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Angel
Loyalty
Episode Air Date 02/25/02You want fries with that?
The episode opened with a pair of nightmares. The first one, traditionally unreal, featured Wes with literal blood on hands - a clear metaphor for the responsibility he feels in connection to Angel, Connor, and the Nyazean based prophecies. Although the writers tried to surprise the audience, Angel's baby talk, even more nauseating than usual, was a tip off.
The second nightmare, quite real, landed Angel and Wes in a doctor's waiting room with screaming infants (now that and a bad HMO are true horror). Angel is being a good daddy by getting Connor checked after his ultra-sensitive vamp ears detect a "wheeze or gurgle." Unfortunately, someone else is being a good "baddie" by stealing a vial of Connor's blood (no doubt for future nefarious purpose).
Back at Cordy-less hotel base camp, things are slow: No visions means no business. So slow, in fact, that Lorne has thankfully been relieved of his nanny/manservant status. Angel has plenty of time to tend to Connor, dream of their future life together, and order baby toys over the Internet (maybe he learned a trick or two from the DSL equipped tree demon from last week).
But the lack of business is the calm before the storm. With the arrival of a grieving mother, the episode shifts into a high gear that churns out more than enough plot development to make up for a deficiency in current episodes. The audience not only finds out what Holtz has been up to, but discovers that's he assembled an effective fighting force (and a more contemporary wardrobe). The writers deserve credit for giving some depth to Holtz and Justine (who has apparently stuck to her training schedule), both of whom may have some doubts as to their missions.
Meanwhile, the time shifting, wisecracking Sajhan is back (his opening comment about Holtz's décor, i.e., matching chained undead with fern, and his quip about being a late time shifter, are the best lines of the episode). Seems Sajhan is none-too-pleased with Holtz's lack of progress in killing Angel. Since he's not American, he can't sue Holtz. But that doesn't stop Sajhan from seeking the help of Wolfram & Hart; he's apparently quite familiar with their work on this and other dimensions.
Unfortunately for him, W&H has an official "hands-off" Angel policy these days (after several losses, the Senior Partners probably figured they'd be better off staying on the sidelines until the prophecies played out more). Lilah, on the other hand, still has a major grudge and is more than willing to help Sajhan. Again, credit the writers this season for developing Lilah into a smart, more effective baddie.
The treatment of Gunn and Fred's growing relationship is a mixed bag. Sometime it works, and other times it plays like a bad ABC After-school Special.
What works even less is an anthropomorphized burger-shaped drive thru stand that channels a mystical being known as "The Loa" (the creature looks so ridiculous that substituting in "The Lorax" may have not come across any stranger). Last week, a few silly moments provided needed relief from overly long serious exchanges. Here, however, the silliness just seems too out of place. Doing a B-rate impersonation of Darth Vader, The Loa spells out to Wesley three key prophetic signs (what, no dead fish?).
A real downer, one almost expected The Loa to conclude by pronouncing Wesley "a rebel and a traitor." Alas, he may get that chance. Concerned for Connor's welfare, perhaps tempted by Holtz's mission, and no doubt disturbed by Angel's closing "snack" comment, which was extremely creepy at first listen (but there is a less threatening possibility), Wesley may deviate from his trademark integrity.
Next week's episode will likely answer that question. And hopefully the fast paced plot development that kept this episode afloat will continue next week. But lose the talking burger, OK?
