Review of Episode 3, Season 4

"The House Always Wins"


Man, that Andy Hallett can carry a note! It was great to have a spotlight episode on Lorne, and find out why he didn't help Fred and Gunn in their search for Angel when he was swimming with the fishes. I really enjoyed his rendition of "Lady Marmalade". Joss Whedonand company really pulled out all the stops; this episode was shot on location in Las Vegas. What added to the realism of Sin City was Gunn trying to pinpoint where Angel parked the car, saying how it all looks the same. Add some people to the mix and it's sensory overload. I've been in that boat. Well done.

I enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek humor in this episode, running rampant throughout. So, Angel met the Rat Pack, attended Elvis' wedding, and crossed paths with Bugsy Siegal, eh? So much for keeping a low profile back in his brooding days. The best line was after Angel beat up the bouncers and said, "This place was so much friendlier when the Mob ran it."

I was really hoping to see more of Wesley and his new crew of Rogue Demon hunters. I'd like to know where he found them. His dark side is
Cliché as it may sound, we have to keep watching. If anything, fans will keep coming back because this show has more twists than a roller coaster.

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!




Fred: (re: Vegas) Yeah, but the reason we’re here is to see Lorne, right?
Angel: Absolutely. Maybe afterwards we can check out that Danny Gans guy I keep seeing billboards for.

Angel: Wow! This place sure has changed.
Gunn: Get out! You never told me you’d been to Vegas before.
Angel: Yeah, a few times. It’s been a while though. Used to be dunes over there.
Gunn: Oh man, it has been a while. They tore down The Dunes 10 years ago.
Angel: (snickers) Not the casino. I meant actual dunes.

Gunn: (re: Lorne) No one seems to be bothered by the fact that he’s a demon.
Fred: They must think it’s all make-up. Uh, like the Blue Man group. (pauses) You don’t think the Blue Man group...
Angel: Only 2 of them.

Angel: (re: the Tropicana) This place was so much friendlier when the mob ran it.

Gunn: (outside Lorne’s door) Man, heads of state don’t get this much security. Something’s starting to look a lot not right about this.
Fred: That’s what I’ve been saying, only with better grammar.

DeMarco: How did you win on that slot machine?
Angel: I put the quarter in the slot, and I pulled that little lever.
DeMarco: Are you playing games with me, vampire?
Angel: I have to play to win.

Angel: Oh, now I remember that room. Elvis and Priscilla’s wedding reception, 1967! Yes, all right. It’s not like I was, you know, really invited. They just put me near the dais. I think somebody thought I was in the band. Possibly because I was all drunk and surly. (chuckles)

Quotes by CoA Council member, Seeker