Review of Episode 10, Season 5 "SOUL PURPOSE" “Soul Purpose” is a return to the shocking plot threads left dangling in the episode, “Destiny,” picking right up with Angel experiencing some potent residual ‘issues’ stemming from his ugly fight with Spike. Angel is rocked to the core by the idea of Spike usurping his expected destiny and those insecurities are literally and bizarrely played out over a series of fever dreams induced by his enemies. Said baddies just happen to be Lindsey and Eve, who are working behind the scenes to lessen Angel in the eyes of the Senior Partners. As directed by David Boreanaz and written by Angel script coordinator Brent Fletcher, “Soul Purpose” recalls shades of the classic Buffy episode, “Restless,” but where that episode was all about symbolism, this outing deftly weaves both the surreal and the real in an impressive and most satisfying way. Flights of fancy mix with an intriguing mystery unfolding that was engaging from start to finish. We are finally clued into some of the voodoo Lindsey and Eve are working from behind the curtain and a big pawn in their game is the compass-less Spike. The platinum blonde is without his girl, a place to live, or a purpose until Lindsey, calling himself “Doyle,” coerces Spike into taking Angel’s place helping the helpless of Los Angeles. Referencing Angel’s old partner from the first season is a brilliant play on the history of the show and a welcome tip of the hat for long-time fans. Of course, Spike's spin on the champion role, complete with his snark and castigations leveled at his saved victims, made the familiar path seem fresh. It’s also great to see Christian Kane back in the mix – regardless of just how evil he may or may not be at this point. On the other end of the narrative spectrum, Fletcher’s wacky hallucinations rattling around in Angel’s psyche were an absurdist’s dream. From “Carmen Miranda Harmony,” to Fred’s Python-esque surgery of Angel’s innards, the dappled castle and apocalypse sight gags outside the W&H window, all the way to the guy in the bear suit, the dream sequences were hilarious, haunting and surprisingly emotional all at once. Who didn’t want to hug poor Angel in his short tie and belted dungarees as he sadly walked to his mail cart? (which was a great parallel to Numero Cinco’s fate as well). Other highlights included, Wes and Gunn’s visit to Spike and the particularly sinister vibe they were suddenly emitting. Their time at the law firm is certainly having a marked effect on the boys. And a big shout out to the writers for keeping Spike’s particular ability to see right through people’s bull and calling them out on it. It’s a character trait that has always been singular to the vamp and one that looks like it will be of great use as the season progresses. David Boreanaz deserves major kudos for not only making an impressive directorial debut, but balancing it with a great performance too. As for the episode, “Soul Purpose” is crammed with so many visual and textual layers that it just begs for repeated viewings to catch all of the jokes, arc implications and foreshadowing that lie within. I can’t wait to watch it again. 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!

Gunn: (Re: Warlock) We open a can of Machiavelli on his ass. Harmony: It's Matchabelli, Einstein, and it doesn't come in a can. Young Woman: Thank you! Thank you! That thing was gonna kill me! Spike: Well, what do you expect? Out alone in this neighborhood? I got half a mind to kill you myself, you half-wit. Young Woman: What?! Spike: I mean, honestly, what kind of retard wears heels like that in a dark alley? Take 2 steps, break your bloody ankle. Young Woman: I was just trying to get home. Spike: Well, get a cab, you moron. And on the way, if a stranger offers you candy, don't get in the van! Stupid cow. Wesley: Fred, doesn't the Wolfram & Hart satellite have lethal capability? Fred: What? Wesley: I mean, couldn't we eliminate a target from the air, untraceably? Fred: Well, we do have an orbital-range microwave cannon up there. Focuses the satellite's communication signals into a pinpoint beam. It can raise the temperature of the targeted area 1,000 degrees in less than 5 seconds. So, yeah, in theory, we could. That is, if we did that sort of thing. (to Angel) Do we do that sort of thing? Spike: My heart. It's...it's beating again! Listen! Fred: You're human, Spike! You're alive! Gunn: I wanna hear! Wesley: Let's hear it for Spike! Group: Hip, hip, horray! Hip, hip, horray! Hip, hip, horray! Whoo! Wesley: Sounds like you've been busy. We're getting reports of a vigilante who matches your description. Spike: Yes...that's what you people do, isn't it? You get reports, and you sign checks, you read memos. Here's to the corporate teat. How'd you find me? Gunn: Wasn't too hard. Put a couple of our psychics on it this afternoon. Wesley: One of the advantages of the corporate teat. Fred: Hey, Harmony, um...any word from Angel? Harmony: Oh. Haven't heard a peep. Fred: Maybe we should call him, check in? Harmony: Act like we care? Good plan! Angel: Playing your own game here? What do you think the Partners' will do to you after they find out about your little extracurricular activies? Eve: So things aren't going your way, and you're looking for someone outside your little circle to blame. Here's a thought. Maybe you should try looking inward...unless you don't like what you see. Quotes by Staff Writer, BCangel