angel season five

The Fringedwellers' Guide

Angel Index

Author Key

S. One
S. Two
S. Three pt I
S. Three pt II
S. Four pt I
S. Four pt II
S. Four pt III
S. Five pt I
S. Five pt II

Season Five

Go To Episode

You're Welcome

Dead nuns? Lovely start
Somebody murdered nuns then carefully arranged them in formation. That’s sick but strangely funny.
I wonder what God’s doing instead? Maybe he’s catching up on some reading or something.
That’s it? That’s what makes him quit? Only five synchronised nuns? Wuss. Angel's already done the quitting thing when he left Angel Investigations. He's really just a big quitter isn't he?
Nice to see that whilst Angel's quit, he hasn't actually *left*
Well Angel, you were the one that actually made the decision for everyone. So stop whining.
It was quite a setback for the nuns as well.
Who's that in the bed?
It's Sarcastic Cordy, this bodes well.
Well, I can spot the twist in this episode straight away. Could they make it any more obvious? She’s not really awake! There is no way a coma victim would be up and around like that.
She had her hair curled while she was in a coma?
Aww, bless, look at how sappy-eyed and grinning Wes is at seeing Cordelia .
Is it me, or does Cordelia look a lot younger that the last time we saw her?
Wes looks hot today. Thought I'd mention it.
Freaky slave guy! No! I wanted him to run free, not live on photocopier toner!
Is Cordelia’s shirt meant to be undone? Because that’s taking cleavage enhancement too far.
Yeah, we said that about Gunn's hair too
Cordelia remembers Connor? The proverbial excrement is about the hit the revolving cooling device.
Who wants to have lunch with Colin Farrell? I’m sure that there are many other more interesting things that could be done. How does she not know who Colin Farrell is? I've known who he was for years
Hmm, I wonder if the glyphs could possibly be anything to do with Lindsey?
$10 million has to be small change for W&H
Go Cordy! Insult and snub the annoyingness that is Eve.
She made that joke? Even I wouldn’t make that joke out loud.
“Groin buddies.” What a pleasant image.
I love it when Angel tries to explain himself
Let me guess, a demon that looks exactly like the devil is about to appear... Oh, and there he is. He even had a tail!
W&H attached his hands again? He'd better watch out that they're not evil hands.
"Got no idea..." Well, actually...
Spike needs to get a Playstation, although he seems to deal with video game failure in the same way I do.
Oh, Doyle. Poor Doyle. Poor Glenn Quinn. What a shame. They've used the video with his 'low rats'. I'm, getting a little teary eyed at that. It's sweet that they've managed to include him into the 100th episode.
So Cordelia's going to use her last breath keep Angel fighting. This show can be predictable enough without them actually telling us what's going to happen
"And..." put you in a hospital and curled your hair and made sure the coma didn't kill you, Cordelia. Angel didn't just do it for the view
Angel sold his firstborn didn't he? The joke's about getting power by pledging your 'firstborn' and that's what he's done.
'He's got a soul now...' Didn't we get enough of this already?
Yeah, but he’s *thinking* of Angel. Yeah, I bet he still doodles LINDSEY N ANGEL 4EVA on notebooks. I don’t get the Lindsey/Eve thing. Is he playing her, or is she playing him? They can’t actually be in love or anything, can they?
I've missed seeing Wes and co just trawling through the books, it's nice, and the interaction with Wes and Cordelia is really sweet.
Okay they really ought to have got her some shirts that did up properly.
Oooh, Sneaky!Lindsey
It's instinctive isn't it? You just have to wave at that camera. If I knew I was invisible I would be doing the can-can through there.
She shouldn't have mocked the hair...
"Gormless tit" is an insult you don't hear nearly often enough
I love Spike and Cordelia’s argument about souls, “Well clearly mine’s better”
Don't nut Angel, that's a bad plan
Eve is not Lilah Junior. She's nowhere near as fun and twisted as Lilah was.
That pink shirt is a wonderful, wonderful thing
Lindsey and a machine that goes ping
They sent the evacuation warning via e-mail? If that was my office, I’d still be sat there a week later before I thought to check.
Harmony does have her uses, it seems.
I want a zombie army.
That's a beautiful sword
Oh, Super-powered Lindsey with swords and a shirt that rides up when he lifts his arms, fantastic. This show is now officially great again.
Look for the big button marked "Off", Cordelia
Nepal must have an amazing Duty Free section if they do
His shirt came off! That’s gratuitous in a way only Smallville can usually manage. I am genuinely impressed. There was no plot-based reason at all for Lindsey's shirt to come off then
I approve of tattoos on men, but Lindsey has too many. It’s not sexy.
I’m not supposed to be cheering Lindsey on am I? Lindsey really needs a chance to kick someone else's ass for a change, he deserves a cheer or two
Oh Lindsey, don’t say that...
That's unusual. Most people get sucked *down* into hell. That had better not be it for Lindsey. If it was, its a lame way to see him off. Sucked up through a hole in the sky. Hmmph
What have they done with Eve?
Ah, alcohol, the great leveller.
'Tiny Texan' I can see the range of toys now... Oklahoman. Although that doesn't alliterate. Ounce-sized Oklahoman' doesn't have quite the same ring. And you have no idea how hard it is too come up with a synonym for 'tiny' beginning with O. He’s not tiny, he’s normal sized. So Angel's been fighting him for five years and he doesn't know where he's from, or how tall he is? He really needs to read up on his enemies more
Well, we knew that was coming.
Is she kissing him to pass on the visions?
OK, I did feel a little sad at the end, with Angel just starting to react to the news. Props to DB with the body language
Okay, I’m not ready to discharge this show from the hospital, it is out of intensive care and currently sitting up in bed and eating jelly.

