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Date Posted: 09:27:29 10/23/03 Thu
Author: Kuzibah
Author Host/IP: 12.175.117.195
Subject: Angel 5/4: "Hellbound" (*SPOILERS*)

It's now becoming apparent that what passes for a story arc this season will revolve around Spike, which, given the demands that are apparently being made by the network, is not a bad compromise. That way, they can have their stand-alone, MotW episodes where Angel kicks ass, and keep the viewers who are just there to see Spike at the same time. To that end, I'm predicticting we'll be having one of these Spike-centric eps, oh, every four or five episodes or so, just to keep the ball rolling.

That being said, the first Spike-heavy ep of the year was a corker, although I hope Joss et al sent Clive Barker a nice fruit basket to thank him for the use of his ideas. Creepy and atmospheric, with a bunch of supporting spooks to prop up the less than compelling primary baddie (I mean, I didn't quite follow why Pavayne was there or what he was doing exactly, but I may have to watch it again). Plus it gave Spike a chance to prove (again) he's a white hat. They've also ended the whole "keep this a secret" subplot between him and Fred, which is good, because that stuff gets tired fast.

Angel himself definitely seems to be taking to the W&H waters like a shark, becoming involved with budgeting and other operations, although there was a nice conversation between him and Spike. I would actually have liked to see that conversation continue, as they were just starting to get into the hundred-odd years of shared history the two of them have. I personally find this much more interesting than the Spike/Buffy/Angel love triangle that isn't (I mean, she's probably flirting with some nice clerk at the Watchers' Council by now), the whole twisted familial relationship, and wish they would explore it more, with lots of historical flashbacks featuring bad wigs.

But anyway...

Gunn spouted a little more legalese. Eve was there, but mercifully mute for the most part. Harmony was absent again. Wesley might as well have been, which is disappointing. Fred is turning into the biggest Mary Sue this side of Wesley Crusher, which is very annoying. I mean, no one is a super genius AND sweet as clover honey AND noble and forthright and true AND beloved of all men AND... well, you get the idea.

Nice acting by JM, despite the fact that Spike continues to be written as a collection of slang rather than an actual character (did the Angel writers even *watch* Buffy?), and I like the story construction this year that jumps over a lot of expository action. For example, a lot of shows would have made the "Spike starts seeing ghosts and freaks out" scene much longer, but they jumped right from the first appearance of the spook to a room full of them and a full-on rant and left the audience to fill in the blanks. The same with the fight between Angel and a now-corporeal Pavayne.

All in all, a solid entry. Comments?

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Replies:

[> I was wrong. -- Grim ,_,_), 09:39:08 10/23/03 Thu (66.95.229.84)

No Sputt.

No Fripple.

What the heck was that nudity warning about anyway? Spike's LEG? wow, full sidal nudity...again...*yawn*

OK. I'm not really THAT hung up on it. I just thought it was funny that they made such a big deal over the whole thing.

I appreciated the feel of the episode. I always like a good, dark, scary story. Pavayne could have been more fleshed out, but that again wasn't the point of the story. Pavayne survived at W&H by sending those who died in the offices to Hell before he was sucked in as well. A neat idea, but could have been expanded upon in a story NOT revolving around the New White (haired) Knight.

We should have more ensemble, more flaws with Fred, less legalese from Gunn and more Angel in a show called 'Angel.'


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[> [> See, it wasn't a warning -- Kuzibah, 10:59:11 10/23/03 Thu (12.175.117.195)

It was more of a fan alert.

"Hey Spike fans! Don't miss James Marster's Ass (tm) tonight at nine! Tell your friends!"


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[> [> [> Yeah, I thought that looked odd. -- Grim ,_,_), 11:25:22 10/23/03 Thu (66.95.229.84)

That little "tm" they stamped on his left cheek...


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[> I was distracted, as I was drawing -- Pouncer, 11:24:45 10/23/03 Thu (198.26.74.99)

Pastels and charcoal are fun!

That being said, I'm still liking the new season. I wish for more Wesley, because his scenes make me shiver. The "disturbing content" label was right on as far as I was concerned - anytime maiming is on screen it disturbs me greatly.

