Angel - Season 2 impressions (episode 16)

[thalia_seawood]

Epiphany

For a summary click here.


- Angel, Darla and their morning-after scene.

Darla: "Yes. - But I *was* going to kill you tonight. Take you out of this world the same way I brought you into it. But I didn't have to. You gave yourself over so completely, Angelus. I felt you surrender."
[...]
Angel: "I am sorry, Darla."
Darla shaking her head harder: "No..."
Angel: "You saved me. Sorry I couldn't do the same for you."
Darla: "Let go of me! (Pulls her hand free and backs away) You still have a soul."
[...]
Darla: "You're not evil. I-I don't understand. - Was I... Was it... not good? (Lets out a short laugh) Well, I don't accept that. You can not tell me that wasn't perfect. Not only have I been around for four hundred years, but I used to do this professionally. And *that* was perfect. (Grabs his arm and tries to drag him back to bed) We'll go again."
Angel pulls free and gets up, backing away.
Angel: "No. No. We can't. You know we can't. - We're finished."
Darla: "Finished? Why? What, because you suddenly decide? You know an hour ago you wanted this. You weren't tricked into anything. I didn't seduce you. You *wanted* it!"
Angel: "Yeah. And it *was* perfect, Darla. - It was perfect despair."
Darla just stares at him.
Angel, no longer looking at her: "And you were the reason. You've always been the reason. You were the thing that made me what I am, and - I thought - if I could save you, I'd somehow - save myself, but - but I was wrong. And when I failed..."
Darla: "Stop it!"
Angel: "When I *failed*, you saved me. And I have to thank you for that. There is nothing I can do for you now, Darla. I can't even hate you."
Darla: "You knew this would happen, didn't you? You made me trust you! - You made me believe!"
[...]
Angel: "You did me a favor tonight. Now I'm gonna do one for you. Get dressed and get out. Because the next time I see you I will have to kill you."
Angel turns and walks out as Darla stares after him.

Let's just say Angel is not the type of man with who you would want to spend the morning after.
So far his track record is really bad: One night with Buffy and he loses his soul and takes great delight in telling Buffy it was good, but nothing special. Sleeping with Buffy again and he decides to turn back time without even consulting her. Sleeping with Darla and telling her he feels nothing for her.

The interesting thing is that this is in character with his human life: Liam is introduced to us as a heartbreaker. He enjoys seducing women and from what we hear drops them afterwards. (William is introduced as his perfect opposite: He's the man who gets his heart broken by the woman he loves. From what I've seen so far, this pattern is repeated even after his death.)

Sleeping with Darla was for Angel an act of self-hatred and an attempt at self-destruction.
The irony is that he could have found happiness if Darla if she had not become a vampire again.
What really makes me sad is that Darla who always takes such pride in her inner strength gets totally broken here. She claims that she came to kill Angel, but I'm not convinced she would have gone through with it. My feeling is that she tries to establish her ruthlessness here, make Angel see that they may be lovers, but that she's still his sire - despite of all that happened in between. When Darla says You made me trust you. You made me believe. you can see how much she feels for Angel.
Darla doesn't have a soul, but in this scene is much more human than Angel.

- Angel rescues Kate:
I wasn't convinced that Kate would live, so I was very glad to see that Angel managed to save her just in time.
As Kate and Angel both have similar problems and character arcs, Angel rescuing Kate signals that things will get better for them now.

I had thought Angel entering Kate's department without her invitation was a mistake on the writers' part, but this topic is brought up by Kate later on in this episode.
My own theory would be that Kate did invite Angel when she left a message on his answering machine which was a cry for help after all. I think she wanted to be rescued by him, so it makes sense that he can enter her apartment to do just that.

