Crude Awakenings

I really don't think that Angel's attitude, or anything else in the episode for that matter, was enough to clue us in that the whole thing was a dream. I think the explanation is a bit more tangible. We ALL saw the preview for the episode, which CLEARLY showed Angel becoming Angelus. It all, then, became a waiting game. We all knew it was going to happen, and the clock was ticking down. No suspense on that part.

Can I count the problems that I had with this episode? Probably.

First off, does anyone remember the Happy Pill episode? The one where the snobby girl gave Angel some happy pills so he would become evil and bite her? THIS didn't seem like a better idea then beating some people up and coercing a dark shaman to perform a DARK ritual? I mean, I knew this thing was doomed the moment I saw what Angel's soul was going to be kept in! Why don't they make these things out of a titanium alloy or something? The damned thing got broken in the "dream" and that was only A DREAM!!!! Real life is going to get much worse, I'm sure.

Now, as to the actual dream itself, I can't say how relieved I was to discover that piece of info. I mean for crying out loud, if not for that, I would swear that Cordelia took stupid pills. I mean she was the one that made fun of Buffy the most for having boinked Angel to be the big evil. And Angel? What the hell was he thinking? I mean, it was the primary concern of his for the whole freaking episode and yet he STILL sleeps with her? What is up with that?

The episode's penultimate scene chalked up most of the episode to nothing more than an exercise in masturbation. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's when an episode is revealed as a dream sequence, or when it's effects are erased from existence. This falls into that category. There will be no ramifications for any of the things that happened in Angel's head, except possibly for Angel getting over his own issues when he gets back. Unfortunately, though, it affects no one else.

The final scene conveyed the proper menace, but really the whole episode amounts to little more than 15 minutes of real story. A pity, really, because it would have been quite the coup if the would have had the whole Angelus thing be a hoax. Then again, I think that Angelus is such a cool villain that they probably would have upset too many fans that way. *sigh*

Anyhow, I don't think I've spent as much time yelling at the TV during any episode this season as I did last night watching this one. I'm glad it was over, we had to get past it. Now, next week looks like it will be interesting. And, in my opinion, it is what this week's episode should have been.

P.S. To me, it was gratifying to have Angel and Connor have their conversation regarding the difference between Angel and Angelus. I'm truly psyched to see the scenes between Connor and Angelus. I think they will be the moments that the season has been building to (even more so then the arrival of some special guest stars.)

  posted by J @ 09:29