Review of Episode 4, Season 4

"Slouching Toward Bethlehem"


If anything, "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" is one of those episodes that sets things up for the remainder of the first half of the season. It defines the positions all the major players are taking as the oncoming evil, the Host gleaned from Cordelia, approaches.

This episode marks the long-awaited return of Cordelia, sans her memory and paranormal abilities, back from the beyond. Writer Jeffrey Bell sure knows his continuity, briefly revisiting Cordelia's history as a Slayerette and an Angel Investigations member, not to mention showing off her Sunnydale High yearbook. Also, did you notice that the song she was singing, Whitney Houston's The Greatest Love of All, was the same one she sang during the 1st season's Buffy The Vampire Slayer episode, "The Puppet Show?" Well done!

The relationship between Wesley and his sleeping buddy, Lilah, took an interesting twist, considering the way she played him. I would like to see more of Wesley's new crew, and see the rogue demon hunter kicking arse and taking names rather than bedding Lilah (getting a little old). Maybe now we'll be seeing more of that, considering the turn (whether it's for the better or not remains to be seen) his relationship with Lilah took. Alexis Denisof deserves plenty of credit for bringing out the dark side of Wesley.

Cordelia's amnesia really puts a damper on any relationship with Angel. Connor and Cordy are on their own side, Wesley's on his side (even though it's hinted he'd like to go back to Angel) despite his talk to the contrary, as well as Angel's distrust of him. Angel with Fred and Gunn form another faction, and then you've got Wolfram & Hart. That's not to say that Lilah adds a somewhat unstable element to the mix. Definitely will make some interesting viewing and keep the viewers on red alert.

The best part of the episode is that it's not your typical "Angel saves the day" storyline after the red herring W&H sprung on them, specifically targeting Lorne instead of Cordy. The good guys just didn't win this one. Now W&H is one step ahead of AI, which will definitely make for a tension-building, nerve-rattling season, especially since November sweeps begin next week.

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: (re: Cordelia not seeing Lorne) That could have been a disaster. Oh, hi, welcome back. You're safe. By the way, there's a green demon right behind you.
Fred: Don't you think we should tell her? I mean, we do live in a world of demons and icky things. She's bound to find out.
Angel: Well, yah, sure. But, I mean, let's be smart. I want her to remember who I am before I freak her out with the whole "I'm dead, drinks blood" part of my resume.

Cordelia: (reading her yearbook to find memories) Ok, popular. No real surprise there. (flipping pages) Cordelia, homeroom was fun, too bad it brunt to the ground. (puzzled) What? (checking another page) Hey, how about that giant snake? Dear Cordelia, thanks for the flaming arrows. (exhales) Flaming arrows? (switches to a stack of pictures) That's cute. Cute. Hot. Yikes! Okay, out from the mental ward. Cute again. (whispers) Was I a spy?

Cordelia: (after beating up Wolfram & Hart agents) Wow. How did I..? I am a spy.
Angel: (rolling his eyes) Oh.
Cordelia: I get it now. You're all spies, probably Russian, and,--and you've brainwashed me and want me to believe we're friends so I'll spill the beans about some nano-techno thingie that you want.
Gunn: So, I look Russian to you?
Cordelia: Black Russian.
Angel: That's a drink.
Cordelia: Says the head spy.

Angel: (re: reading Cordelia) Come on, Lorne. You've got to give me something.
Lorne: Do the words "slouching towards Bethlehem" ring a bell? Or how about "despair", "torment", "terror"? And I'm not referring to little missie's choice of song, either. Although that was horrifying in it's own right. Ugh. What I saw was jumbled. It was the pieces, flashes. It was enough to make my skin crawl away and scamper under the bed. Evil's coming, Angel, and, (pauses) and it's planning on staying.

Cordelia: (re: stuffed polar bear) How cool is that?
Connor: I love that one. I wish I had killed it.
Cordelia: Kind of a funny way to express your affection. I love you. Bang. You're dead.

Connor: I tried to kill you too. I was new to this world. Didn't understand. Put a knife to your throat. I'm sorry.
Cordelia: Thank you. You're the first person who's been straight with me. Who's told me the truth. It means a lot.

Wesley: (re: being played) What's that supposed to do? Lull me into trusting you again?
Lilah: If I thought you'd ever trust me, I would never have played you like that.
Wesley: (long pause) It's never simple, is it?

Quotes by CoA Council member, Seeker