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Sweeps Day 7: Herc Gives ANGEL 5.20 Five Stars!!

Published at:  May 05, 2004 10:03:46 PM CDT

SPOILER ALERT !!

I am – Hercules!!

Angel 5.20 FAQ



What’s it called?


“The Girl In Question.”

Who’s responsible?


Teleplay is credited to the team of Steven DeKnight & Drew Goddard (“Damage,” “1943”).

What does TV Guide say?

“Concerned by a report that the Immortal is after Buffy, Angel and Spike head to Rome, where they discover what the Slayer has been up to---and with whom. Back in Los Angeles, Illyria confounds Wesley with her behavior when Fred's folks show up unexpectedly. Drusilla: Juliet Landau. Darla: Julie Benz. Andrew: Tom Lenk. Harmony: Mercedes McNab.”

The girl in question? It’s Buffy Summers, right?

Right. We pretty much learn this in the teaser.

Does Sarah Michelle Gellar appear this week?

She does not. But, if I may be frank (and a little astonished), it does not matter. (She is a big talent, but a wacky girl to have missed out on this.)

The big news?

Though Gellar does not appear, the episode does a far better job of resolving the Buffy-Spike-Angel triangle than did last year’s excellent “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” finale.

When are the flashbacks set?

1894. The events of “The Village” still lie in the future!

What else is TV Guide not telling us?

This is a really funny one, and reminded Herc a bit of “Buffy v. Dracula,” with all the jealousy!

Is Angel in Italy to retrieve a demon corpse or to rescue Buffy?

Angel is convinced The Immortal killed an important demon to lure him to Italy.

Say, didn’t Angel turn evil again at the end of the last episode?

There really is no sign of Angel's evil this week. It’s all very confusing. And yet, not so much.

Any news of the Scoobs generally?

It saddens us to report no. Despite details of the slayer’s (er, a slayer’s) romantic life, no word of Willow, Xander, Giles, Faith, Wood or Clem.

What lessons do we learn from perhaps the final Buffiverse appearance of “Buffy” vets Julie and Juliet?

The Immortal? Twat magnet.

Are we absolutely certain Jenny Calendar doesn’t turn up as well? Because Jenny was seriously dreamy.

We are certain.

What’s doing with Krevlornswath (of the Deathwok Clan)?

So little, it fails to merit mention. And don’t get us started with young Harmony.

And Charles Gunn?

It’s his idea to send Spike. I think. Who cares? This installment is far more about "Buffy" than "Angel."

What’s great?


The wonderful, wonderful Donatella-like head of Wolfram’s Italian branch, but especially “The gypsies are filthy people! (puh!)” (Whoever plays her deserves an Emmy almost as much as Maya Rudolph. She is wonderful!!! And perhaps even the future Mrs. Hercules!!!) The hilarious turn a barroom brawl takes. Fred’s resurrection. Angel and Spike’s repeated bouts with horror as they learn of The Immortal’s activities. The demon combover. Andrew’s failure to date other men. The look of Wolfram’s Italian HQ. “Son of a bitch!!” “I was confused, you git! It’s very loud in here!” “I’m not riding on the back!” “Stop holding on so tight!” “We’re not going to be his Shemps anymore!” “Do you wish me to stop?” “Yes, yes, we have, but he’s taking a nap!” “Perhaps she likes the cut of his trousers!” “No no no no. Well, okay, yes.” "I love the two of you so much, but brute force will only get your precious head smooshed!" “Is Buffy back yet?” “Excellent question. No.” “And meanwhile, The Immortal’s eating cookie dough!!” “You loved this. And part of you still does.” “Change back. Be blue.” “It’s on your desk.” “You know, I really hate that guy.” “She’d figure it out, she’s pretty smart!” So much more!!

What’s not so great?


No Jenny Calendar.

How does it end, spoiler-boy?


“Movin’!”

Okay, just watched it a second time, and an upgrade is demanded!! My God, I was too overwhelmed to judge it correctly at first! Herc’s revised and more carefully considered rating for “Angel” 5.20?


