Review of Episode 3, Season 3

"THAT ALL GANG OF MINE"

ANGEL and Buffy have often been described as shows that are more "real" than the "reality shows" out there. This episode of ANGEL was a powerful example. This was an astonishing episode in many ways, like being able to get a rare look into Gunn's mind. Yet what set this episode apart from others was its theme about the gray areas that exist between good and evil.

Gunn was undoubtedly the main focus of the episode. Gunn does not show emotion often, so when I saw him so visually troubled from the dream about his sister, I knew something was up. His old gang, under the influence of the hate-monger Geo, shunned him, calling him a demon sympathizer. Gunn was completely torn. J. August Richards did a beautiful job with Gunn as he tried to figure out where his loyalty stood. We could see the pain etched across his face as he held information from Wesley and the group. How do you betray one group of friends knowing that it may get them killed?

The idea of a gray area existing between good and evil is a very important theme. It directly parallels the idea of racism and racial intolerance. Gunn visibly struggled with the idea of helping find Merl's killer. Why were they helping demons? Because, as he later stated, the mission is ultimately about helping the innocent. Whether someone is a demon or a human does not matter in the long run. What does that say about our society, where we hate each other for looking different? Have we all lost sight of the mission?

The hostage situation in Caritas was one of the most astounding scenes I have watched in ANGEL. One unique aspect was that Gunn's crew was using guns. In the world of Buffy and ANGEL guns are almost never used. Sure there are stakes, swords, battleaxes, and maces, but not guns. There is a certain harsh reality to guns. When the machine gun fire interrupted Fred's song (go Amy!), there ceased to be a distinction between humans and demons. It was a scene of pure terror. The sound of bullets ripping apart Caritas brought a whole new level of reality to the situation. Seeing the demons get mowed down made us forget that they were demons because they were innocent. Once again we can turn a watchful eye to the real world. People kill each other every day because of petty differences like race and ethnicity. People act on hate, backing up their words with hateful propaganda.

While I felt the aforementioned theme deserved a great deal of discussion, there were also many lighthearted moments that deserve recognition. Matthew James threw in an excellent performance as Merl, the emotionally disturbed snitch, (RIP buddy). Amy Acker is developing Fred nicely, though she keeps having unfortunate experiences with the real world! Her little scientific monologue about an arrow through the throat was great. Keep building up the confidence Fred! Finally, Alexis Denisof has once again added more subtle depth to Wesley. He is turning out to be quite the leader, and is dedicated to protecting all of them.

That Old Gang of Mine was a shocking break from the usual demon-fighting episodes. Terror comes not through ethnicity or race, but through actions. Just because you are human doesn't mean you have a golden ticket to annihilate others. It just goes to show that there can be "demons" in all of us.


I give it

This weeks Review by: CoA Staff Writer BCangel

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: (about Fred) Some people just need a little time alone. I wouldn't worry about it.
Angel: She's had time alone, five years. I think that's the problem. She's been back in this world for three months, and she still hasn't gone out into it.
Cordelia: Right, and it's not like the last time she was out in the world, she got sucked into an interdimensional portal and ended up living like a hunted animal in a hostile demon alterna-world or anything. Oh, wait, kinda is, isn't it?

Gunn: I didn't mean to disappear on y'all. I didn't plan it. I guess after GeorgeÖ
Rondell: You were gone way before George. (pause) It was Alonna, man. Things, they were never the same after Alonna.
Gunn: Couldn't keep my own sister safe. What could I do for the rest of you?
Rondell: A lot, man. You done a lot. There's people alive today because of something you started.
Gunn: No, man. Something we started.
Rondell: Got that right! (slap hands and hug)

Wesley: (lecturing Gunn) Charles, things are not always so simple as just going out and slaying the big bad ugly. There are in this world shades of grey.

Cordelia: Angel wants you to get out.
Fred: (stunned) Oh, I see, okay. No, I understand. I only have a few things to pack. I won't take long. (begins to walk away)
Cordelia: No, Fred. That's not what I meant. Out into the real world. You know, just for an evening or something.
Fred: (understanding) Oh. (questioning) Oh? (petrified) Oh.

Cordelia: (on Fred's choice of "Crazy" for karaoke) I swear to God, she picked out the song herself.

Rondell: How can you be sitting up in here with these things, and tell me I'm the one who lost the mission.
Gunn: Because it's true. Man, we used to face death because we had to. Now you go chasing it down, man, for the fun of it. That ain't right.

Gunn: (about Angel) Truth is, he can never be my friend. It's on account of what he is. Not his fault, really. Just the way it worked out.
Rondell: He ain't your friend, I am. And you're gonna choose that over me.
Gunn: Looks like. It's about the mission, bro. He's got it, and you don't.

Cordelia: Look, this is really urgent. I know Lorne pays you to cast this spell. What will it take for you to lift it?
Transuding Sisters: (in sequence) This is not a debt you can pay.
Cordelia: (insulted) You don't know that. My credit has been very good this last year.
Transuding Sisters: (in sequence) Only Angel is equipped to make good on this debt.
Cordelia: Angel. (makes raspberry noise) I don't know. You know, for a guy who's a couple of centuries old, not very big with the wise investing. (pause, then understanding) And when you say "equipped", that isn't what you mean, is it?
Transuding Sisters: (together) MmmÖ Angel.
Cordelia: Got it. And eww.

Gunn: So now you're gonna get on me about all those things I said to you in there.
Angel: No.
Gunn: You understand I had to stall. Just had to keep it going.
Angel: Yeah, I get that.
Gunn: Doesn't mean I meant any of it.
Angel: No, you meant all of it. But that's okay.
Gunn: Can't help the way I feel, man. Jut the way it is. Doesn't mean I don't want to work with you. Doesn't even mean that I don't like you. Maybe someday, (shrugs) I don't know.
Angel: I don't know either. But I got time. (starts to walk away)
Gunn: Hey. No matter what else, I think I proved that you could trust me when I could have killed you and I didn't.
Angel: No, you'll prove I can trust you when the day comes that you have to kill me, and you do. (walks away)

Quotes by Council member Seeker.