- Darla and Lindsey:

Lindsey: "Darla, what's wrong? (Sees the ring) What is this? (Takes it from her) Where did you get this?"
Darla shrugs: "What's the difference? Doesn't work anyway."
Lindsey: "No, of course it doesn't work, because after Angel stole it there was a disenchanting ceremony. It took half the meeting. How did you get this?"
Darla after a beat: "It was my payment."
Lindsey swallows: "Your payment? What are you talking about?"
Darla: "What do you *think* I'm talking about, Lindsey?"
Lindsey: "I don't know!"
She just looks at him and after a beat he turns away. Stares down at the ring then back at her with a frown.
Lindsey: "What happened?"
Darla: "Nothing. - Nothing happened. - My god, nothing at all."
Lindsey: "Tell me. I have to know."
Darla: "You want details, Lindsey? Is that what you want?"
Lindsey: "Yes. I want details. - I need to know everything. All of it. - What did he do to you?"

This scene shows how strongly Darla is affected by what has happened. Her behaviour reminds me of the way she acted after she was made human, once again she's drifting and nothing makes sense or has meaning any longer. I believe that even as a prostitute she was in control of what happened. It seems the night with Angel is the first time that she actually felt used by someone.

Lindsey plays the part of the jealous lover, though like selenak I can see no indication that Lindsey ever slept with Darla. I get the feeling that he wants to possess Darla, but doesn't love her. Making her retell everything will not make her happier, it's for Lindsey's benefit only. He can't bear to be excluded in any way.

- The conversation between Lorne and Angel:

Angel: "I'm still not sure I understand what happened."
Host: "What's to understand? You think you're the first guy who ever rolled over, saw what was lying next to him and went 'Guyeah!' And you're not. Believe me. - It's called a moment of clarity, my lamb. And you've just had one. Sort of appalling, ain't it? To see just exactly where you've gotten yourself?"

Excuse me?! Really hate it that Lorne talks as if Darla is just some woman Angel had random sex with. It was much more than that and Lorne's advice here is extremely simplistic.
(But then he doesn't give good advice all that often, so I shouldn't be surprised.)

Angel: "I don't know how to get back."
Host: "Well, that's just the thing. You don't. You go on to the new place. Whatever that is."

Okay, this is actually good advice. It's not possible to undo what you did, but it is possible to try to do better from now on. Focusing on your guilt for the rest of your life, will not accomplish anything.

Angel after a beat: "I don't know if I can. - I-I've done - things. - Questionable things."
Host: "Yes, you have. But-but you didn't kill those lawyers, Angel. That was slated to happen with or without you. The Powers were just trying to work it so it'd be without you, that's all. You weren't much help in that department were you, Sparky?"

Here Lorne has lost me again. I guess if he talked to Anakin Skywalker after he has killed the Jedi younglings, he would tell him that this was fated to have happened anyway, so not to worry. Move on, Anakin, my little chickadee, all will be well.

Yes, Angel didn't kill the lawyers directly, but not only did he not help them, he even locked them in the room with Darla and Dru. I may understand why he acted in that way, but nevertheless it's wrong. And telling him he isn't truly responsible for what happened, is a cheap way out.
I can understand some of the things Faith did, but she is still responsible for them! Here we get some actual resolution when Faith goes to prison. Now Angel might be a pretty boring show if Angel stayed in prison for the next seasons, but I don't want to see his actions condoned like this.

- Cordy finding the bodies of the Sharp family.
Odd that noone ever comments on the fact that they made a mess of helping the Sharp family. Wouldn't Wesley at least feel guilty that he didn't know the demons would come back to avenge their spawn? If they had read something like this beforehand, they could have guarded the Sharp family.

- Wesley is so pleased to see Angel again and so afraid to show it.
Their interaction is so interesting: Angel tries to bond with Wesley again and actually praises him. Wesley is understandably holding back his feelings, but getting a compliment from Angel makes him happy. (Angel: "Yeah, you were always so good with your books. Made it looks so easy. When it isn't.")

- Wesley and Gunn bonding in front of Angel made me laugh out loud. So nice to see they have become good friends and have so much respect for one another.

Gunn: "I was passing by. Saw the lights was on. Besides, I work here."
Wesley: "But - I thought you'd gone."
Gunn: "Gone? Well, yeah, gone, but that don't mean I wasn't coming back! (Looks at Angel) What, you didn't think I was gonna abandon you like this guy, did you?"
Angel looks down.
Wesley, smiling: "No. Certainly not."
Gunn and Wesley exchange an elaborate handshake ritual.
Gunn: "Come on, English! You know you my man!"
Angel: "So, ah, I see you guys have bonded."
Gunn: "Happens when you fight shoulder to shoulder."
Wesley: "Or rather hip to shoulder these days."
Gunn: "This man took a bullet for me!"
Wesley: "Ah, it was nothing!"
They do the handshake ritual again.