*****



The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:

***** better than we deserve

**** better than most motion pictures

*** actually worth your valuable time

** as horrible as most stuff on TV

* makes you quietly pray for bulletins

9 p.m. Wednesday. The WB.

Swing the crebbil!



I am – Hercules!!









Looking for bumper stickers, plush toys and girls’ underwear covered with cartoon double-amputees? Visit The Herc Store!



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    Readers Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:06:19 PM CDT

    I haven't seen this yet.

    by dankato

    How was this episode?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:08:58 PM CDT

    First

    by snowmann

  • May 05, 2004 10:09:09 PM CDT

    Dear God No, Help Me

    by bristowboy

    I am the biggest screw up in the Eastern Standard Timezone. Thanks to my Cablevision box, I accidentially taped an hour of some worthless baseball game instead of Angel. If anybody knows of anyway to get a hold of tonight's episode, by hook, crook, mail or the internet, please help a dumbass out. Thanks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:09:12 PM CDT

    Man...

    by rsanta74

    ... that was one of the funniest eps I've ever seen. Seriously good writing. Too bad it doesn't go further toward establishing a firm, tangible big bad (W&H's overall presence not withstanding).

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:12:49 PM CDT

    Damn...

    by thewoodpecker

    A 'sode this good and the fucking show is cancelled. BTW, the reports that there will be 6 tv-movies are bullshit. Check www.whedonesque.com for the details. I'm ready to start bawling.... bah.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:16:31 PM CDT

    Top Ten maybe? I hope so.

    by mrfan

    A good episode all the way around. Hate to see that we only have two episodes left. Hope they go out on top.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:21:26 PM CDT

    Fun Episode

    by thedarkshape

    And I couldn't stop laughing at Angel's cookie-dough speech. That was great. Oh, and Herc -- Ep. 13 was titled "Why We Fight," not "1943."

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:21:37 PM CDT

    Sucks to be you, Bristow

    by gypsytrobot

    I'm still laughing about Angel. The demonic Italian chin flick was priceless.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:23:08 PM CDT

    Cookie Dough analogy take 2

    by buff_angel

    I loved it! Great episode, and this one deserved 5 stars more than others that recieved it. Angel and Spike are hilarious together and despite Angel's reservations to use the cookie analogy on the Buffy season finale, his brooding use of it tonight was perfect. I was cracking up, mainly because it was unexpected. Whedon and company are genius' and Big Snaps to them for sending the show out with class! I'm still trying to figure out what I will be watching next year, especially if Tru Calling doesn't get picked up. Best wishes to the cast and crew of the BEST show on television. You'll truly be missed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:26:21 PM CDT

    Spike

    by thedarkshape

    Was anyone else a bit shocked when Spike's duster was destroyed? I mean, he's had that for like ever... at least he got a replacement :)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:29:25 PM CDT

    Hi-laree-ous

    by dr bad

    Definitely 5 stars if you got all the film refs. From an ebony-coiffed spike and la dolce vitaesque Dru in the late 50s to the Vespa chase, the directing and editing were on par with the dialogue/acting. Wish we could have the terrible twosome tour Europe (definitely more than one nod to Hope and Crosby in there!).

    Alas, series whoredom is hard and then you die. Except in DVD boxed sets.

    Angel the Vampire's chronicles were always merely an allegory for commercial broadcasting and the fate of the writer (my story 'n I'm stickin' to it).

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:30:05 PM CDT

    Wesley

    by deus_ex_lover

    If any spinoff were to come of this show (which there won't be, sadly) It should be a show all about Wes. The guy steals the screen everytime he's on. Ever since he became such a badass around the third season, he's been coming up about even with Angel on who has the most interesting storyline. The dynamic that was between Wes and Fred, and now the dynamic between Wes and Illyria is incredible.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:31:48 PM CDT

    Obtaining Tonights Episode

    by dankato

    The two best ways I know of getting tonight's episode are not the most popular...except to geeks. One is a very use-ful net-work that allows one with either school or good ISP access to get a lot of stuff. The other one is also on the internet. It is an early model of Napster unlike the later P2P models that uses individual user nodes to relay. You can also use it to chat.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:41:32 PM CDT

    Best line...

    by johnny smith

    "Can't we lock her away in a box where no one can touch her forever? Like we did with Pavayne?"