I thought the villain had a very compelling presence and voice, even if I had no idea what he was doing there.

And Fred annoyed me.


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[> I enjoyed it. -- wwolfe, 11:30:51 10/23/03 Thu (161.149.63.100)

The scene where Pavayne was explaining what he was doing, and how that somehow showed the futility of Spike's efforts to change, or something, was confusingly written. It reminded me of all the "Let us expound on Life's Mysteries while we bash each other with broad swordfs!!" scenes that make "Highlander" and its ilk so tedious to me. Other than those few minutes, I enjoyed the episode.

You're right about Fred. I hope she turns out to be evil, just because I'm sick of her treacle. Last week, it finally hit me that the one thing she does that bugs me the most is to talk like she's eight-years-old most of the time. Having her as the main, or even the sole, female character is the one serious flaw in the show so far this year. (Having said that, I did appreciate the moment when she said that Spike was worth saving, mainly because James's reaction showed what that meant to him - I think that's the first time anyone's said that? - and it was an affecting moment.)

My favorite line: "What's that hair color called? 'Radioactive'?"

Oh, and the dead woman with the big shard of glass in her eye was cree-pee. Yikes.


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[> [> I am so with you on Fred's voice -- Pouncer, 14:29:59 10/23/03 Thu (198.26.74.99)

And it was even more annoying because there was one line where she dropped to a lower tone and it was so much more pleasant!

Visit a speech therapist Fred. Also a confidence-boosting program.


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[> Kinda slow. -- Mo, 13:11:12 10/23/03 Thu (24.128.159.238)

I kept flipping back to VH-1, cause I Love The 80's Strikes Back was more entertaining. The last ten minutes was good, though, with Spike getting all "Ghost-Swayze" on the Reaper guy, who was a terrible actor.

I still like Fred.

I still hate the word "corporeal."


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[> [> I am loving ILT80SB. -- Pouncer, 14:40:40 10/23/03 Thu (198.26.74.99)

I almost wanted to watch it more than Angel! I flipped on the commercial breaks.

I think I'm a "Strikes Back" kind of girl - I remember so many more things than in the original:

-ribbon braided barrettes
-stirrup pants
-Flash Gordon. Flash! Aaahhhh-Ooooohhhhh!
-Dynasty

Or maybe it's not "remember" so much as I actually played with/watched/wore the things they're covering now.

Plus, I get to drool over Rich Eisen


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[> [> [> Bill Dwyer ragging on Journey has been pretty funny. -- Mo, 17:58:37 10/23/03 Thu (169.152.251.99)

I was pretty good with the I Love The 80's, remembering-wise. Oddly, the stuff I found myself not knowing anything about happened in like, 1988 and 1989. Apparently I was living in a sofa fort for those years.


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[> I liked it a lot. -- Anthony, 03:23:54 10/24/03 Fri (12.233.60.231)

I love creepier toned stories, and it's been kind of sad that "Angel" hasn't hit on them in the past two seasons. One of my favorite "Angel" episodes is "I've Got You Under My Skin," which I found all kinds of creepy and perfect in tone for the show.

Each week, I look forward to "Angel" a little more, not in the least bit because they seem to be showing the range of which the show is capable. I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if Joss and company are showing off, both to viewers and network execs who had this show pegged as just a soap-opera "Buffy" spin-off, that they can do a whole bunch of different kinds of tales with these characters. "Hellbound" was an awesome and disturbing ghost story. Next week's episode looks to be hilarious. I nearly pissed myself when Spike yells his, "Angel's getting some? Good on you, mate!" line in the trailer. I haven't enjoyed one of Joss's shows this much since I was in high school.

Of course, if "Buffy" is any indication, it can go off the rails at any moment. If the crew and cast can keep the momentum going beyond the eighth episode this season, I'll be extremely pleased.


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[> I enjoyed it -- GG, 07:39:54 10/24/03 Fri (62.254.32.4)

but I think both Hellbound and our very own Grim should have gotten credit/residuals...


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[> [> Thank you. *waits for check to arrive in the mail* -- Grim ,_,_), 09:04:45 10/24/03 Fri (66.95.229.84)


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