Why We Fight

Let me guess, there's a vamp trapped on the sub.
The captain can't talk right now, he's a little busy being dead
Don’t they all swear vengeance? Isn’t it compulsary?
Understatement of the year, Wesley
"Boiling in his own filth" What a lovely image
Was that thing Gunn just did meant to be significant?
Jenga is a great way to spend the time. Also Boggle, and Trivial Pursuit. Jenga can be fun, but only the huge version that you play outdoors.
"Just came to talk" That bodes
That's right Fred, carrying on talking to the strange man
Which day? It's important to distinguish
If Angel was being patriotic, wouldn't he have been fighting for Ireland, not the US?
Oh, I approve of the 1940s hair.
What about able-bodied vamps?
I think that if the submarine ticks then you’ve got a problem. Unless it’s one of those Swiss-made ones, of course. (Say it with me, “The Stargate fans got that one...”)
Angel, quite understandably, has no idea why this random military man has burst into his apartment and started to tell him state secrets.
"Erm, once or twice..."
"You have a soul now." I really wish they'd stop using that phrase...
I wonder how much weight they're planning to strap to him. Surely a vampire wouldn't float anyway? He could just swim down
Angel looks mighty perplexed when he looks at the manifest.
I've missed the first part of this, but I'm sensing it's not really going to matter.
“They’re dead.” Well, that one sounds alive. For now.
The whole sub scenario is mightily familiar. Granted, there's not usually vampires involved but the 'trapped in submarine' cliche is seriously overused.
I love the image of Angel stuck in the tube.
Nice shirt Wes. Also, owwww.
I have to say, I approve of the black turtleneck outfit. And I don't usually lust after Angel.
I bet none of these military people had a clue what that was about, but it sounded vaguely official and it means that someone else is now in charge.
Spike! Gah! Black hair! Black hair bad! Is it wrong to think that the dark hair colour actually quite suits Spike?
'No I just ate one' Well, you know what they say about eating too many
Figures that Spike would fall for an all-you-can-eat trick
“I was Rasputin’s lover!” Yeah, you and half of Russia. A little bit too much information for Angel and Spike there. I'm not even going to attempt a joke about that
Spike's indignant 'hang on' at being classed as a 'weaker vampire' is classic. He sounds miffed
Angel does have a point, it is ridiculously easy to break in and out of Wolfram and Hart. He used to do it all the time!
It would possibly be more interesting if it was a bus station.
Prince of Lies needs a shorter name, I'm going to refer to him as Dave from now on. Or possibly Al
That guy at communications looks like Samwise from Lord of the Rings
He always likes wearing the jackets
You know, I'm kind of sick of the way American shows always try to use the Second World War to emphasise their point. We know that Nazis are evil, reading Anne Frank gets that point across perfectly well, portraying them as in league with vampires only seems to belittle the issue.
This whole episode is very odd. There are a couple of snickers, but so for I am watching on sufferance
Those three are really slipping. Gunn would never have been taken hostage by a single vampire last season
If I was stood on a swivel chair like that then I would end up decapitating myself by accident.
Spike is like a bored child here. It doesn't matter what era, Angel and Spike will manage to find time to bicker
Hey, I’m understanding a lot of this German!
Of course he can speak German, his mission was to invade a German submarine, there's not a lot of point if you can't read the instructions. Doesn't Angel speak German? He speaks Romanian, you'd have thought German would be slightly more useful
Logical division of labour "I'll menace, you talk"
I'm avoiding the irony anvils dropping about Spike being experimented on, and Angel stuck at the bottom of the ocean. It's not foreshadowing if we've already seen it happen..
Actually they would, and you do. That's exactly how you win a war, you stupid, naïve American. You kill millions of the enemy, you torture enemy soldiers, you explode an atom bomb, you experiment with Agent Orange, you bomb civillians just in case they're harbouring the opposition. None of it can or should be considered 'The Right Thing', but it's the only way you win a war. That's the problem with war.
Even evil vamps are patriotic and against the Nazi's apparently
Spike needs to pay a little more attention to the naked flame...
These are some very funky submarine shots they're using, it's probably stock footage from 'Crimson Tide'
Says Angel as he forces the guy to move.
Don't look so smug Spike, you'll be out next...
Lawson and Spike could always just dive to deeper waters when the sun rises. It's not like they need the air
I wish I could sum up a situation as accurately as Spike
They really need to redesign that wall. Easily broken wood doesn't seem the wisest choice for a vampire's office
On the whole. the episode was pretty naff. A couple of amusing moments, but I found myself looking at my watch far too many times. Angel has had a relapse, it's back in intensive care, and the chances of a recovery are slim

Smile Time

Kids’ TV is scary. When I was a toddler my favourite TV programme was the One O'clock News, apparently I was inconsolable when Peter Sissons left. I think mine was Channel Four racing. And possibly 'Choc-A-Bloc', which had a train in it
I think that I want to be a Bad Apple.
Menacing Muppet
I’m feeling quite freaked out by the near-pornographic noises that puppet is making.
Gah! That kid is freaking me out.
I know that Knox is supposed to be sweet but I just don’t like him. He bought her a valentine? Creep
Why do I know her... oh, werewolf girl.
Yet another blonde hits on Angel. Yawn.
Look at how freaked Angel is by the female attention, that’s quite funny.
"The ladies," eh Wes. Nice to see you bringing in the big guns.
"The ladies are right!" We usually are, Angel. You should have realised that before now
Wesley taking a moment to jump up and down on the ‘perfect moment’ myth there, and pointing out that most couples manage to survive on mediocre sex.
Yes! After four year's Wesley's finally cracked! Yell Wesley, yell!
Wow, Wes’ subtext is rapidly becoming text there.
Look at how grateful the men are at being able to talk about something other than romance.
Well, Kids’ TV shouldn’t be too challenging, even for Angel.
Oooh, Hidalgo looks good, on the basis of the trailer in the ad break.
This episode is bringing whole new worlds of meaning to my old favourites like Play School and Rainbow.
Secret passage! I love secret passages.
‘Don’t’ well, that just inviting someone to do exactly what Angel just has.
Puppet!Angel! With the forehead! And the the eyebrows! It’s so sweet!
Wes is looking fetching today in his polo neck.
Scarily enough, I think my initial reaction to Muppet Angel was much the same as Fred’s.
They’ve captured DB’s mannerisms well with this puppet.
I’m finding the mention of ‘hex’ inappropriately amusing, and it’s all Tobin’s fault, as the word hex just reminds me of her reactions to the ride of the same name at Alton Towers.
The muppet's a good actor, they should replace the whole cast. Except Wesley. I like him when he's not made of felt
I suspect a joke in "A puppet your size" but I'm not sure what it is
The Self Esteem song isn't half as good as the Hoobs' “Groove Doesn't Feel Like Doing Anything Today” song.
Angel’s gonna blow...
You know they’re just waiting to get out the door, and then they’re going to burst into hysterical giggles.
The brows! The big fluffy hair! The frowns! I can’t stop giggling, however cheesy this episode is right now.
Spike nearly gives himself whiplash, he double takes so fast.
Look at Spike’s hilarity, this is something that he’s never, ever going to forget - “You’re a wee little puppet man!”
This is the only scene that James Marsters is going to get, so he’s making the most of it.
Poor Spike. It's quite hard to fight and giggle hysterically at the same time
See, little things are vicious.
A puppet beat Spike? Wuss.
Gunn is on firmer ground with “You turned my boss into a puppet!”
The purple squeeky thing is funny. The puppet that squeaks is my favourite, I think.
I want to hear the analogy/metaphor song.
I like a dog that takes pride in its work. "And uphold a certain standard of quality edu-tainment!"
He can remove his nose! How did he find out his nose was removable? Did he try everything?
It's sad to admit, but this is the best acting we've seen from Angel in five years
The shot of Angel in the corridor, desperately holding his stuffing in, is possibly the best of the entire season so far
Well, that was predictable, although it sets up the Giapetto line perfectly.
I liked who you were Gunn; there was nothing wrong with it.
The purple hooty thing is called Hornblower? So many jokes, so little time. Horatio Hornblower! The next time Heather gets excited about Ioan Gruffydd, I’m going to remind her about this.
I get the impression that Wesley would love The Hoobs.
“Stupid hands, Stupid string.” I’m getting hints of a Very Secret Diary Boromir here
“The Library of Demonic Congress” I knew that there was a joke in that name back when I had to use the Aber library but I never found it until now! It got to the point that if you gave me a random number from the English literature section I would be able to give you a date of publication accurate to within ten years.
Angel really doesn't want to be criticising the quality of any show at this moment in time.
"Let's take out some puppets..." I love that
I love the new group striding shot. I think it’s the looks of absolute determination not to crack up on the faces of the other behind the puppet. I want the puppet power shot to be in the credits, it rocks.
Disturbingly, I’m bobbing along to the music.
Muppet!Angel is much funnier than normal Angel.
This is actually quite embarrassing to have to watch.
I thought that it doesn’t get any better, then vampire puppet!Angel. Class. I was crying with laughter by this point.
It's going to take two or three days to wear off? I hope it's not going a be a gradual change, because that could be disturbing
I was going to express my distaste at the polo neck on Wesley, but then the kissing started and it got so much worse.
For a shy, socially inept, science geek, Fred's really working her way through the male cast
Fred and Wes are still wrong, but there are bonus points for the use of the silly music.
Currently there's a serious looking emergency doctor shouting “Charge to two hundred, stand clear” Next week I fear the beeping wavy line machine will indicate the time of death.

