Warning: This is not a line--there really are SPOILERS just ahead for the latest episode of Angel, "Lonely Hearts." If you want to avoid them, please turn back now...

In short: A solid offering...

I've never been a huge fan of David Fury's writing. He's offered some interesting, if not overly spectacular episodes of Buffy and so, when I saw his name flash up in the opening credits for the latest episode of Angel, "Lonely Hearts" I have to admit that part of me inwardly groaned.

Of course, I've been suprised by writers in the past. And even won over by them.

And Fury took a big step towards that last night with "Lonely Hearts."

For the most part, "Lonely Hearts" was exactly what a second episode of a series had to be--one that expands on the premise, delivers a good story and sets in motion other events for the rest of the show. Overall, "Lonely Hearts" delivered on all of these counts.

The main plot--an evil demon is jumping from body to body after seducing its prey worked fairly well. I like the symmatry of the storylines of everyone in the singles bar trying to make a connection with the demon trying to connect so it could continue its own existence. Overall, it worked pretty well, especially at the end when we got to see it running around inside the bartender and repeating, "I only want to make a connection!"

On those levels, it really worked.

Also, the fact that it was fairly powerful was good. It's nice to see Angel go up against a demon who is as strong if not stronger than he is and see how he deals with it. Of course, last night, he dealt with it by throwing him into a barrel full of fire that destroyed it. But, you get the idea that Angel will have to, in future, outwit these demons and big-mean-uglies rather than just beat them into submission.

Indeed, it brings up a lot of parallels to Batman...

Parallels which come up all the time on the show. I loved the reference to the Batsignal last ngiht as well as Angel's overelaborate plan to escape from the basement using the grappling hook. Those were two of the funnier moments in the show as a whole...namely because there were so self-depracting and witty. I only hope that they don't run this joke into the ground. It will be funny for a while, but may quickly wear thin.

On other levels, Angel worked fairly well in "Lonely Hearts."

Seeing the crew trying to get the word out at the single's bar was nicely done. There were isolated moments that I really enjoyed such as the men thinking Cordy was a hooker and Quinn her pimp, as well as Angel's attempts to make conversation. Indeed, one of the overall themes of the episode was people trying to make connections for whatever reason they needed to be made. From Angel attempting to find out who needed help and why to Kate needing Angel in order to defeat the demon to Quinn's obvious attempts to make some sort of connection with Cordelia, all of these scenes really worked. It's nice to see that Angel isn't getting over his awkwardness in these types of situations quickly and easily. It was nice to see him also learn over the course of the show--his using the confidence he'd built up with Kate to then turn around and hit on the girl in the bar after the fight worked rather nicely.

As for Kate, I've got to admit that on the whole, I really, really liked her. She seemed a good foil to Angel and I've got to admit that, based on one episode, I want to see more of her. I like the fact that she and Angel had to forge an uneasy alliance in order to defeat the demon and I only hope this continues in upcoming episodes. I don't want to see her develop as love interest just yet. I'd like to see more of the give and take banter we saw last night, which reminded me a great deal of the first season of "Lois and Clark." (And for me, that's a good thing...)

So, overall, there was a lot that worked about the plot. It was certainly far darker than Buffy could have been and I think that worked. If this is the direction that Angel looks to take, then I am positive about the future of the show as a whole.

After two weeks, Angel is winning me over. It's not in the vaunted "Must-See" category that Buffy is, but it could there. Certainly having Spike on next week could push it over the top for me.

So, that's about it for now, except a few small things...

--The direction seemed more conventional this week...was that deliberate?

--Quinn and Cordy--hmmm, I'm not sure. It seems a bit forced at this point.

--I liked the idea of the cards. And everyone not being able to figure out what the sketch was.

--The incidental music as Angel is fighting the demon at the end was spot-on great. I usually only notice incidental music on the second or third viewing unless it's really good...

--OK, the one part that bugged me and maybe I just didn't pay enough attention. At what point did the demon jump to the bartender? I'm not sure when and where it happened and that bugged me...

So, to wrap it up, Angel is two for two with solid offerings. I only hope it continues...

My rating: 7.5 (out of 10.0)

Next up: Spike visits L.A. (As Austin Powers would say, "Yeah, baby! Yeah!")

"...and you can go to hell."