Angel - Season 1 impressions (episode 21)

[thalia_seawood]

Blind Date

Click here for a summary.


This episode is much more successful in establishing a character than War Zone. Gunn is a character that has basically no flaws at the moment - I wrote about this here - and this makes it hard for me to care him. But Lindsey! He's full of contradictions. He makes some right decisions, but even more wrong ones - and hey, that's intriguing! Bring on the Lindsey, I say.
The actor who plays Lindsey slightly reminds me of Brad Pitt minus Pitt's cheekbones.

- The moment Lindsey captured my attention is when he is slightly shaken by the blind assassin smiling at him. All of a sudden, he gains an additional dimension. Before this moment he is just slick surface, but in this little scene we see that there are things he finds disquieting.

- So Angel has an intense attack of self doubt... I have to say I couldn't really sympathise with him. If I had been there, I'd have told him to stop wallowing in fake guilt and get on with his mission. Okay, so he wasn't successful this once. Get over it and try again.

- Luckily, Lindsey shows up during Angel's gloomy brooding phase and stirs things up a bit by stating he's here to help. :-)

- The relationship between Lindsey and Angel is interesting. Angel was totally sympathetic of Faith, but in Lindsey's case he couldn't care less. The difference is probably Angel has no reason to trust Lindsey - after all Lindsey earns his money by lying and/or twisting the truth all the time. Another difference is that Faith had a breakdown whereas Lindsey is still very much in control. Actually, I think that it would take a lot until Lindsey lost his cool; remaining a facade of control is a deeply ingrained part of his personality.
So here are three quotes:

Lindsey: "I can't go back in there. Do you understand what that place is?"
Angel: "I'm not sensing a whole lot of resolve here."
Lindsey: "They are constantly watching you. Other companies have drug testing - they have mind-readers. I go back there, they're gonna kill me."
Angel: "That's what we call an acceptable risk. You're panicking right now. You can't believe how bad you let things get. - That's not change. - You have to make a decision to change. That's something you do by yourself. Most people - they never do."
Lindsey: "If I get myself killed, that'll convince you that I've changed."
Angel: "It's a start."

Angel: "Lindsey?"
Wesley: "He's not with you?"
Angel: "No."
Cordy: "That can't be good."
Wesley: "Something must have happened."
Cordy: "You're not going back for him?"
Angel: "If he made it out then he'll be here. If he didn't then there is no reason to go back for him. We have work to do."

Angel: "You always have a choice. I mean, you sold your soul for a fifth-floor office and a company car."
Lindsey: "You think you've got me all figured out? You think you know everything about me?"
Angel: "Everything I need to know."
Lindsey: "What was your father? He was a merchant, right? Linen and silk? Did pretty well? Had a couple of servants until you killed them?"
Angel: "Just the one."
Lindsey: "Well, our files aren't 100 percent, - but I guess it's fair to say that - you've never seen anything like real poverty. I'm talking dirt poor - no shoes - no toilet. Six of us kids in a room, and come flue season it was down to four. - I was seven when they took the house. They just came right in and took it. - And my daddy is being nice, you know? Joking with the bastards while he signs the deed. Yeah, so we had a choice. Either you got stepped on or you got to stepping and I swore to myself that I was not going to be the guy standing there with the stupid grin on my face - while my life got dribbled out..."
Angel: "I'm sorry. I nodded off. Did you get to the part where you're evil?"

The last quote is interesting in so far as it also shows us that Angel still is connected to his former human self, Liam. The comment "Just the one [servant]." echoes neatly Liam's despise for his father who always pretended to be so important and so successful - even though they actually only had a small house and one servant.

And while Angel's reaction to Lindsey's story is very unkind, I can understand it. In fact, I would probably have reacted in a very similar way. Lindsey earns his money with telling lies. So being sympathetic when he tells the classical sob story is asking a bit much at the point. Never mind that the story he tells might very well be true...

- In this episode, I get the feeling that Lilah is guarding secrets of her own.

- Wolfram & Heart is the company from hell: Employees are not only watched by cameras, they even have mind readers. Your collegues are either slimy weasels or utterly ruthless and without any empathy. And, of course, you don't get fired, you get shot... At least their boss doesn't enjoy it - or so he says: Terminating an employee is never pleasant..
Huh. I guess pay is really, really, really good.

- Holland's definition of love is ... different:

Do you believe in love? - I'm not speaking romantically. - I'm talking about that sharp, clear sense of self a man gains - once he's truly found his place in the world. - It's no mean feat, since most men are cowards and just move with the crowd. Very few make their own destinies. They have the courage of their convictions, and they know how to behave in a crisis.