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 10:55:05 PM CDT

    Dankato...

    by bristowboy

    ...can you give me a few more details on that- name, web address. By hook or crook, will get this episode!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:01:13 PM CDT

    over all disappointing...

    by speedstream

    I am very sorry to say that too. It is a very very very ill-timed episode. And i LOVE ANGEL. But this episode should have been at another pt. in the season some how. For being the third to LAST EPSIODE OF THE ENTIRE SHOW...it was just not doing it for me. I had higher expecations. Yes it was worthy of all 4 and a 1/2 stars...it was an amazing episode...but it should not have been here. And i wasnt fond of the immortal charector. I wish to see him dead...i was hoping BUFFY would kill him in the end...making ANGEL and Spike feel more incompetent...and having her save there butts...it would have made the episode possibly more enjoyable for me. There wasnt any resolution for me in here at all.*******I apoligize for being a kill joy near the end of the series...but i just felt let down this episode no matter how good it was. Ill go back and watch it again, and then post all the good stuff...but i felt the need to proabably be the 1st to express there disappointment so others will be more comfortable doing so...i know im not the only one in this boat...either way...here's hopin for a solid TV MOVIE...later days

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:08:05 PM CDT

    Funniest episode of TV ever

    by whedon

    Loved every bit of tonights episode, great job by everyone involved. Amy Acker did a great job "playing Fred". I'm going to have to watch this one again cause everything was funny, everything. My favorite moments right now are when the Italian music is playing and Spike and Angel start hitting each other in slow motion. The second you see Angel's first punch coming at Spike's head the camera cuts to Marster's who raises his eyebrows right before he takes it, classic. Love this show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:08:34 PM CDT

    Gratuitous Nino Rota score!!!!!!!!

    by koomoreborn

    When Andrew greets his chicks in his tux...that was Nino Rota's score from Fellinni's mind-fuck mini-film called Toby Dammit, part of the Spirits of the Dead movie. Funniest ep in a long, long time. The show's peaking as it ends.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:09:29 PM CDT

    It was good but...

    by vnhaln1

    It was cheezy to have an episode about Buffy with no Buffy (just the back of a stunt doubles head). Better to not have any glimpse of Buffy then what they did. I also didn't like the Darla/Drusilla thing. Their last appearance on the show lasts about 1 minute and it was so they could be seen as the Immortals
    's baby batter receptacles? They deserve better then that from this show. Some of the things they did were good tho. The whole Wes/Fred/Fred's Parents thing was good and so was the Italian WR&H CEO. Who was that girl anyways cause she was smoking!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:35:50 PM CDT

    Immortal

    by the riot

    You can't kill the Immortal.. Or show him on screen. That would ruin the joke. Best line of this episode: "SON OF A BITCH!!!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:38:07 PM CDT

    Andrew and Strong Bad!!!!

    by brandiwb

    OMG!!!!! I was so stoked to see Andrew wearing a Strong Bad T-shirt! A clear sign he's headed over to true coolness and not just geek turned cool. I loved this ep and even tho the end is near (maybe/maybe not). I can't wait to see what's next.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:38:51 PM CDT

    Lack of buffy was a plus

    by xandr37

    I agree she should of made time to do this final goodbye, but she didn't, get over it. I actually think that the episode was better without her in it. Plus we get Andrew answering the door in a strong bad tshirt. Funniest moment, Dru walking out and Spike saying son of a bitch!:) A great episode. Well worth 4 1/2 stars but more deserving of 5 than last night's 24.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:45:53 PM CDT

    busty Italian lady info

    by remotelyviewed

    http://www.westsidelife.com/FebMarch2000/IRINA_MALEEVA/body_irina_maleeva.html

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:46:05 PM CDT

    Couple more things I loved

    by whedon

    "Son of Bitch" was indeed a great line. Yeah it was kind of out of place the way events of the season have been unfolding but this one was just too funny to miss. "I let her kill me, I told her...with my eyes" "I helped her kill you so that should count as mine" Oh and how about Angel's jacket "Its the style!!" And that Italian CEO was incredibly hot. damn.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:50:20 PM CDT

