ANGEL REVIEWS: SEASON TWO

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
2/20/2001

The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it.
Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, 1957

Evil is everywhere. Wickedness thrives from the downtown streets to the plains in Africa. At any given moment, it is guaranteed that some kind of malevolence is being performed somewhere in this world. We read about it in the paper, hear about it on the news and even see it with our own eyes. Sometimes, we even feel it within ourselves.

However, for something as wicked as the Wolfram & Hart agency to exist, it must have its roots in some deep hell that supplies it with its power. The "home office" must be hidden in a fiery dimension where such evil thrives. Or so Angel thought.

Dead Holland showed Angel that in order to find evil, he need only look in his own backyard.

Some people, like the Sharps and Kate’s police department friends, deny that the evil of demons and vampires exist on the streets of L.A. Meanwhile, Angel had denied the fact that vampires, demons, and the lawyers that serve them are not the only source of evil in the town.

When dead Holland claims that evil makes the world go round and that it is hopeless to try and stop it, Angel gives up. Angel believes the words of a sworn enemy and a known liar because they reflect the futility that he feels in his own heart.

Angel only sees the evil. Holland gave him a glimpse of the world, but only a glimpse. He failed to point out that along with the evil, comes the good. Holland doesn’t show Angel all the good in the world, all that is worth fighting for. The point of the fight is not to destroy evil entirely, but to protect and preserve that which is good.

Wrapped up in his own failures and consumed by an inner coldness, Angel is driven into the arms of a killer, who recently impaled him on a sword, for solace. In the process, he shuns the ones who actually have the ability to take the coldness away.

Boo-hoo, poor Angel. How cold and lonely he must be.

So lonely that he ignores Kate’s plight and the consequences she is suffering for having trusted him. So lonely that he has no concept of what his former friends and employees sacrifice in order to continue to fight against evil. So lonely that he forgets that they are all innocents who have nothing to atone for but are merely doing what they feel in their heart is right.

What is it going to take for Angel to snap out of it his self-pity routine? It is too late? How could he possibly redeem himself now if he really has allowed Kate to kill herself by overdosing?

I do not believe that Angel has reverted to Angelus. He told Darla before that she never made him happy and it is highly unlikely that she will now. Sex does not necessarily mean happiness.

However, at least Angelus would be a change of pace from this wishy-washy pity-party that Angel has become. One minute he’s telling Kate he’s sorry for causing trouble for her and the next he’s letting her OD over the phone. One minute he’s at the hospital to see how Wesley is doing and the next he’s treating him and Cordelia like dirt. In all honesty, a killer like Angelus running free would be a lot more dangerous than confused Angel, but at least people would no longer count on him to treat them better than he does now.

"I’m sorry." "Are you really?" Kate asks. No, not really. Angel is so focused on his own pain he isn’t really caring about how others are suffering.

This is in direct contrast to Wesley, who is suffering not only from a gunshot wound, but personal loneliness as well. Instead of internalizing the pain, he reaches out to Cordelia, concerned with her situation as well. Granted he hasn’t seen his lover turned into a vampire before his very eyes, and Cordelia’s response was a bit disheartening, but both he and Angel have sacrificed for the good fight. The difference is Wesley still believes it is worth fighting for, even without a promise of reward.

Let’s hope that Angel wakes up and realizes this, as well. Soon. Before he lets Wolfram & Hart, Darla, and his own loneliness push him past the point of no return.

Things that make you go huh?

Let me see if I have this straight. The senior partner used the ring in order to cross from his dimension into ours. When Angel wore the ring, he wasn’t taken anywhere. So why did the senior partner need it to cross over if it was there all along? Did the ring not work for Angel and Holland was really just pulling a fast one? Or does the ring work like Dorothy’s red slippers and Angel snapped his fingers three times and said "there’s no place like the home office" and was taken somewhere other than where the demon came from? It’s all very confusing.

What does that demon that was holding Mrs. Sharp hostage want from the Angel investigations crew?

Other Notes

Lindsay continues to let Darla to manipulate him. For such a smart and cunning lawyer, he sure is allowing her to pull to the wool over his eyes. I guess love is blind. One thing for sure, Lilah won’t forget that punch he gave her any time soon. A clear battle line has been drawn, and only one of them is likely to remain standing when it is all over.

Denver sure seemed to be disappointed when he found out that Angel was not defying the stereotype of vampires as much as he thought. Angel’s comments to Denver and his lack of reaction over his death only goes to show how calloused Angel has become.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
2/27/2001

Only the brave know how to forgive; it is the most refined and generous pitch of virtue human nature can arrive at.
Sterne

Rock bottom.

Angel hit it at last.

Phew! I think we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. After months of watching him slowly tumble from Angel the Protector to Avenging Angel to Completely Directionless Angel, we see him stop just short of becoming Angelus the Killer. Finally, he woke up and smelled the vampire sleeping next to him.

In other words, Angel had an epiphany.

According to Webster’s dictionary, an epiphany is a comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization. Angel explained to Kate what exactly that comprehension was: it is not the overall achievement or outcome of one’s actions that matter, but the actions themselves that make the difference. A final victory over all of the evil in the world, or even just Wolfram & Hart, is not the point. The point is to do as much as you can, help those who need helping, and try to make the world a better place in general. Now that Angel understands this, he can start to get his life back on track.

And to think, all it took to turn him around was a night sleeping with Darla.