- Lindsey trying to kill Angel is the action of an obsessed man. Am not really impressed by it, because he doesn't do it to make Darla feel better, he does it because Angel took something he wanted to have and then tossed it away.
I wasn't surprised that Darla just left him. She only stayed with him because he was convenient and offered some distraction.

- Angel rescuing his friends:
I was very glad the team is back together. I also enjoy observing a rather insecure Angel who doesn't know how to connect with his former friends again.
It's also interesting that he wants to work for the team and doesn't expect them to fall back in line behind him any longer. I think that's a pretty big step for him.

- I *really* liked the scene between Angel and Kate.

Angel: "[...]In the greater scheme or the big picture, nothing we do matters. There's no grand plan, no big win."
Kate: "You seem kind of chipper about that."
Angel: "Well, I guess I kinda - worked it out. If there is no great glorious end to all this, if - nothing we do matters, - then all that matters is what we do. 'cause that's all there is. What we do, now, today. - I fought for so long. For redemption, for a reward - finally just to beat the other guy, but... I never got it."
Kate: "And now you do?"
Angel: "Not all of it. All I wanna do is help. I wanna help because - I don't think people should suffer, as they do. Because, if there is no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness - is the greatest thing in the world."
[...]
Kate: "I'm okay. - Anyway, I'm *not* headed towards another pillathon. - I'm very grateful. - I never thought you'd come for me, but... I got cut a huge break and I believe... - I don't know what I believe, but I - have - faith. - I think maybe we're not alone in this."
Angel: "Why?"
Kate: "Because I never invited you in."


To sum up my impressions:
I liked Angel getting back together with Cordy, Wes and Gunn. I like it that their friendship is still strained.
I feel very sorry for Darla. However, Angel's behaviour towards her is in character. So while I don't approve of how he treats her, it still fits.
I hate Lorne's comment regarding the death of the lawyers. I'm not sure we will ever see that Lorne's advice was wrong. I'm afraid this scene is due to bad work on the writers' part.

Comments

[spikeylover.livejournal.com]

I think you are the only person I have read who has ever made that point about Angel being a heartbreaker and showed exactly how that was. (and the William/Soike thing too) Applause Applause.

About Angel's soul, sue me, but I dont see how he could lose the thing knowing now that if he gets a happy, he will turn into Angelus..

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm really happy to have discovered something new. *big smile*

And word about the other thing. Could only see it happen if happiness sneaked up on him.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Let's just say Angel is not the type of man with who you would want to spend the morning after.

Nope. Something that of course Mary Sue stories of which they were a lot back in the day ignore.*g* But really, Morning Afters With Angel are just a recipe for disaster.

What really makes me sad is that Darla who always takes such pride in her inner strength gets totally broken here.

Yes. I know she was a villain, but this scene each time makes me wail "poor Darla". Also, pre-season 3 I hated the idea that this was the end of her story. Which turned out not to be the case, so I can appreciate the powerful if painful storytelling for what it is.

Excuse me?! Really hate it that Lorne talks as if Darla is just some woman Angel had random sex with.

As you know, me too.

Here Lorne has lost me again. I guess if he talked to Anakin Skywalker after he has killed the Jedi younglings, he would tell him that this was fated to have happened anyway, so not to worry. Move on, Anakin, my little chickadee, all will be well.

Exactly. One of my few enduring issues with the show and the reason why season 2 loses the top spot in my personal "best season" ranking to season 4 as far as AtS is concerned. Letting Angel go that far was a brilliant daring move, but then they cheated by absolving him this way via Lorne. (And later we get a scene where Lilah (!) when it's discussed whether or not Angel has been driven dark enough by W&H says that killing lawyers doesn't count enough.) It's lazy, pure and simple - they needed Angel back with the group for the rest of the season, and thus we got this. With the result that while Angel's other action - firing his friends - is dealt with - the lawyer buffet is not, and thus you get the impression those 20 dead people aren't nearly as important to Wesley and Cordelia as their own hurt feelings. Not just bad for Angel's characterisation but theirs as well.