    The best thing about this episode...

    by deadmuskrat

    ...was that you could imagine what was going on in Buffy's life at the same time. She was just being a girl for awhile. Experimenting and living. Plus it's always good to see the opposite of the buffyverse (instead of being female centric it was male centric) where it explored male emotion of not letting go. At the same time though, showing Wes letting go of Fred even thought he was faced with the greatest temptation ever. Congrats on this Ep. and I hope you all enjoyed Cinco de Mayo as much as I did.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 05, 2004 11:58:15 PM CDT

    FUCK buffy

    by jackdonkey

    The reason angel is so good is because buffy was hardly ever (if at all, I don't recall) on the show. The setup is great, I hope in the end everyone dies except Spike and Angel and the fact that they are alive is their torture and would be worse than if they did die. I've always liked angel because it's a very dark and grim show, and I think it would be cool if it ended that way... not all cuddly and shit. That said a tv movie sometime next season would ruin it if they do the ending my way.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 12:02:06 AM CDT

    Sorry, Deus_Ex

    by dagreatgoldwolf

    Deus_Ex, yes a Wes spinoff would be kinda cool, but...




    Wes dies in the finale. It's a waste of a good character, yeah, but it's obvious Whedon ran out of good dramatic ideas quite some time ago.

    And like with any show/comic book, when that happens, people will begin to die.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 12:10:43 AM CDT

    Son of a bitch

    by sci_fi_wasabe

    This episode was pretty uneven, but once again James Marsters stole every scene he was in. Dude's got crackerjack timing and perfect delivery. Something as simple as "Son of a bitch" had me rolling. And what's with DBs hair...seems like the shorter his hair the more pumpkin-like his head looks (and didn't it used to be black?) I knew where they were going with the "old Fred" bit before it happened, but it was still a bit of a shock after not seeing the character for a while. Wonder what happened to Andrew's nose?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 12:29:27 AM CDT

    Andrew's nose

    by rsanta74

    I think that was one of those cleansing nose strips. Best guess, considering nobody popped the twerp in the face that ep. :)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 12:45:39 AM CDT

    The Real Busty Italian Lady

    by blade

    http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&nbc1=1&str=Carole++Davis&styp=&sfld=C&sortval=4d&qckv=y

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 12:52:03 AM CDT

    Loved it and yet filled with hate

    by spiketbb

    Fisrt off, Spoilers and mad ranting ahead.

    I laughed and really admired the episode. A lot of great moments and the comedy was dead on.
    But a paradox took hold of me as I watched it.
    Sorry, I just have to express my rage some where.
    Even as i enjoyed it, I was so pissed watching tonight's Angel. Pissed because there were a lot of good things in the show and it STUNG because it is ending. Just reminds me of what we are losing. I love the episodes are good, hate to see them go out with a thud. But still, it stings.
    Pissed because it felt like they were PREACHING at us to "get over it being over and move on". Pissed because the made two of my favorite characters completly inefficient impotent clowns. Some comedy and faultering is fine, but not this much! I guess Cordelia wasted here brief days between coma and the final death getting Angel back on track because he is a stumbling self doubting idiot again. Pissed that the never got to kill The Immortal or even hurt him. Sometimes, someone like that shows up and messes with yuor head. Making you doubt yourself if you let them. That's what happened to our guys tonight.I wanted to see them come to relaize it, shake it off and kill him off for all of us who never get the satisfaction of doing that to the assholes we let mess with our heads in real life. I know, they can only make you feel that way if you let them. We get poast them and shake them off, but we don't get to kill them! But sometimes a good revenge killing can be cathartic, too. At least in fiction. EXTREMLY pissed that a hated waste of space nobody character like Andrew got to be all wise and advice giving.
    I want to drive my thumbs into the eyes of the WB execs and twist their heads off. Savoring their blood gurgled screams that end with a slow series of snapping vertebra.
    Maybe The Immortal was representing Studio execs who screw up peoples lives and are beyond our power to affect.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 1:01:39 AM CDT

