Review of Episode 14, Season 5 "Smile Time" If you thought Angel in a submarine was an out there idea, then how about Angel as a puppet? "Smile Time" as conceived by Ben Edlund and Joss Whedon is equal parts creepy, disturbing, ingenious and flat-out hilarious. The initial sight of David Boreanaz done in miniature and felt from his spiky hair down to his perennial frown was a genuine laugh-out-loud moment and it never stopped topping itself from there. What could have been a one-joke episode instead worked marvelously while managing to have an actual plot and progressing the seasonal arc as well. The concept of devil-possessed puppets sucking the innocence from children is delightfully subversive and sick as to be expected from Edlund who's bizarre humor, Tick fans have come to know and love. While it was dark and the images of the frozen smiles on paralyzed children was truly wicked, the episode was also an extremely sly commentary on the state of television in general. There were some excellent smacks at the networks and their "edutainment" ways. Of course, for those that love the low-brow humor (oh, me!) there were cussing puppets, felt flying in puppet battles and even an Angel Vamp Puppet. Does it get any better than that, I ask? It was also a pleasure to see David Fury back in front of the camera playing the sad puppet-master no more. Meanwhile, there was some very interesting progression for Gunn. While, we've seen for a while how corrupted he has become, his regression back to "Street-Gunn" put Gunn at a literal crossroads. Sadly, his all too willing decision to basically sell his morals to keep his new personality is bad, bad mojo just waiting to happen. And finally, Fred sees the light known as Wesley and grabs him for a pretty kiss and a very blatant "sign." It's great to see the duo finally come together, which for sure means pain must be following close behind. Lastly, there was the return of Nina from "Unleashed." She brought out a nice romantic and vulnerable side to Angel that is great to see explored again. As the Smile Time song said, it's all about self-esteem and...wee puppet men. 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: Wes, it wasn't just breakfast. You know, it was, uh...breakfast. I mean, here we had this very good, very platonic thing going on, and then all of a sudden, out of the blue-- Wesley: Are you blind? Angel, there are things called signals. Odorless, yes. Invisible, certainly. But unmistakable, like the ones she's been casting your way for months. Angel: No. I would have noticed-- Wesley: This isn't just from me. This comes from people who know. This comes from the ladies. Angel: The ladies? Wesley: Fred, Harmony...the girls in transcription. As Harmony put it, "While else would a chick who's coming to spend 3 nights in a jail cell dress like it's her first date?" Angel: Oh, God. The ladies are right. Angel: Wes, it's not gonna happen. Wesley: Why? Angel: Because I'm not that guy. That guy is charming and funny and...emotionally useful. I'm the guy in the dark corner with the blood habit and the 200 years of psychic baggage. Wesley: Get over it! Angel: Why are you yelling at me? Wesley: Because! Angel...if there's a woman out there...who you find truly attractive, who you think about, let's say, most of the time, who represents even part of what you think makes the world worth fighting for, and who doesn't view you as an entirely sexless shoulder to lean on...you have to do something about it. Fred: Oh my God! Angel, you're...cute! Angel: Fred, don't! Fred: Oh, but the little hands! And the hair... Angel: Hey! You're fired. Spike: Hello, big guy! Need another car. Afraid this last one ended up in the drink... Angel: Spike... Spike: Look at you. Angel: Just turn around and walk away. Spike: You're a-- Angel: Spike! Spike: You're a bloody puppet! (Angel tackles Spike through the door and brawls with him) You're a wee, little puppet man! Gunn: C'mon Lorne. We're through talking to this hump of garbage. Framkin: Uph, no name-calling at Smile Time. Lorne: Bad person! Framkin: Bye-bye now. Lorne: My little Prince. (Angel groans) Ohh...what did they do to you? Angel: Nina...tried to...eat me. Lorne: Oh, you're--medic! You're gonna make it Angel. Just don't stop fighting. Doctor! Is there a Geppetto in the house?! Wesley: The object you described in that secret room is most likely a repository for the children's life force. We'll have to break the binding magic on it. Fred: Which should free those children and...reverse your puppet problem. Angel: (Angel scurries over and hugs Fred's waist) I love you guys. Fred: You're just gonna go, aren't you? Wesley: Fred-- Fred: Haven't you been...sensing anything lately...about me...coming from me? Wesley: Uh... Fred: Didn't occur to you that...something might have changed? That--I'm looking at you in a different--oh, screw it. (kisses Wesley) Wesley: Um... Fred: That was a signal. OK? Is that...clear enough for you? Wesley: Not even close. (he kisses her passionately) Quotes by Staff Writer, BCangel