Well, almost. Angel did more than sleep with her. He gave up to Darla all of his hurt, anger, frustration, and despair. His act of moral suicide brought him a completely different kind of release than he was expecting. Darla was a kind of release valve, or perhaps a trash receptacle where Angel dumped all of his garbage. Sleeping with Darla was his ultimate low. It is no wonder she felt used. Sure she deserved it. She planned on making Angel the evil Angelus again. However, having someone say that a night with you is "perfect despair" is probably a real downer.

Once Lindsey found out about their little tryst, he immediately flew into jealous-boyfriend mode. As if stepping right out of a Lifetime original movie, Lindsey donned his jealous-boyfriend flannel and proceeded to run Angel over with his jealous-boyfriend truck. It was a bit disturbing to hear Lindsey demanding all of the sordid details from both Darla and Angel. What is it about Darla that makes these men go bonkers?

Anyway, I digress.

Angel has had an epiphany, as he is quite fond of pointing out, and he’s ready to make amends. After all of this time doing everything wrong, Angel switched gears and started doing things right. First, he finally realized Darla isn’t worth his time. Second, he saved Kate’s life and thus avoids adding another stain to his conscience. Third, he began working on repairing the friendships he has nearly destroyed.

It is this repairing that turns out to be the hardest task to undertake. Friendship is a delicate thing, and trust is not easily restored. However, even the trio has to admit that saving someone’s life is a good start to getting on his or her good side. Angel continues to do the right thing by taking his lashes like a man. When Wesley continually points out Angel’s lack of concern for his former employees and several other misdeeds, Angel does not argue or come to his own defense.

The three, particularly Cordelia and Wesley, were hurt badly by Angel. It isn’t easy when someone you look up to really lets you down. However, they want to forgive him and let him back into their lives (you can tell by Wesley’s reaction when he first sees Angel). But when it comes to the battle against evil, things are bit more complicated than just a handshake and an accepted apology. They have to know that they can really depend on Angel when the chips are down. It may seem as though they are acting a bit harsh, but they understand the risks involved and that caution is necessary. Angel understands this as well and does the right thing again by "moving on to the new place" and asking to work for them.

Forgiveness is on its way.

In the meantime, we can all be happy that the A-Team will be working together again. All I can say is that it is about time. As fascinating a character as Angel is to watch on his own, the lack of interaction with his friends has been sorely missed.

It is nice to see that Kate seems to have finally forgiven Angel as well. Both of them were given second chances on life (well, her second chance, his third or fourth) tonight, and both of them turned their attitudes around. I was almost expecting Angel to ask the now jobless Kate to join the team before realizing he wasn’t exactly in a position to do that right now.

Perhaps now the tide has turned. The gang is back together with Kate and TPTB on their side. On the other end, Drusilla is nowhere to be found, Darla is miffed about Angel’s rejection, Lindsey is a mess about Darla, Lindsey and Lilah are at each others’ throats, and Wolfram & Hart is in a panic over Angel successfully stopping a senior partner from making it to earth. So you see, Holland, there’s hope for the good guys after all.

Tasty Tidbits

It seems like a lot of heart-to-heart conversations take place in "The Bat-mobile." Angel and The Host; Angel, Wesley, and Gunn. Angel making small talk about wounds with Wesley in that entirely uncomfortable situation was classic Angel interaction. It is good to see him back to his old awkward self.

The Host sure knows a lot for a karaoke demon, but his ability to tell it like it is in such a likable way has made him a valuable addition to the cast. Here’s hoping that he doesn’t get killed off or become some obligatory interaction like some Buffy characters in the past.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
4/17/2001

Show me a man who has enjoyed his school days and I'll show you a bully and a bore.
Robert Morely

It’s hard to reconnect with old friends, isn’t it?

Maybe you were best pals in school and did everything together. Maybe you were only friends because life had put you in similar situations. In either case, when you see each other again after a long period of time without communication, it is sometimes very difficult to move forward. Initially, there’s the awkward initial exchange of small talk. Next comes the reminiscing talking and laughing about the good ol’ days.

Then what?

More often than not, you find that your lives have moved in two separate directions. The things you had in common are nothing more than pleasant reminders of the past. Sure, you might stick together out of loyalty; give it a go one more time. However, in the end it proves futile because the goal and priority differences are too much to overcome.

While this might not be the case for all reunions, it is certainly what happened with high school princesses Cordelia and Harmony.

These two former cheerleading, money-flinging, boy-stringing, popular chicks of Sunnydale High might have similar backgrounds, but the places they ended up are completely different. Sure, Harmony had the unfortunate luck of getting bit by a vampire and becoming the embodiment of evil, but she is still a dimwitted, selfish waif that is looking for self-fulfillment through the approval of others. Cordelia has gone from the dimwitted Queen of Mean to a real woman of substance. She has found a purpose in her work, and all that air in her head is being filled with good deeds and life lessons.

Proof that Cordelia is growing up:

She is O.K. with not being a famous actress.
She let Wesley have the big office.
She is excited about doing good for others B it’s no longer just a job or an obligation.
The way she used those crossbows!
She actually held her tongue through half to the episode.
She gave Harmony another chance, when in the past she might have staked her grandmother for spilling something on her dress.

Thankfully, she hasn’t grown up completely. The old Cordelia is the one that got excited over the new clothes Angel had bought her and forgave everything. The old Cordelia is the one that reacted like a gossip queen when she found out about Harmony’s supposed tendencies. The old Cordelia doesn’t back down to anyone, whether it be good vampire Angel or evil vampire Harmony.

Cordelia still has her spunk, style, and sense of determination--she’s just done some emotional maturing.