To use your Anakin example: Lucas often gets accused of giving Anakin/Vader a redemption he hadn't earned at the end of RotJ, but imo that would only be the case if he had let Luke declare that what his father did wasn't that bad after all and would have happened anyway, and thus all was forgiven. Or if Leia had said that since it was Tarkin who actually had the idea and gave the order to blow up Alderaan, Vader was in no way to blame for aiding and abetting.

Gunn: "Gone? Well, yeah, gone, but that don't mean I wasn't coming back! (Looks at Angel) What, you didn't think I was gonna abandon you like this guy, did you?"
Angel looks down.
Wesley, smiling: "No. Certainly not."

This in retrospect has a double-edged irony you're not aware of yet. Let's just say, Gunn, old fellow, don't ride the moral high horse, for it will surely throw you down.

Angel and Kate: as you know, loved that scene. Alas, the last time we see Kate on this show (the actress went to Law & Order), but it was a great final note. If you want more Kate and Angel friendship, check out this, and also this longer story which is set post-Forever/Disharmony, about Dawn in Los Angeles for the weekend.

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

But really, Morning Afters With Angel are just a recipe for disaster.

IMO, one of Angel's problems is that he doesn't know how to deal with true intimacy. E.g. he's together with Darla for centuries, but never calls it love.
In fact, Darla and Angelus fit together so well, because they are both so unsentimental (or pretend to be). I noticed this in particular in the flashback scenes of the first season 3 episode.
(Actually Darla and Angelus remind me of the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont from "Dangerous Liaisons".)

Lucas often gets accused of giving Anakin/Vader a redemption he hadn't earned at the end of RotJ
fernwithy recently wrote an interesting entry in her LJ about the difference between redemption and absolution. Vader/Anakin does get redeemed in the end, but his sins aren't absolved, i.e. they didn't just go away.
In Angel's case, the writers should have brought up again that Angel's decision regarding the W&H lawyers was wrong. He cannot undo it, of course, but he should acknowledge it and move on from there.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Actually Darla and Angelus remind me of the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont from "Dangerous Liaisons".

Good comparison, especially since they somehow keep ending up with young idealistic loves (i.e. James and Elisabeth, then Spike and Dru), and I agree about how they fit together. In that flashback scene, I just love how Elisabeth and James are shocked that Darla would have left Angelus behind in the burning mill, Darla comments wryly "life is full of surprises", and he looks at her and says "no, you are full of surprises", and they smile at each other. Sums up their relationship when they're both soulless.

And maybe get a big W&H tatoo on one side of his face a la "The Penitent". *g*

*dies*

You know, you just made me see a later season plotline in a completely new light...

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

Yeah, what you said re: this ep -- I basically see it as the writers wanting to patch things up with Angel and the gang, but his "beige period" is put behind him too fast, and the further emphasis is not on Angel being sorry for what he did to the lawyers and Darla but on trying to make it up with the gang.

At this point, I just tend to roll my eyes at the Lorne stuff, and focus on the others. Wesley's reactions in this ep and the following few are just wonderful as he's trying not to show how much he was affected by everything that happened (yet at the same time, I think, WANTS Angel to notice). Denisof has one of my favorite all-time line-readings in this ep when Angel says, "I got stabbed, guess who stabbed me?" The way Wesley says, "Darla" is just priceless. And I love the scene b/t Wesley and Gunn.

Now that you've gotten this far, I can pimp one of the stories I wrote that focuses on the Wes-Gunn relationship, and also Wesley-Giles; plus, I got to send Gunn to Sunnydale and record his impressions -- The Happy Return.

[thalia-seawood.livejournal.com]

Wesley's reactions in this ep and the following few are just wonderful as he's trying not to show how much he was affected by everything that happened (yet at the same time, I think, WANTS Angel to notice).

Yes, my impression exactly. And the Cordy gets all the attention and all the affection. Must be tough for him.