Review of Episode 21, Season 3 "Benediction" Powerful. That's the only word that can fit Benediction, which was helmed by Tim Minear. The theme of divided loyalties is running rampant throughout the Angel-verse. Angel and Connor. Holtz and Connor (or Steven as he calls himself). Justine and Holtz. Cordelia and Groosalugg. Wesley, torn between his former friends and Wolfram & Hart's Lilah Morgan. Like I said: powerful. The little things also went a long way in making this episode great. The battle in the nightclub where a vampire said that Justine thinks she's the Slayer was nicely done. It's good to see that even though Angel has gone off in its own direction as a series, it still acknowledges its Buffy roots. I laughed at how Angel and Connor bonded. Instead of playing catch or going to a ball game, they go vampire-hunting (with Justine, Wesley, and Lilah standing in the background). It was a very well-done scene. I like that Wesley deduced the "boy wonder" was Connor. Speaking of Wesley, what will happen to him with one episode to go? Become the rogue demon hunter again? He had a perfect chance at getting revenge on Justine, who by stealing Connor and slitting his throat had destroyed his world in a heartbeat. I thought he'd do it but he turned it down, not giving Lilah the satisfaction. No one seems to know what's going through his head. At last, everyone got to see more of Cordelia's newfound powers. Not only can she float, she can re-enter her visions at will. The scene where she was glowing and "soul-purged" Connor of the darkness and pain he endured in the hell dimension was awesome! What an excellent use of special effects; watching her glow bright as the sun and spreading her brilliance to Connor. It seemed that she took on yet another role this episode helping Angel and Connor through their emotional issues (i.e., telling Angel he needs to be straight with Connor about confronting Holtz and telling Connor to "let it go" after she uses her powers on him). As for Angel and Holtz, instead of a mindless slugfest, these two centuries-old enemies sat down and talked. Holtz seemed to mellow in his old age, realizing love is stronger than hate and he is so tired from hating for so long. There's so much more to him as he told Angel that Connor is his son and he belongs with him. This was the set up that he spent centuries planning. The letter, the final touch to insure that Connor would continue to love and honor Holtz' memory. The final scene brought it all home. Holtz arranges his death making it look like Angel killed him (i.e., the two bite marks) in order to manipulate Connor. Taking away everything that Angel has thought he regained, the love and trust of his son. Holtz vowed to destroy Angel, this final nail in his coffin may well indeed be Angel's as well! I can't wait until the finale to find out. 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: (on Connor) He survived Quor-Toth this long. He can take care of himself. Fred: Okay, so he survived an unspeakable hell dimension. Who hasn’t? You can’t just leave him alone in the streets of Los Angeles. Angel: He’s got to come back on his own. He will, just as soon as he realizes what he needs. Gunn: And what’s that? Cordelia: A father. Cordelia: (on the crystal) That’s gorgeous. Fred: And priceless. Lorne: Although in this instance, “priceless” meaning “without price”, as in free. A six-horned Lach-Nie hag owed me a favor. Don’t ask. Lorne: Well, sometimes nothing is the best something. If a thing’s meant to be, sometimes it’s best to just let it happen rather than try to force it. Groo: But if a thing is meant to be, than how can it be forced? Lorne: Well, I guess it can’t. Groo: And if a thing is not meant to be? Lorne: Well, then it really can’t. Just because someone hops a dimension or two is no guarantee things will work out. (understands as Groo smiles ruefully) Well aren’t you just sneaky with the subtext. Angel: There’s just so much I thought we’d be able to do together before he, you know… Cordelia: Grew up. Angel: Hated me. Cordelia: Angel, he doesn’t hate you. He doesn’t even know you. But he will. He’s going to come back, Angel. Angel: How do you know? Cordelia: Because, he has to. Because he’s family. Lilah: (to Wesley) I thought the “come alone” part was a particularly ironic touch. I mean, how else would you come? Lilah: Who’s the boy wonder? He moves just like… Wesley: His father. Lorne: (to Cordelia) Well, you got some serious mojo going on, girl. Whatever deal you struck with the Powers, it looks to me like they gave you the full package. All the extras. That kid was tox-ic when he came in here tonight. Heavy on the “ick”. Angel: What actually happened out there? Lorne: In my professional opinion? Little miss demony-britches here gave that child some kind of soul colonic. Flushed him out but good. Cordelia: Wait, Angel. Before you go, we have to do that thing. Angel: What thing? Cordelia: You know, that thing where I say, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? Angel, please think about this”, and then you ignore me and rush headlong into trouble. Angel: Right. That thing. (pauses) Okay, we done? Cordelia: Angel, please think about this. In fact, don’t go there at all. Angel: I have to. Cordelia: I know, but don’t. Angel: I’m not going to kill him, even though he deserves it. Cordelia: Oh, I don’t care if you kill him. He stole Connor’s childhood, so kill him. But don’t lie to your son. He’s been here, like, a day. Way to build the trust. Angel: I’m not lying to him. Cordelia: No, you’re just sending him off to be distracted while you confront the man he thinks of as his father. Angel: I’m his father. Justine: I can’t believe you survived it. How did you? Holtz: My hate kept us alive. Justine: Hate gets a bad rap. It can keep you going sometimes when nothing else will. Holtz: Yes. I thought that I had to stay alive that I might pass on my legacy of hate. But something happened in that place, Justine. Something changed. Amidst the most unspeakable ugliness, the hate turned into love. Love for a son. Hate’s not enough. I found that love is far more powerful. Angel: You stole my son. Holtz: I kept your son alive. You murdered mine. Angel: I was different then. Holtz: Yes, so was I. You feel remorse. You feel remorse yet you can’t express it. Angel: You want me to say ‘I’m sorry’? How can I? It wouldn’t mean a thing. Holtz: It would mean a little. Not much, but it would be something. Angel: Then I’m sorry, for whatever little it might mean. It’s all I’ve got. Holtz: Not all. You have a son. Quotes by CoA Council member, Seeker