A Hole In The World

We know this is a flashback, Fred's got jeans on, not the pelmets that's she's been wearing lately.
“I love you like pancakes but I’m getting out of here.” That was exactly my attitude towards leaving home for university too.
Please tell me he doesn't go through with the dog-eating part
'Master of chaos' as a name for a stuffed toy? That much more adventurous than any of the names mine were.
Well she managed the dull and boring bit just fine
Flame thrower! That looks like so much fun. Love Fred's Ghostbuster style backpack.
Oh, to be in love...this is really not the time or place, people. Oh, I'd managed to blank out the Wesley/Fred stuff last week. This cruelly reminded me.
That's a pretty good indignant tone from Spike. You just know that he enjoyed impaling Angel & bug though. Its the twinkle in his eye that's the giveaway.
The image of Angel with that sword is too funny for words, although after the Buffy incident you can understand why Angel might not appreciate being run through. I love the little beastie still hanging off the sword...
Relics are cool.
That was an unnaturally surly delivery man. Our delivery men are always exceptionally cheerful, and usually at some ridiculously early hour of the morning. "I'm sorry love, did I get you out of bed?"
Gilbert and Sullivan? And that was a very high note that he managed there. Singing Gunn. More of that please.
Are "Hurt her, I hurt you" threats obligatory?
“Kill you like a chicken.” Does Gunn mean that he’d kill Wesley like Wesley was a chicken, or does he mean that he would kill Wesley in the style of a chicken?
This is foreshadowing Lindsey's return, right? Please?
Have I mentioned recently how much I love it when Spike and Angel bicker? There's really no other word for it - they're like little kids sniping at each other. or Cordelia and Xander hurling insults...
It's very hard to be threatening when you barely reach your opponents nose - glares lose a certain something when you have to look up.
Cavemen definitely. The space suits would just get in the way. Are they gracile or robust cavemen? Because that will make a big difference.
Sometimes this show hits comedy gold. I love the intensity of the argument about the astronauts and the cavemen, and what finishes it off is the fact that Wesley gets sucked right into the middle of it. Just as Izzie and I have, in fact.
Wes is seriously thinking about the debate now, you can see the cogs turn.
That's the question I was about to ask too.
Don't poke it you stupid girl. Fred, don’t touch the mysterious sarcophagus…otherwise that will happen.
I thought it was only the LA branch that Angel controlled?
Spike is tempted by the James Bond offer.
Worryingly I was singing along to "You Are My Sunshine'
Oh gross, that blood splatter was not necessary.
Nice catch!
How is it Fred gets all those men? Life's just not fair. Isn't lacrosse a girls' sport?
I want my own sexy Wes to be at my bedside and comfort me when I'm ill. Especially in the nice polo-neck look he's been sporting lately.
Oh Angel, there’s so much that you don’t know.
Organs don't liquify when they cook. None of the ones I've cooked ever have
“Get our mime on.” Oh please, no mime.
You've already sold your soul Gunn, it's too late.
As long as Eve has a note from her doctor, she'll be fine for the next few weeks.
More Eve? *groan* She's looks convincingly terrified though.
Oh go Lorne, slap her again! Lorne menaces rather well, I'm impressed.
I'd choose to be blue.
Well, it didn't take much to get Eve to spill the beans, did it?
I'd never be able to think up a song on the spot
The Cotswolds? Really? That doesn’t seem the most likely place for the Prison of the Dead.
It's a little late for Fred to decide to become all independent and assertive now.
It's not Angel's mother country.
I'd recommend 'The Reduced Shakespeare Company' personally.
AD's really selling the anguish and emotions that Wesley's going through. I'm feeling sorry for him and Fred, and I've never like the idea of the pairing.
I think Book Man would be my favourite superhero of all time.
I know that book! It’s The Little Princess! I loved that book when I was a child. I love that book still. And I'd pay good money to have some speaking books read by Wesley...
Or possibly Middle Earth
Why are orcs emerging out that tree (which I'm almost certain is not actually in the Cotswolds)?
Spike and Angel holding hands! Hee Hee. Nice trick with the wire too.
No he didn't, he said "Her". Didn't he?
Hah! Knox is evil! I knew it! I knew it! I’ve been saying it since the beginning of the season and I’m totally right! Hah! Hurrah! Well done Knox. I knew I liked him for a reason.
I'm sure I recognise that guy who just came out of the tree, and its not just that he looks like he's wandered off from the LotR set.
Spike is thoroughly nonplussed, and I bet he’s thinking about asking the sexy-sounding guardian bloke about the caveman and the astronaut.
That's a hell of a graveyard. If there are that many sarcophagi they should at least let him employ an assistant
"All the way though the earth." Meaning that there's another door somewhere in Australia with a sexy-voiced Antipodean guardian?
There was a definite squidge there as the extinguisher came hurtling down.
Purple; currently 'Keep On Running' (because that was the last great song I listened to); Tim Howard and I can't see because I don't have widescreen, but I would guess two
This could be quite an emotional and gripping scene if we'd had more than 45 minutes build up. They've been going out a week, they've kissed twice and Wesley only started mentioning her name again a few weeks ago.
That's the second time in a row that Wes has had a significant other die on him. Poor guy.
Wesley, being the true Watcher he is, manages to knock his head on the way down.