Now, Cordelia was more able to do this kind of growing up because she had the support of her friends, as Harmony pointed out. This leads to two important lessons that the viewer can take can take away from this episode:

Friends are important to personal growth.
Friends don’t let friends join Amway
The second lesson is evident in the way the gang took out Doug Sanders’ (sounding and looking an awful lot like Ned FlandersCcoincidence?) "multi-level exponential cooperative." Despite claims of "maximizing personal input" and "actualizing your potential," in reality those at the top were just bloodthirsty demons that use the underlings to get what they want. These triangle schemes have been known to come between many friendships, as the pressure to join becomes an almost unbearable song the members insist on perpetually singing.

Poor Harmony got sucked into their cult-like claims of acceptance and personal growth. Maybe Cordelia should have put her out of her misery.

Mercifully, Cordelia put Angel out of his by finally forgiving him. At first, it appeared she was being a bit petty for ignoring his attempts to make things better. However, without her holding out her acceptance he might not have learned such an important lesson about how failing to respect the feelings of those close to you can have long-lasting repercussions. Angel grew up a little, too, by learning to accept humility and express concern over how others feel towards him.

Sure, Angel is cool when he is dark and brooding, but I think everyone would agree it is good to have the team back together again. Now if only they had a van with a big red stripe down the side . . .

Tasty Tidbits

Raise your hand if your favorite pizza toppings are pineapple and Tandoori chicken together!

Pig’s blood goes straight to vampire hips? Maybe Harmony will end up using those "self-growth inhibitors" that Sanders preached against.

Next week
*
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Lindsey’s name finally comes up on the hand donor transplant list. Unfortunately, his new hand belonged to a killer and how he feels the need to go on a murderous rampage. Will he finally get his revenge or is Angel going to chop off more parts until Frankenstein’s got a new cousin? Tune in to find out!

It has been a while since the last article and some things have changed. Please comment on the article by using the new link at the bottom and then stick around and check out the rest of the message boards. It is your place to talk about all kinds of ScoopMe! stuff with the benefit of nicely defined categories and headings.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
4/25/2001

Each time I sit down to write the weekly Angel review, I try to focus on a common theme or element that runs throughout the entire episode. There is usually a lynchpin that ties the whole thing together, whether it be a major even, a lesson learned, or a turn in a direction. This theme usually helps to shape the thoughts and comments for that column.

However, this week I’m stumped.

Maybe I’m currently a visitor on planet Moron, but I couldn’t quite figure out what this installment was all about. Don’t get me wrong; it was a highly enjoyable episode in its own way; but like Harmony with a dumb-blonde joke, I just didn’t get it.

Here’s the thing: I know there are a lot of intelligent Angel fans out there. Basically, I’m asking you to bear with me as we take a different approach this week. Perhaps if we all take a look at the pieces together, a clearer picture will emerge. Or maybe we will just come up with a list of questions that David Greenwalt should be forced to answer.

First of all, because of all Lindsey’s big exit at the end, it is easy to assume his evil hand was a representation of how that law firm was further corrupting him in any way possible and that this was the focus of the story. Lindsey has always been a complex character. Not very good at being a bad guy, he was usually the one that was used by others more powerful than himself, such as Wolfram & Hart and Darla. HOWEVER, what exactly was going on with that hand?

Lindsey wrote "kill" over and over and then eventually killed the guy to whom the hand used to belong. Does that mean he has complete control of the hand now? If the original owners of the body parts were controlling them from their storage units, how did the owner of the eye get the other guy’s hand to stab the face? Or did the original owners have nothing to do with the mayhem, and instead lived in freakish misery while evil healer demons turned their parts into instruments of death?

Speaking of instruments of other beings, Cordelia’s vision hangovers gave her some serious migraines and mood swings this time around. Was this just intended to make viewers feel sorry for her, or was it some kind of over-the-top setup for a future storyline?

The visions themselves were some of the most disturbing images we’ve seen on Angel so far. This, coupled with Lindsey’s stabbing of his own hand with the letter-opener, suggested that we were in for some seriously intense stuff. However, the episode had so much humor thrown into it, the complete horror of body part harvesting and self-mutilation was watered down immensely. Was this on purpose or simply muddled storytelling?

Truth be told, the saving grace of this episode was the humor. Angel’s reaction to Lindsey’s singing, their schoolyard rivalry, Lindsey’s "evil hand" shtick B all of it kept the plot from completely tanking. However, it seemed a tad out of place, coming mostly from the vampire who used to do nothing but sulk all the time. Not to mention out of place with the downright disturbing scenes of a man with a family stabbing himself in the eye multiple times.

Now I am all about the Caritas and the addition of The Host to the cast, but this last visit bordered on the absurd. If he can help the gang out with basically any case with his psychic gift, why even bother doing any research at all? It makes sense that Lindsey’s song would give clues, but what good did Angel think his warbling do? This would be a terrible asset to destroy with overuse on the show.

More nitpicking:

What was with the security at Wolfram & Hart? Surely someone monitors the video cameras set up in Nathan Reed’s office and the filing storage room.
The security at the body parts storage facility was just as laughable. Is Wolfram & Hart in financial trouble and having to cut corners?
What exactly did Lindsey discover about Lilah from her file? It said she was promoted to a junior partner, but in the year 2000.
Why on earth would Reed promote a loose cannon like Lindsey (who has double-crossed the company at least twice that they know about) over a dedicated worker like Lilah?