    I still think Andrew is gay...

    by stalking_goat

    ...and will continue to do so until I see him balls deep in some sweet Italian pootang.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 1:12:11 AM CDT

    good ep.

    by frank_serpico

    Good to see Angel back at his broody best . and Angelus and Darla are def. THE hottest couple in the Jossverse . This is the first time I've seen Angelus acting a little pussywhipped though . I thought that was Spike's domain.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 1:16:08 AM CDT

    Ubergeek....

    by whiskey

    dont be so ignorant. mouthing off about "dirty japs" ? you gotta be kidding me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 1:19:58 AM CDT

    funny as a mofo-tonite's ep spoiler

    by blahblahblah1

    How funny was this ep? Granted, Spike's "son of a bitch!" was priceless, but the Angel -Darla dialogue was maybe one of the funniest things ever "...violating out women consecutively-" "concurrently" then the look on Angel's face "CONCURRENTLY?!! You've never let us do that!" Truly fabuloso.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 1:48:10 AM CDT

    can someone answer me a question about buffy

    by slappy jones

    I have only just started to get into it. Never once saw it when it ran on telly but got hooked after seeing the first season dvd. I have just watched every season right up till season 6 over the past year and now I am waiting to see season 7 but can someone tell me if spikes mate clem..the demon guy...is he in season 7???

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 1:53:25 AM CDT

    Goddammit dagreatgoldwolf.

    by village idiot

    If you're going to drop a BIG HONKING SPOILER like that, LEAVE A BIGGER DAMNED SPOILER WARNING! WITH CAPITAL LETTERS! AND MORE OF A BUFFER! Like this: ***WARNING: BIG SPOILER!*** That spoiler warning you used was so puny, I read what I didn't want to read before I knew what was happening. Ruined weeks of careful avoidance. Thanks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 2:51:46 AM CDT

    "last year

    by calm_b4_the_strm

  • May 06, 2004 2:55:52 AM CDT

    I hope Wes caves in and sleeps with Illyria in the finale...

    by prof. pop-cult

    ...And he would totally be in angst and guilt over it. He fetishized Fred with Lilah, so fucking Illyria in Fred's body would be the next step! Oh, and Andrew...he could still be gay. He and those two hot Italian babes could have been together for a "ladies' night out".

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 3:10:58 AM CDT

    Wes dying in finale? May not happen.

    by prof. pop-cult

    Remember last season of Buffy when the finale script was leaked and it had Andrew, not Anya, getting killed? I have a feeling we're going to have a similar situation here. So don't bank on Wes' death happening for certain. I won't be surprised if Wes actually survives. Maybe it's Illyria who somehow dies -- imagine the drama for Wesley. We never saw him cry over Fred's death; he held her as she died, but never got the chance to mourn. Having Illyria die in his arms, after she does a selfless act to save him and or the gang, would finally start the wetworks for him.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 3:13:46 AM CDT

    Five Fucking Stars?!

    by teegee420

    What the hell is Herc smoking(besides major Joss-cock), and where can I get some? This was a very mediocre episode. Despite that, I still liked the way the Buffy storyline was wrapped up. It's about time. Now the focus of the show can stay where it belongs for the final two eps.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 3:28:41 AM CDT

    Slappy Jones

    by teegee420

    Clem shows up briefly in Season 7.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 4:01:15 AM CDT