Shells

“Previously on Angel…” Fred kicked the bucket
"Fred?" Oh come on Wesley, what are the chances?
Humans are pretty hardy on the whole.
Wesley's making a habit of trying to chop off his girlfriends' heads.
I sense that the whacking on the head may have been a mistake. Well, that was a waste of good axe (I'd typed "lamp" here before, and I have no idea why...)
It's like what in her mouth?
Wes should have tried the talking option before hitting it on the head
Spike’s rant about airline alcohol sizes is spot-on.
That perspective gag was a bizarre Angel/Father Ted crossover that I was not prepared for.
Huh, Knox isn’t dead, just battered and bruised.
You have to admire Wes' enthusiasm for torturing Knox, "Good. Why?"
Why didn't Lorne see this coming?, more to the point if Wesley's so pissed at Gunn why isn't he also pissed at Lorne and Angel?
“I got better.” They missed a chance to do a “I’m not quite dead” joke there.
Experts in the way of getting them back? Angel was cursed with his and Spike got a strange witch doctor to restore his. How does that make them experts?
Random Willow mention. Cool
Bitchfight!
I'm quite disappointed in Knox's chest.
“My last Qualrashan (and I know that I’ve got that one wrong) was taller.” I do like Illyria.
I do like Illyria's hair. That's the colour I keep trying to get mine to go, but it always washes out after three days
There is no way Giles knows how to put someone on hold.
I think that’s going to be a no from Giles. Never mind that I don’t think he refuse to help if he could, especially if it's to stop a potential apocalypse.
Illyria’s donning the Corset o’ Evil. Demons always have to go with the form-fitting leather, don't they? Just once I'd like to see a demon take over the world in a pair of comfy shoes and a sweatshirt
Angel’s going to be sore in the morning
I’m not sure that Angel meant the tearing up of the lab to be quite so literal.
Angsty Wes is usually pretty watchable, but not so much this time. Lilah angst and Connor angst is much better than Fred angst, I’ve decided.
Note it down in the calendar as a red letter day - Harmony just had a good idea.
Wesley learnt to operate that phone incredibly quickly. I've had mine for two years and I still don't know where the missed calls are stored
Wow, they used a Frankenstein reference correctly! I’m impressed!
I liked you as the muscle Gunn. Although seeing you sing Gilbert & Sullivan has its upside too.
So, as long as it had hurt someone outside your immediate group Gunn wouldn’t have cared? He’s not exactly helping his case here.
Gah! I didn’t see that stabbing coming. Neither did Gunn, apparently. Oh Dark!Wes, hopefully someone will be chained in a cupboard soon. We really need to have a chat about this cupboard obsession of yours sometime
Subtle, yet effective little bit of ‘hand cleaning’ in the background by Spike, who’s obviously been working on the doctor.
I didn't need to know about the fluids
If I ever have an army, I'm going to call it “The Army of Doom”. It seems to set the tone quite nicely. I want an Army of Doom! They could do my shopping for me, and take care of all the pesky garden tasks!
The Hyperion! They’re back at the Hyperion, Which is cool. No wonder Wolfram and Hart have been trying to get Angel and the gang out since the beginning. I'm surprised they haven't broken the set up by now
I want to make up for my lack of strength with extraordinary sneakiness. And also take over the world with television
Thankfully, a not-dead Gunn.
The boys are back!
Somehow I don’t think that was part of the plan.
I think Knox is definitely dead now.
She is impressive.
That’s rather large ex-army now.
My god, Fred had some horrible possessions. I respect the fact that Fred had a decent sized coffee mug. By that I mean it’s the same size as the ones we use at home. My friends wouldn’t be able to pack my belongings as simply as that. I anticipate much squabbling over books and videos/DVDs.
“Why are you here?” Actually, I have no idea, I got lost on the way to the hairdresser.
Oddly, Illyria reminds me of the Borg queen, but I can’t quite put my finger on why. Because that's who AA is basing her entire performance on?
If Illyria's looking for moral certainty she's going to the wrong guy. Wesley makes all his major moral decisions based on sex.
Wonder who’s providing the vocals for the musical melancholy montage?
It’s dust in my eye, that’s all.
Wow, that wasn't crashingly depressing at all, was it? Well, that was neither particularly good nor particularly bad. I’m going to cheer myself up now by watching Richard Sharpe miraculously restore a girl's voice with the power of his kisses on UKGold.

Underneath

Angel fights the sinking feeling that he's either in the wrong room or its the wrong time.
“Why am I alone?” A question we all ask ourselves, I’m afraid. You're alone because you're grouchy and annoying, Angel
Why exactly aren't they killing Illyria? I missed that memo
Spike’s got a briefcase! He’s now professional!Spike.
You can tell that he misses being a Scoobie.
Angel’s Charlies, that’s what they should be!
Beer, nice use of storage. Briefcases are really just glorified lunchboxes aren't they?
Listening with beer, usually the best way
What's so wrong about bullet points?
Spike reveals a worrying secret desire to be Michael Douglas
Spike can read the signs, “You’re fixing to do something stupid, I can tell.” Mind you, given that it’s Angel they’re probably not hard signs to read.
She has a TV though doesn't she? They haven't left her trapped in there without cable surely?
"Beady little rat-snake" Ohh, that's good. Spike's on form today. The idea of a rat-snakeis actually quite frigtening
I much prefer Eve when she's not trying to be all slinky.
Please be Lindsey, Please be Lindsey. Damn. Oh, hey! It's Adam Baldwin. Fantastic. I think they've managed to employ every 'Firefly' actor except Alan Tudyk. Which is a shame. It’s a Baldwin! And a good one, too! Embarrassingly, I remember him from watching 'The Cape' on Sky, years ago. You do know he's not actually *a* Baldwin, don't you? He's just called that
They've changed the credits! Did anyone notice that it's now Ilyria ? That's actually kind cool.
Mercedes McNab? How comes she warrants a title inclusion? Let's hope that doesn't mean they're increasing her role.
Random Bar Poor Lorne, its not easy being green. Someone hug him
I think that Lorne is freaking the bartender out now.
Why the hell would you bring Eve *back* into the building, which is undoubtedly under watch by the Senior Partners
Harmony has a point, the security in Wolfram and Hart is abysmal.
When Angel mentions 'his lawyer' I thought he meant Lindsey, not Gunn... Ooops,
Gunn's hospital room If anyone is more culpable, its Angel for agreeing to join Wolfram and Hart in the first place.
Insert rant about stupid British Gas ad here... I quite like that one, with the lone fringedweller in the back of the room, "Technically he's a sheriff"
Finally, Wes! Have I mentioned recently how much I like Dark, Brooding!Wesley?
That’s not the funniest joke in the world. Try 'A man walks into a bar, "Ouch". It's not much better I know, but its a start. My Pole joke was funnier than that
The whole conversation with Wesley sounds rather Shakespearean somehow, and I can't think why.
Liaising is one of those words you only ever use on job applications.
How can you have a leprechaun from Brigadoon? Leprechauns are Irish, and Brigadoon's in Scotland (periodically, anyway) and, gosh, I haven't seen that film for ages.
Surprise, surprise, Eve's not actually human...
Oooh, ooh, are we off to rescue Lindsay? My day is looking up.
Let me guess, we're going to cut to Lindsey somewhere nice and happy, and not at all a hideous awful hell? Ah yes, there we go.
For a moment there I thought the blonde was Darla. There was yelping with glee at that point. Sadly its not, but surely it can't have been a coincidence?
You know, suburbia can be considered a form of hell.
Wow, that is so creepy
Please, get a haircut Lindsey, the split ends are not a good look.
I'm suddenly reminded very strongly of that X-files episode where Mulder and Scully had to pose as a couple in the suburbs. Arcadia, I think it was called. (Very amusing, actually). With Mulder's pink garden flamingo!
I'm scared of Toy Poodles On Parade Hell
The Inner Core *is* the soft chewy centre. A soft chewy centre of molten rock perhaps, but soft nonetheless
Fine use of the all-purpose 'thingies'. I find that 'thingumajig' and 'whojamawhatsit' are also rather good.
Oh, obviously it's the Hell In The Basement Hell
Bad, Bad hair. Really, this cannot be emphasised enough, Lindsey's hair bears a strange (and scary) resemblance to Angel's flashback wig o' doom. I have to agree I'm afraid. I love long hair on Lindsey (and guys in general, in fact) but he really needs a trim
Spike’s a Knightrider fan! I didn’t see that one coming. Oh, I thought *exactly* the same Spike. Kit was so cool when I was a kid.
They just drove through the Stargate tunnel! That's a big detour. That really is the entrance to Cheyenne Mountain isn't it? I thought I was just seeing things
Spike, resigned to getting singed.
The world of shrimp! Nice to see how on off-the-cuff remark from Buffy makes an impact on Angel. I'm glad we got an update on the Shrimp world. How could you get tired of the shrimp world! I once spent 45 minutes looking at two of them in a tank
Poor Angel, Lindsey doesn't remember him.
Random comment, inspired by one of the TV ad's, but does anyone our age actually play bingo?
A fortress under attack, it would seem.
I like the idea of being Adam Baldwin on a scale of 1 to Terminator
I love Lorne’s girly scream. It’s almost as good as that of a Watcher.
The scream through the window reminds me of the scream at the door in Tabula Rasa.
I'd do that if someone tried to take Lindsey away from me.
Lindsey is *so* superimposed on that fight shot.
You know, they’re putting an awful lot of faith in the bullet-repelling qualities of a sofa. BREAK
Nice try Harmony, ineffectual, but a worthy attempt.
Erm...Lindsey has a remarkably well-equipped dungeon, and I'm not in the least bit surprised.
I could quite happily lived without ever seeing the hearts, thank you.
Heh, Spike was rig.. Oh, he beat me too it.
Lindsey as the 'damsel in distress' is funny.
Angel & Spike work well as a team when they're not bitching at each other.
No! Gunn! *sob* I wanted Lindsey back, but I don't want to lose Gunn either.
Lorne's right - they never used to leave anyone behind if they could help it.
I *love* that line. "Damn... He is well dressed."
*thud* Lindsey gets dropped unceremoniously on the floor.
Hurrah! He's a much better (and slightly camp) Liaison to the Senior Partners.
Smurf? Good one Wes. Does anyone else have the Smurf Song in their head now?
I like the voice they're using for Ilyria. I must admit, AA has done a very good job as Illyria, much better than I thought she was going to be
Good to see that they haven't stopped randomly getting Spike naked
Aww, Eve and Lindsey look like matching bookends.
I swear, it looks like Lindsey's making googly eyes at Spike's back.
Didn't the shansu prophecy mention that Angel would be important, but not *which* side he'd be on - I'm sure I remember a discussion about it in a really early episode, when Angel asked why they don't just kill him.
This had a few good points, but didn't half drag at times. And I want Gunn back. Now. *stomps foot*. Dark!Wesley, Adam Baldwin in a suit, Lindsey and they're killing the others off painfully one by one. I may just be able to persuade myself to stay until the end of the season.