Having examined the evidence, I have come up with four possible conclusions about this episode. One, it was just a vehicle used to get rid of Lindsey McDonald without having to kill him. Two, this was just an attempt at stalling before the end of the season storyline begins in May. Three, the writers are relying too much on the humor to drive the episodes instead of solid storytelling. Four, there was something intentional and ironic about the entire episode that is going way over my head.

There are certainly other possible conclusions. This is where you, the indispensable reader, plays an important role. Rally to my cause and my confusion. Call me a fool and point out what I have overlooked.

The choice is yours.

Perhaps Angel summed up the entire situation best when he said:

"What is that? Rock, country, ballad? Pick a style pal."

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
5/1/2001

No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made. Destiny is made known silently.
Agnes DeMille

What a group of misfits.

The cool, well-oiled crime-fighting machine that was Angel Investigations six months ago has become a collection of doubt-ridden, confused individuals who think that they can’t seem to get it together.

The dinner scene said it all.

Wesley and Gunn acted like macho boys who were merely playing at saving the world. Angel overreacted to the bill and to a woman wearing a $1000 dollar shawl. Cordelia topped them all by throwing up her couscous and pulling the tablecloth off all at once.

Not exactly the picture of high society, mental health, or even civil decorum. They were completely out of place.

Angel’s status as an oddball is perhaps the most obvious. He can’t be seen in the mirror, wears lots of layers for a man in warm California, and remembers a time when food was cheap, power-walkers were unheard of, and Bonanza was a top-rated drama series. However, despite his "centuries-old vampire" routine, Angel is the most comfortable it comes to the mission of Angel Investigations. He recently had his own personality crisis, complete with doubts about methods, futility, and overall outcomes. So as out of place as he seems in modern L.A., he’s quite at home on the team and has accepted his mission. He’s already had an epiphany, remember?

The others aren’t quite so lucky.

Cordelia’s dream has always been to be a famous actress. Even though she insisted to Harmony that she is secure with her job and her accomplishments, she still hasn’t given up the dream of fame, fortune, and high-priced appetizers. As she is finding out, it is hard to split time between an acting career and demon hunting. On top of that, acting may not be as glamorous as she once thought. Cordelia must now choose between giving up a life-long dream and feeling like a failure or tossing away her self-respect and still try to divide time between flashing cleavage and having visions.

Wesley is in the middle of his own personal crisis. Even though he has been doing splendidly as the leader of Angel Investigations ever since Angel took a leave of absence, one phone call from his father is enough to pierce his self-confidence so deeply that it affects his judgment and performance. Instead of congratulating him on his new position, Wesley’s father reminds him of his past failings and shows doubt in his ability to perform as a leader. Remember, this is the same father who, according to a demon-possessed boy from season one, locked Wesley under the stairs. During that same case, Wesley made mention of how "a father doesn’t need to be possessed to terrify his children." Needless to say, there are some serious issues here.

These issues have inhibited Wesley’s abilities and led him to question his role in the group. The fact that Angel appears to naturally fit into the leadership position and is consistently acting upon his own convictions before consulting Wesley does not help the situation.

Gunn’s doubts about his role on the team don’t come from a question about his abilities, but rather where those abilities are best suited. A close friend died fighting with the people he used to lead, and now he is blaming himself for not being there. Gunn wants to be there for his friends in order to lead them and to protect them. However, he can’t ignore the importance of the missions that Angel Investigations handles. It is a struggle about where he belongs saving the world or fighting against vampires?

The answer for all of them is that they belong together. Despite their perceived failings in the other aspects of their lives, they still managed to kill a giant Hacklar demon, save another person from an evil Drokken demon and return someone else to his home. Using the abilities that they do possess and working as a team, the gang can accomplish more in one week than some people do in their entire lifetime. The trouble comes when feelings of insecurity, dissatisfaction, or regret arise. These doubts blind them to how well they do use their abilities, how important their mission is, and how morally satisfying such an important job can be.

Now if they could just take a lesson from The Host. Sure, he may have shamed his family back in green demon world and changed his name from Krevlonswath of the Deathwok Clan to Lorne (Green), but at least he has made a decision about his life’s direction and doesn’t look back. He’s found his place and is content with it.

Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn would do well to follow his example. It’s time to realize that fighting evil, while saving the world and each other, is where they belong.

Tasty Tidbits

As discussed wonderfully on the boards, the gang is pretty much a little family. Angel further demonstrated this dynamic by his defense of Cordelia at the photo shoot. However, it was pretty disturbing to think of them as family in the context of the three men picturing Cordelia with nothing on. At least they were able to redirect their manly urges toward violence against a demon.

There has been much conflict over Cordelia’s hair this season, and her do tonight is sure to fan the flames. Talk about overdone. It looked like she could have single handedly destroyed the ozone layer with that immobile shell of Aqua Net she had going on.

Next Week:
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The gang takes a trip to Xena’s world! Well, not exactly, but the sets sure do look similar. When Cordelia is accidentally transported to a different dimension and imprisoned, it is up to Angel, Wesley, and Gunn to get her back. Maybe while they are in this limbo dimension they will find out where Darla’s been hiding.

[Dalton]

by Kristen Reidel
5/8/2001

Or not.

In life, there is no such thing as perfection. If there’s one lesson that the Jossverse has taught us all, it’s the most basic of truths.

Life gives with one hand and takes with the other.

Time and again, we’ve seen evidence of this. In every victory, there has been defeat. In every moment of joy, there has been despair.

It’s the way of the world. There must be balance.

