Angel thoughts

[yendi]

So, no one else watched it last night?



You know, one of the best examples of how good the second half of the season has been is that the transitional episodes are entirely watchable. This wasn't a very special ep, it wasn't monumental. It was just a way to set up the intense sweeps run.

And it was still damned good.

First, I'm assuming Cordy isn't really dead. Although I'd be happy to be wrong. But no body means no death.

Second, I like Jasmine more and more each week. She's being brilliantly underplayed -- even during the final scene, instead of maniacal laughter, we get her bell-like happy laugh. She's approaching The Mayor as my favorite Whedonverse villain (although she'll never surpass him, if only because he had more time to be set up).

Third, I liked the nasty critter. It's been a while since we've seen something that could balance menace and humor (Skip doesn't count). I also got a kick out of the Harryhousen-esque f/x.

Fourth, most of the cast was well-used. I didn't wish for Fred to die more than once, and Gunn actually acted like Gunn. Wesley has been a great character all season long, so no surprises there.

Fifth, I liked the creepy moment with Jasmine speaking through the boy. Joss has learned something that lots of directors and writers have learned -- there's little scarier than an evil kid (something I wish he'd played up more during Season 1).

Sixth, was I the only one who was hoping Angel would end up in Pylea at the end? :-)

Seventh, did it seem like Jasmine's appetites have grown? She seemed to be eating a lot more people. Wonder what her limit is?

And the new thing were her feeding off of the pain of her followers is just plain creepy.

Comments

[cissa.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with it all. I've liked the actress who plays Jasmine ever since she was on Herc-- wonderful ability to do a lot with a fairly simple role. (not seeing her weekly is one of the things I really regret about Firefly's demise...). I was a bit dubious about her as a Big Bad, but she's great.

Though she does not surpass the Mayor, who is still my #1 best villain of all time. :)

[bobthegoat.livejournal.com]

Whedon would be hard pressed to beat the Mayor in terms of a great villian.

I'm still waiting for Cordy to fight her way out of Jasmine in an ironic death/birth scene.

But please, will they just kill Connor and get it over with? Seriously. Maybe a Fred/Connor combo where she dies killing him and saving Gunn. That'd be good.

[piratejenny.livejournal.com]

Still wanna bitchslap Connor though. You know, that's been my major theme throughout Angel for a while lately.

But anyway, I loved the skittery creatures, and I so totally agree with you that creepy kids are creepier than anything. Was one of the things I loved about Miracles--often is was creepy dead kids.

[heathrow.livejournal.com]

I *loved* last night's episode. It was gripping and well paced. Loving Jasmine as the Big Bad. :) I agree with your points above.

It is sad to me, because I used to enjoy Buffy more than AtS. In the last year or so, it's been a complete flip in my affections. AtS has turned into a better show.

(Comment from me to my husband last night: "Hun, is it sad that I find Angel more realistic than 24 this season?")

[cissa.livejournal.com]

*snort* That's so very, very true...

24 is turning into a comedy! Kim's plotlines are literally making me laugh out loud.

[unwilly.livejournal.com]

No, I did not watch.

At least one person told me it was "donkey balls".

I guess I'll see it tonight.

I wonder how they worked a farm into the plot?

Unwilly

[stevenglassman.livejournal.com]

It was the first episode since the faith arc that I didn't hate.

I suspect it's cos there was no Cordy and precious little Connor in it. I like the group dynamic and sewer time. And the new demon was quite spiffy.

I like when the show remembers where it came from.

I've read the summaries for the next two episodes, and there's a 30% chance that I'll want to watch next season.

That's a 100% increase over my attitude last week, when I wanted the show to cheerfully rot in hell.

Whether I watch next year or not, I'm closing down SpoilerSluts.com. I've had enough. There's nothing like running a spoiler site to make you a cynical bastard who hates the show.

Re:

[unwilly.livejournal.com]

That is why I got off the NG and stopped asking industry friends for spoilers.

Now I just avoid the shows entirely.

WOrks wonders for my cynical side.

Un

[yendi]

Honestly, I've liked almost every scene this year that hasn't had Cordy in it. And even some of her scenes (as long as Conner wasn't in them) were okay.

I'm refusing to read any more spoilers for this season, simply because I've found that they do interfere with my enjoyment of the show. I still wonder what I'd have thought of last season's Buffy if I hadn't known everything that would happen. I don't think I could ever deal with getting all the spoilers (as well as all the false leads) that you do.

[galateadia.livejournal.com]

last nights episode was great, i agree entirely with your assessment of Angel for the second half of this season.
i must be the only one that even remotely likes fred... :(
and yes, conor should get a swift kick in the ass or head, or both.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

I kinda like Fred. And Connor is irritating in ways so reminiscent of my daughter as a mid-teen... *g*

Re:

[galateadia.livejournal.com]

lol, yeah they have been playing up the angsty, love-lorn and loneyly teenager bit a little too much. one word for it - annoying.

[alphafem.livejournal.com]

Add another one to the likes Fred column. I do like her. However, I think Connor needs to die screaming in a pit of snails. Stirred by a shirtless and mute Gunn.

[terracinque.livejournal.com]

Angel is the only show currently where I get excited in anticipation of each week's episode. Last night did not disappoint.

Only two episodes left! And the last episode will be spent setting up the premise for next season, which means this Jasmine thing will be all wrapped up next week. Seems incredible.

I agree, Jasmine is only a notch below The Mayor. I would love to see the Mayor equaled or surpassed as a villain, but I don't think it's likely.

Now that Jasmine's spell has spread as far as the Governor's Mansion, I'll be very disappointed if these goings-on are not referred to on Buffy at least in passing.

[lonesomenumber1]

Favorite moment: "Cut the cliched serial killer crap and stake me already!"