The somewhat late "You're Welcome" (AtS) review

[selenak]

So a show I love had its 100th episode last week.



Sadly, some comments at theatrical_muse spoiled me for Cordy's death, but on otoh, I thought she'd sacrifice herself a la Doyle, and only guessed she was a ghost when she said goodbye to Wesley. All in all, this episode left me with mixed feelings - there were elements I liked very much and elements I disliked. I certainly did not fall for it the way I did for Destiny or Damage, but have to admit it was much better suited as a 100th anniversary episode than either.

CC was back in form as Cordelia, and sparkles like she hasn't done since season 2. I did have issues with Cordy being not a bit traumatized by the entire Jasmine experience, or guilt-ridden in regards of Connor, but then I suppose this can be justified by the final twist; a ghost, given one last day by TPTB, would be beyond what would have been enough to drive a living person insane. Though otoh, you have Cordy talking with Wesley about having killed Lilah while being possessed, and feeling guilty about that; one would assume that what her possessed self did to Connor was worth a word or two as well.

The Connor conversation we did get, with Angel justifying himself and explaining that Connor could not have been saved any other way was well done, though, and you could see it what a relief it was for him to finally talk with someone who remembered Connor and could understand his reason.

This episode also resurrected what was my least favourite storyline on AtS ever, namely, the Cordelia/Angel romance (of sorts). But one can't blame David Fury for it - it would have been a severe break with continuity if they had just let Cordy and Angel be the sibling-like buddies they used to be in the first two seasons. (Insert the usual "Why oh why?" rant here.) However, this Cordy wasn't the "The only feelings I care about are Angel's" abomination that walked around in season 3; her scene alone with Wesley (and later her goodbye to him) was what I wanted to see since eons, or more precisely, since Forgiven in season 3. If you want to know the truth, it touched me deeper than the C/A kiss and goodbye at the end. Cordy and Wesley used to be so good and close friends, until the writer let her forget that altogether. To finally see her care about what happened to him, see her be a friend again, was wonderful.

The conclusion of the Lindsey storyline - if that was what it was - was a let-down, and not just because it left too many questions open (how Lindsey aquired superpowers to fight Angel with, for starters, and how he found out about Angel becoming CEO for W&H). I mean, yes, the duel was slashy eye-candy, and the chemistry between DB and CK was as great as ever, plus the references back to City Of were fun, but really, all Angel needed to get out of his depression was to beat up Lindsey again? And Lindsey's final plan for Angel wasn't any more sophisticated than this? My, Angel really was the center of his universe, as Eve observed.

Bits and pieces:
- so Gunn doesn't want to leave W&H anymore; no surprise there
- the use of the Doyle video was obvious but touching nonetheless, and appropriate for the anniversary episode
- given that David Fury wrote Disharmony, it's not surprising we got Harmony squeeing all over Cordy and hugging her
- I truly hope Cordy's repeated mentions of the name "Connor" within earshot of Wesley and Fred registered
- "you called me a hero?"; okay, Spike was a bit player in this episode (only fair after two eps in a row where he had a lot to do) but that bit made me grin widely
- I was going to complain about Cordy's fighting ability directly after waking up from a coma, but since she's a corporeal ghost-for-a-day, I can't.

Off to read what other people thought...

Comments

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

Inspiring thoughts, as always.

While I was truly touched by the Cordy/Angel romance in this episode, I, too, loved her scene with Wesley-- nostalgic and wistful but powerfully so, making me realise how much I had missed those two together. Wes and Cordy as bickering siblings, as (partly) reluctant research team that solves any riddle...and as friends who can forgive. The quick delivery of her apology belied the seriousness of her offer and her desire to make sure things are right. Of course, this also begets the question of what *exactly* Wesley (and the others, presumably) remember-- if he actually can recall Jasmine or at least some evil within Cordy killing Lilah, the only element lacking from the tale would be Connor himself...

As for the end of Lindsey's story so far, I have to quote ladycat777: Lame lame lame.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

I suppose they think Jasmine did something similar to the demon who impregnated Cordy in season 1, i.e. used random evil guy X as her hireling.

However, unless Rob is right and Cordy's repeated "Connor" mentions fall unter the law of a Ben and Glory spell, i.e. are forgotten as soon as they are heard, Wesley really should be wondering now...

