Review of Episode 1, Season 4

"Deep Down"


This season started off with a bang! After nearly four months of forum debates and rumors about Angel's fate, we finally get to see what happens. Granted, it wasn't what I expected, but it was more than enough. Props to Steven DeKnight (who permanently comes to us from the Buffy camp) and Terrence O'Hara for writing and directing, respectively, such a stellar teleplay, which was a story worthy of Joss Whedon himself. And let's not forget Mike Massa, stunt coordinator extraordinaire, for that awesome fight scene at the beginning. Take a bow, gentlemen!

I was glad that this episode took place months after last season ended; since the episodes last season took place one right after the other, I was worried about continuity conflicting with real time. My worrying was in vain, apparently. What was so evident was how much our heroes (and villains) have grown since we last saw them. Let's take a deeper look . . .

Gunn: It was interesting to see him back in a leadership role without his old gang nor the rest of Angel Investigations at his side. He onlyface Fred and Connor (some of the time), yet rose to the occasion. Further, it's interesting to see that hardness of his, that grittiness, has softened by his relationship with Fred.

Fred: This kitten has really grown some claws! Not only is she adapting to Gunn's street lingo ("word," "dog"), she really knows how to fight, especially the scene where she 'stun-guns' Connor. Her role is the heart and soul of AI. She's come a long way since going nutso in Pylea.

Lilah: I didn't see her beheading of Linwood coming a mile away (and that was graphic!). While I didn't want to see him go, Lilah had to be moved forward and this was the way to do it. It also shows how power-hungry Lilah is. She now has the upper hand over Gavin and the shoe is on the other foot for a change. Then, there is her relationship with...

Wesley: He has really become the rogue demon hunter he aspired to be, rivaling Giles from his "Ripper" days. Sleeping with the enemy wasn't as shocking as keeping Justine chained and gagged in the other room, making her his b*tch. I've been waiting for a rematch between those two for months. He really broke her to some degree, because notice he didn't have her chained on the boat. Yes, she tried to clock him with a wrench but all he had to do was threaten to take away 'her bucket' and she stopped. This is a far cry from his Sunnydale days and I can't wait to see more of his dark side. It's keeping things interesting, to say the least. He's developed the most.

Angel: I'm not a "B/A shipper" as they're called, but I'm also not for a relationship with Cordy. I like them better with the brother/sister thing they had going. I want it to continue. I feel he's better off alone as the tortured champion. However, if his relationship does go down that road with Cordy, at least it was developed naturally as these two characters evolved as opposed to a ratings scam.

Now, with Connor evicted, Wesley on his own still, it's just Angel, Gunn, and Fred. I'm very curious as to how this'll play out. As for Cordy, that ending was priceless. That scene was well-timed; I split my sides laughing. This season's promising to be a helluva ride!

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!




Gunn: (on the run from vampires) You okay?
Fred: No, you?
Gunn: Nope.
Fred: It’s nice we still do things together.

Justine: The great Wesley Wyndam-Price. Shining beacon of all that’s good and pure. But, oh wait, no. That’s before he started banging the enemy and keeping a slave girl in his closet.
Wesley: You were always a slave, Justine. You just couldn’t see the chains.

Lorne: Take care of yourself and um.. and make sure Fluffy’s getting enough love.
Fred: Lorne!
Gunn: Did he have anything?
Fred: No, and who’s Fluffy? Are you Fluffy?
Gunn: He called me Fluffy?
Fred: He said “Make sure”, wait… You don’t think he was referring to anything of mine that’s fluffy do you? Because that would just be inappropriate.

Fred: Angel and Cordy are out there somewhere, and no matter what the Powers-That-Screw-You throw at us, we’re going to find them.

Gunn: (to Connor) That’s right, Sparky. Daddy’s coming home. And I’m guessing there’s going to be a spanking.

Connor: (re: Angel) That thing is not my father.
Gunn: Yes, he is.
Connor: He got what he deserved.
Fred: And how soon before we deserved it?

Angel: (to Connor) So, how was your summer? Mine was fun. Saw some fish, went mad with hunger, hallucinated a whole bunch.

Connor: (upon learning that Angel didn’t kill Holtz) You still deserved it.
Angel: What I deserve is open to debate. But understand, there’s a difference between wishing vengeance on someone and taking it. So now the question becomes what do you deserve? (Connor attempts to escape and is thrown against the wall by Angel) Daddy’s not finished talking. Wesley told me everything that’s been going on, so as far as I’m concerned, what you deserve rests on one answer. Did you do something to Cordelia?
Connor: No.
Fred: He’s lying.
Connor: No, I’m not.
Gunn: No way she just happened to disappear the same night.
Connor: I’m telling the truth, okay?
Angel: I know. I can tell. You’ve done enough lying for me to know the difference. The truth has a better sound to it. Less nasal, you know?

Angel: What you did to me was unbelievable Connor. But then, I got stuck in a hell dimension by my girlfriend once for 100 years, so a few months under the ocean, it actually gave me perspective. Kind of an M.C. Escher perspective, but I did get time to think, about us, about the world. Nothing in the world is the way it ought to be. It’s harsh and cruel. That’s why there’s us. Champions. It doesn’t matter where we come from, what we’ve done or suffered, or even if we make a difference. We live as though the world were as it should be, to show it what it can be. You’re not a part of that yet. I hope you will be. I love you, Connor. Now get out of my house. (Angel almost faints after Connor leaves)
Fred: Angel!
Angel: All that talking really takes it out of you.
Fred: You need rest.
Angel: I need Cordy, now. Wherever she is, whatever she’s going through, we have to find her. (panning out to the sky)

Cordelia: (glowing) God, I am so bored.


Quotes by CoA Council member, Seeker