She

She
Written by David Greenwalt and Marti Noxon
Directed by David Greenwalt

Original Airdate: February 8, 2000

Plot: Cordelia receives a vision of a person who can kill their victims by burning them from the inside out...

Review

Warning: If reading SPOILERS really burns you under the collar, you might want to put some ice on this review. There are major SPOILERS just ahead for the latest episode of Angel, "She."

In short: I might have enjoyed it more if I could understand what they're saying...

Ever since the death of Doyle five episodes ago, Angel has lost its momentum. Doyle's death was such a major turning point in the show that it would take an almost Heruclean effort to continue to sustain the show. Mainly because the show had built up some chemistry between the leads and had a number of nicely realized plotlines that were moving forward at an interesting pace.

Now, however, Angel is in total and complete dissaray. Wesley had added next to nothing to the show. In fact, in my opinion Wesley is a major misfire because they are trying to make him a bit too much like Doyle was--something that can never happen. Wesley is just not as interesting or as multi-layered as Doyle. And while he tries valiantly, Alexis Denisoff is just not as talented or as interesting to watch on screen as Glenn Quinn.

This feeling has been mounting for some time for me. But I still held out hope that Angel was going through some growing pains and might just shake them off for Februrary sweeps. Also, hearing that a new, recurring character might be making her appearance to kick off the sweeps, I had hopes that this might bring back some of the early season momentum Angel had and, now, so desparately needs.

Unfortunately, "She" failed on all counts.

Which is a really, really big shame.

First of all, combining such writing talents as David Greenwalt and Marti Noxon should have delivered a script, that if it didn't just hum, at least fired on most of its cylinders. Instead, what we got was a script that delivered us some nicely done moments but a main plot that drug out and didn't garner much interest.

Part of that, I will contribue to the fact that Bai Ling's character mumbled so much that I missed over half of what she said or was trying to say. (This was blindingly apparent in the scenes at her house between her character and the servant. He spoke so loudly and crisply that it made the difference that much more jarring.) She talked at times like she had a mouth full of crackers and it was so hard to figure out what she was saying that I got frustrated. I may have to go back and re-watch the episode with my closed captioning on just to get the just of what she is trying to say.

So, if Bai Ling is to be a cast member or a recurring cast member, please just ask her to speak up a bit.

Also, I noticed that when she mumbled, so did David Boreanaz. Which meant that I missed a ton of the exposition of what her purpose on Earth was and why. And that may have been what hurt the show the most for me.

But, there were other things that were wrong with the show as well.

For one, there was Wesley. Heavens, that man has become annoying. I thought that maybe last year in the later stages that he was being played as annoying because that's what the script wanted and needed him to be. But now after seeing the work the character has received on Angel, I'm not so convinced. Wesley just isn't interesting enough as a character to garner much interest or sympathy from me. And after having Doyle, who worked so well as the Man Friday for Angel to have Wesley try and take his place isn't working out. I can't say that show would be better with just Cordy and Angel. But someone else in Wesley's place might be better . Say, for example, Whistler from the Becoming.

The other aspect that hurt was the lack of dramatic depth to the aliens in trouble plotline. First of all, you have to wonder why the powers that be didn't send Cordy a vision before now about this. If this has been going on for months, why not let Angel now so he can try and stop it . Or has it just reached a crisis point and now Angel must intervene.

Also, I could have gone either way on the aliens robbing the girls of their souls plotline. And I felt as if the aspects of it weren't horrifying enough. We should have a scene or two with the girl we saw converted to see what she's like and then see her nabbed and her personality ripped away. That would make the transformation she went through that much more appalling and, thus, a bit easier for us as the audience to find sympathy with her plight. As it stands, yes, it's a bad thing. But, you wonder how exactly it works on their homeworld. Perhaps there is an overriding reason it's done. Maybe we'll find out in future episodes.

I also found there was next to no chemistry between David Borenaz and Bai Ling, though heaven knows they tried. Watching them mumble at each other didn't exhibit any heat or energy. It was like watching bricks interact. If she is to be the new love interest for Angel (and at this point, you've got to say that despite the negative reaction to her, at least Kate and Angel have some chemistry!), then I'm seriously worried about the direction of the show.

Again, Joss stated and foreshadowed early on that Angel would do battle with a law firm. And they have been completely dropped from sight of late. We need more than random hints. Give us something concrete. Is the law firm run by the controlling aliens, I can see the tie in. But at this point, it seems as if the story arc for the year is in total disarray.

I can only hope they find it again soon.

But, there was some hope in "She." The show had flashes of brilliance, but they were few and far between.

For one, I really liked the sequence at Cordelia's party. To see Angel still having trouble dealing with strangers and making small talk was a nice little contunity point from "City of..." Also, to see David Borenaz dancing in the Angel fantasy sequence was an absolute riot (and to whoever's brilliant idea it was to put those at the end of the show, let me offer you my thanks!). I loved it. Angel works well becasue Boreanaz plays him as vulnerable and isn't afraid to laugh at himself, in character. And the dancing issue worked.

Also, the scenes with Cordy discussing Angel's social interaction and using his strength to grind the coffee beans worked. I will admit that seeing the Angel and Cordy friendship strengthen and develop has been one of the better pleasures the show has given us over the past couple of episodes.

However, these isolated moments alone weren't enough to redeem the show for me. And that's a shame, really, because this one seemed to have nice elements going for it .

My rating: 3.5 (out of 10.0)

Next up: A demon doesn't want to be exorcised....

"We need a plan."

"I'm going to go in and punch them hard in the face. That's the plan."

--Wesley and Angel.