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Angel
Tomorrow
Episode Air Date 05/20/02
First of all, don't assume that the villain of this episode is Stephen, a resurrected Holtz, Wolfram & Hart, or even some new demon nasty. In fact, the real evil of this episode, if not the entire season, has been hiding in plain sight all along.
That's right, the big bad is none other than the WB. Their weak promotion of Angel has only added fuel to the fire stirred by fan board conspiracy theorists suggesting that WB executives are enacting gradual revenge against Mr. Whedon for defecting to UPN with flagship Buffy (even this reviewer, a skeptic on par with James Randi, does have to wonder why the only show ever in the last year to have audio problems repeatedly on his otherwise pristine digital cable feed was Angel).
Case in point: This episode is merely "an all new Angel," whereas Gilmore Girls and Smallville receive special attention as season finales. If liberal Congressmen are looking for a way to compensate displaced steel workers, perhaps they should forego health insurance and consider job placement on the WB marketing team.
Network management aside, the episode delivers, despite some plot lapses big enough to house a racquetball match between the Loa (a.k.a. "the talking Hamurger God" for those who don't pay much attention) and Skip.
Perhap what keeps the episode from flying apart is a more grounded Cordelia (well, at least figuratively). For the first time since her vacation, her wisecracks and sensibilities are finally in tune with the character development beloved by fans. Although one can't help but wonder how Cordy and Groo managed to spend any time together in Mexico, the writers handle the meltdown of their relationship well.
On the upside, Groo now has the opportunity to move to a new show. Consider:
Groo Carey. Then again, even the supernatural can't save this comedy from the natural life cycle or the ABC curse. The Bob Groohart Show. A demon running a Vermont inn complete with a three headed Daryl demon. Mr. McGroo. The animated antics of a near-sighted, but kind-hearted demon. Other possible cartoon remakes include Scooby Groo, The Groo-vy Ghoulies,
and Groober and the Ghost Chasers (kids, go ask someone over 30 about these last two).No jokes about Lorne moving to a new show. That would be true horror.
Another relationship the writers effectively move forward is Lilah and Wes. Everyone knows they'll end up in bed. Yet their scenes still crackle with energy. Lilah may be leading in the looks and wit department, but Justine's actions put her way ahead in the evil bitch category. By comparison, she makes Lilah look as threatening as a Tupperware party hostess.
Unfortunately, the most important relationship, the one between Angel and Connor (a.k.a. Stephen), does not work. It is difficult to believe that, given his past suffering and general bad luck, Angel would be so quick to buy into Holtz' plan. Not to mention Angel somehow missing the "I've just auditioned for the role of Damien in The Omen remake" look on his son's face. Of course, the stupidity must be hereditary for Connor to remain completely blind to the obvious fact that Angel is not a bad guy.
Far worse are several serious plot problems. unless you were perhaps lucky enough to heed the one-time advice of top Newsweek movie reviewer David Ansen for a certain action blockbuster: "Put your brain in park and enjoy the ride."
First, why would Linwood and Gavin stage such a pathetic operation? And if they had been following Angel and Connor to plan such an attack, they would have know that Connor was a formidable opponent.
Second, how could Connor and Justine arrange for boat, steel crate, and equipment so quickly? Connor is also a quick study with the power tools. Like most Hell dimensions, Quartoth must have a good shop class. (Though the shop teacher is no creepier than any one Earth.)
Finally, has Cordelia really been all that tempted by her powers? When exactly? She hasn't been around enough. If it's that easy to become a "high being," everyone would be doing it. "Powers-That-Beism" would give Scientology a real run for it's money.
Still, it's easy to overlook these lapses, especially when fan pleasing Skip shows up (door knocker chin and all) . The "frozen" freeway effect is well done, but the little glowing lights during Cordelia's ascension are way too cliched.
What's not trite is Connors creepy plan for Angel. Of course, fans will have to wait all summer to see what happens. In the meantime, why not try a book? And if you happen to like the suspense of someone trapped in a sunken crate, you 'd do well to try Glen David Gold's exceptional Carter Beats the Devil which has that and a whole lot more.
