HERO: Run for the Shadows, Go Towards the Light

[Anne, Old S'cubie Cat]

Well, wow.

I have to admit that I haven't watched "Hero" since it aired for the first time; it hurt too much and I just haven't had the heart.

That said, good analysis, Erin.

This episode was everything that was good about Angel: The conflicts, moral, physical, personal; why that disparate group came together; what they were fighting for, not to mention all the Doyle-history. Thank you for the reminder.

[Queen E]

Anne said:

Well, wow.

I have to admit that I haven't watched "Hero" since it aired for the first time; it hurt too much and I just haven't had the heart.

That said, good analysis, Erin.

This episode was everything that was good about Angel: The conflicts, moral, physical, personal; why that disparate group came together; what they were fighting for, not to mention all the Doyle-history. Thank you for the reminder.

I know what you mean; this was a really hard analysis to write, especially given the fact that Glenn Quinn himself is dead.

Glad you enjoyed, Anne, and thanks.

[Lola m]

A fitting tribute to Glenn Quinn, Erin. Nice job!

Once again, I was very happy to see your organizational skills at work, helping to illuminate the various themes in a comprehensive way for me. (I love it when someone else does the hard work. ;D )

In particular, I liked your discussions of the identity issues surrounding Doyle in this ep and the way words are used to explore the theme of hatred.

I was thinking, in a way, we've been building toward this amazing showcase for Doyle in all the preceeding eps. Each new layer of his character giving us a truer picture of him. It shouldn't really have been surprising to see our "Joe Couch-potato" revealed as the true Hero of this episode, no matter how much self-deprecation Doyle tries to hide behind. And no matter how many times this episode tries to fool us with references to Angel as "the promised one". I think your line:

Whatever else Doyle appears to be, he is a hero from the moment Cordelia casts him as "the dark avenger" to the time when he jumps into the beacon.

I was also so glad you pointed out that Rieff serves as a mirror of the younger Doyle - that was a connection I didn't really make!

I really like how you pointed out that the Fang Gang is not immune to the hatred we see displayed by the Scourge. They are the main focus of the episode, but thier beliefs and actions are so large scale, so obvious, that it is easy to point the finger and say "bad, bad"! But Cordy and Angel and Doyle himself also come with their own pre-conceived ideas. And they aren't always right.

AtS was definitely right there with the "gray" and the ambiguous and the complexity of the demon world right from the start, wasn't it?

And finally, can I just say that I loved this part of your article:

"The good fight, yeah?" It was back when the sole mission of Angel Investigations was to "help the helpless" instead of "punishing the guilty." And the loss of this saucy, plain-spoken, strangely adorable, crazy half-demon Irishman will resonate with Angel and Cordelia all the way into the fifth season.

Yay, Erin!

Lola

[Queen E]

Lola said:

A fitting tribute to Glenn Quinn, Erin. Nice job!

Once again, I was very happy to see your organizational skills at work, helping to illuminate the various themes in a comprehensive way for me. (I love it when someone else does the hard work. ;D)

Wow. Organized is not ordinarily a compliment I receive! I'm edified. Some of the points in the episode really work better in a list format, because they appear so fast and furious...

In particular, I liked your discussions of the identity issues surrounding Doyle in this ep and the way words are used to explore the theme of hatred.

I was thinking, in a way, we've been building toward this amazing showcase for Doyle in all the preceeding eps. Each new layer of his character giving us a truer picture of him. It shouldn't really have been surprising to see our "Joe Couch-potato" revealed as the true Hero of this episode, no matter how much self-deprecation Doyle tries to hide behind. And no matter how many times this episode tries to fool us with references to Angel as "the promised one". I think your line:

One thing I've learned about Angel: the harder they push a certain idea, the less likely it is true. That's why I don't buy the "Fred's soul was consumed" idea...they said it one too many times for me to believe it. And there was such a huge focus on appearances in this episode, that "casting" Doyle as such was a big clue that I didn't get when I first saw the ep; else I wouldn't have been so shocked and dismayed when he jumped into the beacon.

I was also so glad you pointed out that Rieff serves as a mirror of the younger Doyle - that was a connection I didn't really make!

It was the way Doyle said "I *know* that never works" that made me think, "Ah ha; he's saying what was never said to him." And the guilt Doyle feels for abandoning his "family" is certainly something he wouldn't want Rieff to have to carry...

I really like how you pointed out that the Fang Gang is not immune to the hatred we see displayed by the Scourge. They are the main focus of the episode, but thier beliefs and actions are so large scale, so obvious, that it is easy to point the finger and say "bad, bad"! But Cordy and Angel and Doyle himself also come with their own pre-conceived ideas. And they aren't always right.

AtS was definitely right there with the "gray" and the ambiguous and the complexity of the demon world right from the start, wasn't it?

And that really never changed, did it? When I watched that scene with Cordelia in the hallway, with her "mission statment check" comment, all I could think of was Angel and his "kill 'em all" approach in Season 5.

And finally, can I just say that I loved this part of your article:



Yay, Erin!

Lola

Thanks, darlin'! This was a tough analysis to write; writing these analyses has really deepened my respect and love for that character; I didn't want to let Doyle go. It was even harder knowing that Glenn Quinn himself had died...

And I always look forward to your insights on these!

[jeff]

"Doyle Blends" I love that statement in your analysis. It was true about him, I always pictured him as the man beside me in a pub having a beer. To me Doyle was not a half demon. He was a human being that happened to have demon in him. He had his faults but underneath it all he was a kind, caring man who when it came time to do what had to be done, he did it. "You never know what you can do until your tested." This statement never was more true than it was for Doyle. Looking deep within himself to find the strength to sacrafice himself for his friends.

I miss his character. But I love Wesley. They really could not have brought a better replacement for doyle than Wes.

[Queen E]

jeff said:

"Doyle Blends" I love that statement in your analysis. It was true about him, I always pictured him as the man beside me in a pub having a beer. To me Doyle was not a half demon. He was a human being that happened to have demon in him. He had his faults but underneath it all he was a kind, caring man who when it came time to do what had to be done, he did it. "You never know what you can do until your tested." This statement never was more true than it was for Doyle. Looking deep within himself to find the strength to sacrafice himself for his friends.

I miss his character. But I love Wesley. They really could not have brought a better replacement for doyle than Wes.

Absolutely. And thank you; Glenn Quinn really brought so much to the character. It was tragic what happened to him.

So glad you're commenting on these!

[S'ewing S'cubie]

I think I would have liked it best if they had kept Doyle and brought in Wesley anyway.