|
|
Post by William the Bloody on Oct 16, 2003 20:09:19 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Spring Summers on Oct 16, 2003 21:02:26 GMT -5
Your best one yet, Nan.
My favorite observation: "Afterward, in typical Angel fashion, he obsesses over her to the exclusion of all else." Her blondie humaness certainly made me think of Buffy, but I hadn't really thought about the way he obsesses on her.
Also, loved the connection between Spike's mention of Angel being digest last week, and the "werewolf flambe'" (hee) scene this week.
I am unspoiled, but I am so jazzed for next week! That viewer discretion advised stuff seemed like a polite, acceptable way for the WB to yell: "Hey folks, we've got naked Spike next week!! You don't want to miss it! Naked Spike, right here on the WB!!"
|
|
|
|
Post by RAKSHA on Oct 16, 2003 21:15:18 GMT -5
Another great review by Nan! I really liked the concept of Spike as the canary in the coal mine in terms of Angel's treatment of the Fang Gang. I agree that Spike's unwitting leading of Fred to find the traitor is part of a pattern making Spike the strongest truth-teller this season, since he is the one with nothing invested in W&H. Since Spike is currently owned and controlled by W&H, his fierce desire to have as little to do with them as possible, even though an intercession with the Senior Partners might help him, is notable. Minor quibble - I don't think we've seen any evidence that Spike is a champion of the Powers That Be. Angel had described the amulet as the amulet of a champion, but the amulet came from W&H, Hell's own law firm, an institution that champions the forces of evil. Spike became Buffy's champion by taking and wearing the amulet; it was for Buffy (as well as the rest of the world) he did so and it was Buffy from whom he requested the honor, and it was Buffy who confirmed him as a champion as she bestowed it on him. And if Angel doesn't, as Nan asserts, care about monsters, why would he care so much about protecting and advising the neo-werewolf? Maybe that should be amended to Angel's not caring about monsters unless they're pretty female ones. GAIL  |
|
|
|
Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Oct 16, 2003 21:26:17 GMT -5
Another great review by Nan! I really liked the concept of Spike as the canary in the coal mine in terms of Angel's treatment of the Fang Gang. I agree that Spike's unwitting leading of Fred to find the traitor is part of a pattern making Spike the strongest truth-teller this season, since he is the one with nothing invested in W&H. Since Spike is currently owned and controlled by W&H, his fierce desire to have as little to do with them as possible, even though an intercession with the Senior Partners might help him, is notable. Minor quibble - I don't think we've seen any evidence that Spike is a champion of the Powers That Be. Angel had described the amulet as the amulet of a champion, but the amulet came from W&H, Hell's own law firm, an institution that champions the forces of evil. Spike became Buffy's champion by taking and wearing the amulet; it was for Buffy (as well as the rest of the world) he did so and it was Buffy from whom he requested the honor, and it was Buffy who confirmed him as a champion as she bestowed it on him. And if Angel doesn't, as Nan asserts, care about monsters, why would he care so much about protecting and advising the neo-werewolf? Maybe that should be amended to Angel's not caring about monsters unless they're pretty female ones. GAIL
As to pretty blonde girls in trouble making Angel violate his otherwise blanket monster rule...why, you cynical child, you. Yup. That's what I make of it too--and the fact that it was a botched rescue: the victim wasn't saved and got away without signing any waivers. I think that eats at him afterward....[/color] |
|
|
|
Post by Tessa on Oct 16, 2003 22:35:48 GMT -5
I wanted to say I thought this review was really insightful and that you brought up a lot of great points! There is one thing I wanted to add that I thought was interesting, but no one has mentioned yet: Has anyone noticed that the mail cart being pushed by a man wearing a blue and red mask has appeared in every episode so far...the same mail cart that delivered the amulet to Angel in the first episode of the season? Just a small detail that may be important later on (i.e. what is the significance of the man wearing the mask?).
|
|
|
|
Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Oct 16, 2003 22:45:46 GMT -5
I wanted to say I thought this review was really insightful and that you brought up a lot of great points! There is one thing I wanted to add that I thought was interesting, but no one has mentioned yet: Has anyone noticed that the mail cart being pushed by a man wearing a blue and red mask has appeared in every episode so far...the same mail cart that delivered the amulet to Angel in the first episode of the season? Just a small detail that may be important later on (i.e. what is the significance of the man wearing the mask?). [/color] |
|
|
|
Post by Sue on Oct 17, 2003 0:13:10 GMT -5
Nan, this really was your best review so far--which is only to say that we are going from good to even better. Very readable and hit all of the high points.
I especially liked: "It’s not unlike the situation with a werewolf: the people in greatest danger from them are those who are closest. That’s just how it is, with monsters." Actually, that's how it is with everyone. Recall, "You always hurt the ones you love?" Clear warning.
