Review of Episode 9, Season 2 "The Trial" In a continual run of outstanding stories, The Trial, takes us on an emotional and psychological journey. There are powerhouse players at work here, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Doug Petrie teams up with Tim Minear on this one to bring us a story originated by David Greenwalt. Except for the absence of Joss himself in this credit list, there is no mistaking that it would be an amazing body of work. Bruce Green who is doing dual-duty for both series here sits in the director’s chair. They did not disappoint! Deviating from my normal review, I’ll focus solely on the story line. So far this season we’ve seen Angel begin to come to terms with destiny, but what better way than by confronting his past? We begin to see yet another of the many escapades, over their 150-year reign, that attributes to the bond between Darla and Angel. Although their common blood lust draws them together, Darla is on a self-survival mission by any means necessary. Even in present day, if Angel won’t give her back the immortal life she craves, then she will find it elsewhere. The hitch now is that, once again mortal, she succumbs to her mortal fate of over 400 years ago and is dying of Syphilis. Ironically enough, Lindsey finds himself in love and incapable of giving Darla the one thing she needs to keep her on this plane. But Angel doesn’t give up so easily, his love for her as well as his desire to save her, in more ways than one, leads him on a path that could very well end his immortal life. "Maybe this is my second chance." We get to see a sudden change in Darla as she experiences Angel’s pain and passion while witnessing the Trial. Notice that, on almost every occasion, she calls him Angelus. But when revelation hits her, that his passion is true and his path has meaning, she begins to call him Angel. We realize that the third challenge is not the wall-o-stakes but the question ‘Jeeves’ puts before Angel. "Isn’t the world a better place with you in it?" The fact that Angel would sacrifice his own life to save that of another, after all, is what his destiny is all about. Darla’s understanding and acceptance of her life, thanks to Angel, is what makes the ending even more painful. I believe Lindsey acts solely on his own and not in league with Wolfram & Hart here in bringing Drusilla into the picture. It’s his only link to the vampiric world that can give Darla back life, even if she may not want it now. The pain in Angel’s face and the lack of words he could possibly express is a powerful ending. The only thing that I wish had been different is if this episode had stretched out for another, maybe even three more. It would have been interesting to see Darla and Angel dealing with their new emotions but the shock of those last few moments is what we come to enjoy about this show. You just never are safe, are you? Seeing that this is only the ninth episode in a very strong beginning for Angel’s second season, we can only imagine what is waiting for us on back half. Hang on to your seats kids, the road to redemption is a rocky one! I do have to make a brief comment on the acting. I love this stuff, how Julie Benz carries her character [Darla] when dealing with idiots! Her scene while talking to the moronic vampire in the seedy bar is brilliant and reminiscent of her dinner conversation with her faux husband in Dear Boy. And who knew the girl could sing! Quite a bevy of talent in the Angel and Buffy camps. Once again the absence of Juliet Landau’s name in the opening credits attributes to quite a shocker of a closing with Drusilla making a brief reappearance. Hoping this is a taste of things to come. Finally, Christian Kane [Lindsey], much better with shorter hair! Next episode, Bronze Guest Reviewers will join us! 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!

