4x09 "Long Day's Journey"
Reviewed by Matthew Bon | Rating: 9/10

HE WHO HOLDS THE KEY - When the gang learns that the answer to stopping the Beast (guest star Vladimir Kulich) is among them, everyone suspects Connor (Vincent Kartheister), until Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) begins to receive visions from the Powers That Be. Meanwhile, Angel (David Boreanaz) and Gwen (guest star Alexa Davalos) discover that the Beast is preparing a device that will blot out the sun permanently and turn the world into a demon playground. Alexis Denisof, J. August Richards, Amy Acker and Andy Hallett also star. Terrence O'Hara directed the episode written by Mere Smith.

Overview:

So, revelations begin to unravel in this excellent episode written by the always brilliant Mere Smith. She once again proved that she is able to merge so many interweaving personal emotional storylines and pack it in with a punch while advancing the main plot.

It's good to see Mere back in control of Gwen, whose return was an absolute delight for the viewers, though not really for everyone in the show, and the creation of another hilarious character in the form of Manny.

Mere has an interesting way in which she writes, while others such as Steven S. DeKnight focus mainly of the plots of their episodes, and others like Jeffrey Bell focus more on the angst between the characters, Mere is able to put the two together and create a very believable result.

I thought that Terrence O'Hara, the director of this episode, would not be able to top his efforts from the season premiere in the look of this episode but I was happy to be proved wrong. Gwen's beautiful mansion, containing a now heavily bloody panic room and Connor's memorable, but all too brief fight with the Beast were the highlights of this episode. Terrence was also able to bring one of the more emotionally charged scenes to life with the confrontation between Angel and Cordelia near the beginning of the episode. The acting and direction were superb and I was torn between Angel's right to be angry at what Cordelia has done, but also his immaturity for not hearing Cordelia out.

Packed with action, comedy (did anyone else notice that Cordelia is slowly inching back to that humour that she supplied during earlier episodes of last season?), suspense, surprises and intrigue (Manny's death and the subsequent enquiry into how someone was able to get into the panic room was very well done) this is very much one of the better episodes of the season.

Angel, Cordelia & Connor:

Things heat up in this triangle with some great acting from all three players. Highlights of these three in action were...no wait, everything they did was fantastic!

Angel & Cordelia continue to improve together week after week, even though their relationship keeps changing. I remember back in the season premiere review I said they had no chemistry together, well I've been proved utterly wrong regarding that statement and I'm proud to say I have. I LOVE these two together!

My favourite would definitely have to be either their confrontation with each other in Angel's room at the hotel (where we actually got to see one of the rare moments with Angel angry) or their...non-talk sitting outside the panic room in Gwen's mansion.

And who didn't love Connor being thrown out that window and plummeting to the ground?

Gwen:

Yay! My Gwenny is back, and I hope she stays for a while too. She was an important piece of the puzzle in both love triangles this week, giving some sound advice to Gunn about Wesley & Fred and also being used as a pawn by Angel in order to make Cordelia jealous. Plus she also got to kick a little butt against The Beast...actually no, he kicked her arse, but I prefer the other version.

But it was fun to have her back in the action and I loved the idea of giving her a mansion in the middle of what looked to be the poor part of town.

Wesley, Fred & Gunn:

While not playing as much as role in this episode as the A/C/C triangle, the increasing subtlety of the emotions flying around between them is a real hit with me. With just getting to see a few looks exchanged we can tell exactly what either one of them is thinking.

I was glad to see that Gunn's attitude towards Wesley was a little toned down this episode but the hate is in no way gone. With Wesley now all but officially back and part of the group, it will be interesting to see how this triangle does pan out.

It's been sad to see that Fred no longer shows the balls she had while Cordelia wasn't in the picture, but it's only natural that Fred would feel that she would step back when the only other female that has been here longer than her returned to Earth.

Probably my one and only complaint with this episode would have to be Wesley's last line. He himself has confronted the wrath that is Angelus (true though, only for a few minutes), but I still think he should know of the danger that bringing him back could cause. But, with the total coolness of the delivery of the line, and my excitement afterwards at the opportunity for our favourite villain to return, I'll let it fly.

Manny:

What a pisser of a character! He worked so well with all the other characters in his scenes and it's a shame that we'll probably never get to see him again, I will miss him terribly even though I did hardly know him.

To think that one of the greatest and most important beings on the planet can be so perverted is just such a funny concept and his constant tries at getting the touch and pleasure of a woman were really good way to balance out the tension between the rest of the characters in the episode, since Lorne didn't have too much to do (which is usual lately).

One thing that this character did say that struck a chord was when he was describing the Ra Tet and mentioned that humans are the ones that decide the fate of the things, because they can go either way - good or evil. Is this a line of foreshadowing or just a general comment? When Manny said it, the first thing I thought was of Connor and how important he is to the apocalypse. Is Connor actually human? And will he decide the fate of the world?

Lorne:

Speaking of demons, can we please give him something to do? Let him meet some hot mama from Pylea who feels the exact same way about LA that Lorne does or something. Although his comedy and advice is always well received, it is getting a little tired.

Top 5 Quotes:

Cordelia: It's me. I know I don't have to be invited in, but it is polite
Angel: Go away, Cordelia
Cordelia: Well, you know that never works

Gwen: Geez. Where were you when they taught stealth in superpower school? (Falling off the cliff into Angel's arms) I did that on purpose
Angel: That's pretty pathetic
Gwen: If it's a lie or if it's the truth?

Cordelia: Why did the smelly, yucky man say that?

Gwen: Swimsuit edition. He's occupied

Gwen: I'm just saying it never would have happened on my watch.
Cordelia: Gosh no, because you're a Supertramp.

In Closing:

With next week promising the return of Angelus, things are surging forward in this season as emotions run high and the plot runs deep. While things are only JUST starting to happen now in Buffy, Angel is jolting ahead and has really put its parent show to shame at how easy it is to entertain.

It's hard to imagine that this show, with basically just three simple storylines - The Beast's apocalypse, the A/C/C triangle (with Gwen) and the W/F/G triangle (with Lilah) can continue to entertain and stay fresh week after week, weaving together with each other to create what is arguably the best series on television. This episode rightly deserves a

9/10

only for the lack of my favourite Fred and Gunn and Wes, who were all relegated to exposition roles. I can't wait to see next week's episode with a episode written by David Fury ("The House Always Wins") and Steven S. DeKnight ("Deep Down", "Apocalypse, Nowish") and brought to us by long-time Buffy and Angel director James A. Contner!

Hopefully some more questions are answered, such as what is Angelus' connection to The Beast? Why did The Beast need to perform the blotting of the sun ritual at Connor's place? Is Connor actually connected to The Beast at all and why can the son of two vampires exist? And why is Cordelia, after being sent back to Earth presumedly for punishment is suddenly now receiving more visions from TPTB, why is she really back?

It is these questions that need answering that brings me back week after week, well that, along with everything else!


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