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Angel
Life of the Party
original air-date: 10-29-03
This episode
focuses on Lorne's efforts to bring off Wolfram & Hart's
annual Halloween bash. The event is apparently very important
to the employees, even more so now since, according to Harmony,
they all think Angel sucks (figuratively). Unfortunately,
few of the clients want to show because Angel has been dispensing
his own lethal brand of customer service.
Despite
the support of a cell phone juggling assistant (where was
Fred Savage for that role?), Lorne is on edge. An interesting
scene involving a mirror and a much darker version of a Stuart
Smalley Daily Affirmation raises the question: Is he stressed
or possessed? In any case, he's definitely well pressed and
still dispensing the one liners, quips, and nicknames that
have earned him a special place in the hearts of many fans.
In a key
effort to shore up the guest list, Lorne persuades Angel to
visit demon Archduke Sebassis, who somewhat resembles a cross
between Babylon 5's Jakkar and Seinfeld's Mr. Pitt. Important
mental note: When calling on Sebassis in the future, be sure
to politely decline any drink offers. Yuck!
The episode
really hits its stride once the party gets underway and it's
apparent that something is making the Fang Gang behave in
peculiar ways (the early instances are nicely handled by the
director with a subtle touch). What builds is just a lot of
fun all the way around. There's a particularly funny scene
when everyone gathers in Angel's office to discuss the possible
cause and solution to their problem.
The wheels
threaten to come off later on with the appearance of a monster
that all too well resembles a well known superhero. Fortunately
the monster isn't around long enough to be too annoying. Unfortunately,
the writers missed the opportunity to create a much more interesting
monster, e.g., put super strength and a different persona
in the same exact body of the character in question.
Another
miss: Knox. This guy is a real zero so far. Maybe Knox is
really a "lack-of-personality" demon. At the end
of the episode, it almost seems like the writers try, unsuccessfully,
to model a rambling Knox after the ever-lovable Marshall Flinkman
from ALIAS (it
wouldn't be the first time the Whedonites have stolen from
that show. Remember some of those scenes of robed baddies
chasing down SITs?) At least the writers score yet another
win with their judicious use of Harmony.
There
are also two minor ongoing quibbles. First, why does W&H
even have an entertainment division? How does that tie in
to their evil domination plans exactly? And how do they ever
think they can beat Spielberg? Second, there is no sexual
tension between Angel and Eve despite Lorne's proclamation.
No middle ground seems to exist with fans on the Eve character:
Either they love her or they hate her (the majority seem to
be in the latter camp). But that aside, it should be apparent
to all fans that the writers, Ms. Thompson, and David Boreanaz
have not created any notable sparks.
Overall
the episode is an enjoyable throwaway Halloween treat for
fans. Don't look for story arc plots (though Sebassis is likely
to return) or major character development. Sit back, watch,
and as Lorne advises Spike, "try to be more positive."
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