| Review of Episode 15, Season 2
"Reprise"
"Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the dark!"... This episode is raked with emotional traumatism from the onset and builds to such a climax that you are left exhausted. Kate is on edge pending her police hearing, Lilah is worried about the 75th year W&H "big review", Lindsey is caught, once again, in the twists of helping Darla and being used by her and Cordy is about at her end and ready to stake her former boss! Between Cordy's verbal lashing of Angel, Kate's suicidal breakdown and Darla's victimization we see some of the best quality acting from Charisma, Elisabeth and Julie. Outstanding!
I was happy to see that the "third-eye demon" case from last week was resolved but I don't agree with the reactions of the Sharps. These people are friends of Virginia Bryce, who she recommended to AI, and suddenly they refuse to pay on grounds that they think the gang is a bunch of con-artists? I also don't agree with Virginia's break-up from Wesley. For the past several weeks she's been bringing them clients, picnic baskets of food and champagne and happily consoling Wes in his Angel angst-of-the-day ridden quandaries. Now she feels it's too much danger to bare, right when he needs her most? We don't know her character that well, but I'm not buying she would react this way.
Angel continues his vehemence upon Wolfram & Hart. The culmination of the these events brings about a question we've been asking ourselves since we were first introduced to W&H – who are these mysterious Senior Partners and what is their purpose? We are led to believe that they reside in Hell, for only the best of true evil can stand the heat of that kitchen. Was Angel's real intent to go to Hell and kill the Senior Partners to save humanity? We get a reprise from Holland Manners [Sam Anderson], who takes Angel on a one-way road to Hell only to show him that it really exists in his everyday life right here on earth.
"Here's how something like this happens. We all sit around scratching our heads, then Joss [Whedon] says something to the effect of, 'Can Holland come back all dead and take Angel on an elevator ride to hell, but end up right back where he started?' Then I just try to work out the details. The bush is burning, and its name is Joss," says Tim Minear.
This realization pushes Angel, once again, over the edge. By forcing his own hand to remove himself from those that need him and those who he needs in return, I get the feeling that if he pushes himself to the brink of his inner darkness he"ll have no recourse but to realize salvation lies within himself. As with all self-infliction, you can't get help unless you want it and up until Angel hasn't wanted it. For the first time, Angel gets to look at himself in the mirror and he's not going to like what he sees!
On the director's clapboard, James Witmore, Jr. rejoins the Joss-verse after a two-year absence. He last directed The Zeppo, (episode 13, season 3, of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and now returns to bring his unique talents to Angel. He has a distinct way of using the camera to provide the best resolve for a particular shot. Rarely does he just set it up to cover the main blocking. He constantly has a purpose for the camera to fill, whether it be a subtle, high corner, angle perspective where Darla kicks Angel in the face or a technical running shot to capture Angel's fall from the skyscraper. James expresses spectacular imagery and knows how to cover tight emotional shots such as Darla and Angel's love scene to capture its shocking realism. Brilliant!
I give it...  
Fun Fact:
Angel had a VIP Guest Star this week! None other than Buffy Writer, David Fury appeared in the opening teaser! If you guessed that hushy, handsome, blond headed guy, you are right. It's all about the goats! ;)
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