Joss has such a talent for villains. Holland isn't easily classified. In his ruthlessness that's nevertheless driven by strong convictions, he reminds me of the Operative in Serenity.

- What impressed me about Lindsey is that he continues helping Angel even when he basically knows that Holland is aware of what he's doing. He also doesn't break down when Holland talks to him. I think he would be very good at playing poker, because he doesn't offer information or starts babbling when nervous.

- Like the tiny cross over to Buffy with Cordelia talking to Willow on the phone. Willow, of course, is just deciphering the disks Spike gave them.

- Angel and the scroll: Heh. Welcome to the club of Chosen Ones, Angel. :-)

- Lindsey's final decision to stay with Wolfram & Heart:
Fascinating. I was wondering if it might have changed anything if Angel had tried to connect to him. Maybe, but I'm not convinced. At the moment, what Lindsey wants is power and money. He has a conscience that kicks in occasionally and he is willing to risk his life for something he considers right. However, when there's no immediate need for his conscience, he can conveniently tug it away.
It's probably important to note that Lindsey's conscience kicked in when the life of children was at stake.



p.s. Can anyone guide me to some nice Lindsey icons?

Comments

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Ah, good old Lindsers. That was the episode which won him a thousand fans. It certainly made him an interesting character, though what irks me is that there is a certain sentimentality about just what makes hhis conscience kick in. Are the lives of Cordelia and the other girls he had no trouble handing over to Russel Winters in the pilot less worth than those of the children? Does that mean if the children had been teenagers (which Cordelia despite being played by an older actress still is at this point in the timeline) there wouldn't have been a problem?

And while Angel's reaction to Lindsey's story is very unkind, I can understand it. In fact, I would probably have reacted in a very similar way. Lindsey earns his money with telling lies. So being sympathetic when he tells the classical sob story is asking a bit much at the point.

Another thing: somehow, this episode created the fanon Lindsey was abused by his father, either by beatings or sexually. To which I say, huh? We never hear about Lindsey's father again afterwards, so it's really just this dialogue, and what Lindsey says here:

I was seven when they took the house. They just came right in and took it. - And my daddy is being nice, you know? Joking with the bastards while he signs the deed. Yeah, so we had a choice. Either you got stepped on or you got to stepping and I swore to myself that I was not going to be the guy standing there with the stupid grin on my face - while my life got dribbled out...

Doesn't sound like MacDonald Senior was brutal or abusive, more that he was a doormat. If I ever can muster enough motivation for a Lindsey story, I'm going to do something about the plot bunny I have where Lindsey is basically Hal and his father is Falstaff, and Lindsey, after starting college or after getting his place at W&H, has a "I know thee not, old man" moment.

Holland Manners: reminded me of the Mayor most of all. He's fun while he's around, but I can't say I'm sorry for the manner of his eventual demise.*g*

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

Ah, good old Lindsers. That was the episode which won him a thousand fans. It certainly made him an interesting character, though what irks me is that there is a certain sentimentality about just what makes hhis conscience kick in. Are the lives of Cordelia and the other girls he had no trouble handing over to Russel Winters in the pilot less worth than those of the children? Does that mean if the children had been teenagers (which Cordelia despite being played by an older actress still is at this point in the timeline) there wouldn't have been a problem?

Well, I'm not a "I love Lindsey" fan, but I'm "I find him intruiging" fan. Which means I don't feel terrible sorry for his tragic fate, want to rescue and cuddle him and apologize all his faults. :-) In fact, I don't trust him. If he was real, I'd try to interact with him as little as possible.

Another thing: somehow, this episode created the fanon Lindsey was abused by his father, either by beatings or sexually. To which I say, huh?

Huh indeed. I think fandom has a craving for characters that have been abused in the past, so all their faults can explained away and fandom can pet them back to health. - Lindsey definitely shares this fate with Draco Malfoy. - It's a fandom interpretation I'm so not keen on. Especially, since fandom's cure for sexual abuse victims is usually to let them have sex with "the right person". Yeah, I'm sure everything would be just dainty afterwards... *insert heavy irony*

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I think fandom has a craving for characters that have been abused in the past, so all their faults can explained away and fandom can pet them back to health.

Quite. By strange coincidence, this, however, never happens to the Hagrids of this world, but only to the good-looking types.

- Lindsey definitely shares this fate with Draco Malfoy. - It's a fandom interpretation I'm so not keen on.

No kidding. Yes, I know Jason Isaacs plays Lucius as emotionally distant from Draco and with put-downs, but in the books, I never got the impression Malfoy Senior does anything but spoil his son; in either case, seeing sexual abuse signs really comes out of nowwhere. And I was so relieved that HBP presented Narcissa as a devoted mother, thereby negating the fanon of the distant ice queen.