I’m going to warn you all. This was a difficult column to write. Because the story is not yet complete. We still have another two episodes to go.

Trying to discuss this episode is like asking someone to write a review of Titanic after only seeing the first hour. Actually, even that would be easier. At least, you know the ending.

Um...the boat sinks.

So let’s start by recapping what we know about our players...

Cordelia: "I hate my life."
These visions seem to be taking more and more out of Cordelia. Her acting career hasn’t really taken off in the way she might have imagined. Face the facts, Cordelia lives on the outskirts. Her life is spent feeling others people’s misery and chasing the things that go bump in the night.

Wesley: "The thing is, I don't know what I should be doing, what my place is, you know?"
With Angel back in the picture, Wes is still the "leader" but he’s less comfortable with that role now. Starting with his father, continuing through his less than stellar tenure with the Watcher’s Council, leading up to present day, Wesley has issues. He still isn’t sure of his place. He still isn’t sure that he has one.

Gunn: "Last night, I lost one of my crew. I should’ve been there."
One of his men was just killed by a vampire. That death weighs heavily on Gunn’s shoulders. As Wesley said, "Gunn has responsibilities...ties...people to take care of." This crossroads has been a long time in coming for Gunn. As he’s grown closer to Angel, Wes, and Cordy, he’s drifted from the people he’s been fighting alongside for years. His loyalties are divided. At some point soon, he’s going to have to make a choice.

Angel: "How quick can we get out of this world?"
He has a mission. He has a path. But let’s be honest, he’s a vampire. And being a vampire...well...sucks. He lives on pig’s blood. He can’t go out in the sunlight. People are constantly shoving crosses and pointy wooden objects at him. Plus, there’s the whole >no reflection’ deal. And you just know that one has to be killing our mousseaholic hero.

The Host a.k.a. Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan a.k.a. Lorne [Greene]: "...this dimension, which I love and adore and will never never never leave."
Now, the Host loves our little world. The good and the bad. Ours is a world of opportunity for him. We have art. We have music. We have Aretha Franklin and Versace. I mean, you did see those clothes his clan was sporting, did you not?

Regardless of whether or not they really wanted to visit this other world, they’re neck deep in it now. And after a rather rough start, this other dimension does seem to have an upside.

It certainly holds promise for Cordelia. Now that she’s no longer being considered a cow, Cordy has the life she’s always wanted. She’s royalty. (Lest we forget those Queen C license plates from her Sunnydale days.) She’s powerful. She’s a star.

And Angel?

"A world of only good and evil... black and white, no gray...just champions roaming the countryside fighting for justice...Got a problem? Solve it with a sword. No one admits to ever having actual feelings and emotions, let alone talks about them."

Yes, this world seems tailor-made for Angel. This is his kind of place. He can walk out in the sunlight. Based on the previews for next week, he can see his own reflection again. There are no evil law firms trying to annoy him to death. It’s a simpler world.

Much like the times when a few bob got you a meal, a bottle, and a tavern wench.

"The catch is-"
"Gotta have one of those."

Yep, there has to be a catch.

Why?

See above re: no such thing as perfection.

What will that catch be? I don’t know. I have a few thoughts and theories but they’re pretty vague. I guess we’ll all have to tune in next week to find out.

Oh, like you weren’t going to anyway.

There were some moments that I liked especially:

"Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan" Yes, it still cracks me up every time someone says it. Obviously, I’m easily amused. After all, I was the person who ran around my office yelling, "stop it, evil hand, stop it" for a good week after Dead End aired.
The Host going to visit another psychic. Hey, Jennifer Melfi visited a fellow shrink, right? It only makes sense that Lorne would call on a colleague now and then.
"You mean, he actually says Eureka?"
The Melrose Gate at the Paramount Lot is actually a portal to another dimension. You know, that really explains a lot about the entertainment industry.
"Can everyone just notice how much fire I’m not on?" a.k.a. Goober Angel. You all know my feelings about Goober Angel. He just makes me laugh.
Oooh...the pinching. Angel and Wes just can’t keep their hands off each other. Well, you know, with Lindsey being gone and all... *ahem* I digress.
Finally, and most importantly...Angel’s concern for Cordelia. I talked a lot last season about family and I think tonight there was no finer example of that. Angel loves Cordelia. It doesn’t matter what the risks are, he would literally go through Hell for her. Yes, he has also been known to put her through Hell.
And isn’t that the very definition of family?

Next week, Josh will be back in the saddle again. And I’m sure he’ll be ready to talk about that catch.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
5/15/2001

Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all.
William Goldman, The Princess Bride

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl from Sunnydale, California.

Although she was not born of royalty, her wealth and good looks granted her the standing of a princess among the land. In a stroke of bad luck, the princess was stripped of her wealth and forced to become a simple commoner.

Desperate to regain her rank, she moved to the big city in order to advance her status through celebrity by becoming an actress. However, instead of fame and fortune, the former princess found constant danger and splitting headaches. All was not lost, for by a dimensional portal that led to another world, the princess found her way to the throne again.

There, in a new world, she met a handsome Groosalugg and they lived happily ever after...

...Well, it doesn’t quite end like that.

You see, as my esteemed colleague, Kristen Reidel, already pointed out, there’s always a catch.

Cordelia, in fact, did find her throne. Even if she had to wear on outfit that was a cross between Princess Leia and Princess Jasmine, she was happy with being pampered, wealthy and in charge.

The catch? She has to do the com-shuck with a something called a Groosalugg.

