Angel manages to score tickets to a ballet he last saw over 200 years ago. However, on arrival he realizes that it's not just the same show, it's exactly the same show with the same dancers. As he and Cordelia investigate what's happening, Wesley and Gunn consider making a move on Fred.

When you see that an episode is written and directed by Joss Whedon, you tend to expect something a little special. This is really rather tame for something from the creator, but it's certainly not bad, far from it. The ballet setting is good, taking the regulars out of their usual environment and allowing them to interact with each other on a different level. The fact that they're dressed up also helps, as they act differently in this environment.

After building up the romantic interest between Angel and Cordelia and the love triangle between Wesley, Gunn and Fred all season, here's where things come to fruition. The fact that the theatre the gang are visiting is haunted helps move things along, with Angel and Cordelia finding a room that forces them to play the roles of one of the dancers and her lover, destined to forever play in the ballet for her unfaithfulness to the show's director. Boreanaz and Carpenter have some great chemistry together here, showing their ability in some incredibly saucy scenes that both characters are keen to gloss over later on.

One thing you can say about this episode, the writing is marvellous; Whedon knows his characters well and gives them some fine lines and great scenes, particularly in the case of the three main leads. Alexis Denisof in particular does a superb job as Wesley, devastated when Fred chooses Gunn over him but still engaging in some terrific fight sequences and quietly conveying Wes's sense of sadness in some poignant scenes at the end. There's also another point where the audience is unsure whether or not he is possessed and about to kill Gunn which is played with flawless ambiguity.

The jokes are excellent as well, it's only really the premise that lets the side down as the solution comes rather easily and certain aspects are a little too reminiscent of Buffy's season two episode I Only Have Eyes For You. Now, the fact that Angel actually references it lets this story get away with it, but it's still a bit sneaky. Still, a Joss Whedon episode with older ideas but still a strong grasp of characters is still a Joss Whedon episode, and after his more experimental efforts on Buffy, this is a chance to see some strong character drama instead.

****

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