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Angel
Episode Air Date 11/12/01Behold The Miracle Episode...
As Wesley finally learned last night, the Nyazean edition of Webster's defines a Troclon not as an actual person, but rather as a confluence of events. Appropriately enough this episode, clearly the best of the season, skillfully weaves together three major plot lines.
The episode opens with the first of two key flashbacks clarifying Holtz's Angel killing obsession and trip to the future via the mysterious demon Sahjhan (not to be confused with the far more terrifying Sajack demon).
Jeffrey Bell, the writer who brought us the lovable Skip, has a talent for creating interesting demons. Sahjhan peppers his speech with funny, often sarcastic commentary on topics ranging from English culture to the need to differentiate between species and gender (but how would he refer to a transgender half demon?). Although it appeared last week that Sahjan was subservient to Holtz, it is now clear that this Thai food-loving, face-morphing "guy" is calling the shots. Meanwhile, the Fang Gang tries to find out what's growing insides Darla (Julie Benz, continuing to shine) by sneaking into a hospital to use an ultrasound machine.
It is one thing to suspend disbelief in order to accept vampires and demons. But does anyone really think that even a single person, no matter how stealthy, could spend more than five minutes in a hospital without being accosted to fill out some sort of form? And was Wesley, with his sudden medical knowledge, a "rogue obstetrician" before his demon hunting days? (Oh wait, it's Wesley. Make that "rogue midwife.")
On the other hand, Darla's pregnancy does provide excellent fodder for humor, especially when the Fang Gang discusses potential newborn containment ("if it skitters, we'll need a net'). And for the second episode in a row, Fred holds her own (perhaps the writers have learned that less is more). She delivers some great lines ("It's not like I'm suggesting it's an evil two-headed thing"). Moreover, she comes up with a great idea for holding back the vampire cult that arrives to worship "the Miracle Child," even though her lack of knowledge on vampire physiology undoes the plan.
The third plot line begins with the routine corporate humdrum of Wolfram & Hart: Contracts signed in blood, sending files "down to Pinderhook in demon resources," and an annoying mailroom geek who catalyzes a confrontation between Lilah and Gavin. Said geek also sets up the episode's funniest bit involving Master Tarfall's voicemail.
However, the firm soon switches gears into panic mode upon learning of Darla's pregnancy. Lilah and Gavin reluctantly team-up under the supervision of the dry ranting Linwood. They muster all of the firm's scientific and supernatural resources including psychics, lie detectors ("Are you or have you ever been a vampire?), a special ops type team, and Dr. Fetvanovich, a creepy obstetrician from the Balkans office. It should be noted that W&H also maintains offices in Berlin, Singapore, and…Muncie?
With solid plot development, well-placed humor, the minimum requisite fighting (although a little more would not have hurt), and lots of wonderful minor touches (the demon gym, for example), this episode was just great. And for the first time this season, it really built up suspense for next week's showing.
