DVD review - Angel season 4 episodes 9, 10 and 11

Continuing my viewing/reviewing of Angel season 4...

SPOILERS

A4-9: Long Day's Journey (written by Mere Smith, airdate 1/22/03)

Thought the idea of the totems was interesting and could have easily been spread out into a couple episodes. It quickly goes from four let to just one - Manjet (Manny). Love that a being of higher power reads in the john and wants lap-dances. Then again, he was the aspect of the common man. Electro-girl Gwen is back, just in time to add some needed jealousy for Cordy. Fair is fair. Oh, and nasty plan - blot out the Sun. That'll put some crimp into things. Funny how the folks in Sunnydale didn't even notice this. Oh yeah, they've been busy - convenient. Even a single passing reference would have been nice. Oh well.

A4-10: Awakening (written by Fury and DeKnight, airdate 1/29/03)

Wes' plan is the only option - take out Angel's soul to free Angelus and get the info they need on the Beast which he would know. Someone should have told that to Angel's subconscious though. Instead, we get a Raiders of the Lost Ark homage complete with "why'd it have to be wood?", booby trapped rooms, a defeat of the Beast with a mystic sword, closure between Angel and Connor, and pure happiness for Cordy and Angel. I should have seen it coming. Too good to be true and too easy of a wrap up. Thanks for faking me out, writers. Dang.


A4-11: Soulless (written by Fain and Craft, airdate 2/5/03)

So, Angelus is back but even in a cage he is dangerous. He plays head games with everyone, causing the group to have division in the ranks - all part of his plan. Cordy uses him to get the info on the Svears but even that turns out to be too little too late. Oh, and I knew her taunting in the end was going to come back to haunt her - even before the safe was reopened. Soul, soul, who's got the soul? I'm putting my money on Connor.