Angel 3.17 FAQ

What’s it called?

“Forgiving.”

Who’s responsible?

Teleplay is credited to Jeffrey Bell (“Billy,” “Quickening”).

What does TV Guide say?

“The series returns after a six-week hiatus, and the search is on for Angel's baby boy. In the last episode, Angel (David Boreanaz) watched helplessly as his son fell victim to an interdimensional kidnapping. The only way to retrieve Connor involves materializing the formless SahJahn (Jack Conley), a demon partial to mass destruction, and making use of his powers. Meanwhile, Gunn and Fred concentrate on finding Wesley, hoping he can explain why he facilitated the abduction. But it won't be easy getting an answer from Wesley: Justine's attempt on his life has left him lying motionless in a park.”

Motionless? In a park?

Very motionless. With his eyes wide open. Wes doesn’t have any lines this week.

What is TV Guide not telling us?

SahJahn has a fourth-act revelation that changes everything. Everything.

The big news?

Wolfram and Hart maintain something called the White Room. Angel gets to visit it. It was perhaps my favorite part of this episode.

Is Holtz really gone?

Yep. He and Connor both spend the episode way offscreen.

Does Cordy come back?

Nope. For a second, I thought I saw her with an urn. But it was just Justine the Vampire Slayer.

Any sign of Fantastico?

The no-crossover rule continues to be adhered to.

What’s great?

The episode begins in chaos and ends in chaos, and there is much interesting material to contend with in between. The storytelling is propulsive and assured, something we don’t always get with “Angel” following Big Events. The bad guys - Sahjahn (who has the best lines this week), the White Room Entity, Lilah and Justine - are sooooo much more interesting than the good guys, and they’re all used to good effect here. And to “happy Angel” I say good riddance: the show’s title character is perhaps 65 times more entertaining in angst mode. His dealings tonight with Linwood Murrow, division president, special projects, underscore this pretty dramatically.

What’s not so great?

Though it's certainly shocking, I’m not sure if the very last scene makes a lot of sense.

How does it end, spoiler-boy?

“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! You’re a dead man! Dead! Dead!

Herc’s rating for “Angel” 3.17?

***1/2

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

I am – Hercules!!

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