Cordelia: He barely says "Good morning and get me a glass of blood" anymore. Angel: Mmm. Don't you just love it when they're still warm from the dryer? Wrinkle-free? [Laugh] Right! After you iron for, like, 15 minutes! Cordelia: You lied to us. Angel: I did, I know. Wesley: Why? Angel: I figured you'd nag. Cordelia: Listen up, mister, if you expect us to go with you on some wild goose chase, guess again. We are not going to enable you in your addiction! Wesley: Didn't we learn anything from the tea? Lindsey: You're a hard one to find. Lindsey: Thanks for coming in. Darla: Did I ever have a choice? Darla: It wasn't my will to be here in the first place. I never asked for this life. Gunn: Oh, how'd you...? Angel: Oh... motel. Public accommodations, she doesn't live here. Darla: Well, we stay in the best hotels. Order room service, eat the waiters. People talk. Vampire: But now, something about the teeth, I guess. Chicks go crazy for it. Darla: Weird. It's mythic. Darla: Why do you think I came into this bar, for the snacks? Vamp: Sweetheart, in this bar you are the snacks. Vamp: So what -- I make you, and then you'd be like my immortal babe? Darla: Yes. Vamp: Well then, that kind of sounds like commitment to me. Darla: Then use for me for as long as you like, anyway you like and then discard me. No strings. Darla: I wasn't in any danger, Angelus. Believe me. I picked a stupid one. I always pick the stupid ones. Didn't you know that? I can take care of myself. Darla: Why can't you leave me alone. Angel: You do this thing, I won't be able to leave you alone. Don't you get that? I'll never leave you alone. Next time, it'll be you on the end of this stake. I'm sorry. I don't want that. Not again. Darla: Don't worry, I wouldn't let it happen twice. Darla: What do you care? This isn't your Darla. Just because we had a thing for 150 years, don't presume you know me. Angel: So you really want to be made by some creep in some filthy alley? Darla: I wanted you to do it. Angel: That'll never happen. Darla: So I do what I have to do. Anyway, you were made in an alley, if I recall. Cordelia: Angel's back, and he has Darla with him. Hi. You're planning on sleeping over? Darla: I'm dying. Cordelia: So just for the one night then? Darla: I don't trust them. I know a thing or two about mind games. So do you. We played them together for over a century. Cordelia: Yes, but you were just soulless, blood-sucking demons. Angel: She's right, we were amateurs. Darla: If you're wrong? Angel: I'm not, and I'm gonna prove it to you. Cordelia: So, first up. You're a prisoner. Wesley: I'd have to conquer with that. Yes. Cordelia: See, you've got our friend all in knots. Wesley: Can't say we like you much. Cordelia: So, sorry about the dying. But, if you try to escape, we will hit you. Wesley: On the head. Cordelia: With very large and heavy objects, 'kay? Angel: I may not be able to come in, Lindsey... Lindsey: Wipe your feet. Angel: What? Lindsey: Wipe your feet. You can come in. Lindsey: Does it really look like you need to throttle me for information? Angel: Do you love her, Lindsey? Is that what this is? Look at you. A few short months with her and you go all school boy. I was with her for a hundred and fifty years. Lindsey: But you never loved her. Angel: I wasn't capable of it, and neither are you. Lindsey: Maybe not, but I'd save her if I could. You can and you won't. Cordelia: I mean, not only is she putting his life at stake, but ours. I'm sorry, but after 400 years of death and destruction it seems to me, you get voted off the island. Am I right? Angel: Aren't you supposed to be reading her? Karaoke Demon: I'm a channel surfer. Darla: Into an empty pool? Angel: Cause if you add water, you'd miss out on all that skull crushing. Angel: Spare me. Trial Judge: I'd very much like to. Trial Judge: Oh. Darla: What? Angel: What is it.? Trial Judge: This is very embarrassing. Angel: What is? Trial Judge: Not to mention unprecedented. She's being given new life once before. By supernatural means. Yes? Darla: They brought me back. Angel: What are you saying. Trial Judge: I can't help you. Angel: We had a bargain. She's earned a second chance. Trial Judge: She's living her second chance. Angel: Maybe it would be different. We don't know. Maybe ah, because you know, I have a soul, if I did bite you. Darla: No Angel: We don't know what it would do you. Darla: Angel, I've seen it now. Everything you're going through, everything you've gone through. I felt it. I felt how you care. The way no one's ever cared before. Not for me. It's all I need from you. Angel: It's not enough. Darla: It is. Angel: How could the powers allow you to be brought back and dangle a second chance and take it away like this? Darla: Maybe this is my second chance? Angel: To die? Darla: Yes to die. The way I was supposed to die in the first place. Angel: I'm not gonna let you. Every moment you have left, I'm gonna be by your side. You're never gonna be alone again. Lindsey: How did you think this would end?