Review of Episode 18, Season 2

"Dead End"

Evil has a whole new hand in the mix! This week we get back to the evil doings of Wolfram & Hart and perhaps for the first time actually see how the Firm works in the everyday world. Whether it be with corporate takeovers, cancer causing industry litigations or bond dealings on the black market our team of malevolent lawyers are putting their best fist forward. As yet again, it's re-evaluation time for our special teams project team. Lilah and Lindsey are at their bickering, backstabbing best here and in an odd sense shows how well they work together even through their juvenile one-upmanship. They do compliment each other in more ways than one and it's enjoyable to watch how these two actors [ Stephanie Romanov and Christian Kane] play off each other. It's the subtlety of timing and innuendo as well as the little eye gestures that make you believe they really connect here.

Charisma Carpenter turns in another wonderful performance as she struggles through the not-so-fun experience of Vision Aftermath. We also get a hint that there may be more trouble in store for our vision-girl. The stress and strain of her connection to the Powers That Be are taking its toll and Charisma shows that there is a dramatic side to Cordy who has the determination to gut this out where once a whining and bitchy Cordy may have stuck her thumb to the highroad. The character dynamic is taking hold and is very believable so we can only imagine greater scenarios to come for her!

Angel finds himself in a unique crossroad with Lindsey. Already having saved him once last season and then removing his hand, Angel has a chance to continue his new bonding process. Obviously the highlights here are the Angel/Lindsey interactions. First as combatant rivals for the vocal limelight, then as bickering children and finally as comrades. The comedy being Angel's reaction to Lindsey singing and the subsequent responses from his troupe, 'Shhhh!' Lindsey not accepting the fact they need to work together as he rants and flailing his evil hand which is physical brilliance on Chris's part. And finally, letting Angel know that Lindsey does care on some level, enough to give Angel a tip on dealing with W&H. The entire episode well played out here.

It's about time Lindsey got a new appendage, but at what price. There's a nice twist as well as Greeny provides an out for our lawless lawyer gone conscience seeking. In the first two acts we think that the hand is of a demonic nature, after all this is W&H we're dealing with. But as Lindsey discovers the truth of his hand's origin, the 'Kill' evilness turns into 'Kill me' compassion. This isn't the first time Lindsey has felt the actions of the Firm have been out of hand and Lindsey takes advantage, "I've got evil hand issues!" Chris does an outstanding job of taken what W&H can dish out and showing he has the upper hand in the matter by walking out on them but not before his evil hand grabs Lilah's ass.

Fun Note: The song, which Christian Kane sings at Caritas, is entitled 'LA' and was written by David Greenwalt showing us that not all the extra-curricular talent lies with the actors! AND, in the scene where the delivery man arrives with Angel and Cordy's lunch, you never see the actor but you do hear his reply when Angel tell him to 'keep the change.' "Wow, a whole dollar just for me. I'm the luckiest delivery man ever." The voice is none other than, executive producer, David Greenwalt!

 I give it...

CoA Stakes Rating Guide
= Disappointing, stake it, bury it!
= Not too bad, Lacking a few graves.
= Typical Dark Avenger saves the day Saga.
= Better still, Quality Headstones.
= Outstanding! Reward it with mortality!



Nathan: And the current status of Angel?
Lindsey: Angel? He's up, he's down, he's good, he's bad; he's a barrel of damn monkeys.

Wesley: Let's start by calling the hospitals.
Gunn: And saying what? Did my Uncle check in with a knife in his eye? They only give out information to relatives. (Looks around to Wesley and Angel) I just got the call on the hospitals job didn't I?

Angel: How's she doing?
Gunn: She's been pretty quiet. She grunted once around noon and then got on with the maniacal cleaning.

Angel: (To Cordelia) Hey. Boy, I mean you can see your reflection in that glass. I mean, I couldn't cause of the whole vampire situation. But a normal person. Whew.
Cordelia: What do you want?

Angel: Keep the change.
Delivery Man: Wow, a whole dollar just for me. I'm the luckiest Delivery Man ever.

