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5.13 Why We Fight Spike: "Don't ever go to a 'free virgin blood' party. Turns out it's probably a trap." I assumed that World War II, Nazis, submarines, and vampires wouldn't mix. Wrong. This episode was a hoot and a half. Nazis experimenting on vampires? The United States launching a Demon Research Initiative (operative word, "initiative"), which must have been the forerunner of Riley's outfit in "Buffy" season four? Angel even reminded me of Riley a few times, looking all stark and turtlenecked and serious. It was a good look for him. Of course, Angel would have a patriotic stage; he may be a creature of the night, but he's still an undead American. Majorly broody Angel in 1943 was a lot like majorly broody Angel in 1952 ("Are you now or have you ever been") which must have been before his lengthy homeless, rat-eating period. What I found the most interesting was Angel's paternal feelings toward the vampires he sired. Although he had no trouble staking Nostoyev and the hilarious Prince of Lies, Angel gave both Spike and Lawson a chance to "live." He even called Lawson "son." (Before I start getting letters, yes, I know Drusilla sired Spike. But Angelus sired Drusilla, making Angel indirectly responsible for Spike's existence.) I saw the end coming. After all, how many ways could Lawson have ended up a vamp? He was miserable and purposeless as a vampire, and his attack on Wolfram & Hart was transparently suicidal. Good actor, and interesting character. And an interesting thought, that a souled vampire might be able to pass on the ability to retain a soul on those he sired. Too bad it didn't work on Lawson, although three souled vampires in one series might have been a bit much. Or did Lawson have a bit of a soul? He remembered what he used to be, and longed for it. He hated what he was. Poor Lawson. We had yet another wonderful Angel/Spike bonding moment at the end. I know I've said it already, but this season of "Angel" just keeps getting better. Bits and pieces: -- Spike: "I know revenge is best served cold and all, but his must have been frozen solid." -- Charlie Baker Oboe Victor? CBOV? Let's think of some fun acronym for that. The V has to stand for vampire, of course. -- Tied up, wires around their necks, balanced on office chairs? Must have been terribly uncomfortable to film. I bet Richards, Acker, and Denisof were glad when this episode was over. -- We got an update on Eve and Lindsey. Eve has disappeared. (As Angel remarked, "Well I can't say I'm particularly depressed by that news.") Lindsey is gone, too; I hope the Senior Partners aren't dissecting him. -- The new management staff of Wolfram & Hart are all suffering from overwork. (Fred: "What did we do with our lives before we got these jobs?" Wesley: "I seem to recall lots and lots of Jenga.") Gunn was actually fumbling for words. Was he just tired, or could it be that his programming is fading because the cat in the white room is gone? -- The fact that Wolfram & Hart is constantly breached was acknowledged. "You'd be amazed at how many people break into this building on a regular basis." and "This place might as well be a bus station." -- Angel: "Spike's not in the S.S.; he just likes wearing the jacket." I couldn't see Spike as a Nazi, anyway. He doesn't care about politics. -- The Prince of Lies was played by perennial Buffyverse monster, Camden Toy. Toy has played one of the Gentlemen, Gnarl, and the Ubervamp. We've seen him four times, and we still don't know what he really looks like. -- In this week's hair report, James Marsters is a bit too fair to carry off black hair, while David Boreanaz got his clipped so that he could look like military guy. He wore it like he did in "Are you now or have you ever been." It becomes him. Three out of four stakes. Not major or memorable, but lots of fun. This week Nazis, next week Muppets? I love it, Billie |
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