An empirically good episode, largely
self-contained and yet a creature of the arc.
Let's start with the importance of preparedness.
Angel is feeling massively unready. He's on edge, he's concerned about his
child's future, he realizes how little he's thought about that (and the writers
have forgotten that W&H is essentially beholden to Connor's fate -- somehow
the whole "Whatever happens to him happens to you. You're his godparents.
Oh yeah, and college fund? I'm thinking Big 10," or something in terms of
Connor's future. The boy's future is set.)
That isn't nearly as much fun as the phone number on their posters being wrong.
That doesn't cover the staff stretched too thin and the general lack of direction.
It doesn't cover Angel's unreadiness to be in charge of fighting evil on more
than one front. And it doesn't motivate him to learn how to use his voicemail.
Isn't this the same vampire who in "City Of" had made a PC
essentially reveal any secrets he needed it to? Small children learn how
to use voicemail.
OK, fine. Leaving aside for one moment our neo-Luddite vamipire, I think he's
upset because he has a job to do, and he can't just do it and get paid. He's
been tricked, he's been hornswoggled -- heck, all of them have. This fed the
other storyline, because the guy with the watch whose friend was killed by
vamps turns up as a Justine/Holtz recruit in the next episode. So it's not
entirely arc-free.
But Angel's in a situation. Like Buffy, he can't really charge for fighting
evil. But he needs to. And now, he figures, more than ever, because of Connor.
But The Powers haven't forgotten them. The Powers, in fact, saved Fred.
... except for Cordy's unreadiness -- going into a situation without
proper backup -- and with a child. But hey, the show was only five seasons, and
her arc only four. When was she gonna ever learn that?
Gunn and Wes aren't ready for what's about to happen to their hearts. And Lorne
is ready to talk to anyone, but he's not ready to be the demon translator a la
carte. I'm shocked he couldn't get a read or anything off of those creatures,
but hey -- plot twists.
Good eppy, good standalone, good vision -- apparently the Powers are looking
out for Angel and the gang, in however cavalier a fashion.
Cordy can float again on their schedule.
And fun puzzle for Fred to put together. I wonder where that prop is now?
And never mind the cash -- they should try to sell that boat those
demons had before they were all, y'know, killed.
All in all, a nice eppy. Especially with that closing scene. Angel and Cordy
and Connor, a precious family unit.
* wonders distractedly where Uncle
Joss is heading with that sledgehammer *