Origin

Wes, fulfilling his job description of 'watcher' by staring fixedly at Ilyra
Yeah, I was wondering about that petri dish too.
Difficult is one word for Ilyra. Power-hungry is another
When in doubt, volunteer Spike for the grotty or painful jobs
I love his casual acknowledgement that Spike would be the one getting hurt.
Lobby I recognise that voice... Agh! Connor! Looking worse than he did the last time he was here, which is saying something. Oh, I didn't expect that.
It would appear that Angel's plan to get Wes involved back in W&H activities is backfiring quite spectacularly right now.
Did we really need to see the hearts?
There's something very funny about the huge torture guy handing Gunn that lightbulb
Spike the scientist, a different role yet still one that involves him getting pummelled.
Somehow, I knew that Spike was going to be protective of his clipboard.
It's a common urge when around Spike
"I've been hitting the halfbreed, he makes noise" Hee. That's all.
I'm sure Spike's accent is changing. And not in a particularly good sense. His pronunciation of Lagavullin is particularly painful
Oh dear. Wes is declaring his trust and faith in Angel. That never ends well. I get the impression Wesley won't be doing that for much longer.
"You and I won't be making love on this couch any time soon." And frankly, that's a shame. Quite frankly I'm glad they won't. That's not a visual I require. Do you think they'd both fit on the couch at the same time? Neither of them are small men. Perhaps they could use the desk
And thereby wasting sixteen episodes of the season.
Cheerful Connor is freaking me out.
Wooo! Angel with a daring leap over the car. Although why he couldn't walk round it like everyone else is baffling.
Such a typically teenage reaction - “That was so cool!”
Dead people do usually require some sort of discussion.
Gratuitous Anne Rice mention.
Spike returns to his Victorian roots with his insults "Filthy harlot!" Hehe.
How the hell did Spike figure out that Illyria can understand plants?
Spike as a pet? Bearing in mind the nature of some of the discussions on pets on the list recently, I'm faintly disturbed
Connor, true teenager
"They were supposed to fix that." It's sweet that Angel was petty enough to make removing the attraction for older brunettes part of the deal
There’s no way that a son of Angel could get into Stanford.
Yeah, when you’re dealing with the weird stuff that they do, an unexplained tendril metaphor could create problems.
What exactly did you expect happen, Angel you idiot? If you take away a set of memories, then something is going to have to replace them.
Sahjhan? Why is that name familiar? Am I supposed to know him?
“Do you know what an Orlan window is?” I wouldn’t put money on it, no.
Gibbet? Lovely. It looked like an Iron Maiden for a moment there. No, why would he put Gunn in the gibbet? That was used to suspend people in the air until they died of starvation, or to hold the dead bodies of hung criminals until they rotted away. As an instrument of torture it’s not the most immediate.
This Connor is a lot more likeable than the other one.
Wes has found the contract Angel started. Uh-oh. Things may get a little fraught.
Angel has very bright red blood
Never let a good genie joke pass you by.
Oh, that guy’s Sahjhan. I remember him now.
I like this version of Connor better than the old psychopathic version.
Wes appears Oh, Wes has the thingamabob. And he's furious
Nice use of symbolism there Wes. If Angel is Judas, who's Jesus?
Go Wesley!
You know, this whole situation just goes to show that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
It's ironic, Angel wouldn't trust Wes for ages, and now Wes is right, Angel himself can't be trusted either.
He did it! He actually did it!
The montage of scenes is amazing, and heartwrenching. It's the build up to the point that we're now at, and reminds you of the deep history between Angel and Wes. And there's even a little glimpse of Lilah! Yay. I miss Lilah
The look of realisation from Wes is very effective. And he's momentarily terrified of Angel. Hardly surprising as he's just remembered Angel trying to smother him. I'm so glad this stupid mindwipe has been reversed. If nothing else it saves me having to desperately try and figure out just *what* they remember from last year
*Now* Wes has a reason (or several) to turn evil.
Connor's remembering how to fight at least. I'd forgotten how focused he was.
Damn, I thought for one glorious moment that the body was going to catch the head on the way down then.
The Pope has a sunlight resistant suit?
That dramatic last line of Connor’s was kind of ruined by his five minute wait for the next lift.
I want to hug both Angel and Connor as Connor leaves, but then I remember its Angel's fault.
Finally I am actually looking forward to the next episode. Although it does the beg the question as to why they (or I) bothered with the first half of this season.