    The woman in the italian WR&H branch is easily one of the hottes

    by my ass smells

    I must know her name! I MUST! My God, her breasts were delicious.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 4:49:22 AM CDT

    hmm welp they definitely worked around gellar well

    by demosthenes2

    I thought I would be horribly annoyed with a Buffy episode without Buffy, but ME excellently made it about Spike and Angel's rivalry and feelings of inadequacy, impotence in a changing world where men don't dominate relationships necessarily. Still don't know about Andrew, he's probably gay and just being suave with the ladies for fun, I mean there was the Patrick Swayze pause, come on; it wouldn't be fair sociopolitically to have him be straight after all that, I don't think, but whatever. I hope that in a while, thanks to the massive SavingAngel.org support, we'll see another Buffiverse spinoff incorporating characters from both shows, how could we not have Lorne and Andrew interact, Faith and Illyria, Xander and Gunn, Wesley and Giles... That'd be so interesting, I'm thinking, to see similar characters interact and then differentiate each other further... I know UPN didn't want to pick up Angel because they don't want other networks' scraps but maybe they'd feel different about a new spinoff??? Wishful thinking, hell Buffy probably burned a hole in their pocket and they couldn't afford to pick up another Buffiverse show anyways :-(, it's over but at least it's been a helluva ride, 254 episodes later.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 5:32:56 AM CDT

    Maybe they should do a spinoff that's a sitcom, which features A

    by prof. pop-cult

    They're talking about possibly doing the same thing over at ABC for a character on The Practice.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 7:49:46 AM CDT

    The Italian W&H Babe...

    by hannibalplan

    Was Areola in the 1991 Richard Grieco movie "If Looks Could Kill"...

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102095/

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 7:57:12 AM CDT

    son of a bitch

    by darlin13

    I think James Marsters deserves an emmy simply for the way he said this line. I blew water out of my nose it cracked me up that badly!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 9:30:40 AM CDT

    Calender v Lockley

    by bankyedwards2309

    What we really need to juice these last few episodes up is a dream sequence featuring Ms Jenny Calender and the gorgeous Detective Kate Lockley! I've worked out the screenplay quite a few times in my head..and i think I could get kleenex to sponser the episode as a one off ( the wrist)!! Angel dosen't need any Buffy intervention. That story was put to bed ages ago, this is Angel's show and we dont need the Buffster hi-jacking what has been one of the finest 'offshoot' shows ever produced. By all means mention her in passing and bring in the odd 'character' now and then. But this is Boreanez's gig not SMG's. Save it all for the feature film Xander talked about at a recent Q & A. Anyway, SAVE ANGEL and get a free picnic set with every ten collected.
    Boo yaaaah

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 11:33:06 AM CDT

    The Immortal can't die!!!

    by engelhast

    It would be totally funny if Buffy ended up fucking the Immortal to death with her super slayer snatch like Captain Liberty did to the Immortal on The Tick.

    How can I be a superhero in a world where The Immortal can die? He was THE IMMORTAL!!! I'm...I'm...I'm just hypoglycemic; what chance can I possibly have?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 8:06:22 PM CDT

    Weakest episode of the run

    by fevriul

    Fuck all happened, the best bit was the tits of the Italian CEO.

    All it proved was that buffy is a slut, slagging it around in Europe.

    Gods knows how manySTD'd the bird has now, her snatch must smell like a mississippi swamp.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 8:49:57 PM CDT

    Does Illyria blink?

    by flowcytometer

    I've been taping most of this season's episodes so that I don't miss anything (but then I tape over them to reuse the tape) and I can't remember ever seeing Illyria blink. I have noticed Amy blink (by eyelash movement) when the camera is at an angle behind her head, which isn't really her fault. I remember that Haley Joel Osment's android in A.I. doesn't blink, so if Osment did, it was digitally removed. I guess the same thing could happen here, but the scenes are never on Amy's face for a very long time, to reduce the risk of her having to blink before the camera moves away from her. I haven't rewatched the slow motion fight scenes for blinking/squinting.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 06, 2004 10:12:05 PM CDT

    Illyria's Accident

    by luvs269er

    Illyria DOES blink... but I think it was an accident.

    It was last week, toward the end of the ep when she and Angel had been bouncing around the timeline. Angel was yammering at her in the workout room-- they cut to show one of Illyria's "almost patented" quirky head turn reaction shots-- and SHE BLINKED.

    It's the only time I have seen this. I am guessing it was a MISTAKE to put it in (probably when the main editor was at lunch... and I remember thinking WHY DIDN'T THEY PICK ANOTHER SHOT?