I hope some of our "new members", guests and lurkees will show up and join the discussion.
|
|
|
|
Post by LadyDi on Oct 17, 2003 0:24:31 GMT -5
Great review, Nan.... Angel, the series that dares to ask: "If a formerly evil vampire sacrifices himself to save the world, why should anyone give a cr*p?" To give Angel some credit (grudgingly), he can relate to Pretty Blonde's distress at finding herself a monster. He's a monster too, after all. On the other hand, he's also being a pr*ck as far as Spike is concerned. I had hoped to start liking Angel (the character) again this season. As of right now, not so much. I know all the folks at ME say Angel and Spike bring out the worst in each other. But is that really what we're seeing? So far, it mostly seems like Spike is just being Spike, and Angel's being a prat (petty, insulting, and jealous of a dead guy). I can't help feeling that Spike would be more concerned w/the plight of others if not for his own little predicament.  |
|
|
|
Post by RAKSHA on Oct 17, 2003 0:47:41 GMT -5
<Some have contended that we are judged not by how we treat family and friends but by how we treat the stranger at the gate: the one we encounter in need who has no claim on our assistance: the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this present case, Angel is all gung-ho to offer and even force assistance on the pretty blonde; the snarky blond is left wandering aimlessly through the halls, his disappearances lengthening and increasingly harrowing, unnoticed by anyone but himself. A clear case of out of sight, out of mind. Spike, the neglected Samaritan.> This was a great concept. I was reminded, after reading the review, of how the Scoobies reacted in BUFFY Season 4 when Spike came, unable to hunt and confused and frightened after being chipped by the Initiative, to them for help. While they didn't treat him with tenderness or love, they did care for him. They let him stay with Giles, then Xander and saw to it that he was fed and protected from the Initiative that was hunting him. Considering that Spike had tried to bite and possibly kill Willow and had definitely revelled in terrifying her in her dorm room after escaping from the Initiative, the Scoobies' continued care of Spike is laudable. It's true that there was a strategic reason to keep Spike a prisoner rather than staking him, i.e. he had knowledge of the Initiative, but they kept him long after that reason was valid. And Giles actually interacted with Spike, watching Passions on the telly. Xander even loaned Spike his clothes when Spike ruined his own in the laundry, treating Spike like an annoying roomate rather than a totally despised captive evil thing. The Scoobies even let Spike sit at the table with them on Thanksgiving, albeit tied up; one can assume that they let him have some of the food. They could have just left him tied up on the floor. One would think that the Fang Gang would WANT to keep Spike around and work with him, if only to find out how W&H is involved with the amulet, since Spike's current condition was very likely intended for Angel. GAIL |
|
|
|
Post by RAKSHA on Oct 17, 2003 0:58:19 GMT -5
Great review, Nan.... Angel, the series that dares to ask: "If a formerly evil vampire sacrifices himself to save the world, why should anyone give a cr*p?" To give Angel some credit (grudgingly), he can relate to Pretty Blonde's distress at finding herself a monster. He's a monster too, after all. On the other hand, he's also being a pr*ck as far as Spike is concerned. I had hoped to start liking Angel (the character) again this season. As of right now, not so much. I know all the folks at ME say Angel and Spike bring out the worst in each other. But is that really what we're seeing? So far, it mostly seems like Spike is just being Spike, and Angel's being a prat (petty, insulting, and jealous of a dead guy). I can't help feeling that Spike would be more concerned w/the plight of others if not for his own little predicament.
GAIL |
|
|
|
Post by LadyDi on Oct 17, 2003 1:33:33 GMT -5
Remember how, when Spike was still crazy more than half the time from being First-controlled, he still showed up to help Buffy save Cassie from the evil students' would-be sacrifice? His first words in that scene were: "Here to help. No hurting the girl". Though still seriously addled, he also wanted to help. And remember how he had tried to help Buffy and Xander fight the big worm despite being very mentally confused, and how horrified he was when the worm he'd stabbed turned into a human? Spike has shown compassion for strangers, or at least interest in helping them and horror when he's realized he's hurt them.
GAIL I remember it quite well, thank you. Spike could barely help himself at the time, but he was still there to help Buffy and the others. |
|
|
|
Post by RAKSHA on Oct 17, 2003 2:12:09 GMT -5
I am unspoiled, but I am so jazzed for next week! That viewer discretion advised stuff seemed like a polite, acceptable way for the WB to yell: "Hey folks, we've got naked Spike next week!! You don't want to miss it! Naked Spike, right here on the WB!!"
[shadow=purple,left,300]GAIL [/shadow] |
|
|
|
Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Oct 17, 2003 2:23:59 GMT -5
I'm all for scenes with Nekkid Spike, strategically cloaked in shadows presumably. Hmm, wonder if we could ever see a Nekkid Gunn scene.
[shadow=purple,left,300]GAIL [/shadow] [/color] |
|
|
|
Post by makd on Oct 17, 2003 2:59:59 GMT -5
Nan
First, let me congratulate you on yet another terrific review. Your insights are just so keen, and your sense of balance for the Angel/Spike perspectives is sharp, as well.
On the main board, I had commented chiefly about my chagrin at Angel's behavior, but, stimulated by your extremely perceptive review, (as always), and by Gail's sagacity, have been thinking about and doing some percolating on the braincoil, and have posted a rant on the main board. I don't think it belongs here, as it's not so much a comment on your review as a comment about the episode.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Oct 17, 2003 3:11:48 GMT -5
Nan First, let me congratulate you on yet another terrific review. Your insights are just so keen, and your sense of balance for the Angel/Spike perspectives is sharp, as well. On the main board, I had commented chiefly about my chagrin at Angel's behavior, but, stimulated by your extremely perceptive review, (as always), and by Gail's sagacity, have been thinking about and doing some percolating on the braincoil, and have posted a rant on the main board. I don't think it belongs here, as it's not so much a comment on your review as a comment about the episode.
Later: makd, I can't find your rant in the last three pages posted. Can you give me a post number on the current thread of the main board?[/color] |
|
