A reminder: Cool! Are these threads in hi-def?
ANGEL
Season Four, Episode 20: "Sacrifice"
Writer: Ben Edlund
Director: David Straighton
It's interesting re-reading that I commented I was getting more and
more worried about Gunn cracking. Lo and behold, although it's not a
straight path - he's the defiant one here and in "Peace Out" - he'll
be the first to lose the mission once the next arc starts. Otherwise,
the most rewarding discussions I had about "Sacrifice" involved
hypothetical ways it could've been compressed down to five minutes or
so. The clacking demon is an interesting enough creation, even if
it's telling a story that's like the antithesis of the kind of plots I
watch fantasy shows for, and there're a few hints about how the Connor/
Jasmine relationship ticks, but this is an episode that's practically
asking to be skipped entirely.
Rating: Weak (down from Decent)
Season Four, Episode 21: "Peace Out"
Writer: David Fury
Director: Jeffersson Kibee
If nothing else, PO will be remembered for finally (hey, it feels like
a long time) getting rid of Jasmine and using the averted apocalypse
as another narrative springboard, to spin off into something totally
different. And along the way, as it turns out, there are some good
showpiece scenes, a commanding performance from Gina Torres, and a
killer ending to ease the ride. As in Season Four of that other
vampire show, we're left walking blind into a season finale that could
go anywhere. It turns out that Connor will be that link. One of the
things I'd meant to think about while re-watching is viewing his
behavior in light of the revelations from his confession to Cordy in
"Peace Out." Then I went ahead and completely forgot about it until I
got to the Jasmine arc again. My original review didn't show the
proper appreciation for what I at least recognized (with help) as what
I called an "I want to believe" mentality. My revised opinion is that
PO accomplishes a lot for Connor's portrayal. Think of what's made
explicit here -- the child abuse victim who's lost his ability to
believe in truth or genuine happiness, choosing to go along with the
lie that seems least unpleasant and trying to convince himself he'll
be able to buy into it. Now watch the season again and see whether
you can see that developing. Like I said, I don't know, since I kinda
forgot to do that prior to "Shiny Happy People." My hunch is that
it's there well before. If so, that's just *neat*.
Stephen pointed out something about Angel's gesture in offering
Jasmine a place in the new world (it's almost heroic enough to
transcend being stupid); the next deposed hell-god they'll run into
actually will join the team. So maybe it was a reasonable suggestion.
Rating: Good
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