Review of Episode 14, Season 3 "Couplet" Leave it to Tim Minear and Jeffrey Bell to do a good job of following up on the previous episode helmed by creator Joss Whedon as there was a smooth transition between the two episodes. Not only that, Couplet was filled with plenty of irony and double entrendés which emphasized much of the recently developing story arc. Angel (David Boreanaz) was really put through the paces. I felt Angel’s agony as he was about to admit his feelings to Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), but once again repressed them as she focused all of her attention on the Groosalugg (Mark Lutz). I felt sorry for Angel as he questioned his worth when he stood by helplessly as the monster ran out into the sunlight. This episode also gave Boreanaz the chance to stretch his acting legs, employing his comedic timing, as well as his dark side and sensitive side. Raise your hand if Angel reminded you of Ash (Bruce Campbell) of the cult classic horror movie, The Evil Dead, when he exclaimed, “That’s my shirt!” as the tree monster impaled Groo on one of his roots. Glad he’s got his priorities straight, huh? I was glad the writers treated us to some of Angelus as Angel beat on Groo as part of his strategy to defeat the tree monster. True, it was an act to stop the demon, but not entirely; he was also taking out some of his frustrations as well. In the end, Angel nobly stepped aside, giving Cordy and Groo his blessing, as well as his money for a honeymoon of sorts, hence ending the Angel/Cordy romance subplot in a satisfying way, remaining true to the integrity of all characters involved (and pleasing many of the Buffy/Angel shippers in the process). Instead of returning to his brooding ways, he realized he wasn’t alone as he always thought while he held baby Connor in his arms. Wesley (Alexis Denisof) was another member of the lonely-hearts club this episode and bore his burden just as well as Angel, if not arguably more so. He displayed such courage under fire in this episode as he told Angel he was still needed and his mission still had validity. Not only that, he gave Gunn (J. August Richards) his blessing on his new relationship with Fred (Amy Acker), whom he cares for very deeply, but also warned him not to hurt her. He kept plugging away, focusing more on the good of his team than his own misgivings. That is what a leader does. As for the couples, it was amusing to watch Gunn and Fred lose track of the man they were tailing because they were too busy making out. However, it wasn’t as amusing as Cordy giving Groo a makeover, cutting his hair similar to Angel’s and dressing him in his clothes. Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees! Speaking of Groo, he mentioned that he was on Earth because he wanted to see Cordy, and that he was overthrown. Is that a sneaky plug that the detectives will be returning to Pylea? A quick glimpse at the top shelf of the bookstore as Wesley and Angel arrived revealed one of the Pylian ‘Wolf’ books, something director Minear made sure was noticeable to the keen observer! Also, Angel has been compared to Batman many times, something even Whedon has admitted. Did you ever get the impression that the Host (Andy Hallett) is like Alfred, Batman’s butler? He has been in the background, acting as advisor and playing housekeeper, as well as babysitter to Connor. I hope he gets the spotlight in an upcoming episode. In typical Minear fashion, the episode ended with a nail-biting cliffhanger as we learn more of the prophecy surrounding Angel and Connor. Wesley’s note said it all: The Father Will Kill The Son. It’ll be a long seven days until the next episode. 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!

Angel: There’s nothing between Cordelia and me. Lorne: Sure there is, and it’s got arms like steel cables and a deeply ironic sense of timing. Cordelia: (on getting personal with Groo) I couldn’t go through with it. Angel: (surprised) You couldn’t? Cordelia: No, not after seeing that disgusting spiny thing. Angel: (confused and pointing toward his crotch) Spiny? Cordelia: Right up in my face. That’s what the visions are like now. Wesley: Why can’t you have sex? Cordelia: I could lose my visionity. Wesley: (skeptical) If you want to play it that way. Cordelia: Vision-ity. The visions. Cordelia: (on not being able to have sex with Groo) But there’s got to be other things we could do to relieve the tension. Angel: Jogging could be a thing. Wesley: Perhaps there’s some form of paranormal prophylactic. Angel: Because you know, jogging… Cordelia: I guess we could probably “com” without actually “shuking”. Angel: Well, I don’t know. That… that could be a slippery slope, that once you’re on, you could (pauses) slide. Cordelia: At least I won’t be upsetting the average here. Nobody in this office is ever going to get any. Fred: I’m being ridiculous, I know. It’s just (pauses) I don’t have a lot of experience in this area. I spent the last five years in a cave. Gunn: Yeah, I know what that’s like. Fred: How could you? Gunn: Because now, everything’s so bright my eyes hurt. Groo: I shall present this beast’s head to my princess as a token. Angel: (sarcastically) Right, because she’d love that. Ms. Frakes: You think you know someone. You think your place is secure and that there’s a future there. And then something happens. No, strike that. Someone happens. They insinuate themselves, pushing you out, taking your place. Angel: (on com-shuking) So the visions pass to Groo. He gets them instead of her. So what? Wesley: Are you suggesting the Grooselugg could replace Cordelia? Angel: Maybe not Cordelia. Wesley: I see. You think he could replace you. Angel: I don’t know. It seems to me, here’s a guy who can do everything I can and a few things I can’t. Wesley: That’s not true. Angel: You saw what happened this afternoon. If Groo hadn’t been there… Wesley: Then the rest of us would have. Angel, you’re the reason we’ve all come together. It’s your mission which animates us. We each contribute, it’s true. But you, you’re unique. You’re like one of these rare volumes. One of a kind. Shopkeeper:: (on the rare volumes) I got three of them. Wesley: (on Groo) While I do believe having another warrior for good might be an asset to us in the coming days, the truth is, you and the Grooselugg are two totally different people (walks in and sees Cordelia’s makeover of Groo) who look exactly alike. Cordelia: (about the potion) I went to my ATM, for cash. It nearly cleaned me out, but I think it’s worth it. Angel: So that you and Groo can? Cordelia: Com-shuk like bunnies? You betcha. Brothel Madam: (to Groo and Angel) But you’re together? Groo: Yes, two champions here together. Angel: (nervously) Not “together” together. Just get the potion together. Groo: So I may com-shuk my princess. Angel: (hastily) Just to reiterate, not the princess. Gunn: (on hooking up with Fred) Well, I’m not so sure that’ any of your business. Wesley: No, you’re probably right. Still, she could get hurt. I trust that won’t happen. Gunn: What are you? Her brother? Wesley: (obviously hurt) Apparently. Gunn: (understanding) Wesley, I… Wesley: She chose. It’s just important to me she’s taken care of. Gunn: She will be. Wesley: Good. Angel: Cordelia. Cordelia: What? (impatient to be with Groo) What is it? (Angel hands her some cash) What’s this? Angel: Just some money I saved up. Cordelia: Why? What for? Angel: I did something for you tonight. Now I want you to do something for me. (pauses) Don’t come in tomorrow. In fact, don’t come in for a couple of weeks. Take Groo someplace nice, someplace where there’s sun. He’d like that. Cordelia: Angel… Angel: Promise me. Cordelia: (still puzzled) Okay. You sure you don’t need some patching up yourself? Angel: I’m good. Didn’t hurt a bit. Quotes by Council member, Seeker