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1.9 Hero

Cordelia: "What do you think I am, superficial? So you're half demon. That's so far down the list, way under 'short' and 'poor'."

I had certainly heard through the grapevine long ago that Doyle would die in the ninth episode, and that according to the producers, it had been planned all along. Poppycock. The lack of set-up in a show that has done so well with plot up until this point made this reek of a forced write-out. What we got was a bad episode of Sliders, complete with demons acting like Cro-Mags and machines that dissolve the good guys.

And I'm not bitching just because I liked Doyle. I really did; I liked his eyes, his accent, the way Quinn delivered his lines, his chemistry with Angel and Cordy. Several people whose opinions I respect said they didn't care much for the Doyle character, though, and since the two Doyle-centered episodes we've seen (this one and the one about the bachelor party) were particularly weak, it made me wonder what the problem with Doyle really was. Was it that the character wasn't well defined? Was it that they weren't writing for him? Was it a lack in the actor? I did realize in this one that even though I liked Doyle, the whole half-demon thing never worked for me. How is "half-demon" defined? As a half-breed like Doyle? A demon-possessed ex-human like Angel? How can a whole group of related demons be half-breeds?

The demon refugees really didn't work for me, either; maybe I have a problem putting "demon" and "helpless" together. Did they have to have one of the kids go back for his teddy bear? Well, so it wasn't a teddy bear, but you know what I mean; having one kid wander off during a crisis is such an old, tired device. And wouldn't a troop of Nazi demons stand out, even in L.A.?

Promised one. End of days again. *yawn*

There was one really good bit of writing -- the commercial Cordy and Doyle were taping at the beginning, and seeing it again at the end. I also think that David and Charisma held up their end as far as the acting was concerned, while Glenn Quinn felt bit off. I guess that was understandable, though.

Bits:

-- Can Angel be photographed if he casts no reflection?

-- Angel with slicked back hair dressed as Hitler Youth. Interesting look for him.

Quotes:

Cordelia: "Come over here into the light, and let's see if we can create some cheekbones."

Cordelia: "Well, the guy is a bona fide hero. Would it kill him to put on some tights and a cape and garner us some free publicity?"
Doyle: "I don't see Angel putting on some tights... oooh, now I do, and it's really disturbing."

Doyle: "One of us has been drinking and, I'm sad to say, it's not me."

Doyle: "If you need help, then look no further. Angel Investigations is the best. Our rats are low."
Cordelia: "Rates."
Doyle: "It says 'rats'. Our rates are low, but our standards are high. When the chips are down, and you're at the end of your rope, you need someone that you can count on. And that's what you'll find here. Someone that will go all the way, no matter what. So don't lose hope. Come on over to our offices and you'll see that there's still heroes in this world. (pause) Is that it? Am I done?"

Two out of four stakes, and I think I'm being generous,

Billie

[Note from 2005: My original review of Hero was pretty negative. I still think it's a poor episode, although I admit that Glenn Quinn's passing has made it a lot more poignant now than it originally was. May he rest in peace.]





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