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Angel
Benediction
Episode Air Date 05/13/02
This episode is really part two of the set-up for the season finale. Like last week's episode, the focus is on Connor, a.k.a. Stephen, and Angel. A key difference, though, is Holtz, who may have repented or may be setting up his most diabolical vengeance scheme yet.
The scenes among Stephen, Angel, and Holtz work well (especially a well choreographed father-son team fight scene), though it's unlikely Angel would be so trusting or forgiving of the man who kidnapped his miracle son to Quartoth (the hell dimension, not the one in Mexico).
Thankfully, the writers include some breaks from the main story. These back-stories actually yield some of the most interesting scenes among the minor players. A second encounter between Wes and Lilah is as delicious as last week's, and Lilah again shows her formidability by arranging an especially enticing gift for Wesley. Also noteworthy is a scene between Pylean homeboys Lorne and Groo, who has fully realized that he is not the prince to his princess Cordelia.
Unfortunately, Cordelia's moments are much less appealing. The writers have added too many powers to her repertoire (why can't wardrobe add new hair to her scalp?).
By focusing on Cordelia's powers, they are shelving the humor, compassion, and conscience that made her such a Fang Gang favorite. The more powerful Cordy gets, the less interesting she becomes. Her cold treatment of Groo is also uncharacteristic of the more mature Cordelia carefully developed by the writers.
Justine's role is also disappointing. Once a promising character, her presence now adds little more than to facilitate the plans of others. There is also the plot question of how she finds Holtz's hotel room. It may not really matter, though, since Holtz probably would have sought her out instead to gain her help.
Overall, the Angel-Holtz plot is played out, with the Connor-Angel subplot coming up fast in second place. Hopefully the season finale next week will resolve these stories so next season starts fresh. Also tiresome before even reaching fruition is the Cordelia-Angel love story. One should really wonder how that would add value to the show.
Maybe one of these days the Fang Gang will get back to fighting evil and saving the world…