    About 2 scenes later my gf said "It's so cool how Amy never blinks as Illyria" and I had to go back and burst her bubble.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 07, 2004 1:17:53 AM CDT

    Immortal is Rocco

    by space_beer

    The immortal has to be Rocco Sifferidi. Best porn stud there ever was

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 07, 2004 1:22:31 AM CDT

    no subject

    by thound

    "Take one more step and the head gets it"


    Bwwwwwwwwahahahahahahaha!


    "Son of a BITCH!"


    Bwwwwwwaaaaaahahahahaha!


    "Ptui--- We speak of them no more"


    Bwaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahaha!


    "It was just fornication"


    Bwwwwwwwwwwwhahahahaha!


    Classic,classic,classic, character driven dialouge and storyline.

    This is easily one of TV's most well written shows, and it is both a shame, and a crime, that there is only two hours of original programming left. What the hell though, huh? I mean we'll still have One Tree Hill, Seventh Heaven, Reba, and Everwood to watch on the WB, won't we? Freekin' corporate clowns.

    In my opinion, the current Angel cast takes a backseat to none in terms of chemistry and timing, and they truly get better each moment they are onscreen. In fact, if James Marster's does not win an emmy for his portrayal of Spike, then they need to simply discontinue the award itself.


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  • And on that note, here's hoping that Joss & Co. wear their Stoppard influence on their sleeves and make their first Buffy movie about Buffy's concurrent adventures with The Immortal, including her side of this story. Angel's revisiting the Buffy-flavored Nookie Dough speech was priceless. Illyria's impersonation of Fred makes me think that last week's thingamaguffinabob didn't just depower Illyria, it helped Fred's not-necessarily digested soul begin to reform itself. ***** Favorite line: "Concurrently? You *never* let us do that in private!"

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  • May 07, 2004 7:10:22 AM CDT

    Busty Italian Lady Info

    by btr1701

    The actress who played her was Carole Raphaelle Davis, not Irina Maleeva as someone said earlier. Maleeva played the old demon woman who gave Angel and Spike the head.

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  • May 07, 2004 7:56:11 AM CDT

    Funny and sad all at the same time.

    by smg-super-fan

    As allways the acting was wonderful in this episode. But Gunn, Harmony, and Lorne continued to be underused.

    Good to see Andrew again, but disappointing that was nobody else from the Buffyverse.

    Wes and Illyria's love/hate relationship is really good. And was good to see Fred's normal parents, and the old Fred back again, if only for one episode.

    But the Immortal character was clearly over done. Making a perfect character, that gets all the women, and succeeds at everything he does is just to Mary Sue-y.

    Also having the character of Buffy end with this "Immortal" Angel/Spike/Dracula/Brad Pit all rolled into one mystery man is a joke and insult to all the Angel and Spike fans. Having Buffy move on so quickly after Spike gave his life to save her and the world does a great injustice to the character of Buffy. Making it appear that Angel or Spike didn't really mean anything to her. She'll shag any smooth talker that comes along. No true love for her. And no happy ending for the fans.

    Worst of all making Angel and Spike look like total idiots in the process was silly. The writers have basically been treating the character of Spike like comic relief since he came on the show. But making the star of the show Angel look like a totally clueless clown is really sad. Angel and Spike are both better off without Buffy. They should just go back to Darla and Dru.

    Both Angel and Spike are in the same boat when it comes to Buffy. And looks like their ship is gonna sail out together. No happy ending, just eternal brooding for our two immortal heros.

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  • May 07, 2004 7:59:54 AM CDT

    I can't believe no one brought THIS line up....

    by franklincobb

    "You give-a us the money, we give-a you the head." Spike and Angel even did a double take and gave each other a look. I was laughing my ass off at that one.

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  • now I'm kind of glad I missed this ep.

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  • May 07, 2004 6:41:25 PM CDT

    That's It. I'm Cutting Loose Because I'm a Serious Man: FUCK THI

    by atomheartbrother

    sorry about that folks, but it had to be said. i made the same claim last year with regards to angel coming back for a fifth season, and after reading over on the sci fi channel site that per whedon the tv movies are just a rumor it seemed appropriate to repeat myself.

