Continuing my viewing and reviewing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 5 and Angel season 2...
*** SPOILERS ***
B5-18: Intervention (written by Jane Espenson, airdate 4/24/01)
So, Buffy goes on her quest in the desert (minus any peyote) and gets the advice that "death is your gift". Okay, that doesn't sound like it will bode very well, does it? Meanwhile, Warren delivers to Spike the Buffybot, and it is exactly what the vampire ordered. Ewwww. Of course, the real fun starts when the 'bot interacts with Xander, Anya, Willow and the others (I loved how Giles is appaulled that Spike didn't even bother to have it programmed with the correct pronounciation of his name - LOL). The best part though - when the minions snag Spike, thinking he is the key, and Glory tortures him brutally Spike shows his true loyalty. He won't betray Dawn because it will hurt Buffy. I love that Willow loves the challenge to fix the broken 'bot and that Xander feels sorry for Spike having to lose his toy after getting beaten up so bad. Buffy does a great job pretending to be the 'bot to find out where Spike's loyalty lies. Though disgusted by his feelings, she can't deny that he has stood by her.
A2-18: Dead End (written by David Greenwalt, airdate 4/24/01)
Interesting character studies here. First, focus on what visions do to Cordelia - how they keep hitting her until the situation is resolved. That is having some wear on her. (Note: over the past couple episodes I've noticed Carissma's tramp-stamp tattoo, given the clothes she has been wearing.) Of course, the biggest focus is on Lindsey - how he goes day to day with just the one hand, how W&H decide to invest in him to get a mystical transplant, how well he plays the guitar and sings at the karoake bar, oh - and how you can't be sure just where that hand has been. LOL. I love how Angel and Lindesey have to work together, reluctantly, but they did make a good team. In the end, they both realize what must be done with W&H's body bank (ewwww, ick place). I also love Lindsey's "performance" at the review meeting - beware "I've got this evil hand" thing - very nice. He manages to get himself off the hook, stick it one last time to Lilah (by giving her the job) and gets to walk away from it all. Final great touch - the scene at the truck when Lindsey is ready to leave town (and Angel's little "farewell" gift). A good episode.
ANGEL: Why I freaking love Christian Kane. This is the episode that made me a fan for life. Seriously, if you go back and watch the whole final meeting room scene again? You'll really notice how he just OWNS it. Watching him again in this series, I've been impressed at how well he owns the dialogue, never feeling like he's reading from a script, always a lot more going on in his head, which comes through in his body language and expression. But seriously...the meeting room scene? GOLD. I was watching it trying to figure out how much was improv and how much was scripted. It sure felt like he was just winging a lot of the lines. And the dude whose hair he kept messing up as he walked by. That just felt like something made up on the set.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it was a revelational episode for his character...and a hell of a save for Lilah, too (whew!). He one of the main reasons I started watching Leverage on TNT. That's another fantastic character for him. Guy needs more work, because his comedy timing is brilliant. Very fun episode with great moments for everyone (I think the "Cops suck" part being my favorite).
Just remember...evil hand...