Review of Episode 9, Season 3 "Lullaby" When last week's preview stated that "Lullaby" would knock the Angel-verse on its ear, it wasn't kidding. I was very blown away after the episode ended and am eagerly awaiting the next one. Keep in mind, I didn't read any of the spoilers, so I was really taken by surprise when Darla (Julie Benz) repented her sins and then died (again) by taking her own life to save her and Angel's (David Boreanaz) baby, even though it was being hinted at throughout the episode, something I couldn't bring myself to believe. I haven't been caught off-guard like that since Doyle (Glenn Quinn) died back in the first season (in an episode written by this one's scribe, Co-Executive Producer Tim Minear). That is the gift of Minear: He does an excellent job of putting the audience on red alert by throwing them a curve and then making them wait with bated breath for what happens next, especially since a block of reruns are just around the corner as the holiday season arrives (which is very cruel to keep us waiting that long). It seemed very fitting that Minear should pen this episode "Darla's last" considering she is a character he has really made his own, having written a number of the flashback scenes with her, including her origin in last year's classic episode, "Darla," which was also the show's final crossover with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. My only hope is that this is not the last we see of Darla. Make no mistake, I know we will no longer see her in present continuity, but I would like to continue to see her in flashbacks, which give greater dimension to the show, not to mention the fact she's just as important to Angel as Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), if not arguably more so, since they have such a rich history together. Speaking of flashbacks, Minear introduced another layer of Holtz's (Keith Szarabajka) character by revealing that Darla transformed his daughter into a vampire and that he killed her by exposing her to sunlight in what was a very heart-wrenching scene. The final scene in the alley where he pointed his crossbow at Angel and Fred (Amy Acker) who were tending to the newborn baby was powerful. Instead of killing him, Holtz let the one he pursued for two centuries go, vowing that he will show Angel no mercy only on his terms. Could it be he felt an iota of sympathy for him? That he had no wish to rob a child of its parent, even if it's Angel, the one who robbed Holtz of his children? I am curious to see what direction Minear and the other creators are headed with this. If there was anything that bothered me about the episode (aside from Darla's death) is Sahjhan (Jack Conley). What is his connection to Angel? It's been implied they met but nothing more has been said about the subject. When it's revealed, let's hope it's interesting viewing like "Lullaby." This whole storyline revolving around Darla's pregnancy has given us some of the greatest episodes of Angel. I give it Review by CoA Staff member, Ned Flanders

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!

Holtz: I will have justice. Angel: No, I don’t think you will. There’s no justice for the things I did to you. Holtz: You didn’t do them to me, and you didn’t do them alone. (to the Grappler demon) Find the female. If he’s here, Darla can’t be far. (to Angel) Or are you going to tell me that’s changed too? Wesley: (on Darla’s labor) I’d feel a lot better if we had those ancient prophecies to guide us. Cordelia: Please! Women have been giving birth without ancient prophecies for years. Gunn: If you ask me, what we could really use right about now, is some vaseline and a catcher’s mitt. Linwood: (on his non-involvement in the botched operation) I’ll expect a full report at Thursday’s staff meeting. And be advised, when I hear about all this for the very first time, I will be both shocked and appalled. Good night. Gavin: He’s going to crucify us. Lilah: They don’t crucify here. It’s too Christian. Darla: (after everyone else climbs in the front of the car) Doesn’t anyone want to sit back here with me? Cordelia: We’re good. Gunn: Yeah, it’s (pause) comfy. Darla: I promise I won’t trhow anyone out of the car. Not while it’s moving. Fred: It’s not that we don’t trust you. I mean, we don’t trust you, but the fact of the matter is your water broke all over the back seat. Darla: (looks around) Oh. Fred: (about Holtz) Maybe he’s part of what’s supposed to rain down ruination upon mankind. The Nyazian prophecies did say the Tro-Clan was going to be a confluence of events. Cordelia: And the appearance of an 18th century vampire hunter in the 21st century does seem pretty con-flewey. Gunn: Do you think he’s here for the baby? Angel: I don’t think he even knows about it. Fred: Well, he wouldn’t have to. That’s the tragic beauty of a cosmic convergence. I mean, he just plays his own small part. He comes here looking for Angel and Darla, and in the process ends up finding Angel’s unborn child, who, it turns out, wasn’t evil at all like we feared, but was actually meant to be some Messianic figure. But Holtz kills it before it’s even born, and his vengeance somehow triggers the end of the world. (pauses to see everyone staring) Or not. (shrugs) It could go either way. Have you thought of a name yet? Darla: (about the baby) He’s dying isn’t he? Angel: No. Darla: You lied much better when you didn’t have a soul. I can feel the life slipping away from me. Angel: Then don’t let it. You have to fight this. Please. Darla: I don’t know how. My boy. My darling boy. I told you I had nothing to offer this kid. Some mother, I can’t even offer it life. Fred: (on the failing pregnancy) This isn’t going to end well, is it? Lorne: Okay, everybody’s drinking. I’m buying. Angel: Your’re going to be okay. Darla: No, I don’t think so. Once he’s gone, I won’t be okay. I won’t be okay at all. I don’t know what I’ll be. Angel, our baby’s going to die right here in this alley. (pauses) You died in an alley. Remember? Angel: I remember. Darla: I want to say I’m sorry. I want to say it and mean it, but I can’t. (waits for a response) Aren’t you going to tell me it’s okay? Angel: No. Darla: No, it’s really not, is it? We di so many terrible things together. So much destruction. So much pain. We can’t make up for any of it. You know that, don’t you? Angel: Yes. Darla: This child, Angel, is the one good thing we ever did together. The only good thing. You make sure to tell him that. (stakes herself, leaving the crying newborn alive on the alley ground) Quotes by Council member Seeker.