Review of Episode 18, Season 4 "Shiny Happy People" "That's crazy talk," Fred accuses when a blissed out Angel and Connor return to the Hyperion after witnessing the birth of the mysterious Lady in the opening teaser of Shiny Happy People. Fred, my dear, truer words were never spoken - this is one episode chock full of "crazy talk." It's just too bad you and the rest of the team succumb to it for so long. Who would have guessed the climactic birth of Cordy's demon seed last episode would have spawned a lovely full-grown woman (played by the radiant Gina Torres)? Well, the surprises keep coming as The Lady (to be named Jasmine by episode end) ends up to be a Messiah-like guru, spouting new age peace and love affirmations to the world. She immediately enthralls the entire A.I. team to the point of group genuflection as she practically levitates in serenity (no pun intended). I was half expecting a Disney animated blue bird to alight on her hand with possibly Bambi making an appearance at her side. Certainly not what was anticipated after all the weeks of intense fire and brimstone. Matter of fact, I felt like I had accidentally turned on an episode of The Twilight Zone. Of course, I'm sure that was the intent since writers Sara Fain and Elizabeth Craft created in this episode a none too subtle homage to those disconcerting 50's horror and paranoia films ala Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The episode really hit some high notes like the bowling alley scene in which the good guys are in the thick of vamp fighting while Jasmine and Fred serenely sit and chat amongst the chaos. As directed by Marita Grabiak, the scene is perfectly choreographed and framed to highlight the surreal camp (bowling with actual heads - truly twisted!). And the psych ward confrontation between Fred and the "called" man who attacked Jasmine also hit the right creepy notes accentuating the drama of Fred's situation, falling in line with the overall theme of kitschy paranoia. Yet on the whole, I was disappointed with the episode. The concept might have played stronger had it unfolded quicker within an act or two but instead it was worn thin stretched out over four. Jasmine's cult of love shtick was also grating by the end of the episode. By the time we saw her maggot-covered face at the end of act two, I was ready for explanations that never came. While I give the episode points for attempting something different, at this point in such a dense arc that still owes a lot more explanations, this episode felt like unnecessary wheel spinning that just raised more questions - leaving me unsatisfied. I give it... Review by CoA Staff member, Phoenix

CoA Stakes Rating Guide = Disappointing, Stake it, it's Dust! = Not too bad, Lacking a few graves. = Typical Dark Avenger saves the day Saga. = Better still, Quality Headstones. = Outstanding! Reward it with mortality!

Fred: I should have done this a long time ago. I don't know what I was thinking, letting these books go all unorganized. Lorne: Well, one does tend to let the housekeeping slide during an apocalypta-lite. (watches Fred flit about) Hey, honey, all this to-ing and fro-ing, it's making me edgy...er. Fred: (hearing a noise) What's that? Lorne: Oh, relax. It's just the buzz saw. Nothing to get worked up over. It's Gunn and Wes down in the basement. They're dismembering that armor-plated demon, Skip. Fred: Right. Well, there's been an awful lot of dismembering going on in that basement lately, if you ask me. Lorne: Well, it's been a busy month. Gunn: (re: Jasmine) I hope this thing's easier to kill than the Beast. Connor: Kill? No. No killing. Gunn: Since when? Angel: Since we've all been saved. Fred: Oh, well, that's, uh , crazy talk. Jasmine: (re: her room) Oh, Lorne. Lorne: It's, uh, it's too diva, isn't it? Diva, Deity, it's a thin line. John: You said you saw it. Fred: I did. John: Then you've been called too. Fred: Called? John: Called to the mission. Fred: Called? No, I, I don't get called. I'm not the "called" type. I, you know, take messages for.. (pauses) my boss, he--he gets called. John: It's our duty. Others won't see. Fred: You're wrong. If what you say is true, there are people who will understand, who will help. John: (authoritatively) You've been called. Fred: No, like I said...(her cell phone rings) OK. That's just eerie. Fred: (re: people in the lobby) What happened? Lorne: She went out for a walk. It was like "A Hard Days Night". Everyone followed her back. Isn't it fabulous? Lorne: Nothing like a homicidal maniac to put a damper on an impromptu spiritual gathering. Diner Cook: Looks like you just lost your best friend. Fred: (despondent) All of them. I never thought... Diner Cook: Yeah, well, that's life in the big city. Quotes by CoA Council member, Seeker