4x05 "Supersymmetry"
Reviewed by Matthew Bon | Rating: 10/10

QUANTUM PHYSICS - After Fred's (Amy Acker) physics article is published; she's invited to speak at a symposium where a portal opens, bringing her face to face with a demon and a dark secret about her old professor. Meanwhile, Angel (David Boreanaz) tries to solve the mystery of the portal and why someone would want Fred out of the way. Charisma Carpenter, Alexis Denisof, J. August Richards and Vincent Kartheiser also star. Bill Norton directed the episode written by Elizabeth Craft & Sarah Fain.

Overview:

It's always a worry when you have new writers on the show, it's a fear that they may not be able to write the characters properly and it's even worse when they're writing character & plot based filler episodes which usually tend to be the weakest episodes of the season.
But not with this one. I loved it from head to toe, and I'd be hard pressed to find anything wrong with it. Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain wrote everyone to perfection with the cuteness of Fred, the overbearing protectiveness of Gunn, the still lingering feelings towards Fred from Wesley, the Cordelia that is totally lost in this world confused about all her emotions, the hormone racing teenager of Connor and the absolutely hilarity of Angel in situations he has never before been in.

It was so good how Elizabeth and Sarah were able to give all the couples/triangles equal screen time to let them develop more, obviously to show us some of the emotions that will come into play later on in the season. The episode would've been perfect if they were able to weave the C/C relationship into Fred's symposium speech, as it would've created a delicately woven piece based around once incident - but it was still brilliant the way it was

These two would definitely have to be two of the strongest writers on the show, and the producers did well to pick them up. They've given us an episode mainly about relationships, and as this show has plenty of them, I'm sure they will have plenty of opportunities to shine in the future. What a great tile for the episode as well! It doubles as a scientific term as well literal term for symmetry - two equal halves making a whole - just like a relationship should be.

Bill Norton, the director of the episode also presented us with some truly fantastic visuals. The tentacled demon looked amazing and the climax with the Angel's demon fighting partner and the portal action was great. The actors worked very well with Norton, and Angel's comedic timing was the best I've ever seen.

While this episode is mainly a filler in terms of story, it does seem to set up/continue some new love triangles. Angel/Cordelia/Connor is a nice new twist, and they certainly got plenty of action. While Gunn/Fred/Wesley (with stalking Lilah) is something they've brought back, and hopefully it'll have repercussions in future episodes.

So last week I proclaimed "Slouching Toward Bethlehem" my favourite episode ever, but I'm changing it again - "Supersymmetry" is! But that does not detract from the brilliancy of last week's episode, that was still excellent. This episode just gave us more in terms of character development as we focused on more than Angel, Cordelia & Connor.

Angel:

This episode was something that we haven't really seen before, and that's Angel as the comic relief guy while being his normal self (not like "Carpe Noctem"). He was hilarious! He was unstoppable! I hope the writers can continue this trend, even if it's not as much - because I love it!

I also liked the way Angel was able to treat his son this episode, there's still a hell load of tension between them, but it seems they are feeling their way back towards a reconciliation.

Fred, Gunn & Wesley:

A nice way to bring back this triangle, which I'm sure will continue into future episodes now that Wesley seems more likely to come back into the group.

It was good to see Gunn's devotion for Fred coming through; Gunn turning round and killing Seidel was something that I didn't expect. It certainly will prove to be a bump in their relationship that will last for a while.

I wonder if Fred was able to see Wesley's motivations for helping her, or was she so blinded by vengeance that she didn't see what Wesley still feels for her? I really liked them together in this episode, much more than the Fred/Gunn relationship, but there's always Lilah hanging around - I don't know which couple I prefer.

Wow, Charisma last week did a mind blowing performance with Cordelia and you think that it could never get any better, and then Amy pulls this out on you! What a star! I was very conflicted throughout watching her, constantly changing sides of what to do with Professor Seidel. At the start I was kill him all the way, but then even though hearing Angel and Gunn's talk to her about vengeance and it's consequences being something we have heard before on both Buffy and Angel, it was very defining. If it was the writers hope that our thoughts on what to do to Seidel was to confuse us, they definitely succeeded on me.

Connor & Cordelia:

I like these two together, screwed up though it may be. They have a certain chemistry together, it is very unusual. While I hope the relationship doesn't end in the two of them dating, I do trust the writers to send these two on an interesting ride together because they must do everything possible to stop Angel and Cordy getting together before they actually do. Even though it seems that Cordy has moved back into Angel's hotel, I doubt their friendship has ended.

Connor was able to drive a stake through Angel's heart in regards of his emotions. The line

Connor: She's safe. I can take care of Cordelia. Can I go?
Angel: Sure. Sorry. Wait. You should take her fuzzy slippers. Her feet get cold.
Connor: I know. She's always stealing the covers.

Is one of particular notice. Did Connor just say that off-hand? Or did he deliberately say it knowing that Angel would read between the lines? And I loved the fact that Connor didn't take a picture of Angel to hang up in his place. That boy has some hate doesn't he?
It's hard to distinguish Connor true motives towards other people as Vincent Kartheiser's plays him to perfection with hints of both innocence and danger.

Now that it seems Connor has a giant crush on her and he's just lost her from his home to his father who Cordy really loves, I can see this ending up on Jerry Springer.

Lilah:

There's just some characters that you never forget, and thanks to all her amazing performances in this season, Stephanie Romanov is definitely one of them. This episode we see yet another side of her inhumane character as she stalks Wesley when he goes to see Fred. Is she jealous? Or maybe just obsessed? Either way, their relationship is still at an interesting position and I can't wait for more.

I'd also like to thank the writers at how they've treated Lilah this season. 5 episodes have aired so far, and she's been in all but one (and even in her non-appearance, she was on the phone). It looks like they've realised how much everyone is enjoying her character and started to bump up her regularity on the show.

Just have to mention this as well:

Lilah: Tragedy struck Gidget? Did she go to that place in the big Texas sky?

That was a very good line, had me laughing for quite a while.

Top 5 Quotes:

Gunn: You don't want to go in there. Girl kept me up all night. She is unstoppable.
Angel: More than I need to know.
Fred: Did Charles tell you?!
Angel: He--he didn't describe it.

Angel: About Lorne, there's gonna be a conversation.
Lilah: You know, Angel, coming from you, idle threats are so, well...idle.

Angel: They talk about me in chatty rooms?

Angel: Aw, come on, I'm holding your head!

Fred: You know what they say about payback? Well, I'm the bitch!

In Closing:

I understand that throughout the so far short course of this season I have told you all how much each of the female characters on this show rock. I sit here now trying desperately to pick a favourite and it's just too hard. Amy has the humour and the adorableness, she's absolutely gorgeous, Stephanie has the wonderful vindictive and bitchy attitude, Charisma has the general all round sexyness and newcomer Alexa (Gwen from "Ground State") has the smart arse remarks and the kick butt moves. I also can't forget favourites from the past Darla & Kate. I doubt I will ever be able to choose my favourite, because they have their moments of total coolness and I've decided just to say that this is the strongest set of female actors I have ever seen on a show.
And ARGGGG! That ending!

Angel: No more lies.
Cordy: OK. Because there's something I need to know. Were we in love?

It just left me hanging for more and I can't wait to see what Joss picks up and does with the scene. I hope that Angel is honest with Cordelia as there is already too much distrust between them.

Thank you Bill Norton, Elizabeth Craft & Sarah Fain and all the actors for making this one of the best Angel episodes ever, even better than last week's outing! I give it a

10/10

and YAY for a Joss Whedon written/directed by episode next week, I'm sure it will be a special treat.


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