Angel
Peace Out
original air-date: 04-30-03
One of
the recurrent problems with Angel during the second
half of the season has been the writers stretching too little
material into one or more episodes. Remember the endless series
of redundant Connor-Cordelia scenes?
But here
the writers commit an opposite sin, i.e., advancing the plot
too far in a single episode. One gets the feeling the writers
first decided to end with the surprise, and then made sure
the episode got there no matter what. The result is a choppy,
disappointing episode.
Angel's
quest in the alternate dimension, for example, is too short
and straightforward. Though given the cheesy CGI, perhaps
this is for the best. And even great CGI would not make up
for poor storytelling.
Instead
of encountering a truly alien environment, Angel quickly finds
an English speaking high priest who also seems to know an
awful lot about Fang Gang happenings back on Mother Earth
(he may know more than the writers!). The ultra-convenience
(timing and location) of Angel's jump back home are also a
sloppy shortcut.
Meanwhile,
the rest of the gang, now caged, has little to do other than
to wait for Wes to have his next insight. At least none of
them are really shocked to learn Connor was always aware of
Jasmine's true form.
For his
part, Connor's behavior is questionable, i.e., he would continue
to support Jasmine after learning of her peculiar "diet."
He does at least question the sequestering of comatose Cordelia.
Connor's search unfortunately highlights more sloppiness in
the story.
First,
it stands to follow that anyone under Jasmine's influence
would rather die than reveal a secret she asked him to protect.
Second, how are there burning torches burning in the barricade
room holding Cordelia? One must also assume that Cordy's coma
is a mystical malaise that staves off starvation and muscle
atrophy.
Ironically,
Jasmine is perhaps more interesting defeated than powerful.
But the condition of her power doesn't really make sense.
Is she or isn't she defeated? How can she toss a car one moment
and yet be so vulnerable the next?
In any
case, the Jasmine storyline deserved a better resolution than
this rather anticlimactic outcome. (Talk about missed CGI
opportunities. Bring on the tentacles!)
Instead,
the writers opt for a shock, twist ending that sets up what
looks to be a very unexpected season finale next week.
In the
meantime, those who have suggested a Lovecraftian influence
in the Whedonverse may enjoy the Lovecraft article in this
week's "The
Onion In History."
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