Continuing with my viewing and reviewing of season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and season 1 of Angel...
***SPOILERS***
B4-14: Goodbye, Iowa
Synopsis: A death inside the Initiative tests Buffy and Riley's relationship and reveals that there are sinister and deadly aspects of the organization that not even Riley knows about. (written by Marti Noxon, airdate 2/15/00)
Just when you thought the Initiative and Walsh were creepy enough creating Adam from pieces and parts, we find out that they also were behind manipulating Riley and his fellow commandos. Riley's whole world comes crashing down around him to the point where he is threatening normals. He doesn't understand why Buffy and the gang would be harboring Spike, he can't fathom why Walsh is accused of what she did, he can't even relate to his former team either. A complete crisis of faith, with physical side effects too without the meds they were pumping into him regularly. Some good moments with Xander once more using that military knowledge he picked up a few Halloweens back, with Anya showing how protective she is of her Xander, with Spike finding out the consequences of hanging out with the Scoobies for too long, with all of them hiding out in Xander's basement, and with Willow and Tara attempting a demon-locating spell (what is up with Tara bailing on the spell?). Of course, we also see how purely evil Adam is - killing a child with little regard and returning back to the underground complex to deliver details about himself (part man, part demon, part machine) as well as the truth behind what they are doing to the commandos. He's definitely going to be a tough threat to take down as the season continues.
A1-14: I've Got You Under My Skin
Synopsis: An exorcism Angel and Wesley perform on a young boy possessed by a demon takes an unexpected turn when they discover just how much the demon wanted out. (written by Greenwalt and Renshaw, airdate 2/15/00)
The drama of the family takes some unexpected twists and turns which eventually all make sense as the story plays out. The mother is in denial about her son and the father is acting strange just to be protective. What balances out this story of demonic possession and exorcism are great character moments with our core three. Wesley realizes that sometimes Angel knows more about demons than he. Both realize how bad a cook Cordelia is. Angel and Cordelia have the begins of a serious talk about Angel's grief over the loss of Doyle. Angel shows that he actually has a way with children. Angel is uncomfortable in a church and a nun recognizes his true nature. Wesley tries to prove himself by exorcizing the demon, and must combat some of his own doubts and insecurities. Cordelia learns that when it comes to magic substitutions are not the best option. And, of course, the tension is still there between Angel and Kate. A good episode standalone episode that kept my attention through out.
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