Steven Paul
Apr 16, 2004, 11:14 am
Reviewer: Steven Paul Watson vipereyes_2000@yahoo.com
Quick Rating: Good!
Story Title: ‘Underneath’
Welcome to a hell of ice.
Writer: Sarah Fain & Elizabeth Craft
Director:: Skip Schoolnik
Cast: David Boreanaz, Alexis Denisof, J. August Richards, Amy Acker, James Marsters, Andy Hallett, and Mercedes McNab.
Guest Starring: Christian Kane, Sarah Thompson, and Adam Baldwin.
Warning: Some Spoilers Ahead!
It seems like a lifetime since the last new episode of Angel, even though it has only been a little over a month and fans finally get to see the first of the final 6 episodes (it hurts to say that).
The episode flows really well with lots of humor and great dialogue (especially in the scenes between Wesley and Illyria) and action. Exactly what we have come to expect from this show week to week.
‘Underneath’ picks up where ‘Shells’ left off for each character, though not directly as time has passed since then, maybe days or maybe weeks but some time has past since the group battled Illyria. But the majority of the characters are still in the same shape as we last saw them.
Though Illyria/Fred hardly appear, the majority of this episode is still about Fred. Or at least how Fred’s passing is affecting the group, especially Gunn who is still in a hospital bed when we first see him. It also has a great deal to do with what Gunn chooses to do at the end, but I won’t spoil that. The real question is did he know it would have to be done going into the mission or was it an in the moment thing. I’m thinking the first choice but I’m sure it could be either one.
The most interesting and thought provoking moment in the episode is the end when the remaining members are gathered and talk about the Senior Partners. As they discuss the apocalypse and Lindsey tells them “it’s here, it’s been here all along”, he also emphasis that this isn’t just another apocalypse but the apocalypse. We know from last season that things on this show could just happen, or could have been planned for quite awhile. So how long have the Senior Partners being pulling everyone’s strings? Since the group came to Wolfram & Hart? Or even before that?
Eve, like her or not, has developed into a pretty interesting character. One who up until this episode I thought was unique and not like the characters that no longer appear on the show (the ones she so often gets unfairly compared too). I finally realize who she reminds me of, and that is Anya. Who was probably my favorite character the last few seasons of Angel’s counter part Buffy the Vampire Slayer, her attitude and even remotely how she has been developed reminds me more and more of Anya with each appearance. Especially after she is stripped of her powers and privileges by the new liaison and looks like she will have to fight along side Angel and the others in this episode. Though I no longer see her as a complete original, she is still a nice addition to the group and it will be interesting to see what happens to her next.
I’m guessing the reader is wondering why the low rating when I have mostly positive things to say about the episode. Though this was a decent episode, and still fun to watch, it comes off as more of filler for what is to come. Not a lot happens, except to build on the tension between Angel Inc and the Senior Partners of Wolfram & Hart, and to set up more pieces for the approaching battle.
New credits! If you’ll watch the opening credits of ‘Underneath’ closely you’ll notice a few changes to them. I did not notice them my first viewing but quickly picked up on them the second time around. Firstly, Amy Acker is now shown as Illyria in the openings (though we still get the one image of her as Fred). Though not shocking, it was to be expected. But a new addition to the opening credits is Mercedes McNab who plays the comedic vampire Harmony. It is good to see her get some recognition; after all she has been around since the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Though it may not be good for Harmony, I think Tara fans know what I’m saying.
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/dhfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/dhfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/dhfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/dhhalf.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/dhnone.jpg
Quick Rating: Good!
Story Title: ‘Underneath’
Welcome to a hell of ice.
Writer: Sarah Fain & Elizabeth Craft
Director:: Skip Schoolnik
Cast: David Boreanaz, Alexis Denisof, J. August Richards, Amy Acker, James Marsters, Andy Hallett, and Mercedes McNab.
Guest Starring: Christian Kane, Sarah Thompson, and Adam Baldwin.
Warning: Some Spoilers Ahead!
It seems like a lifetime since the last new episode of Angel, even though it has only been a little over a month and fans finally get to see the first of the final 6 episodes (it hurts to say that).
The episode flows really well with lots of humor and great dialogue (especially in the scenes between Wesley and Illyria) and action. Exactly what we have come to expect from this show week to week.
‘Underneath’ picks up where ‘Shells’ left off for each character, though not directly as time has passed since then, maybe days or maybe weeks but some time has past since the group battled Illyria. But the majority of the characters are still in the same shape as we last saw them.
Though Illyria/Fred hardly appear, the majority of this episode is still about Fred. Or at least how Fred’s passing is affecting the group, especially Gunn who is still in a hospital bed when we first see him. It also has a great deal to do with what Gunn chooses to do at the end, but I won’t spoil that. The real question is did he know it would have to be done going into the mission or was it an in the moment thing. I’m thinking the first choice but I’m sure it could be either one.
The most interesting and thought provoking moment in the episode is the end when the remaining members are gathered and talk about the Senior Partners. As they discuss the apocalypse and Lindsey tells them “it’s here, it’s been here all along”, he also emphasis that this isn’t just another apocalypse but the apocalypse. We know from last season that things on this show could just happen, or could have been planned for quite awhile. So how long have the Senior Partners being pulling everyone’s strings? Since the group came to Wolfram & Hart? Or even before that?
Eve, like her or not, has developed into a pretty interesting character. One who up until this episode I thought was unique and not like the characters that no longer appear on the show (the ones she so often gets unfairly compared too). I finally realize who she reminds me of, and that is Anya. Who was probably my favorite character the last few seasons of Angel’s counter part Buffy the Vampire Slayer, her attitude and even remotely how she has been developed reminds me more and more of Anya with each appearance. Especially after she is stripped of her powers and privileges by the new liaison and looks like she will have to fight along side Angel and the others in this episode. Though I no longer see her as a complete original, she is still a nice addition to the group and it will be interesting to see what happens to her next.
I’m guessing the reader is wondering why the low rating when I have mostly positive things to say about the episode. Though this was a decent episode, and still fun to watch, it comes off as more of filler for what is to come. Not a lot happens, except to build on the tension between Angel Inc and the Senior Partners of Wolfram & Hart, and to set up more pieces for the approaching battle.
New credits! If you’ll watch the opening credits of ‘Underneath’ closely you’ll notice a few changes to them. I did not notice them my first viewing but quickly picked up on them the second time around. Firstly, Amy Acker is now shown as Illyria in the openings (though we still get the one image of her as Fred). Though not shocking, it was to be expected. But a new addition to the opening credits is Mercedes McNab who plays the comedic vampire Harmony. It is good to see her get some recognition; after all she has been around since the first season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Though it may not be good for Harmony, I think Tara fans know what I’m saying.
OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/dhfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/dhfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/dhfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/dhhalf.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/dhnone.jpg