Angel 5.17 "Underneath"

[chicken]

I use a quotation from The Matrix to start my review because of the parallels, of course, and because of the recursive inevitability that you have already noticed them. As Tim Minear and Doug Petrie continually point out, they enjoy ripping off paying tribute to films/scenes they like.

Anyhow, the Truman Show-Matrix thing was chilling yet somehow bland at the same time. Chilling because, poor Gunn, and Lindsey even -- hearts, repetition, inevitably scary basement (what season of Angel or Buffy has not contained a scary basement?). Bland because the row of suburban houses and Laura Linney wife telegraph what is to come -- they could have been a bit more subtle, so it all just seemed inevitable.

Lindsey's revelation to Angel seemed stupid, why couldn't Angel freaking figure that out without having to sacrifice Gunn needlessly? Of course more people will keep falling off the chessboard here, he had to know that Fred would not be the only one. It has been, and will continue to be quite inevitable that there will be more losses. We all know Joss will go for the pain because he likes us to suffer. Putting The Gift track on Once More With Feeling accidentally on repeat today and crying, I feel this pain acutely right now.

The one thing that didn't feel inevitable to me was the growing complexity of the relationship between Wesley and Ilyria. That seems interesting and potentially still capable of delivering plot -- or at least emotional -- surprises.

I don't have the hubris to say I know every little thing that will happen in the next five episodes -- nothing is that inevitable, and I haven't read any spoilers -- but there are only so many surprises the Mutant Enemy folks can have left for us. The inevitability of some plot and emotional arcs leaves me a little disappointed and deflated, yet somehow I still have hope that I will enjoy what is left.

Funny things:

Spike with a briefcase. Hahahahaha. Spike and Angel together alone, always with the erotic undercurrents and tit-for-tat, even under dire circumstances.

Adam Baldwin is just fun when he's being intimidating. Say it with me, Firefly fans. So much better than Eve as an Evil. It's about time. And Harmony hanging off him ineffectually trying to bite him was hilarious.

This is the first time in a long time that I have written down my thoughts before reading other people's reviews. So tell me if you thinkI am all off-base here or if you disagree.

Comments

[keever.livejournal.com]

Say it with me, Firefly fans.

A chorus of amens from my corner. I knew that it was coming (it was an accident, I swear), and I'm tickled that he's going to be around. I only wish they could have written Jewel Staite in for an appearance at some point this season. Oh, well.

I'm actually kind of interested to see what happens with Eve now, and especially Lindsey. What roles are they going to play going forward?

I think Angel's off his game for understandable reasons, and Gunn was so desperate for something that he could to to alleviate some of his Fred guilt that what happened to him made sense. Poor, poor Gunn. I just want him back very soon.

I want more of Wesley and Ilyria (not surprising -- this is me we're talking about), but I want it written by someone better. Just saying.

The inevitability of some plot and emotional arcs leaves me a little disappointed and deflated, yet somehow I still have hope that I will enjoy what is left.

This sums up exactly how I'm feeling, too.

[chicken-cem.livejournal.com]

You read my mind! I adore Jewel Staite -- I think she is sexy, and smart, and has acting depth -- more of her would be fantastic.

I guess Eve-and-Lindsey-out-in-the-open is more interesting than Eve-and-Lindsey-hiding.

Yes, much more Wes/Ilyria.

Fain and Craft certainly aren't the best. But some of the lines really were funny. Even Spike saying the Knight Rider thing.