Wait just a minute—the Groosalugg is a handsome, brave man just oozing with charm. That can’t be the catch. The catch must be the fact that those priests have some kind of evil agenda that includes beheading her friends.

In reality, Cordelia actually picked up on the catch before the priests revealed the extent of their wickedness B it’s not real.

The good old Groosalugg was onto something. She has the visions, the outfit and all the attitude a princess could want. It still isn’t real. She doesn’t belong in that world, on that throne or in those clothes (Jabba the Huts of Pylea, beware). Her reign as princess of Pylea isn’t any more real than those highlights in her hair. Those priests were exploiting her as much as the director of her latest commercial.

So, although it may have seemed like she had self-esteem issues that led to her denial of all Groosalugg’s words of adoration, she was right on the money. As quick as she was to embrace the role of royalty for a day, she showed that she has the maturity and guts to not get fully lost in the fantasy.

In a similar manner, Angel is experiencing his own whopping dose of reality.

Just like with Cordelia, Pylea seemed to offer Angel his dreams come true. No more hiding in the shadows, the sunlight doesn’t burn him anymore. No more bad hair days, he can actually see his reflection. No more moral ambiguity, it is kill or be killed in this dimension.

Too bad that wasn’t real, either.

Moral ambiguity returned when he was forced to choose between life as a hero and refusing to slaughter a human "cow." The curse of the vampire returned, and this time stronger than ever, when he released his demon side in order to defend a human.

The demon side that he tried so hard to repress ever since his epiphany revealed itself completely in this new dimension. Now, two of his close friends have seen what really lives inside of him. Angel was hit upside the head with the reality of his vampire nature with his ability to see his reflection when in the demon form. The horror of his true nature, along with the shame of his exposure, has left him in a state of shock.

There’s always a catch.

When it comes to dreams and fantasies, the catch usually turns out to be reality.
******
Speaking of reality, what exactly is going on with Darla and Wolfram & Hart? Call me crazy, but I was looking forward to at least a little bit of closure to that season-long story arc. After watching the previews for next week, it looks as though I’m to be greatly disappointed.

As I have said before, I’m always a huge fan of humor on the show. HOWEVER, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry during The Host’s family reunion. It was so Monty Python and seemingly out of place on this type of show, but at the same time I nearly busted a gut laughing at it on my second viewing.

Some more of the funniest moments include:

Angel’s reaction to his hair when he sees it in the mirror. "No, it always looks like that."
Fred’s response upon learning that Cordelia was anointed as a princess.
Cordelia’s entire performance as the princess, from the planning of her first date with the Groosalugg to the banning of polyester.
Unfortunately, the humor in the show used to stand out all the more because it was used as comic relief—a foil to the heavy and dark plots concerning the often-gray battles between good and evil. With the new improved, goofy Angel and his band of one-liners, the show might be losing some of its edge. Here’s hoping the pendulum swings back and stays somewhere in the middle.

However, one particularly non-humorous moment cannot go without mention.

The Host’s head on a platter.

Shock! Betrayal! Outrage! I felt all of these upon seeing his lifeless eyes for the first time. Is this a cruel trick? Please tell me it’s a cruel trick! The Host was one of the best things to come out of this season. He has even easily surpassed Gunn in the interesting-character department.

Hmm, come to think of it, that might even be a reason to off him.

Perhaps this is the moment when the gang starts to take things seriously again. There’s no wake-up call like death.

Tune in next week as the gang completes their trip to Never Never Land. It is the last time the gang will fight evil on Tuesday nights following their sister show, Buffy.

Click the link below to add your comments about the show and the review, then check out the discussion concerning Angel’s new day and time in the Miscellaneous section.

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
5/22/2001

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
Philip K. Dick

Angel and the crew were living in a world created by self-doubt, insecurity, and fear. Lucky for them, there’s nothing like traveling to another dimension to bring you back to reality.

Perception is often said to be reality. In truth, perception is simply that: how we perceive the world around us. Oftentimes our perceptions are skewed, especially when it comes to how we perceive ourselves. What we see in our own looking glass isn’t necessarily reality, just because it is what we see.

However, even though perceptions may not be themselves reality, they can still affect it. Doubts, insecurities, disappointments, and fears can all shape our view of the world until we are living outside of reality.

Take Cordelia, for instance.

Back in L.A., she perceived herself as a failure, due to her inability to launch a successful acting career. She grew up in the lap of luxury, only to have it all ripped out from under her. All she had now were visions that gave her nothing but head-splitting migraines, along with a reminder that she really had no choice in what kind of life she could lead. She had all but buried Queen C of Sunnydale, California.

Then came a trip to Pylea.

When it came time to act like a true princess and leader, Cordelia stepped up to the plate. When it came time to save The Host, she had a plan. When it came time to give up her visions and be freed from headaches and demon chasing, she realized she wasn’t quite ready for that. Sure, she might not be that fond of them, but she uses them to help people—andfor Pete’s sake, that’s worth something.

Cordelia’s perceptions of herself shifted in this strange world; she started to see herself as something more than a failed actress. She’s smart, she’s spunky, and she saves lives. And that’s nothing to be sneezed at.

Before Pylea: Wannabe actress

After Pylea: Life-saving princess

Wesley had a similar revelation. Plagued by self-doubt instilled in him by his father and his failure as a watcher, he perceived himself as less than worthy of a leadership position. No matter how many times he proved himself, his perception of reality was shaped chiefly by his inadequacies and his tendency to compare himself to Angel.

