Review of Episode 20, Season 3 "A New World" You can never go wrong with an episode chronicled by Jeffrey Bell and Tim Minear. They really pulled out the stops in this episode, starting with the teaser to ending with the curtain call. The opening sequence with the teenaged Connor the Destroyer (played by relative newcomer Vincent Kartheiser, best known for 1998’s Another Day In Paradise) was phenomenal as he battled Angel, Gunn, and the Groosalugg in a slow-motion slugfest. To me, the lanky Connor’s fighting style was a synthesis of Peter Pan (thanks, Gunn), Tobey Maguire’s Spider-man, with a dash of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon thrown in (loved the way he climbed up that bus). Once again, Angel stunt coordinator Mike Massa really outdid himself. I laughed out loud at Cordelia’s comment how they feel like they’re living in a soap opera, referring to Connor being a baby one minute and the next he’s a teenager. How ironic. In addition to her matriarchal role, Cordy really became the de facto leader of the team as she started giving orders on who does what. If only her powers were explored some more… David Boreanaz did an excellent job of portraying Angel with the desperation of a father who lost his son and will do anything in his power not to blow this second chance presented before him. I felt the anguish coming off him in waves when he chased Connor into the sunlight, but had to break off pursuit, lest he burst in flames. The scene where he showed Connor his vamp face was the scariest I’ve ever seen him look, given the trick of light and shadow. Congratulations to Dayne Johnson, make-up artist extraordinaire for pulling it off. The theme of divided loyalties was prevalent in this episode. Lilah offering Wesley an opportunity to work at Wolfram & Hart, using Dante’s Inferno as an analogy for his present situation. Not only was that very well done, it was an excellent comparison. Alexis Denisoff has done such an excellent job with his character and now everyone will see more depth to Wesley if he goes over to Wolfram & Hart. Connor, on the other hand, realized Angel isn’t as evil as his “father” Holtz said he was after he took a shotgun blast in the back for him. Connor must now sort out his loyalties, uncertain of whom to believe. And, of course, Holtz appearing in the final scene, aged a decade and a half, after living in the hell dimension. Did you honestly think we’d seen the last of him? I am anxiously looking forward to next week’s episode. I give it... Written 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!

Gunn: Angel, hate to bring it up, but are we sure this was Connor? Just because he said “Hi, Dad”? Angel: Oh, it was him. Gunn: A couple weeks ago he was wearing diapers. Now he’s a teenager? Cordelia: Tell me we don’t live in a soap opera. Groo: (on the fissure) Princess, perhaps your newfound powers can seal it shut. Cordelia: Can’t hurt to try. I command you… close! (nothing happens) Okay, I got nothing. Fred: You went to Wesley’s for me. He’s the one who told you how to save me. Gunn: Yeah. He made it clear. That’s a door none of us is ever going to be knocking on again. Wesley: Dante’s Divine Comedy Lilah: Actually, it’s just part one. The Inferno. It’s not a first edition. More like the 1500s. But it is in the original Tuscan. Have you read it? Wesley: Several times. Lilah: Then you know it’s a guided tour of the underworld. The nine levels of hell. Wesley: Yes, descending, concentric rings based on the severity of the sin. Lilah: You know, I always forget. At the very bottom of hell, in the ninth circle, the devil’s frozen in ice, right? He’s got three heads, three mouths, and these mouths are reserved for the worst sinners. I can’t remember, who is in the center mouth? What was his name? The one person in all of human history who was deemed the greatest sinner. Who is it? Wesley: Judas Iscariot. Lilah: Right. The worst spot in hell is reserved for those who betray... So don’t pretend you’re too good to work for us. Gunn: (on Connor) He’s leaving a trail. Angel: What? Did he hurt somebody? Gunn: No, nothing like that. I mean gawkers. Folks not used to seeing a kid in animal skins riding on top of a bus. Well, not south of Santa Monica Boulevard, anyway. Fred: Two more Robin Hood reports. Tyke: An entire suit made of chamois. That’s different. "What are you wearing to the Oscars?" "My chamois suit." What’s all this? Connor: Things I killed. Tyke: (laughs) Ooh, aren’t you all scary. Chamois and teeth. Cordelia: Isn’t your neck stiff? You’ve been standing exactly like that all day. Groo: Pylean warriors are trained for such endurance. I once happened upon a herd of Burbeasts. And, as you know, engorged Burbeasts will couple with anything that moves. I was forced to stand perfectly still for eleven days and nights. Cordelia: So you were never… Groo: Heh, no. That honor was yours, Princess. Sunny: So, where’d you learn to fight all bad-ass like that? Connor: In Quor-Toth. Sunny: Quor-Toth. That’s in Mexico, right? Sunny: (to Connor) Lots of folks squat here. Most are cool, but if a fat guy wearing furry slippers asks you to play teddy-bear-in-the-hole with him, just tell him to get lost. Fred: Connor’s new to this world, alone, probably scared. Gunn: Yeah, he looked scared kicking my ass. Sunny: Parents should have to take like a test or something before they can have kids. And if they’re drunks or idiots or evil, they should just be sterilized. Connor: If they’re evil, they should be killed. Angel: What do you know about vampires? Connor: Decapitation, stake in the heart, daylight, fire. Did I forget anything? Mistress Meerna: I hope this pentagram wasn’t some dark attempt to close the fissure. Gunn: Uh, no. That was a dark attempt to open one. (pauses) Different one. Long story. Fred: (on the fissure) If there aren’t any portals, what is it? Mistress Meerna: A tear in reality. A big cosmic no-no. Something pounded its way through. Something I don’t want to meet. Angel: You’re not alone. You know that, right? Connor: Yeah. I know. (runs off) Holtz: (steps from the shadows) Hello, Son. Connor: Hi, Dad. Quotes by Council member, Seeker