Review of Episode 5, Season 5 "Life of the Party" Lorne gets some much deserved (and overdue) time in the spotlight as he takes front and center in the clever and decidedly warped episode, “Life of the Party” penned by Ben Edlund. So far this season, Lorne has pretty much been relegated to breezing down the hallways of W&H with a cell phone on each ear, spouting pithy cracks to his A-list clients. This week we find out that the demon hobnobber extraordinaire did away with that pesky timewaster known as sleep in order to keep up with the demands of his new position as the “kinder, gentler” member of Angel’s new administration. Of course, “consequences, consequences” when you mess with evil magic and due to the lack of zzzz’s, Lorne’s empathy powers go on a bender manifesting destinies rather than reading them. Thus the wackiness ensues at the big W&H Halloween Party, making for a really entertaining and almost purely comedic offering. It’s obvious the cast had a great time with this episode giving the Angel-spin to a story reminiscent of the Buffy episode, “Something Blue.” David Boreanaz had some priceless reactions to Sebassis and his crew. Alexis and Amy made for a cute drunk pair and James got to be goofy along with throwing out some excellent snarks. Andy Hallett, in particular, got some nice moments of candor with Angel amongst the hyper activity shedding some poignant light on Lorne’s own issues being at the law firm. Lorne also got to sing, throw out some great one-liners and in what I think is a first for the perennial punching bag - he even knocks himself out. Major props go to Edlund for the inspired barrage of freakish situations and hilarious dialogue. Demon minions with their blood on tap, Gunn literally marking his territory, a Hulk version of Lorne, goofy “Harmonica” dancing alone, the plethora of ritual sacrifice references and Angel and Eve getting busy in the office. Add in one of the funniest lines in a long time, “Peepee!” for good measure and it was all-good in my book. As for story movement, Spike’s ghostly predicament still wasn’t solved but it wasn’t annoying considering the focus was properly diverted. And in the positive column, Team Angel may have killed some clients (again) but the bloodshed was finally appreciated. Those looking for love connections weren’t forgotten as the “angst-o-meter” was taking some serious readings from the Wes/Fred/Knox triangle. And in a very unexpected development, chipper Eve (Sarah Thompson) may have gotten some Angel loving but she sure didn’t look too happy about it walking out the door of his office. Ok, I’ll bite - now I’m officially intrigued with her. All in all, “Life of the Party” was a worthy continuation of the grand Whedon-verse tradition of Halloween insanity first started on Buffy. I give it... Fun Fact: Was Eve's line, "Angel, it's not like this is the first time I've had sex under a mystical influence. I went to U.C. Santa Cruz," a Joss shout-out to former Buffy executive producer, Marti Noxon? UC Santa Cruz is Marti's alma matter! Review by Staff Writer, Phoenix

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: party) I wasn't too crazy about this thing to begin with. I mean, we are talking about our clients, right? Our evil clients. Not the sort of folks I really like to show a good time. I'd be a lot happier if the whole thing just kind of fell through. Then we could get back to-- Lorne: Ha! Ha! Ha! Ok! Ok! You're killin' me! Can't you just feel up the big picture, Mr. Magoo? It's not about good and evil. It's about party! Party! Capital "p"! Rhymes with "me"? About to have a stroke here 'cause you're killin' me! Lorne: (re: party) Yeah. You know, Angel, I--I don't have have superhuman strength, and I'm not a fighter. Quantum physics makes me nauseous, I barely made a passing grade at mystical studies, but I'm on your team. This is something I can do. I believe it has a purpose that can help you, even if you don't. Lorne: Angel. It's a graveyard out there, and all the guests wanna meet the new guy in charge. Angel: Look, Lorne, I--I--I have things. I'm busy. I'm brooding. Lorne: (sees the television) Oh, you're watching hockey! Angel: Yeah, but my team is losing Angel: (greeting Sebassis) And you look just--well I don't have to tell you how awesome you look. You know how awesome you look. He knows how awesome he looks, right? Fred: I mean, wow. Wes. Wesley. I am totally drunk-faced. Wesley: Because you can't hold your--what are you drinking? Fred: Nothing. Wesley: You can't hold that. Wesley: Hey. Hey, Gunn. Is something weird going on? (looks down) Charles, you just peed on my shoes. Gunn: I'll be damned. That's weird. Spike: (re: Angel and Eve) Hey! Angel's getting some! Good on you, mate! Angel: Wes, Fred, go find Lorne's sleep and figure out a way to put it back in his head. Wesley: Yes, sir. Fred: Done and doner. Angel: Lorne, you just stay tight and try not to, you know, talk. Lorne: Angel, we still got a party going on. Someone has to make sure there's ice in the drinks. Angel: Oh, right. Spike: Ooh, ooh! Me! Me! I'm your people person. Angel: Gunn, go on the floor, see if anyone else is under the Lorne effect. Gunn: Check. Angel: And stop with the-- Gunn: Do my best. Angel: And, Eve, you stay here with me, and we'll have more sex. Harmony: (re: Lorne on the ground) Oh, my God! They shot Lorney-Tunes. Angel: Eve. So I guess we should, I don't know, talk? Eve: About what? Angel: About what happened back there with us. Eve: Angel, it's not like this is the first time I've had sex under a mystical influence. I went to U.C. Santa Cruz. Spike: You pissed in the Big Man's chair? That's fantastic! Gunn: Spike, can you please turn off that warm fuzzy? Spike: What, the Lorne thing? Worn off. I just think that's bloody fabulous. Quotes by Staff Writer, BCangel