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Angel
Not Fade Away
original air-date: 05-19-04
The finale is a good reflection of the season
overall: There’s a lot of good stuff and a few disappointments,
the whole thing feels too rushed, and the viewer is left
wanting more.
The
episode picks up right from last week’s hand raising
session. Joining the team intending to prune the Black Thorn
are a recovering Illyria and a pragmatic Lindsey. Each has
a specific mission, though viewers only get to see bits
and pieces.
Here
one really wishes Joss Whedon could have backed off his
“I don’t do two hour finales” stance.
Many good scenes are cut way too short, and fans don’t
even get to see Illyria carry out her mission (and very
little of Spike’s). Though unintended (there are realities
of budgets and schedules), it’s a cruel way to reward
fans who have gone to great lengths to save the show.
Before
heading off for what may be the last battle, Angel also
encourages the team to take the day off to appreciate life.
These scenes provide good balance and build-up to the inevitable
action. Even VK as Connor manages to be more palatable than
usual.
There
are only two scenes in the episode that really miss the
mark. One involves Angel's decision regarding the Shanshu
Prophecy. His action too easily dismisses what was the earliest
foundation for the show.
The
second one involves the final scene between Wes and Illyria.
It seems inconsistent with Wes’ character development
for him to choose “the illusion” even at that
critical moment. Far better is the earlier scene between
the two during the day off.
The
climactic mission scenes are enjoyable, but as stated earlier,
way too short. It is especially nice to see Angel use his
wits as well as his fists. And his exchanges with Hamilton
and Harmony are especially amusing.
As for
the final scene? It’s open ended nature may not please
a lot of viewers. But that is probably preferable to the
writers trying to rush the ending any more than they were
already forced to by “Your Friends At The WB.”
Season
Five rocked. Season Six might have rocked, too. Or maybe
not. Sadly, we’ll never know. But there is also something
to be said for “quitting while you’re ahead.”
Still, a few more episodes to give the writers more time
to wrap-up the series would have been nice.
I’ll
miss Angel both as a fan and as a reviewer. So
thanks to Joss Whedon and company, and thanks to my readers.
Next
week: The Angel Awards. Starting Monday, fans
will be able to vote through the forums here. (editor's
note -- on the afternoon of 5/28/04, our forum hosts lost
connectivity. We're not sure when they'll be back up --
please come back and try again if you couldn't get in on
Friday.) I’ll then present both the
fan winners and my own picks at the end of the week.
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