Review of Episode 19, Season 5 "Time Bomb" How do you solve a problem like Illyria? "Time Bomb," written by Ben Edlund poses the problem of trying to integrate the belligerent, confused and frighteningly powerful ex-God into Team Angel when she obviously doesn't belong in this world. She’s been skulking about Wolfram & Hart without much of a purpose for the last three episodes under Wesley's supervision. Meanwhile the gang, splintered and still spinning from the repercussions of the last few episodes, have had little time to invest in the blue wonder so the task of babysitting has been Wes and Spike's pastime. In their separate observations, they have been able to piece together bits of who this woman is, but the role she is to play in their lives remains a mystery. This week the situation comes to a head for Illyria when she inexplicably starts jumping through time, setting off a violent chain of events that cause the cranky Old One to become downright paranoid and murderous as she desperately tries to cling to any shred of control she can in this world. In a familiar sci fi staple storyline, Illyria pops in and out of the past and future dragging Angel in her wake causing paradoxes and multiple outcomes that eventually merge into the best outcome for everyone involved. While it may be confusing at times and feel a bit overdone, Edlund infuses some interesting twists including a Matrix-style battle that ends in a shocker of an alternate outcome for the gang well-worth seeing, if not believing. The episode really belongs to Amy Acker, who deserves a wealth of praise for making something of this storyline and character. While it may have been gutsy for Joss to kill off Fred and have Amy assume a new character, Illyria is sadly a casualty of circumstance that is hard to overlook. With the cancellation of the series, there are only seven brief episodes in which to explore this character and it's achingly clear that just isn't enough time to do her justice. The writers have done a valiant job giving Illyria a slew of canny, hilarious and/or breathtakingly deep observations on our world and Amy's precise, otherworldly performance has made her so engaging, and rife with potential, yet she still sticks out like a glaring oddity in this endgame of the season. Given time, like another season, she most certainly would have grown into mattering as much as the others, but she rings hollow at this stage of the game. On the other hand, her presence has certainly given Alexis Denisof a lot to play with all of a sudden. Wesley is dissolving into a withering package of sorrow, hysteria, paranoia and now, even a tinge of insanity. If you thought Wes was dark before, this season has him hitting rock bottom to such an extent you can’t help wondering if Wesley will see any light in the tunnel to make it worth carrying on. It’s masterful work from the actor as he continues to see Wesley down paths never imagine when he first joined the show. J. August also gets some great space this episode showing Gunn return to the fold, as well as himself. Gone are the suits; back are the street clothes and more importantly, his conscience. He was lured by what W&H had to offer, and ate of the forbidden fruit with devastating consequences but Gunn hasn’t been beaten. His compass is back and he is a better man for his sins - one that will be sorely needed in the fight to come. And it's interesting that the lesson of this piece comes from the mouth of Illyria when she says to Angel, "To win a war, serve no master but your ambition." It's a lesson that Angel takes to heart at the end in a way that seems to ensure the darkness has overtaken him too, but maybe he's really just taking the fight to the source. 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!

Wesley: (re: Illyria saving Gunn) I doubt this poses a risk to her. She has the power of a god. Angel: She has the ego of a god. Wesley: She was ruler of the world, after all. This sort of thing goes to one's head. Angel: Apparently. Wesley: I stabbed you. I should apologize for that. But I'm honestly not sure how. I think it'll just be awkward. Gunn: Good call. Wesley: Ok. Illyria: This shell...you had affection for it. For Fred. Spike: Tons. Loved the bird. Illyria: Yet you strike at her form without sentiment. Spike: You ain't her. I can see it. Lord knows I can smell it. And I got no problem hittin' it. Angel: If this is our chance to get into a better grace with the head office, I have to say it's not my priority. Hamilton: Oh, no, don't think about us, Angel. Think about profits. It's profits that let you keep this plucky little boat-load of good above water. It's a business, boys, not a batcave. Lorne: Well, I'll tell you what--still like him better than Eve. Fred: I wanted to bring back Fred. Illyira: And destroy me. Fred: As an unavoidable consequence. Does it sting you...my betrayal? Illyira: Betrayal was a neutral word in my day. As unjudged a word as water or breeze. No. Or perhaps...I am only bothered because I am bothered. Wesley: That sounds very close to human. Illyira: Motes of dust. Mayflies who die so soon after they're born they might as well not live at all. Wesley: Now, now. Manners. Hamilton: Curing cancer, Mr. Wyndam-Pryce? Wesley: Wouldn't be cost-effective. I'm sure we make a lot from cancer. Hamilton: Heh, yes. The patent holder is a client. Illyira: Do you know what you were when I was young? You were the muck at our feet. We called you the ooze that eats itself. You were pretty at night. You sparkled, and you stank. You still stink of it! Angel: Will you just shut up for once?! Illyira: What? Angel: My God, the speechifying. Has it ever occured to you that now might not be the best time for when-we-were-muck stories? Illyira: You ask me to allow you to murder me. Spike: It's not murder if you say yes. Illyira: (the energy begins to explode from her) I blame this on the weakness of your species. Wesley: Fair enough. (he fires the gun. Illyira falls to the ground) Illyria... Illyira: Touch me and die, vermin. Spike: Not a very dramatic difference, really. Wesley: Everything is different. Wesley: (re: Illyria) I'm not in love with this thing, Angel. But...for some reason, I need it right now. Angel: Yeah. That's just weird. Wesley: I know. Angel: Gunn. The baby belongs to the Fell. Gunn: What? She hasn't signed anything. There's nothing on paper. Angel: Gentlemen. Gunn: Angel. What are you doing? Angel: What we're supposed to. Serve our clients. Quotes by Staff Writer, BCangel