Especially, since fandom's cure for sexual abuse victims is usually to let them have sex with "the right person". Yeah, I'm sure everything would be just dainty afterwards... *insert heavy irony*

Good lord, yes. A big pet peeve of mine where fanfic is concerned. Especially when the sexual abuse and the sexual therapy occurs shortly after another. I mean, people, do any of you want to have sex when you have as much as a migraine or feel sick? Then why on earth would anyone want to have sex after he/she got raped and/or tortured?

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

Quite. By strange coincidence, this, however, never happens to the Hagrids of this world, but only to the good-looking types.

Very true! And when a character comes across as ugly or hardly any descriptions are given, fandom will beautify them. (Just look at all the SilkyHair!Snapes that are often called "Sev" *shudders* and all the Hot&Sexy!Dracoes.)

but in the books, I never got the impression Malfoy Senior does anything but spoil his son;
Oh, he is harsh with him in Chambers of Secrets when we see them in Burgins & Blots together. However, nothing points at sexual or physical abuse: Draco obviously admires his father and is not afraid to ask for what he wants. Lucius does tell his son that he isn't good enough, however. I'm quite sure though that Lucius does love his son and simply wants him to succeed. I see him as stern and sometimes emotionally distant, but not as a bad father. Hey, he takes his son to the Quidditch Worldcup and does get him a super fast broom. :-)

And I was so relieved that HBP presented Narcissa as a devoted mother, thereby negating the fanon of the distant ice queen.
Yes, love that development. I wish we had seen Narcissa briefly in the GoF movie.

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

I think fandom has a craving for characters that have been abused in the past, so all their faults can explained away and fandom can pet them back to health.

Quite. By strange coincidence, this, however, never happens to the Hagrids of this world, but only to the good-looking types.

I just had to share how hard I'm laughing at this --

Lindsey is a character that I find interesting, within the context of certain episodes and arcs where he has a prominent role -- but not very much outside of that, in the sense that Lindsey fangirls (and woobifiers, who are common, as Selena mentions) leave me politely baffled. He is a character I would probably like more if he weren't so popular in fandom (as opposed to characters like say, Riley and Inara, who I get possessive of partly because a lot of people dislike them). But I also think he's kind of a limited character, and that (in my favorite scene in this ep) Holland is right about him -- he'll flail around and make noises about having a conscience, but he'll ultimately see which side his bread is buttered on. It's telling that -- much as in the case of woobifying fangirls -- he only wants to save the CUTE victims (or perhaps the ones he can identify with, which might be even worse).

This reminds me that I need to write my fic about Lilah and Lindsey's first summer in the firm (in which Holland would tell Lilah that he values Lindsey precisely because he has just enough of a conscience to predict what someone with a conscience would do); my view of the difference between L & L is that Lindsey, on some level, thinks he needs the job with W&H, but Lilah knows she doesn't need it, she just wants it. And that makes each of them more dangerous than the other in certain circumstances; anyway, I find Holland much more interesting than either of them, at this point in the game (though notice I have a few Lilah icons and no Lindseys, so that should tell you something :))

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

Obviously, I don't know much about Lindsay or Lilah yet - and I also know nothing about how they were viewed by fandom. I will see how my feelings develop.

Just so much: I'm not a Lindsey defender. His morals are *very* skewed. What kind of excuse is it to say: My family was poor, my dad was a doormate - so of course, I wanted money and fame and don't give shite about others - until they're little kids.

What I do find intriguing is that he goes through with things even when it doesn't seem wise. He has a certain courage.

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

I just posted a short piece about Lilah and Lindsey (it spoils a detail about Lilah's personal life, but nothing particularly momentous or surprising; everything else is entirely made up by me :))

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link!

[spikendru.livejournal.com]

I think that's what I find so fascinating about Lindsey - that his morals are very skewed. He's a wild card and unpredictable and I love gray characters. Lindsey seems to be looking for validation of some sort from Angel, and certainly doesn't find it in this ep. Angel "helps the helpless" and he doesn't view Lindsey as helpless at all - in fact, he reminds Lindsey tht Lindsey made the choices that brought him to W&H. Angel identifies with Faith in a way that he doesn't with Lindsey. I've often wondered if that is because Faith is female, which brings out Angel's feelings of protectiveness, while he simply sees Lindsey as a threat without the ability to truly change. I wonder if he would have reacted differently if Lindsey had been female?

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

I wonder if he would have reacted differently if Lindsey had been female?

That's an interesting question. Angel does have a gallant streak and can be more forgiving towards ladies. On the other hand, he certainly doesn't hold back with Darla, Drusilla or Lilah. So perhaps he simply recognizes that Faith is close to her breaking point when she shows up whereas Lindsey really isn't.