Time Bomb

Teaser Its too darn hot today. Appropriately enough, the first shot is of fire.
What was the point of Gunn being in hell? I don't understand.
Gunn's being rescued by Ilyria? And why if this is possible was it not done before?
Oh well done Illyria! I do like the idea of the monster ripping his own heart out. Heh. There's a joke somewhere about the torture-demon cutting his own heart out, but I can't think of it.
Angel’s hair is awful, it’s been cut too short.
Angel is hardly the person to be criticising the size of other people's egos.
"Go Team" Oh, do shut up Angel.
"Guest Starring: Jaimie Bergman" Isn't that DB's wife, the ex-playboy bunny? This isn't boding well.
Wow, that looks like my marking pile. My intray looks like that if I take the afternoon off.
Wesley’s clutching that book like it’s a lover. Not that I have ever done anything similar, in the middle of Waterstones or anything.
We haven't seen dishevelled, bookworm Wesley in a while.
Look at how Wes scuttle a round his office! He doesn’t look like he’s scoring many points on the Saneometer.
A bit odd?
Wesley looks a lot like me a month before finals, except more drunk. My vice of choice was Refresher sweets and Cherryade.
I'm thinking Queen's I'm Going Slightly Mad would be an appropriate sound track for Wes right now.
It’s bullet time!Spike. Slo Mo Spike amuses me. Its the overwrought expression in particular.
Brazilian ninjitsu?
Poor Gunn. There's just so much to do that you can't even bring yourself to start... I've had that expression a lot recently
Look at Lorne in the fedora! Not the best way to go incognito.
"It's business boys, not a batcave" Couldn't it be a Vampire Batcave? (I'm sorry, that's bad I know)
I agree Lorne, I’m much fonder of Adam Baldwin’s link to the Powers than I ever was of Eve.
The weights and measures conversation must have been particularly fascinating
Poor Wes is always being accused of betrayal. Betrayal would indicate the loss of loyalty - since when has Wes ever been loyal to Illyria?
Ah, the old prophecy trick.
I'm not sure I'd take vitamins from random people, it seems a little too much like Stranger Danger territory to me.
Mind the books! Mop that water up!
I do believe she's flicking through time. I'm sure I've seen this as a story device before.
Jim Jones. Ooh, wasn't that the guy that lead the cult deaths in Jonestown?
I love Sarcastic Wes.
Is it me, or is Hamilton looking slightly worried about Ilyria?
Ritual sacrifice. Shocker.
Look at Spike having to find a metaphor that Angel can understand.
"Mutari generator" Ok, someone's been watching Star Trek lately.
She dusted Spike? Huh?
And killed Wes? Don’t do that! Don’t kill people like that!
Ahh, she's still bouncing about in time. *phew*
Shaper Of Things seems a very vague title for a ruler of the dimension.
“You know nothing of this!” He knows nothing full stop.
"You're a paradox. You're impossible" We know
Ilyria go boom!
Even with the explanation by Angel I'm still rather confused.
Much, much speechifying by everyone. Bored Now.
"Touch me and die, Vermin" Nice insult...
Back discussing the contract Gunn is making some good arguments there.
What the hell is Angel doing? Angel! You moron! You should be backing Gunn up, not helping sell a baby!

The Girl In Question

Oh, bad hair on Angel. Not flattering.
What's Spike playing? (I get bored and notice these things)
I do like Spike’s thoughtful and considered attitude towards the idea. “Bugger off!”
Wank off? They need better swear words.
That's quite a list of opponents there
“It’s Buffy!” Damn, I was hoping for the devil robots.
Is anybody else visualising Methos/Duncan/insert your own choice every time they say 'The Immortal?'
Why not get the Roman branch of Wolfram and Hart to deal with it?
You know, Angel and Spike bickering always amuses me, they're so childish
Spike likes the idea of staking Angel. There's a joke there, I'm sure.
They certainly get through the mini bars every time they fly.
You can get drunk on them, you just have to try that little bit harder
I love the 50s flashback. 50's Spike has greasy hair. Funny visual though. It's the 'Ciao Bella' that just caps it all off.
Hmm, historical note. My understanding of the history of fashion isn’t the greatest, but I’m willing to go out on a limb and say that underwear at this point, especially for men, was not as it is portrayed here. Most women didn’t bother, and the men were even less inclined.
Spike & Angel chained up. The launch of a few more fan-fics...
Did they make DB wear a shirt because he's put on so much weight since the last flashback?
Oh god, the wigs! The wigs! And the accent! Oh, why do they do this to us?
'How you doin'?' And suddenly, Joey Tribbiani seems have made an appearance in Angel. Now there's a crossover to be feared...
These are truly dire Italian accents.
Yeah, I thought that pointed finger was a mistake.
Maybe I'm reading the shot wrong, but Darla didn't look like she'd just had an unpleasant experience in that bed
Ilyria pontificates. I don't need to say any more than that do I? So tired of it.
"I go because it suits me". Ilyria, trying to save face.
No one bothered to inform Fred's parents?
Wow... They really splashed out on those stock shots of the Coliseum. We're just lucky we didn't have 'Rome, Italy' as a subtitle, just in case we got confused
Yay! Andrew! They couldn't get any of the Scooby gang back then?
Heh. Classic stuck in door pose. Sometimes, the old gags do actually work.
Who's snuggling what now?
I'm not sure that immortality is inherently sexy
I'd forgotten quite how much the breathiness of Darla bugged me. Grrr
Somebody had a good night then.
Angel's retreat to the Tibetan monastery wasn’t his own idea. He was copying the Immortal! Hah.
"You never let us do that" Ok. Bad visual images of all them in the same bed....
Look at the male pride take a pounding there.
“Nuns are your thing!” Sorry, I just find that inherently funny.
The posturing hasn't changed a bit in over a century.
She's done it twice before, how is this different? I do love the way both Spike and Angel just ignore that statement and move on
So, it’s literally the Head of the family!
These Demon cults should consider FedEx-ing.
That looks like Fred, not Ilyra. What the hell is she playing at?
In the club At least the 'Buffy' shot is long distance, so it’s not so obvious it’s not SMG this time.
'Blondie Bear' from Angel? Is there a reason that he's using Harmony's endearments now? Does he want to be Spike’s snuggle bunny too?
Why on earth have they taken the head with them? Who goes out looking for someone, carrying a head?
God this is awful. I love the totally inappropriate music over the fight, it’s brilliant. What the hell is this fight in aid of? And what is the music in the background? Should I know this? Can I fit anymore questions into this comment?
That's right idiots; fight each other instead of your opponents.
OK, the Vespa chase is funny. If only there was the pink helmet for Angel again! As soon as they showed the Vespas in the background I knew that they’d end up on one. Is there any chance that one of those would catch up with the car?
Tax evasion? The mind boggles.
About time they thought to use the Roman branch... I'm assuming that yes, there is a Roman Branch of W&H, but last time I checked, Angel only had control of LA.
Corporate architecture, got to love it.
I swear that’s ‘O sole mio’ in the background. Or as it was known in my childhood ‘the cornetto song’
The head of W&H Italy is very very erm, flamboyant.
Hectic’s one way to describe things.
Fred’s body and Ilyria’s voice is rather unsettling.
Some poor person has to clean up all that spit
Spike and Angel, outthought by a woman. And not for the first time.
Oh, I love the bickering. Apocalypse one-upmanship. “My apocalypse is better than your apocalypse”
Mind the large doses of irony ‘Take care of our little Fred” You could get serious indigestion from it.
Meta-statement on the American tendency to solve things with their fists. Never mind that one’s English and the other’s Irish eh?
Check that's really the head, guys....
Oh, the jacket. Spike’s going to be peeved.
Or maybe not.
This hardly needs to be said, but Angel’s jacket is ridiculous.
Andrew’s flat Not the cookie dough analogy! It was bad enough the first time!
Bless. Spike’s defending Angel’s honour. “Is he crying?” “No!” (In a very indignant tone)
Wes mad as he is, does not want fake!Fred.
“As you wish” Ilyria is no Westley, and Wesley is no-where near as stupid as Buttercup. (and that was remarkably hard to type, with the Westleys and the Wesleys)
So, what exactly was the point of the trip, if the Italian branch just sent the head anyway?
Angel, seriously considering the ‘lock her in a box’ option.
Strong yes, smart... not so much.
Well, that was moderately amusing if you don’t think too hard and ignore the annoying stereotypes, but c’mon, we’re so close to the end, and this is what we’re given? Where’s the drama we normally have by this point in the season? *hmmph*. I'll say one good thing about this episode; it makes me better disposed towards last night's Smallville.

