Review of Episode 6, Season 5 "The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco" “The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco” is an excellent example of an Angel episode that comes across as deceptively simple yet as the narrative progresses it builds into a story of great depth with far reaching implications. Directed and written by Jeffrey Bell, “Numero Cinco” nicely (and sure, bizarrely) parallels Angel’s increasing detachment with his destiny with the similar tale of a once champion Mexican Luchador (played well by an always masked Danny Mora) also looking for redemption from his past. It’s a poignant tale that explores the issues of heroism, purpose and the hopelessness that can creep into a lonely psyche that ends up being a slightly goofy but deeply affecting offering. David Boreanaz does an exceptional job this outing expressing the melancholy that has enveloped Angel since his decision to give up Connor and take over W&H. Sure, Angel has always brooded but this season he is also distinctly disconnected from his work and the entire gang sees it. This “disconnect” is ably explored in tender and natural conversations between Angel and Gunn, Angel and Wesley, and Fred and Spike giving the majority of the cast some worthy screen time – even Lorne has a nice moment with Fred. There is some great use of show history this episode including the sly flashback showing former W&H baddie Holland Manners drafting Numero Cinco into a life of mail sorting at the evil law firm (check out the business card!). There's also the very interesting conversation with a bitter Angel confronting a confused Wes with the “The Father Will Kill the Son” prophecy. Want to bet that outburst is going to lead to no good down the road for Angel? And then there are the continued discussions about the Shanshue prophecy and exactly which souled vampire it’s meant for – Angel or Spike? Plenty of meaty issues to be explored in the near future. Lastly, Bell gets a lot of respect for his seamless weaving of the interesting Luchador mythology into the show. Who knew Mexican wrestling would ever make an effective metaphor? He doesn’t play it cheesy instead allowing the wrestling brothers to give the show a spice of fun but also some resonant history. Coupled with an excellent Spanish guitar dominated score by Rob Kral, nicely realized flashbacks and some lovely, lyric camera work, “Numero Cinco” made for a surprisingly unique and mature story. I give it... 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: I know, I'm just...I don't know, just feeling a bit... Spike: Squishy? Angel: Disconnected. Spike: Are you serious? Here you are, finally living a piece of the high life--new clothes, new cars, my old tumble fetching you tasty snacks--and what's your gripe? "I feel disconnected." You want to feel disconnected, try being a bloody ghost for a bit. Try bobbin' around with no touch or taste or smell. Not many fates worse than that, I'd wager. (Number 5 walks past with mail cart) Ok, maybe that. Spike: Hey! Fred! Did ya hear? Angel attacked the old mail guy. Angel: What?! Fred: Not Number 5? You didn't hurt him? Angel: No. I--he attacked me. Wesley: We should find him. Spike: Absolutely. Wanna buy him a pint. Bloody made my day. Lorne: Once the word spreads you beat up an innocent old man, well, the truly terrible will think twice before going toe-to-toe with our Avenging Angel. Spike: Yes. The geriatric community will be soiling their nappies when they hear you're on the case. Bravo. Gunn: Still not sure why Blondie Ghost tagged along. Spike: Not much choice really, is there? Can't drink, smoke, diddle my willy. Doesn't leave much to do other than watch you blokes stumble around playing Agatha Christie. Wesley: Yeah, remind me again how you ended up in the front seat. Spike: Called shotgun, mate. Wesley: Oh. (pulls up a shotgun) I thought we were doing a weapons check. (moments later) Angel, the church we're looking for is about half a mile... (Angel suddenly spins the car around in a 180) Spike: Always was a bit of a drama queen. Angel: The reason why I know this Aztec demon is not eating the hearts of heroes is... He didn't take mine. Am I honestly supposed to believe that it had no problem sticking a sword in my stomach but then decided, "Oh wait, his heart's not heroic enough?" Ha! I don't think so. Wesley: I understand you're feeling rejected. But this Aztec warrior... it wants the hearts for sustenance. It wants it for the meat, not the metaphor. Angel: What are you saying? Gunn: As meat goes, your heart's a dried-up hunk of gnarly-ass beef jerky. Angel: Yeah, but, stick a piece of wood in it, and I still die. Wesley: Spike says you no longer believe in the Shanshu prophecy. Angel: [sighs] Of course not. Prophecies are nonsence. You know that. Oh, come on, Wes, after everything we've seen in the past couple of years? "The Father Will Kill The Son." Wesley: What are you talking about? Angel: Look, we're getting the work done. As long as I keep doing what I do, doesn't matter if I believe in the Shanshu or any other prophecy. Wesley: I'm sorry, Angel, but nothing matters more. Hope: it's the only thing that will sustain you, that will keep you from ending up like Number 5. Wesley: (re: talisman) Is there a drawing of it? Gunn: Negative. All I know is that it's gold, about the size of a quarter, and has the sun and some other spooky mumbo-jumbo carved into it. Angel: (realizes he saw the talisman at the home of Number 5 and rushes off without a word) Spike: Oh, see! Drama queen. Angel: (re: Hermanos fighting) We're trying to kill it, not pin it! (they stake the demon by each limb to the ground with pikes) Ok. Pinning works. Quotes by Staff Writer, BCangel