Angel 2.01 Judgement SPOILERS
P@rick
*** SPOILERS for Angel 2.01 Judgement ***
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Angel and his Angelettes have a new HQ. Not surprising since their last
one was blown to pieces. They now reside at Cordy's (and Phantom
Dennis') place. They keep close track of their cases nowadays to find
out whether they encountered the Big Bad W&H demon yet. And Angel is
already making plans for his coming human life. Joining a gym ranks high
on his 'to do' list. The Angelettes also have fancy beepers, although a
cell phone isn't much of a luxury these days is it? Of course they tend
to have a lower up-time. We saw Cordy walking out of a rehearsal or
class, just as she was being praised by a director. This indicates where
Cordy's priorities lie nowadays: they moved from acting to battling
demons. Wesley was just making some good money throwing darts (very
unusual throw he has, but it works), and impressing (!) a nice looking
blonde woman. Is Wesley's dartplaying another source of their income? He
should make his darts into a lethal weapon, with wooden and poisoned
darts.
Angel, Cordy and Wesley hurry to kill as many demons as they can find.
The more demons Angel kills, the sooner he gets his reward (and the
sooner Wesley and Cordy are out of a job?). The Prio demon however, was
one he shouldn't have killed. But how was he supposed to know that?
Cordy has her vision, Angel goes for the kill. Cordy didn't feel any
fear in the woman, but she didn't have that vision for nothing. I can't
imagine that TPTB would let Angel kill an warrior for the good side just
to teach him a lesson. Angel killed Kamal and maybe he was meant to. He
proved that he was stronger than Kamal and this implies that Kamal would
probably have lost the trial by combat. But I can see how Angel is
thrown by killing a demon that had a change of heart just like him. It's
a clear signal for Angel Investigations that each case stands on its
own, and shouldn't be considered as just another obstacle on the road to
humanity. Angel has a very long road ahead, and he shouldn't focus on
finding out which battle is his final one. There's no need rushing to
it, that battle will come in its own time.
Dark games are being played by the Mystical Powers. Evil forces that put
a price on an unborn baby's head (including the mother). Demons that
just like Angel turn to fight for the good cause. A tribunal from
another dimension that judges over the faith of a mother and her child,
and protects them when the challenge is won. There's a lot going on in
L.A. Even more than what the city is known for.
The Oracles died in last season's finale. So for information from the
spiritual world we now turn to.... a karaoke bar. Where a mindreading
demon is Angel's connection to the spiritual world. Provided he gets up
on stage and give an honest performance. Very bizarre! We already knew
that Angel can't dance. Now we've established that he can't sing either.
But it's a proof of Angel's determination that he is willing to undergo
the torment.
A bit strange to see all those demons peacefully together in one room.
Reminds me of those scenes in Star Trek with different species of aliens
in a bar of some kind. This need for a place to hang out gives the
demons a human side. I wonder how Caritas enforces the strict 'no
violence' (except for the singing) policy. If you break the rule you
have to come up on stage?
Gunn has made it to the second season as well. Not surprisingly. He's a
good character to have around, the way he dusted that vampire very
smoothly. I'm still trying to get used to his humor. Not my kind of
humor I guess.
W&H let Darla out of her cage. She's getting used to being a living
undead again. And she can already sense Angel. She's dying (or rather
living) to meet him. Not sure what her plans for Angel are. W&H and
notably Lindsey probably want him dead. But I wouldn't be surprised if
Darla has plans for bringing the worst out of Angel, adding 'us' to his
name.
The best scene was at the very end of this episode. Angel visits Faith
in prison. Very good thing they haven't forgotten about her. Angel and
Faith keep sharing their experiences on their road to redemption. She
seems to holding herself well. A prison fight isn't reason enough
anymore to snap someones neck. That must take a lot of self-control from
Faith. I'd love to see some scenes from inside the prison. But at the
moment, I'm already more than happy that they haven't forgotten about
her. And more importantly, that Angel hasn't forgotten about her.
This was a very nice opener. Angel and the Angelettes got their reality
check from TPTB and are heading in the right direction again. And
they've found a swell new place to spend their lost hours opening up
their souls. Can't wait to see their next performance. I know Cordy does
a smashing impression of Whitney Houston's 'Greatest Love'.
Bye, Patrick
--
Keeper of the Willowism, "And I'm eating this banana. Lunchtime be
damned!"
Keeper of the Wily Willow Charms
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