Cordelia: What's all this?
Angel: Lunch, I was hungry.
Cordelia: You don't eat food.
Angel: I can, it doesn't keep me alive, but you know sometimes I get a hankering.
Cordelia: You had a hankering for Turkey, Ham and Roast Beef sandwiches.
Angel: You missed the vegetarian.
Cordelia: Soup and salad too? What is going on here?
Angel: I forgot what you what liked.
Cordelia: Why didn't you ask me?
Angel: Well, you said why is everyone asking you if they can get you anything. I didn't want to do that.
Cordelia: So you did this, instead.
Angel: Yep.
Cordelia: I love you. (Angel smiles) And you ought to do that more often. Angel: Buy you food?
Cordelia: Smile.

Gunn: (holding bloody piece of molding) Little piece of molding they missed up under the pantry. Wanna sniff?
Angel: Why don't I just believe you?

Angel: There's only one thing we can do now.
Cordelia: Oh god. Oh no.
Wesley: The karaoke bar.
Gunn: Angel's gonna sing?
Cordelia: Isn't there some other way?
Wesley: There's has to be. Think damnit.
Angel: Hey!

Cordelia: You should pick something short.
Angel: I was thinking Stairway to Heaven.
Wesley: Don't even joke about that.

Angel: What is that? Rock, Country, Ballad? Pick a style, pal.
Wesley: Shhh!
The Host: Angel cakes, don't make me ask you to leave.

Lindsey: I need help.
Angel: (laughing) I'll say. You might want to start with his singing.

Lindsey: What are you doing here?
Angel: Gee, I don't know, saving your life.
Lindsey: I don't need you to save my life.
Angel: Gee a little gratitude Lindsey goes a long way.
Lindsey: You got no business. Why? Why aren't you trying to kill me?
Angel: Excuse me, I'm on a case here Lindsey. Does everything have to be about killing you all the time?
Parole Officer: I can see that you guys got issues. I'll just- (Angel chokes him)
Lindsey: That is my lead. You are choking my lead.
Angel: He's my lead, he's my lead. What are we in the schoolyard here? Look if you want to get to the bottom of this you gotta learn how to play with others. Okay look, I'm gonna loosen the rope and your gonna tell me all about your parole Bradley Scott.
Lindsey: Who?
Angel: The guy whose hand your wearing. You might want to listen up.
Lindsey: You don't tell me what to do.
Angel: He's so immature.
Lindsey: (shouting) Shut up!

Angel: (to parole officer) Why would I kill you when I can live off of you for a month? (To Lindsey) Can't you just taste the butter fat?
Lindsey: You are really gross you know that?

Lindsey: You know, I know your Mr. Save-a-Soul now, but at least you used to throw down with your enemies, what do you want to do now, you want a share?

Lindsey: Lilah, please. They chose me. I'm clearly the guy.
Nathan: Yes, you are.
Lindsey: You could've had it. But you didn't have what it takes. (Raises his hand) An evil hand. I'm mean come on who here does. Leon doesn't. Charlie doesn't. You do know you gave me an evil hand right? I been writing kill, kill, kill. It's crazy. It's crazy. Anything could happen.
Nathan: Alan?
Lindsey: Alan. How are you? (Hits him and takes gun) Uh, uh. (Shoots Alan in the foot) Ohhh. That's gonna hurt in the morning. Stop it evil hand, stop it. I just can't control my evil hand. (Shoots up the room) Nathan, I'm so proud that you chose me. (Ruffles Charlie's hair) Charlie! But, if I had been in your shoes, I would've chosen Lilah. Let me tell you why. Do you have any idea the hours this chick has logged in? Huh? The files she has on you guys. Deep stuff. Ronnie, your stock manipulations. Nathan's little off shore accounts. Can you imagine if something were to happen to this girl and those files got back to the senior partners. They'd eat you alive. She's been working over time boys. She's everything you every dreamed of. Lilah is your guy. Me? I'm unreliable. I've got this evil hand issues. And I'm bored with this crap. And besides, I'm leaving. And if you want to chase me, be my guest. Remember, evil. Charlie. (To Lilah) Good luck. (Grabs Lilah's butt) Evil.

Angel: I'm just here to say Bon Voyage and don't come back.
Lindsey: To LA, nah, you can have this place.
Angel: Good, I'm glad I didn't have to do something immature here.
Lindsey: The key to Wolfram & Heart, don't let them make you play their game. You gotta make them play yours.
Angel: Thanks; I'll keep that in mind. Don't drive to fast. Lot of cops out there. (Lindsey drives away with a "Cops Suck" sign on the back of his truck.)





Quotes by Council member Sasha.