Power Play

Doesn’t saving someone generally involve not killing them?
Due to an unsuccessful attempt by Somn and myself to find Callum Keith Rennie in the dire film Paycheck, I missed anything before the titles.
Is that werewolf woman? Since when do they sleep together? And why am I finding myself not caring in the slightest? He slept with Nina? I know I rant about how annoying Buffy and Darla are, and I don’t want him to end up with either, but it just feels wrong that it’s the penultimate episode, and he’s sleeping with another random blonde. At least with the other two there was a history behind it.
Angel shouldn't worry too much, I can go days without a coherent thought, and I'm not being that distracted
Angel can multi-task? I didn’t think that was possible.
I like the idea of a holiday package coming with beach sex. It's an option they all too rarely offer at Thomas Cook. Making love on the beach - does nobody think of the myriad of places that sand can lodge itself? Or worse, shingle.
“He and I are no longer having intercourse” My double take was nearly as good as Spike’s. Very glad I wasn’t drinking anything at that point. It hurts inhaling drinks up your nose, as I found out yesterday.
A Politician in league with evil. That’s novel.
Harmony, as usual, seeing what she can actually get away with.
Okay something strange is going on and I think I must've missed something.
What is it with abandoned funfairs? Why are demons and other evil doers drawn to them?
Nice to see Wes and Spike still focusing on the ‘small stuff’ and doing old-style research, and smash-the-demon.
I want a book that tells me I’m looking in the wrong place. That’s fabulous research tool, that I’m sure I could use for this course of mine... I could do with a set that told me when the kettle's boiled, or if I'm late for the dentist, that sort of thing.
You’d have thought that the font would have been bigger in those magic books.
Angel Playing games with the devil are we Angel? They never end well.
Those squash goggles are ridiculous.
Spike is very, defensive of Angel. Considering they claim to loathe each other it’s odd.
They were intimate?! The mind boggles, and I think I may need to scrub my brain out now.
Oh, it’s the sexy voiced one! Hello, sexy voiced man.
Have I mention how much I like broody, research-boy Wesley?
Why couldn't Wesley draw that on his own notepad?
Wesley should go with the tattoo
I genuinely don't understand why they're making Wesley's motivations all about Fred. The very essence of Wesley's character for the past four seasons has been that he acts regardless of his own feelings and does what he considers to be the 'right thing'.
They should make Young Guns III
Take charge Wesley. This is an improvement.
Who sacrificed what now?
He’s not grubby enough to be Aragorn. They called him Aragorn! We came up with that joke ages ago!
Bless, Drogan was Wesley’s research project at the Council. And the guy had nearly as many names as Aragorn.
That’s definitely not Angelus, there’s not a hint of leather trousers anywhere.
“You want the truth?” You can’t handle the truth!
The ends do not always justify the means. People say that when they’re trying to persuade you to do something dodgy.
Angel is warped. Redundant comment I know, but hey.
Oh, it’s Lorne he’s talking to. For a moment I thought Wes was talking to the mirror. Sometimes, it’s the only way to have a decent conversation.
The Tiny Texan! Or rather, the ounce-sized Oklahoman. Thank you, Heather.
Hug me Lindsey!
Nina. Go. Away.
Heh, he’s giving her tickets, do you think he heard me?
He’ll not go find her. She’s just a diversion.
I can’t believe that they’re actually playing the videogame.
I feel that about Tetris, Illyria. That's pretty much my reaction when confronted with anything other than Super Mario.
Hmm, Drogan and Hamilton know each other. Equals and opposites maybe. His first name's Marcus? And why does the name 'Marcus Hamilton' seem strangely familiar?
I feel the need to pass on a friend's comment about Hamilton. "He's a hard bastard, ain't he?"
At least they didn't make Lindsey wear orange
Gunn has a Dumb Kent Statement! “I’ve never heard of it.” I understand Lindsey’s snarky “It’s a secret society.”
That's because... Yeah, what Lindsey just said
Yep, they are always this slow.
Except he didn't do that for Wesley did he? He smothered him with a pillow.
Wes, despite everything, is still hoping for the best. Awww
Thanks to the “evil brick road” comment I now have the image of Angel in a Dorothy dress. It’s not pretty, folks.
They killed Drogan. No fair, I liked him.
They lost something by not showing us some older characters in the ‘Black Thorn’ I really expected that we’d spot an old adversary in there, or a jaw-dropping ‘what the hell’ and I was very disappointed there wasn’t. I’m trying to think of a good one they could have used, and my mind is drawing a blank now. But they could have done it.
This is a much, much better episode than we've had for a while. It's shame it's a bit late coming, and a little too obvious that he's infiltrating these guys as part of a plan. Still, I'm rather enjoying it
Finally, an explanation. I haven’t bothered to record my fringedwellings about Angel’s weird behaviour because it was so bloody obvious that he was planning something like this from the beginning.
They’re frantically re-conning that Cordelia-Angel kiss, aren’t they?
“Lindsey’s a pathetic halfwit” Angel, never minces his words when talking about lil’ Lindsey.
Killing every member of the Black Thorn - simple concept. Difficult to deliver on I feel.
Lorne really isn’t sure about this whole ‘dying to stick two fingers up at the powers that be’ business. I’m not sure that I’d be that keen, either. “Do we crawl away?” Oh Lorne, bless.
Hmmm, I wonder what everyone will choose? I would love one of them just to say “Nope, don't like the odds, I'm going to Hawaii”
Death or Glory seems to be the order of the day. And yes, I got a lump in my throat as they all said “Yes”. I’m a sap, live with it.
Eeek! Last ever episode, and I’m away for a meal! There will be double and triple checking of the video on Tuesday, I’m telling you!
I'm finished! Not only is this the last episode I've of the house moving/holiday backlog, but it's taken me about two and a half hours to do. I feel a small thrill of accomplishment at finally getting it out of the way