Once in Pylea, Wesley was again placed in charge B this time as a general. After the initial hesitation, he fit in the role as if he were made for it. Then Angel appeared. Like an instinct, Wesley immediately tried to defer to the vampire. Angel refused to lead and Wesley proved himself by winning the battle with shrewd planning and valiant fighting.

BP: Blundering failure

AP: Confident leader

Although it may not have been as obvious or as grand as Wesley’s or Cordy’s, Gunn had a revelation himself. Gunn didn’t have leadership issues like Wesley, he always thought of himself as a man in charge. His warped perceptions came from the sense of letting down those who trusted him. When one of his old comrades was killed in battle, he held himself responsible and considered himself a failure for not keeping everyone under his leadership alive.

What Wesley showed him in Pylea may have changed that attitude. When planning to siege the castle, Wesley knew that casualties couldn’t be avoided and showed Gunn that he was aware of the sacrifice. Of course Gunn wants to protect his friends and loved ones at all times, but when he left his old crime-fighting outfit, it was to help out the world in a bigger, more effective, way. It doesn’t make it any easier to lose a friend or teammate, but when it comes to saving the world, it helps to realize that sacrifices must be made.

BP: Loathsome deserter

AP: A man faced with difficult choices

Angel’s change in perception might be the most unexpected of them all.

There is a darkness inside of Angel that he has known about ever since he regained his soul through a curse. It is something that he struggles with everyday to keep under control.

Earlier this year, he started losing this struggle thanks to the manipulations of Darla and Wolfram & Hart. When he finally hit rock bottom, Angel realized that as tempting as the darkness was, it was better to resist his dark desires rather than indulge any part of them.

Feeling that he was back on track, Angel drowned out that inner voice that tempted him by putting caring for others, especially Cordelia, and acting as a hero above everything else. No revenge, no obsessions, nothing to lead him astray.

Then, at the height of this hero status, Angel’s struggle with an inner demon becomes a little less inner and a lot more nasty.

What lived inside him was revealed in its truest form, a form that Angel felt he had little control over. He saw himself as a monster, as a horrible creature that would even attack his own friends.

"We all got our demons," Fred reminded him. "You’re a good man."

Ever person struggles with something internally. Whether it be selfishness, pride, alcoholism, greed, or any number of transgressions, each person faces an inner battle throughout their wholes lives. For some the battle may be more difficult than for others, but it is how we handle these battles that defines our true character.

Angel’s struggle with an inner demon may actually make him even more human.

"You’re a man with a demon inside, not the other way around."

Wesley’s statement, though simply put, had the impact of a ton of bricks. Angel is more than a vampire cursed with a soul; he is a good man struggling against a powerful force that fights to overcome him. Working to prove he is more than an animal with no control, Angel resists this force and proves his humanity.

BP: Demon with a soul

AP: A man with a demon inside

So when the gang gets back from Pylea (along with The Host, whose big revelation is that he never wants to go home again), they are seeing reality as it ought to be seen and ready to take on the world.

That is, until they found Willow waiting in the lobby, ready to drop another bomb...

Final Thoughts

Here are some classic moments from the season finale that beg for a mentioning:

Cordelia’s meditation scream and her plans to further defile The Host’s head.
A decapitated Lorne faced with the Groosalugg’s butt: "Looks like someone works out."
The Host’s brief eulogy and the guys’ reaction to him opening his eyes and talking.
Lorne’s mom telling Numfar to do the dance of shame. Poor Numfar sure does a lot of dancing.
Now that the gang made it back to L.A. safely with Fred in tow, she’s probably in need of some seriously therapy before she’s able to readjust to society.

I still have a feeling that we haven’t seen the last of the Groosalugg, and hopefully not the last of Numfar.

Don’t forget to check back here within the next week for the Angel season wrap-up!

[Dalton]

by Josh Buckman
5/29/2001

Avid Angel fans Jen Kearney of Dublin, Ireland and Julie Jacklet of Tampa, Florida, joined me at CC’s Coffee House in Coppell, TX, to get all sugared up on mochas and discuss the second season of Angel. The following is a transcript of our discussion.

Josh: Ladies, thank you for joining me here to discuss this fabulous show! When you stop and think about it, the Bat Gang was really run through the ringer this season. Angel went from good to bad to good again, losing and regaining his friends in the process. Cordelia had some pretty nasty visions, became a hero, and totally chopped her hair. Wesley got shot, got a girlfriend, and also got control of the agency. Gunn became a somewhat reluctant full-time member of the team. Darla wreaked some havoc then poofed, Lindsey left town, and The Host become everyone’s favorite demon crooner. Now that we’re here and all settled down with our cups of creamy goodness, let’s discuss.

Jen: Okay, right to business then. Season 2, better or worse than season 1?

Julie: Well, there were times that I liked this season better, just because you got to see Cordelia grow up a lot. However, she was a lot more serious this season and not as funny and I can’t help missing her old hair.

Josh: I’m getting used to the new 'do, but I have to agree, I loved the long hair without the blonde highlights.

Jen: I think I liked the overall stories in season one better, but I liked the character development better in season 2.

Julie: That’s a good point.

Jen: One of the things that surprised me this season was how well Gunn fit in. To be honest, I wasn’t happy when they added him as a full cast member, but it worked out well.

Josh: I agree. Gunn was an excellent addition to the cast. As you all probably know, my big gripe was what happened with Darla and how she was practically forgotten in a day. What are your opinions?

