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Angel
Sleep Tight
Episode Air Date 03/04/02Holtz everything!
This was the big one, and for the most part it did not disappoint. With some unexpected twists and two cliffhangers, this episode captures viewer attention without relying on too many jokes or absurd plot devices (read "talking hamburger").
The opening is familiar: Wes brooding about the Nyazean prophecies, Angel acting goofy around Connor, and the Fang Gang couple, Gunn and Fred, exchanging syrupy banter. Angel, however, acts increasingly odd. (Never mind the blood guzzling, what about referencing Britney Spears?)
Surprisingly, it is Lorne, freed from sitter status, who's getting down to business. Unfortunately, his latest client Kim, a young guitar player, has a "catchy finish" that reveals a less than desirable stage presence. Some quick microscope work by Fred reveals that she and her band are the victims of Raythers, demons who temporarily take on human form to feed (think Gary Condit). So Angel, Gunn, and Fred head off to dispatch the other band members, who have apparently mutated beyond the help of the "mystical antibiotic" prescribed for Kim.
Wes uses the mission as an excuse to have a second clandestine rendezvous with Holtz and company, where Justine continues to train the troops with captured vamps. Prior to Wesley's arrival, Justine expresses some concerns about potentially killing Angel's human associates.
Here, the show's creators do an excellent job with a shot of knife-wielding Holtz; he may be ready to eliminate a doubting Justine or just out to peel an apple. It is a brief but highly effective moment that forces the audience to wonder how events will play out later, particularly with what also appears to be some chemistry between Justine and Wesley (or is it?).
Wesley hopes that by meeting Holtz now, he can avert a violent confrontation later. Indeed, the two share a common interest (not to mention a common unshaven appearance) - protecting Connor. Holtz offers Wesley some time to take action before he does.
After going "all Tyson" on the Raythers, Angel realizes that someone has been spiking his blood supply with Connor's blood (the sample stolen by Lilah's agent). This plotline is the weakest of the episode: How is one small vial enough blood to cause such a big reaction? And if Angel can self-diagnose so quickly and easily after calming down, why didn't he realize earlier?
The other disappointment of the episode is the continued lack of information regarding Sahjhan's motive. That mystery and the time-skipping demon's trademark sarcasm are beginning to wear thin.
Holtz, on the other hand, finally comes into his own (at least in this century). The audience finally gets to see how clever and ruthless he is. The writers deserve credit for having learned that with Holtz, less is more. His menace comes across best in a single phrase or look.
The episode closes with Sahjhan wishing "a nice Summer." Unfortunately, it will be much closer to Summer when Angel returns with new episodes. And that's not very nice at all.
