Continuing with my viewing and reviewing of season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and season 1 of Angel...
***SPOILERS***
B4-15: This Year's Girl
Synopsis: As Riley joins Buffy in the hunt for one of the Initiative's creations called Adam, Faith awakens to find she's been given one last gift from Mayor Wilkins. (written by Douglas Petrie, airdate 2/22/09)
As if this season didn't have enough with a secret organization, a new boyfriend and a homocidal cyborg-demon, the writer's decide to bring back Faith too. Wow! Let's really kick this up three more notches. I am sure all the fans were ecstatic to have her back as she adds a lot of energy to the cast. All those dreams she had in the coma just go to show that she's still in a very dark place, and the fact that she'd pick a fight with Buffy in broad daylight on the campus just brings that home. Some great character bits in this one as well - Xander struggling with the broken blaster early on only to have Riley get it going in a few seconds, Willow bring along Tara to do recon for Faith, Giles and Xander working together only to find Spike who has to point out that he really hates all of them (he'd love to point a loose cannon like Faith at them), three men from the Council showing up at Giles' place, and Faith showing loss when she views the Mayor's video tape. Then, Faith goes after Joyce - giving a speech about them being the "forgotten" ones - ironic since Joyce hasn't had much air-time this season either. Again, nod to the fan speculation I am sure. In the end, Buffy saves her mother but the Mayor has the last laugh with the gizmo he left Faith. Holy mind swaps, Batman! How will Buffy get out of this one and how much damage will Faith do in her body until she does? Looking forward to the final third of this season.
A1-15: The Prodigal
Synopsis: An attack by a normally peaceful demon on a subway train leads Angel to a disturbing connection between Kate Lockley's father and an illegal drug warehouse. (written by Tim Minear, airdate 2/22/00)
I like when we get flashbacks to Angel's past - in this case to 1753 when he was Liam and what happened to him just before and just after Darla sired him. It is a needed story to how Angel embraced his dark side and why he seeks redemption. It also helps to parallel the parent-child issues with Kate and her retired cop father. I liked that Angel couldn't save him, not having been invited in, when the drug demon's thugs attack. But as soon as he can enter, he goes for them and then is out for blood entirely. Kate and Angel will never see eye to eye, now after this event further drives the wedge between them. It will be strictly business, an uncomfortable alliance at best. That makes for a nice twist in the storylines and character development.
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