Julie: That was a real disappointment because Angel was so focused on killing Darla that he fired his friends and pretty much goes of the deep end. He did things he wouldn’t normally do and then he gets back together with the gang and just forgets about Darla.

Jen: Well, I also think it was out of character for Darla, to be so focused on Angel and then for her to just disappear.

Julie: Unless she’s trying to get stronger

Jen: Or it could be something like what happened after he got his soul back for the first time and she ditched him until she came back to Sunnydale. Once he goes good, she’s out of the picture.

Julie: Do you think Angel is developing feelings for Cordelia?

Jen: No, I don’t think so. Not more than a sisterly or friend way.

Josh: I think that it is more of a possibility now that there aren’t going to be any more Angel or Buffy crossovers. It’s probably more likely that both of them will move on in the romantic department.

Jen: But Angel knows that nothing physical could happen with Cordelia and she knows it too, she’s always been concerned with that fact, so she won’t jump into a relationship with him because of that risk.

Josh: Hmmm...very interesting. I need more coffee.

Julie: But Cordy has done a lot of things to surprise us. I think that it is something they’ve been playing around with in the past few episodes. Especially in the season finale with his comments about "You love me?"

Discussion becomes heated between the two women

Jen: As far as people from Sunnydale are concerned, sex equals very, very bad things. She’s had enough experience to know. As we saw in season 1, Cordelia is very concerned with Angel turning back into Angelus after sex.

Josh: Cordelia doesn’t seem to have a lot of luck in the romantic department. Early in the season, she had that vision about Gunn and she was supposed to be his protector.

Jen: Yeah, and we thought something was going to happen between them. They kind of dropped it after that episode.

Julie: They’ve brought up a lot that they’ve dropped this season, like that telekinetic girl from "Untouched."

Josh: True, but the show has done a fairly decent job of remembering past characters. For example, they kept Virginia, Merle, Anne, and Gunn’s friends as recurring characters.

Julie: Wait! Hear that song on the speakers? We must dance!

The three get up and boogie down to Mocean Worker’s "Hey Baby," much to the chagrin of the other patrons.

Jen (settling back down in her seat): I like how Wesley grew this season.

Julie: Do you think that he’ll give the agency back to Angel?

Jen: Eventually, but I like seeing him in charge of it, growing into his potential.

Josh: Well, how do you feel about the show taking a lighter tone than it had last season, or even the first half of season 2.

Jen: I don’t know about anyone else, but I liked it dark with just a few moments of humor to lighten it up. It wasn’t ever completely dark, but I prefer that to the more flippant tone they’re taking. Like with the Host.

Julie: He’s being overused?

Jen: Well, I liked him as comic relief in the darker episodes, but I think he was funnier when we only saw him for a few minutes as opposed to the whole episode.

Julie: I think I tended to enjoy the more dramatic, more intense episodes. It was more interesting to me and it fit more of Angel’s personality than the lighter comedy we’ve been seeing.

Josh: Well, Joss has said, when Buffy is dark and intense he tries to keep Angel light, but now that they’re on a different network, that could change.

Jen: I understand the whole shows being in counterpoint, that doesn’t mean that I can’t like the darker ones better.

Josh: I understand, but I’m still going to have to pinch you profusely on behalf of all the fans for dissing the show.

Jen and Josh struggle for a few minutes, Jen wins and puts Josh in a headlock. Decorum is regained before the employee makes it back to see what the fuss is about.

Julie: Kids, kids! Let’s get control here.

Josh: Sorry about that Jen, I’ve had too much caffeine. What would you all like to see next season?

Jen: I want to see more of Wolfram and Hart

Julie: They brought those books back, didn’t they? I hope they are able to learn something from them. Actually, when I think about it, that was kind of cheesy.

Jen: It will be cheesy if they don’t explain them eventually. I don’t want to them to exactly just show the senior partners, but more information would be nice. I’d like to see a few more hints and develop that more.

Julie: I’d like for them to resolve the whole Darla issue. I would also like to see more of Wesley’s history explored, like that teasing phone call from his father.

Jen: Sooner or later, he’s going to have to confront his father, and that is going to be really interesting. He seems like he’s almost gotten over that whole "Angel as father figure thing he was going through for a while."

Julie: What do you want to see next season, Josh?

Josh: More of Cordelia in skimpy outfits.

The girls begin flinging hot coffee across the table

Josh: Ouch! That burns! I was just kidding!

Julie: Yeah, well I hope that Angel does some more workouts without his shirt on.

Jen: Yeah, that whole Tai Chi thing. Mmmm, baby.

Josh: Girls, please. That’s enough salivating for now.

An employee brings a mop over to handle to drool and coffee spills.

Employee named Gino: Would you guys mind leaving? You TV freaks frighten the other customers.

Josh: Okay, okay, we’ll go. But first, I must mention what I feel is the most relevant development of the entire season. Many have compared Angel to an alcoholic and to his struggle as one with a serious addiction. This has been a wonderful analogy for the season. I would argue that the most poignant aspect of this analogy is the humanizing impact it has on Angel. While his curse and fight against his dark side may seem wholly a part of his demon self, we were shown in the last episode that it is part of being a man. Angel is more than a vampire with a soul, he’s a man with an inner struggle, and with a mission.

Jen: But wait! We’ve only barely touched on Angel’s move to a new night, Lindsey leaving, Numfar’s dance of joy...

Julie: Or the Grooselug, or Holland’s death, or ...

Josh: Yes, yes, but we are out of time and space. Thank you so much for joining me this evening. Thanks also to the viewers who have made this season such a successful one. Keep on posting!