Angel Review - Hero

[GrimBlade2K]

--NOTE: I review on merit of the episode, and assume that cuts do not affect the plot of an episode. I am aware that they do, but for the sake of argument, I assume Angel was broadcast unedited--

If you didn't like this episode, you may as well disapper now, because I can tell you now, I'm going to wax lyrical.

For me, this is the definitive Buffy and Angel - some excellent fighting sequences, great acting and scripting, a nice moral message, easy on the cheesey comedy, and heavy on tear-jerking drama.

I'd have loved to have seen this episode WITHOUT knowing how it was going to end, but I didn't. Ironically, there's something to be said for knowing about Doyle's departure, because you never knew quite when it was going to happen, and Joss had me on tenterhooks for the whole episode, wondering exactly when it was going to come.

The very idea of the Scourge is quite disturbing, and a damned good one. Racism amongst demons has been hitherto unexplored, and is very clever. I also loved the insights into Doyle's past, especially the guilt he feels, and that harrowing flashback (lost on Channel 4 - the unedited version of that flashback shows the real damage the Scourge did to the Lister demons and thus had a much greater impact). Then there's the whole underlying issue of hidden strength. I above all loved the fact that Doyle was The Promised One - not Angel. Then there's Cordelia and Doyle, with that great line `I guess we'll never know - <all change> - if this is a face you could learn to love`. And then he's gone, and there's that final scene. `Is that it? Am I done?` Classic.

Oh...and did you spot that little flash of light when Doyle kissed Cordy? It's important...

10/10

[Skumbag]

I disagree. I found the whole 'Nazi' theme to be unoriginal and a tired cliche, whilst the eventual manner of Doyle's sacrifice was soooo twee it made me ill.

Didn't stop the lump in my throat in the final scene tho :)

[GrimBlade2K]

Well, as I said, I like it when Buffy/Angel tackles a strong, moral storyline, and racism is one so far unexplored on the show, and I think it was handled impeccably here.

The point about Doyle's sacrifice is it's...well...DOYLE! The cowardly one, the selfish one - and he gives up everything.

And yes, I challenge any long term fan not to get a lump :)

[Skumbag]

It didn't tackle racism - or if it did, it was a really lousy attempt.

I felt showing it as a 'Nazi' thing was a complete cop-out, it doesn't become a real issue; by transparently comparing it to the Jackbooted 'Master Race' it becomes almost a parody of what it's trying to portray. I think it would have been a lot more effective had the Scourge NOT been a bunch of frogmarching, 1940's-german-uniform-wearing, Hitlerish-phrase-spouting 'Brownshirts'.

As for Doyle, I get your point, but it just didn't gel for me. It was far too contrived :\

[GrimBlade2K]

Well, I just liked the idea of racism amongst demons.

And I think, of all the ways to kill off a leading character, it was by far one of the most dramatic.

[Skumbag]

Surely a small thermonuclear device rammed down his throat would have been more dramatic? :E

Angel back to one ep per week now... wtf was the double episode lark all about?

[WildWayz]

I get a lump when I see Cordelia.

Urrrm... wrong kind of lump!
:E

--WildWayz