Not Fade Away

Mr. Irony comes to play, as the advert for the Buffy reruns before Angel started tonight used Stupid Girl by Garbage as their music...
I've just realised that now, everything will be a 'previously'. No more new stuff.
"We're all one big happy Manson family” Okay, that was creepy, Spike.
Are the Black Thorn saying a twisted form of 'Grace'? Do they have to chant that every time they meet? It would get old soon.
Isn’t it odd that the circle of the Black Thorn don’t sit in a circle?
Sarky! "Interesting for a secret society."
Aw, it’s the little minion man!
Oh, don't hurt the poor slave.
See? Wesley *is* intriguingly unstable. "Intriguingly unstable' is a spot-on description for Wes. Possibly quite apt for fringedwellers as well
"If the next words out of your mouth are 'kill Spike', we just might have to kiss" Okay, that made me giggle.
I thought the Shanshu prophecy malarkey might get mentioned somehow.
I'm not sure prophecies should have an escape clause (except in the usual double meaning way). It ruins their allure
He can actually sign his name? I was expecting an 'X' then.
Sometimes, Harmony is not as dumb as looks (she mentions that something’s going down)
She's volunteering to help? Well, it wouldn't be the first apocalypse she's helped fight.
Harmony's going to have sex with him isn't she? That's the only distraction she knows.
Angel doesn't want to do something? What’s so novel about that?
Did anybody catch the options Sky is offering as the 'Best of Angel'? I'm curious.
Woooo! Lindsey got to be in the last episode. That's cool; it fits with him being in the first one. I wish he had cut his hair to look like it did then. Still it's too late now!
"Why on God's green and verdant earth" Oh, nice turn of phrase there.
Ah, revenge on W&H, that'll speak to Lindsey.
When Lindsey says 'Coveting thy neighbour's ass', you just knows he means checking out their butt. I can honestly say that I do not covet my neighbour’s ass.
"I happen to be the greatest mass murderer you ever met" Angel, never one to hide his light under a bushel.
"You get a little speechy; I breeze out” Lindsey, speaking for the viewing public.
“I’m in.” “Why?” “They put The West Wing off for ten weeks, I’ve got nothing better to do.”
Big brass testes? Is that what he just said? Does he keep them in his briefcase and bring them out during motivational speeches?
I love Lindsey's reason for fighting...
No fair, I had a slashy joke there and they ruined it by making it for me!
Random aside - watching this on video means that when I decide it's entirely too warm to concentrate, I can go fetch myself a nice long glass of Pimms & Lemonade before settling back down. Summer is officially here when you start with the Pimms. Sorry, end of digression.
So, in the face of the impending apocalypse, who actually took the time to arrange Ilyra (how do you spell that?) artistically on the bed?
Considering that’s the thing responsible for the death of Fred, they're awfully concerned.
Oh, I'm going to miss Sarcastic Lorne!
Well it's a good job they are going to be doing it tonight, otherwise this finale's would be really dull.
Loved Lorne’s singing - we’ve not got that often enough this year. And the choice of song is quite apt.
Aww, Angel went to find Connor. That’s sweet. It's lucky Connor happened to be sitting in deep shade, isn't it?
Looks like Spike wants to go out as he entered Buffy - boozing and brawling.
Hey! It’s Anne and her shelter, cool.
Oh Gunn, don’t depress the perky girl. You know she’s going to make you move furniture anyway.
Poor Wesley doesn't get a day off. He should get to wear leather and lounge on a sofa reading a book or something.
Okay, there was a graphic image I didn’t need from Ilyra.
Very few people actually understand Wesley
I’m trying to think what I’d do if I knew that it was my last day on earth. Oversleep, probably.
"There is no perfect day for me” Oh, Wes. *sniff*
Oh god, Wesley's going to die isn't he?
"It's better". Never doubt the power of the Wesley.
Is Spike reciting what I think he is? Oh, he is. That's fabulous. And awww, he got applause too. I'm strangely touched by that. Hah! Spike’s at a poetry reading, and it’s awful. I love the title of the next poem though, The Wanton Folly Of My Mum. I think Spike's accent just moved north with that poem title.
What's being an Arts student got to do with being a Werewolf exactly?
Angel only just figured out that Connor remembers? He's even more of an idiot than I thought he was. I should hope Connor does know Angel's his father, otherwise he's being very relaxed about being stalked by a lawyer he's met once
I take it the inappropriately erotic memories are of Cordelia then? And I'd just managed to scrub my mind clean again. Cheers
The handwriting conversation was amusing. "You girl!"
Did they have to bring Eve back? Grump.
Lindsey's probably thinking about Angel too
Look at Eve sidestep that particular part of the conversation!
'Karaoke Boy'... One of DC's less successful superheroes
"This may come out a little pretentious” And when has that every stopped you before Angel?
I do like Spike’s constant volunteering to betray/annoy/wind up Angel.
What’s with all the biblical allusions? We already know the end is nigh!
I love Spike's preconditions. “No amulet, beads, bracelets...”
They called the 'Devil' demon Azriel so, curious I looked it up, it’s a name given to the Grim Reaper, or the Angel of Death. Nice.
Oh good grief Harmony. Just how long has Harmony been sleeping with Hamilton? I know he's kinda attractive, but he's evil! Oh, hang on minute, so is Harmony.
Ooohhhh... Naked Hamilton is good
The Hyperion got a mention too!
Wesley is not unpleasant to my eyes either. And I’ll second the not dying thing. Eep, I’m agreeing with Ilyria.
That was an odd look shared between Wesley and Angel
Wes has swirly light. Pretty. (Yes, like a true fringedweller, I am easily districted by shiny or sparkly things)
Spike is surprisingly fetching in the cape and hood ensemble.
As is Lindsey in the jeans, shirt and sword combo. OK, I think that Lindsey gets the prize for the coolest entrance sequence.
Oh, curved blade thingies are cool. Those big curvy knives just never look very practical though
That's a super line for Harmony "It's not an act, I really am this nervous." It's sad to say, but she's really been a highlight this season
All through Harmony’s diatribe about ‘confidence’ I had the song from The Sound of Music running through my brain.
Symbolic destruction of Wolfram & Hart anyone? Well, if they were never going to use the Wolfram and Hart set again they may as well send their lead actor flying through most of it.
Not the little minion guy! What the hell did he do?
Don’t drop the baby, Spike. And did it just shake its head at him? Awww.
The line about putting the Holy Vessel back in the bassinette reminds me of the very serious-sounding and threatening line “Put the bunny back in the box” that Nicolas Cage hisses in Con Air.
Weee! Connor to the rescue. He saw through Angel’s feeble explanations, didn’t he?
Gunn got to use the arm-holsters for the stakes for this battle. They must be on a rota system.
I half expected to see Ilyria walking along with backbones in hand
Lorne! Oh my God! What the hell was that? He killed Lindsey! Eeeeep! Well, I didn’t expect that!
Poor Lindsey, I think what really killed him was the shock that Angel couldn’t be bothered to kill him personally. That's worse than being shot...“killed by a flunkey?”
“G’night Folks” Okay, I’m rather moved by Lorne’s sad saunter off into the shadows.
Nooooooo! Not stabby Wes. (I’m sorry, my coherence just failed me)
Aw. Wesley gets to be stoic in the end, “Aren't they all”
Oh lord, Wesley! Don’t die!
“Would you like me to lie for you now?” “Yes.” Okay, I freely admit to crying at this point.
It's a shame that this scene is so unemotional. I'm still not buying the Wesley/Fred thing at all. I was less than upset, partly I think because Wesley was never going to get a happy ending, even if they won, I'm not sure he has anything to be happy about any more. Dying heroically was possibly the best he could hope for
Wes has gone, departed, shuffled off the mortal coil. Now I’m pissed off. Actually no, I’m going into denial. He’s just mostly dead. (Hey, I’ve been saving a Princess Bride joke for a while, and this my last chance)
Ahh, Vamp, blood. Logical.
Supercharged Angel! Does this mean that Harmony is full of ancient, unstoppable power as well now?
Cut off his head just to make sure. Have you learned nothing in the past five years?
Is that the same rainy alley that Connor was born in? Or is just that all rainy alleys look similar?
“I kinda wanna slay the dragon” Well, it’s nice to have aims.
He did it, didn’t he? He actually kick-started Armageddon.
That’s it? That’s how it ends? That was awful! What a completely ridiculous way to end the series. One pointless death, one completely out of character murder, a lot of posturing and no resolution! Plus, a dreadfully sappy clip sequence! Jesus, I can remember when this show was good. I’m truly upset at the lack of thought that went into ending this show. You know, this was a much better finale than Buffy’s. It’s downbeat, but it fits in with what the series at its best was all about. And it was miles better than most of this last season! If it had to go, this was a good finish. For an absolutely appalling season that wasn't a bad finale. You suspect they're going to lose, but they're fighting the good fight anyway, and I'm not sure Angel could go out any other way. I loved the ending too, and I get more fond of it the more I see it. The show was meant to be about sacrifice regardless of the outcome, and that's the way they went out. The clip show was naff, and they could have held the final shot for longer before going to the credits, but they're minor gripes. Having a sweet happy ending instead would have been a disaster

Angel Index