Review of Episode 7, Season 5 "Lineage" Those lamenting the lack of quality Wesley screen time this season on Angel surely had no complaints this week in the Wes-centric episode, “Lineage.” In ex-Buffy scribe Drew Goddard’s first episode for the series, he served up a powerful tale that highlighted the cumulative changes of Wesley over five seasons and gave the superb Alexis Denisof plenty of time to shine brightly. The many facets of Wes from the bumbling, unsure man of season one to the dark, brutal man of last season were present providing a layered look at this complex man. Add to it the expert weaving of show history, including that of Wes, Spike, Angel and even some Buffy references, along with some really clever laughs and it made for an excellent outing. It was nice to finally see the dynamics of the Wyndam-Pryce men (which was alluded to way back in "Sanctuary") even if it was ultimately a ruse based in fact; it went far in showing the issues of self-doubt that Wes still deeply harbors. Alexis ably carried the episode from his uber-cool double fisted shoot-out in the tease through his wonderfully awkward conversations with his “father” (played by the exceptional Roy Dotrice) to the goose bump inducing face off on the roof. Speaking of which, it’s been some time since we’ve witnessed a more powerful, startling and emotionally resonant moment as when Wes unloads his clip like an crazed assassin only to quietly walk away and give into the gut-wrenchingly human act of being physically sickened by his actions. A stand-out moment for the character and the series. While this was definitely Wesley’s show, there was also an excellent and important altercation between the ever-so mysterious Eve (Sarah Thompson) and Spike in the W&H elevator. GhostySpike calls Little Miss Liaison out on her less than subtle interest in his continued skills at becoming corporeal but she zings it right back at him letting him chew on the fact that maybe the amulet may not have been meant for Angel at all. It was a tasty confrontation just dripping with potential and implications. A small quibble with this episode was the continuation of the forced triangle existing between Wes, Fred and lab-boy Knox. Witnessing the extent to which Wes is willing to protect and love Fred should have made for a more dramatic resolution for those darn kids and instead it just fizzled back to the status quo. Yet there was much resolution between Angel and Wes in the end, with the leaders reestablishing their bond of trust and understanding of what it takes to lead. The Head Boy is doing just fine, after all. 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!

Fred: What hit that guy? Wesley: Not sure. (jumps out with two guns blazing) Fred: (sarcastic) Yes, thank you, Wesley. I'd love a gun. Eve: (re: Wesley) Willing to risk anything...or anyone...for the greater good. Look, hey...I'm just asking. Could it be there's another reason you're getting so mad at him about this? Mmm...stealing your son, for instance? Angel: We don't talk about my son. Roger: Your name's proven to be a point of contention. There is some who believe that your tenure as watcher ranks as our most embarrassing failure. Wesley: Really? I beat out everybody dying in an explosion as most embarrassing failure. Fred: (re: cyborg) This thing really blurs the line between human and robot. Spike: Aha! So you're not ruling out that a human being could've boffed a robot. (silence) Sex with robots is more common than most people think. Spike: (re: Roger) Daddy, eh? I always though Wesley was grown in some sort of greenhouse for dandies. Roger: Spike. Spike: You've heard of me? Roger: No, we've met. 1963, my colleagues and I fell upon you slaughtering an orphanage in Vienna. Killed 2 of my men before you escaped. Spike: Oh...how've you been? (silence. Spike walks away) Angel: What happened? Spike: I can explain. Apparently, when Percy here was younger, he used to be known as "Head Boy." Angel: Yeah, I already knew that. Spike: Right. I have nothing else to report. Eve: (the lights go off in the elevator) That's odd. Spike: I know what this is. You'll never take me to Hell, Pavayne! (emergency lights turn on) Oh. Well, that's just something I say, when, uh...it gets dark. Wesley: You went to a lot of trouble to get this staff. You had us attacked, you smuggled in a weapon, you brought in an army so you could escape. I don't know why you're doing all this, but did you ever once consider there might be another way? Did you ever once consider talking to me about it? Roger: No. You've failed me enough for one lifetime. Angel: (re: enemies) They're all trying to bring us down. The perception is that we're weak. Wesley: No. The perception is that I'm weak. That's why they went for me. Angel: They're wrong. You do what you have to do to protect the people around you. To do what you know is right, regadless of the cost. You know, I never really understood that. You're the guy who makes all the hard decisions, even if you have to make 'em alone. Angel: You know...I killed my actual Dad. It was one of the first things I did when I became a vampire. Wesley: I hardly see how that's the same situation. Angel: Yeah. I didn't really think that one through. Spike: Heard what happened up top, offing your dad and all. Don't know if you know this, but, uh...I killed my mum. Actually, I'd already killed her, and then she tried to shag me, so I had to-- Wesley: Thank you. (holds up his hands) I'm...very comforted. Wesley: If you're here to tell me about how you killed your parents...perhaps it could wait for another time. Fred: What? No. They're fine. Fred: Part of you knew. Even if you can't admit it to yourself, part of you knew it wasn't him. Wesley: No. I was sure it was him. You were there. I killed my father. Fred: He was threatening your friends. Wesley: He was threatening you. He pointed a gun at you, Fred...so I shot him. Quotes by Staff Writer, BCangel