If the recent break for Angel was a diet, then last night's episode was a big plate of chicken and rice. Sure it ended the hunger, but it was a little bland going down.

Much of that blandness resulted from the somewhat cavalier attitudes of the characters. Angel has a muted reaction to Cordy and Connor's coupling, Lilah's response to Wes' decision, and everyone in general seems pretty unenthusiastic about finding a way to defeat the beast. Even the once-friendly, now-antagonistic bickering between Gunn and Wesley seems a little dispassionate.

The majority of the episode takes place at Wolfram & Hart, where the Beast goes on a seeming unnecessary rampage before reaching his goal towards the end. On a sad note, Gavin Park, who once showed potential as a rival to Lilah, does not fare well (fans of Mr. Kim fear not: he turned up safe and sound this week as a good guy on "24"). Connor also gets caught up in the mayhem by stupidly deciding to visit the law firm to research his connection to the Beast.

The episode does raise some key questions about the Beast:

- Why did it trigger the firestorm at all? What was the point?

- Why bother with all the destruction at Wolfram & Hart? Why not go right for the goal?

- What did it take from the little "girl" ?

- Is the Beast a general or just a foot soldier for some greater evil?

Speaking of evil, it was a little annoying to hear the Angel crew refer to the Beast as "the big bad," a term coined on fan sites. Buffy also committed this sin early in the season. There should always be a healthy separation between the creators of these shows and what gets discussed on the net (or in the "chatty rooms"). And maybe a fresh spin on zombies would be nice, too.

And speaking of separations, it was interesting to note a possible change in Lilah's character. Towards the end of the episode she expressed atypical sympathy for Gavin and concern for Connor. Perhaps in her own terms she too will become "gray."

Overall, it will be interesting to see where the writers go with Wolfram & Hart. Perhaps the other offices (like Muncie!) can aid in rebuilding. Or perhaps viewers won't see much of the law firm in future episodes. That would be a little disappointing, because the audience still has not learned what the firm wants or even the exact identity of the so-call senior partners.

What's not disappointing is five more new episodes in the coming weeks!

Chris Crotty