This week Angel, Gunn, and Fred are off to Vegas for a “retreat.” Despite Angel’s denials, they are really there to get some Cordelia-locating help from Lorne, whose Tropicana lounge resembles a toned-down cross between a Prince video and Moulin Rouge (complete with Lady Marmalade).

It all looks like good fun. Angel even confirms what many of us have long suspected about The Blue Man Group. But when Lorne (billed as “The Green Velvet Fog’) gives the cold shoulder to his friends, the trio begins to suspect something is amiss.

Of course they’re right (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD). Turns out magician-turned-evil casino owner Lee DiMarco is forcing Lorne to identify audience members with especially prosperous destinies so that Lee can sell their fates in a mystical (and literal) “futures” market.

Unfortunately, Angel unwittingly becomes one of the victims who become ambitionless, slot machine feeding zombies (in the figurative sense). Lorne, Gunn, and Fred are thus left to fend for themselves without the “big gun” help of Angel. They at least get a little heavenly help from Cordelia, who’s watching the whole episode from “above” (no, not a living room, but a so-called higher plane. One would think a higher plane might have a little furniture and better lighting; more on that below).

The episode is a lot of fun, delivering some especially fun moments. Fred is wonderful disguised with horns and green skin as a Lornette. And after a long dry spell, fans finally get to enjoy a classic Angel vamp face scene. You know the ones: some thugs (human or otherwise) are beating up Angel, who goes down, and then turns to face them with his vamp face. Sure, the audience has seen it countless times. But it still works well.

Of course the biggest treat here is Lorne. His trademark humor doesn’t disappoint. There is also a good, tense exchange with Gunn, a unique use of his vocal talents, and an end to the mystery of who or what “Fluffy” is.

What weakens the episode is the Cordelia subplot. The first problem here is the cheesy special effects used to portray what Cordelia calls “mist magic land.” For a show that has showcased some amazing effects in the past, the work here looks comparable to something from the 80’s miniseries “V” being shown all weekend on cable. The second more important issue is the ongoing question of why The Powers That Be even put Cordelia in this position at all. Wasn’t it supposed to be a promotion and/or reward? At this point, Cordelia really ought to ask for a written job description.

One other potential plot problem involves Wesley. Sure, it’s interesting to see him become a powerful player with his own demon whacking operation (that’s even taking away would-be clients for Angel Investigations). And the steamy affair with Lilah was fun…to a point.

But maybe now someone needs to tap Wesley on the shoulder and say “Umm, uhh Wesley…you’re a good guy, remember? Don’t mean to take the wind from your sail there guy, but little problem: She’s EVIL, remember? EEE-VUL!”

Will Wesley become a baddie? Or have, in fact, Wesley and Angel been in cahoots the entire time, running one of the most clever double agent/undercover ops ever devised?

Next week Cordelia returns to Earth (or at least L.A.), but in a confused, clueless state. And we thought her cheerleader days were long gone.

Chris Crotty