Angel

Herc’s Seen The Last ANGEL of Sweeps!!

I am - Hercules!!

Angel 5.16 FAQ

What’s it called?

“Shells.”

Who’s responsible?

Episode was written and directed by Steven S. DeKnight (“Inside Out,” “Hellbound”).

What does TV Guide say?

“The gang reels from the loss of Fred, whose body is now occupied by a resurrected Old One who’s trying to return to her mystical kingdom and rally her troops to destroy the human race. But no one is prepared for Wes’s extreme reaction to his discovery of Gunn’s role in the tragedy. Knox: Jonathan M. Woodward. Harmony: Mercedes McNab.”

The big news?

The big news cries out for the invisotext! It looks like Illyria may not be the season’s big bad after all. In fact, all signs suggest she’ll be joining Team Angel. At this point it looks like the big bad is actually (wait for it ... ) the senior partners at Wolfram & Hart.

What else is TV Guide not telling us?

Efforts to recruit the services of champion resurrectioness Willow Rosenberg prove fruitless. “Himalayas? I thought she was in South america,” Angel tells Rupert Giles. “Alright, look, what do you mean she’s not on this plane? You just said— astral projection? Well, is there any way to get her astral over to L.A.? Giles, this is an emergency. Yeah, I’m still at Wolfram & Hart. What does that have to do with anything? Yeah. I understand.”

Knox survived his encounter with the Gunn-wielded cryo-cylinder last week??

Looks like Gunn actually went for the geek’s mouth.

How does Spike feel about Angel’s decision to sacrifice Fred to save a few thousand strangers?

He was on board with it. “Thousands would have died if we saved her,” he says, consoling even as he recaps.

How does Wes react to his discovery of Gunn’s role in the tragedy?

He smites young Charles with a furious anger (and a deadly weapon).

Does Amy Acker still look like Fred in the title credits?

You know, I nipped off to the bathroom! I’m guessing yes.

Is Illyria in any way Jasmine-like?

She’s hotter and, ironically perhaps, a lot less seductive.

Did they really kill off all of “Angel’s” female regulars within such a short span? Or is Fred back to her old self by episode’s end?

Fred’s dead, baby. And it looks like Fred’s exit is a permanent one. “Miss Burkle’s soul was consumed by the fires of resurrection,” Upgrade Guy tells Charles Gunn. “Everything she was is gone. Forever. For better or worse, you made a deal, mr. Gunn. I suggest you learn to live with it.”

“Looks like?” So there’s hope. There’s kind of a “Search For Spock” thing at play here. Illyria got Winifred’s good looks and, we learn late in the episode, something more.

Does Illyria find the spiffy new red-leather catsuit at Nordstroms or on Melrose?

Neither. Amy Acker abruptly strips naked and places her hand on the sarcophagus. Red gooey clothing-matter oozes from it and cleaves helpfully to her slender, willing body.

Does Krevlornswath retain that badass gene?

Doesn’t look like. He excuses himself from the episode early on, and I don’t recall a re-emergence.

Does Spike high-tail it to Italy at episode’s end?

He does not. “This is what she would have wanted. It’s what I want. I don’t really like you. Suppose I never will. But this is important, what’s happening here. Fred gave her life for it. The least I can do is give what’s left of mine.”

Is Angel still made of felt?

No.

What’s good?

The ending, which swelled my tearducts yet again. Knox generally and “Is that an issue?” in particular. The fleeting reference to Barry, Jay and Wally. Plus? “Angel” just got a lot more fun to watch with the sound off: Amy Acker has never looked more worship-worthy (which, admittedly, is saying something).

What’s not so good?

The set-up, frankly, was a lot more fun than the resolution.

How does it end, spoiler-boy?

Fred climbes into the station wagon and begins her long journey to California.

Herc’s rating for “Angel” 5.16?

***1/2 The Hercules T. Strong Rating System: ***** better than we deserve **** better than most motion pictures *** actually worth your valuable time ** as horrible as most stuff on TV * makes you quietly pray for bulletins 9 p.m. Wednesday. The WB. Swing the crebbil! Only 9 more shopping days till what is, In Herc’s view, the season’s best new show: "Wonderfalls"!! I am - Hercules!!