Reprise (Prt 1)
| Something on an epic scale is brewing. Los Angeles has suddenly become
“sacrifice/evil ritual” central and Angel is worried that something big is going
to take place. When he stumbles upon an impressive collection of goats breaks up a very
amateur goat sacrifice, Angel heads to Kate's office in need of some help. Kate refuses to
assist Angel. She's on desk duty, awaiting a disciplinary hearing on Friday. Apparently,
after allowing Angel - last seen by Kate’s superiors in her custody before she let
him go - to beat up the zombie-raising police captain, she had overstepped the mark. Over
at the gangs new office, Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn are showing off their handy-work to
Mrs. Sharp. Her daughter's third eye had been removed, leaving only a little friar tuck
spot which will soon grow back. Mrs. Sharp refuses to pay the “extortionate”
bill however, her husband thinks they are running a scam. Back at Wolfram & Hart, the terrible two-some (Lindsey and Lilah) are running scared. THE senior partner – an evil demon, no less - is to pay a visit on Friday for their 75-year review. It seems the last review didn’t go too well and everyone is out to make sure this doesn’t happen again, hence all the sacrifice/evil ritual activity. Lindsey has other things on his mind right now and this bothers Lilah, they are both partners in this after all. When Lindsey arrives home to a recuperating Darla. Lindsey has apparently been nursing our vamp back to health with daily doses of fresh blood. Lindsey all but declares his love for Darla but the vampire has other plans, I think. Our hero makes a visit to the Host and the green crooner clues him in to what has the lawyer-types so scared, but can't tell him how to stop the senior partner, he can however tell our hero that there was some talk of the Band of Blacknil and the Home Office. Angel leaves the Host prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice if needs be and storms off to the gangs new office. They have all the books and Angel is not about to ask nicely and tells Cordy in no uncertain terms to “move it or lose it”. Wesley jumps up and resolves the situation, bursting his stitches in the process. Angel returns to the bookstore where the owner, Denver, helped him in the episode "Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been…". He explains that the Band of Blacknil, a ring, is the way the demon transports between dimensions. To get the Band and kill the demon Angel would have to use a sacred glove… which Denver just happens to have. In a poignant moment of glory, they turn to face each other and Darla attacks from behind. With one stabbing movement she runs through both of them with her sword, first Denver then Angel. She collects the newly acquired glove leaving the pair of men on the floor, still joined by a sword through the torso. Meanwhile, at Kate's hearing, the reviewers are concerned with all of her “Spooky Mulder” antics of late and her lack of grieving time after her fathers death. They were just waiting for a reason to go after her and Kate is asked to hand over her badge and gun. It’s time to face the music and she leaves bewildered at the way her case has been handled. Angel – using Lilah for cover - sneaks his way into Wolfram & Hart, just in time to fight with Darla. After defeating her he grabs the glove as the demon appears and uses it to destroy the demon with a diving hit. After the momentum of the hit carries our hero through the window he hits the ground far below and looks over to the see the Band of Blacknil land neatly beside him. Putting the ring on his finger he orders a trip to the Home Office. An elevator door opens to reveal Holland as the bell-boy. He's there to take Angel on his one-way trip. After a long ride, they end up right back where they started. Evil is in everyone and hell is everywhere. Wolfram and Hart only exist as long as there is evil in mankind to defend. Angel does battle with the evil firm to save mankind, only for mankind to keep bringing them back. It seems like a no-win situation. Angel arrives home to hear Kate leaving a message on his answering machine. He leaves it and heads for the bedroom not knowing (or perhaps not caring) that she's downed a cocktail of pills and alcohol. In the bedroom he finds Darla waiting for him. They have a fight (which looks a lot like foreplay) and end up in bed together. Has our hero finally lost it and returned to the ways of Angelus?? |
| Rating and Comments: Finally, the meandering behemoth of the “Darla” plotline looks like it’s coming to a thundering climax (no pun intended) |
| Rating 8/10 |