more sympathetic. This former watcher remained a gentleman through and through, despite the obvious jealousy and heartbreak he felt upon seeing Gunn and Fred together. More Wesley, exploration, please.

And yes. By the expert pen of their creator, the coming together of Gunn and Fred was touching, sweet, and plausible – much more so than Gunn’s instant appreciation for the ballet.

And yes. The new passion that Angel has for Cordelia could be seen simmering just below the surface, even during his attempts to deny that it existed. While Buffy may remain in his heart, Cordelia is in his life and has becoming the strong, yet caring type of woman that he finds so attractive. He may be dead, but he’s still a single man in the presence of a remarkable woman.

And no. Is Cordelia really in so much denial that she cannot see that Angel was trying to tell her that kissing with her was not bad, it was too good? It is difficult to believe that she could be so clueless to the possibility of his feelings for her, even if she sees it way outside the realm of possibility.

Perhaps it is a case of trying to please both sides of the Cordelia and Angel relationship battle. The two of them get to share some close contact and the hint of a possible relationship, but only by acting like people other than themselves. Angel remains infatuated while Cordelia stays aloof and possibly romantically involved elsewhere.

In any case, it all adds up to more teasing. The first time Angel looked ready to let his affections for Cordelia to come tumbling out, Darla shows up with a bun in the oven. The second time, the Pylean hunk with the awful name pops in for some lip time with Cordelia. Poor Angel, perhaps he’ll go back to doing some of that brooding he used to be so famous for. Or perhaps still, Cordelia may continue her path as a warrior and champion and finally submit to that Kyrumption that Fred and Lorne are so fond of.

Sadly, Angel and Cordelia’s lack of romantic resolution is not the only part of the episode that disappoints. When Joss writes a musical episode for Buffy and the gang, they get to sing and dance. When Joss writes a ballet episode for Angel, not one of the regular cast members dons a set of tights or does a single pirouette. Charisma plays a girl possessed by the spirit of a prima ballerina and doesn’t even get the chance to show off her many years of dance training. Where’s the justice in that?

I think I speak for most of the fans when I say we do not watch Angel, or even Buffy, for sex. If this reworking of the "I Only Have Eyes For You" possession was just an opportunity to get Cordelia and Angel near naked together without having to commit them to a relationship, then I say for shame. If, however, it was the catalyst for the realization of Angel’s feelings for Cordelia, then the postponement can be tolerated. This may all sound like I’m on the Angel/Cordelia bandwagon, when in reality I’m just over here on the getting tired of teasing trailer.

All in all, Waiting in the Wings had the clever dialogue and character revelations that we have come to revere as the best aspects of the show (i.e. Wesley’s pain, Gunn and Fred, Lorne’s lullaby). However, when it ended with no resolution between Angel and Cordelia, no Holtz, no Wolfram & Hart, and very little Connor, I couldn’t help but think that we were the ones left waiting.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
2/18/2002

"When the truth is found to be lies
And all the joys within you dies
Don't you want somebody to love
Don't you need somebody to love
Wouldn't you love somebody to love
You better find somebody to love"
--Jefferson Airplane

To love and to be loved - this is the desire of just about everyone on this whole wide world. Don't believe me? How many people do you know that are content with being single for an extended period of time? We spend our entire lives searching for that special someone. We look for someone to hang off or our arm or cuddle up next to at night. The mere possibility of a relationship with someone we find attractive can make us lose all sense of priorities and get in the way of school, work, and even other relationships.

Unfortunately, as Wesley and Angel know all too well, one-sided longing does not a relationship make.

What is it that draws two people together? Magic? Chemistry? DNA? Online personal ads? The coupling of two people is often hard to predict and even harder to understand. Take Gunn and Fred, for example. It seems logical that Fred would fall for Wesley - they have similar intellects and similar interests. Instead, she falls for tough-guy Gunn with whom she has little in common. Gunn's lines at breakfast were more syrupy than the pancakes but Fred still found them charming and romantic.

Attraction works in mysterious ways.

Another case in point: Groo and Cordelia. Perhaps I am gender biased, but it seems to me that Groo must have been working some kind of serious voodoo booty ritual in order to get Cordelia to so extremely hot and bothered over his funky "Ben Stiller meets The Beast from that TV series with Linda Hamilton" mug. And what is up with those eyes? Maybe she is just all about the muscled body and his childlike naiveté.

Whatever the reasons for the attractions, both Fred and Cordelia have made their choice. Therefore both Wesley and Angel must struggle with coming to grips with not being the one chosen. Wesley suffers quietly, yet passionately. His eyes and tone of voice tell volumes about the disappointment he feels while watching the romance between Fred and Gunn blossom. In a feeble attempt to use his authority to distance the couple, he discovers that he really no longer has a change with Fred and resigns himself to that fact.

Angel, on the other hand, is just a bit more vocal about his jealousy and displeasure at Groo's return. Groo doesn't just come and steal Cordelia; he also acts as a warrior and a champion. He can even fight in the daylight. Angel wonders that if Groo can win over Cordelia, why not the rest of the gang? Despite Wesley's reassurances, Angel still finds himself in a bout with insecurity. After a therapeutic Groo beating and a rediscovery of his personal assets (he's smarter, stronger and can pick out his own clothes), Angel was able to let go as well. Perhaps he realized that thousands of different factors play into attraction (such as possible gypsy curses or a preconceived notions of a relationship's familial nature) and that Cordelia's choice is not necessarily a comment on his worthiness.

In the end, both Wesley and Angel begrudgingly give the couples their blessing and start the process of moving on. Not only is this giving up on their heart's desire, it is also an admission of defeat - something that is never easy. I wouldn't say I've ever been a Angel and Cordelia 'shipper, but the end of the episode had more of an impact on me than when Riley left Buffy in the helicopter. (That Angel, whattaguy.)

To love and be loved may be everyone's desire - but perhaps it is more appropriate to say that everyone wants to love and be loved on specific terms. As Angel realized in the end, we often overlook the love right in front of our faces chasing after the one that just eludes our grasp.

Let's just hope that someone comes along who won't overlook poor Wesley. The guy continually shows he's a true man through and through and always ends up with the short end of the stick. Perpetuating the cosmic standard that "nice guys finish last," not only did Wesley get dissed with no one near to comfort him, but he also is stuck with the unpleasant job of possibly snatching away Angel's happiness by revealing his latest discovery.

"The Father Will Kill The Son."

Not exactly the most pleasant of prophesies. Is this one that will come true, or will there be some kind of crazy twist that changes everything? With those ancient texts, you really never can tell. Whatever the future holds, it is pretty safe to say that we haven't seen the last of the messianic undertones when it comes to Angel's bouncing baby boy.

Crack Me Up Corner

Lorne's gone from The Host to The Nanny, but with a less nasal voice and funnier jokes. He is the perfect demon caregiver to have around. Not only does he take care of the kid, but he provides continued emotional support: "I'm sure when she gets him home, she'll put him in a smallish drawer and be done with it."

Not so humorous were Cordelia's sexual innuendos. They were more like over-the-top in kind of a gross way. Since when has she ever been so explicit? The guy locked up in chains at the brothel who tells Groo not to judge him, now that was classic.

Now that the entire Cordelia/Angel relationship looks like it might have been resolved (and it didn't hurt a bit) I'll leave with this thought:

In Cordelia's mind, Angel was never really a possibility for a relationship. If Cordelia were actually given the choice between Angel and Groo, whom would she have picked?