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  • May 07, 2004 7:14:01 PM CDT

    SO surprized that none of you geekboys recognized who the barten

    by cpt. boomstick

    Can't remember her name though.

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  • May 07, 2004 10:36:15 PM CDT

    5 stars?

    by kojiro

    After you gave last week 3 1/2? Are you pissing me? Buffy had 7 seasons to wrap this shit up ( the last three of which blew) yet we still had to have 30% of the remaining Angel episodes wasted on this crap!

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  • May 07, 2004 11:20:31 PM CDT

    Wait a minute...I wasn't in Italy during the 50's

    by whedon

    I want to hear how the hell Spike desribed that 50s Italian flashback to Angel to make him think it was so great.lmao

    A couple lines that had me rolling after a second viewing. "Dancing..why did have to be dancing" and Spike saying "Nun's are your thing, they know it and they respect it" to which Angel replies "We are the reason men fear the night" and then they look at each other realizing they're the only ones who give a shit what each other are saying. Too funny.

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  • Explains why he felt the need to repeat it a couple times, "The money the head,The monnnnneeeyy the head" Priceless, one of my favorite episodes ever, gets better each time you watch it.

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  • May 08, 2004 12:33:43 AM CDT

    Bartender

    by gislef_crow

    The woman who played her here was Vikky Gurdas. Morena Baccarin played the prostitute Inara on Firefly. No relation, sorry.

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  • May 08, 2004 7:43:16 AM CDT

    WARNER BASTARDS! FUCK YOU AND DIE!

    by toby___wong

    This was definitely a 5 star episode. The only thing missing was the Immortal getting a great smackown by Angel and Spike.
    This episode makes my decision easier to spit and piss on Warner Bastards. Never again they will see one cent from me being paid to them. After Angel is over I will boycot Smellville as well, even though I like Smellville. The only thing left watching will be The Shield. As for that goldwolf moron. Learn how to post spoilers, knucklehead. Thank you and fuck you for ruining the end.
    By they way, totally awesome biker jacket Angel had on. Newest fashion, he he. Does anyone have any idea where I can get shit like that ? One thing makes me wonder though. Did this episode have some symbolism ? Was the Immortal the film industry and were Angel and Spike the tv industry and they lost Buffy to the film industry ? I am so glad SMG was not there. As for Andrew, man, he is just as irritating as Leo Getz.

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  • May 08, 2004 11:08:08 AM CDT

    Cpt. Broomstick

    by btr1701

    The reason no one recognized the bartender as the prostitute from "Firefly" is because it's not the same actress. Vikki Gurdas played the bartender. Morena Baccarin played the hooker on "Firefly".

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 08, 2004 3:37:24 PM CDT

    Capt. Boomstick & BTR1701

    by signyd

    Inara is a Companion, who are technically whores, not prostitutes. The differences are subtle, yet amazing. :)

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  • May 08, 2004 6:04:20 PM CDT

    eve ellis is god and that makes dita A what?

    by enohpisit

    good episode. funny. when its comin to an end , i just found thar wheadonverse enjoyable (and thinkable). screw my english. thank you very much. wheadon, marsters, gellar, boreanaz, hannigan, alexis, nick and all the others. mrs. landau ,marry me now ! dawny! get old and we meet. firefly silents, buffyverse loud, angels place cool, see ya at the silver screen.

    i love.

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  • May 08, 2004 10:18:09 PM CDT

    Charisma Carpenter NUDE

    by the alienist

    Ummm...did I miss something on here about our very own Cordelia Chase (okay, okay, Charisma Carpenter) being the cover centerfold of this month's Playboy? Cause she is. And she's a nudie patootie. I, as a gay man, can't believe I'm the first to comment and notice.

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  • May 08, 2004 10:29:11 PM CDT

    forgot the link

    by the alienist

    Here's the link to some of the photos. I'm shocked. http://www.buffy.nu/article.php3?id_article=4478&img=CharismaCarpenter04.jpg

    Hurry as I hear Playboy keeps shutting the sights displayint them down.

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