Re:

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

If it is true what Angel confessed to Cordy and if he actually "altered reality", your interpretation would be far more likely-- in a world where nothing but Connor himself has been undone, they would have to assume Jasmine just hitched a ride-- possibly when Cordy came back.

Then, there would be no veil around the idea of Connor or our protagonists' minds, so Wesley's curiosity, once piqued, would probably lead him to the truth...but first, into trouble and madness, for in this plane, the world Angel created is *real*, of course: hard to find inconsistencies where there are none per se. The only way would be to access "our" dimension again, the old reality, or at least tap into these memories. In the end, I assume we're in for another dimension-rippling shift back to what we once were.

A sort of Ben and Glory spell would be a pretty cheap cop-out, in my eyes.

[buffyannotater.livejournal.com]

I truly hope Cordy's repeated mentions of the name "Connor" within earshot of Wesley and Fred registered

If Finn's theory's correct, they forgot about it only moments after being asked, a la the Ben and Glory spell.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Yikes. That, sadly, sounds plausible.

[asta77.livejournal.com]

I did have issues with Cordy being not a bit traumatized by the entire Jasmine experience, or guilt-ridden in regards of Connor, but then I suppose this can be justified by the final twist; a ghost, given one last day by TPTB, would be beyond what would have been enough to drive a living person insane.

Considering they only had an hour (42 minutes technically) to bring closure to Cordy's story, I was pretty forgiving in what they didn't or weren't able to address. And putting aside any behind the scenes drama that may have led to CC's departure, you make a good point that helps to substantiate Joss and others claims that Cordy was written into a corner. Had she awakened from the coma and returned to the fold, how could she have dealt with all she had been through? I suppose there would have been some way, but don't we have enough characters burdened by immense guilt and self-loating?

I also agree that the conclusion of the Lindsey storyline is a let down *if* it's the end which I don't believe it is. Considering Lindsey left W&H of his own accord I find it very hard to believe that he came back to get revenge for them giving Angel what was supposedly his. It makes no sense. As does Angel being the center of his Universe. The whole thing seemed over the top.

My theory is that everything he said and did was to throw them off from his real intent. And that, in fact, he wanted to be taken to the Senior Partners. What his grand plan is, I do not know, but I think it will yet be revealed later in the season. I really can't imagine CK agreeing to come back just for what we've seen so far.

As for the mindwipe, if Wes isn't already working on unraveling it, I think he soon will be. Maybe it's just me, but I sense that he senses something is not right.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

True, given that there was only one episode, they did a splendid job of wrapping up Cordy, and again, the twist of her as a ghost makes it believable psychologically within the laws of the Jossverse.

If Lindsey wanted to be taken to the SP all along, then of course I take back my criticism.

[kathyh]

Though otoh, you have Cordy talking with Wesley about having killed Lilah while being possessed, and feeling guilty about that; one would assume that what her possessed self did to Connor was worth a word or two as well.

I haven't seen the episode yet so this is pure speculation but maybe she felt that she as the real Cordelia was more involved in the killing of Lilah, while she had little control over what happened to Connor. I'm not saying that Cordy would actually have killed Lilah if she hadn't been possessed, just that she might have had more instinct to do so.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

I'm right there with you on the some-parts worked (characterization!) and some parts didn't (plot?) of the ep. I really do think it worked for the 100th, what with the *well-handled* continuity shout outs that didn't *quite* leave me wishing for the days of yore, but pinged the nostalgia button nonetheless. With that in mind, I'm absolutely convinced that the basement Angel-killing-thingy was made to look deliberately Christmas Ornament-like so we would think that Cordy was gonna go out Doyle style.

Also, I would accuse David Fury of having seen Blade too many times, but . . . uhhh, the fact that I saw the sword fight as a Blade homage pretty means that I've watched it too many times, not him.

So, I pretty much handwaved the plot, but Cordy was spot on. And I looooove the little "well mine's obviously *better*" diss between Cordy and Spike re: souls, despite the ridiculous biting set up. Sometimes, I'm very very easy.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Not having seen Blade at all, I couldn't say. But good grief, am I ever glad about this being Cordelia's final episode. It brought back my love for the character lost in season 3.