Angel: Convictions
Oct. 4th, 2003 07:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakI finally succeeded with a downloaded. Yay team, to quote a certain season opener!
Nice season opener. You can see the Jossian touches - such as Angel's enthusiasm about the cars, which is funny without bringing us in the dreaded region of season 3 Dork!Angel territory, or of course the whole Spanky scene - all over; self-contained and set-up for the season at the same time. And I do like how the episode handles the Connor situation; given that a) nobody of A.I. except for Angel remembers Connor but b) no reference to Connor at all would rightly betray last season's powerful arc, letting the villain of the episode setting his son up for sacrifice and confronting Angel with his actions towards Connor this way was inspired and made for a great scene. Plus Eve gets to fill new viewers in without it feeling too awkward.
Speaking of Eve, so far, I'm okay with her. I can hear the Lilah fans growling from this side of the Atlantic, but I remember when everyone swooned over Lindsey and attacked Lilah for being dull and uninteresting. (Not me - I claim the honour of having defended Lilah before she became fashionable.) We didn't get much depth yet, but the set-up works.
Knox - and one can see Jonathan W. must have really (and rightly) impressed Joss with his work as Holden on BTVS - is clearly here to stay as well. The situation with Fred looks interesting; his cheerful scientific amorality as opposed to her knowing all too well there is no such thing like clean hands.
So Gunn entered the Matrix. Sorry, couldn't resist. But you can't tell me that's not where Joss got the idea for the instant knowledge. The most untapped potential, is it? I can see the rest of the team feeling ever more uneasy and not just because of the evil question. Gilbert & Sullivan for elocution was inspired and another of those Jossian touches.
Harmony made me want to hug her the instant she appeared. Which is not the feeling she evoked while she was alive, but ever since she became a vampire, I couldn't help but like her. She's as hilarious as ever, and the idea of making her Angel's secretary is inspired. And again, using her to fill new viewers in and give old viewers a conversation-about-Cordy scene was inspired. Also, I think she was sincere about Cordelia as her role model and best friend - meaning as much as Harmony is able to feel, she did feel. Their conversations in Disharmony in season 2 were not just funny but with an emotional resonance for that reason. Lastly, of course, the prospect of her being a constant source of embarassment for her newly arrived blondie bear is delightful beyond words. It should balance the pathos of his situation nicely.
Oh, and: "I, on the other hand, have absolutely nothing against spanking men." One of the best Angel lines ever, and we know he doesn't.
Nice season opener. You can see the Jossian touches - such as Angel's enthusiasm about the cars, which is funny without bringing us in the dreaded region of season 3 Dork!Angel territory, or of course the whole Spanky scene - all over; self-contained and set-up for the season at the same time. And I do like how the episode handles the Connor situation; given that a) nobody of A.I. except for Angel remembers Connor but b) no reference to Connor at all would rightly betray last season's powerful arc, letting the villain of the episode setting his son up for sacrifice and confronting Angel with his actions towards Connor this way was inspired and made for a great scene. Plus Eve gets to fill new viewers in without it feeling too awkward.
Speaking of Eve, so far, I'm okay with her. I can hear the Lilah fans growling from this side of the Atlantic, but I remember when everyone swooned over Lindsey and attacked Lilah for being dull and uninteresting. (Not me - I claim the honour of having defended Lilah before she became fashionable.) We didn't get much depth yet, but the set-up works.
Knox - and one can see Jonathan W. must have really (and rightly) impressed Joss with his work as Holden on BTVS - is clearly here to stay as well. The situation with Fred looks interesting; his cheerful scientific amorality as opposed to her knowing all too well there is no such thing like clean hands.
So Gunn entered the Matrix. Sorry, couldn't resist. But you can't tell me that's not where Joss got the idea for the instant knowledge. The most untapped potential, is it? I can see the rest of the team feeling ever more uneasy and not just because of the evil question. Gilbert & Sullivan for elocution was inspired and another of those Jossian touches.
Harmony made me want to hug her the instant she appeared. Which is not the feeling she evoked while she was alive, but ever since she became a vampire, I couldn't help but like her. She's as hilarious as ever, and the idea of making her Angel's secretary is inspired. And again, using her to fill new viewers in and give old viewers a conversation-about-Cordy scene was inspired. Also, I think she was sincere about Cordelia as her role model and best friend - meaning as much as Harmony is able to feel, she did feel. Their conversations in Disharmony in season 2 were not just funny but with an emotional resonance for that reason. Lastly, of course, the prospect of her being a constant source of embarassment for her newly arrived blondie bear is delightful beyond words. It should balance the pathos of his situation nicely.
Oh, and: "I, on the other hand, have absolutely nothing against spanking men." One of the best Angel lines ever, and we know he doesn't.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 10:07 am (UTC)Yes. Comfy.
Speaking of Eve, so far, I'm okay with her
I don't think that I am yet but I don't discount that she might not surprise me yet. This is not because of Lilah though BTW.
Knox - and one can see Jonathan W. must have really (and rightly) impressed Joss with his work as Holden on BTVS
I know he impressed me.
Oh, and: "I, on the other hand, have absolutely nothing against spanking men." One of the best Angel lines ever, and we know he doesn't.
Even seeing it coming, I still enjoyed it.
Boy, I'm impressed with your self discipline at not peeking once this aired, and also glad you finally got it. Thanks for the comments.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 01:23 pm (UTC)"Hel-lo? Assistant!"
& ;-)
Most enjoyable commentary, Selena.
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 03:51 pm (UTC)Oh, and: "I, on the other hand, have absolutely nothing against spanking men." One of the best Angel lines ever, and we know he doesn't.
this is just. I gotta know. What on EARTH was the context for that???
no subject
Date: 2003-10-04 09:47 pm (UTC)He.
Date: 2003-10-05 02:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-10-05 03:22 am (UTC)Seriously, I've jumped the gun on assuming that plot developments on Angel would be the suck so many times that I'm just not letting myself do it anymore. Because every single time, I've wished that I hadn't stopped watching. I've learned my lesson about assuming that just because it sounds like it'll suck, that means it will. Generally, the things that sound like horrible ideas turn out really well for Angel. That crew can think on their feet.
you're a wise woman
Date: 2003-10-05 06:48 am (UTC)You're welcome, and...
Date: 2003-10-05 06:52 am (UTC)Re: you're a wise woman
Date: 2003-10-05 12:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-10-06 11:32 am (UTC)You can see the Jossian touches
Yes you can, and while many, including myself when I read some of the sides, were worried, this season opener makes me feel better in warm and fuzzy hopeful kinds of ways.Lovely review. Do you mind if I friend you?
Go ahead!
Date: 2003-10-06 02:33 pm (UTC)