OK, was it just me, or did this episode give out the weirdest feeling?!! Something was definitely wrong with it – not necessarily in a bad way, but in a nothing like Angel, completely nothing at all like BtVS, way. For want of a better description, it was kinda part X-Files, part Mission Impossible, with a twist of the Matrix thrown in for good measure. Way unnerving, actually. So unnerving in fact, that I’ve got a headache from the weird feeling I contracted from that episode, and I’m writing this in hopes of a cure. So here follows my venting.

The strongest impression I received from watching this episode, was the fact that the Angel series is ABSOLUTELY SEPARATE FROM AND DIFFERENT TO Buffy. Yes, I know this has been obvious throughout the season, but I think this episode was so different from the others and from its mother show, that there really is no going back. Now not only are the two lovers forever set apart, but so are their respective shows.

My reasons? It’s hard to put this personal, ambiguous ‘feeling’ of weirdness into words, but here goes. This episode was so intense. Yeah the storyline was edge-of-your-seat-ish, and there was dramatic character interaction and thrilling action scenes – but I’m referring to something in between the lines. It felt as though the essence of this episode itself, was straining towards something untouched in the darkness. Darkness different to that of the mystical underworld in season two BtVs with Dru and Spike. This new darkness is shiny and cold; it reflects light and pervades the air both day and night; watching, listening, waiting.

In that perhaps melodramatic description, I’m trying to convey the fact that this new twist to the Angel series seems much bigger and powerful than anything either Angel or Buffy have faced in the past. I find it impossible to imagine Buffy involved in this conspiracy storyline; it is part of a world that she does not inhabit, and cannot presume to rule. She is after all, only a teenager, and for all her strength and instincts, she would be out of her league entirely against the suits of Wolfram and Hart.

So too would the old Angel. And by this I refer to that tortured, angsty Angel from BtVS who would longingly pine for Buffy. What happened to him, and when? The Angel series has depicted a confidant, wise-cracking, noble hero who seems a complete contradiction to the guilt-ridden vampire that embraced Buffy’s shadow not long ago. When did this magical transformation take place, to this demon who simply wanted to be alone?

These questions arise now to illustrate the inconstancy of his character, which blared out to me in this episode. First of all, Angel was unusually harsh towards Lindsey’s plea for help, especially given our Hero’s ability to forgive Faith in the middle of mortal combat with her. Secondly, it is just plain weird seeing Angel in a suit, doing the Mission Impossible undercover gig! This guy fights demons; the mere idea of him going 007 completely blows his characterisation to ash. The writers may be trying to give Angel a new dimension to explore, but they cannot expect us to accept such changes as natural. It is a shame that they have mutilated Angel’s character to mould to the story of the week. It would have been better for all if instead of defiling the memory of Angel, they had simply created a new character to lead the show – which is virtually what has happened anyway.

But enough of my ranting. Just a few other brief notes.

The beginning. OK, way weird. Since Angel didn’t speak a coherent word for ages the Cordy-Wes dialogue really didn’t do much to relieve the unease.
Freaky blind self-mutilating chick. Ewww – freaky! But yet another example of the deviation of the demon storyline. I wish there’d be some decent vampire action instead of all this diversity exploration stuff. I need to see something normal again!
Lindsey. Sigh! How gorgeous is this guy?! There’s a definite Mark Wahlberg feel to him… anyone else think there could be chemistry between him and Cord?… But oh! If only Angel had given him the slightest bit of hope, Lindsey might have chosen the good side, sigh. Hope to see a whole lot more of this cutie!
Phone call to Willow. By this stage I was getting really tensed by the absolute seriousness of this episode, so boy o boy was I glad to hear (well, indirectly hear) a familiar voice. Even that however, didn’t bring the two shows closer together. Angel’s exasperated ‘hi’ back to Willow was indicative of his preoccupations elsewhere, in his world. The old Angel would have been dangling off the edge of the phone cord just to hear Buffy’s name mentioned. And given the (conveniently currently ignored) memory of IWRY, Angel’s recent hostile behaviour towards Buffy has been inconsistent with his character.

OK, so it’s clear that I still have a huge hang up about Joss ripping the two fated lovers apart. But greater than that is my disappointment with the way he’s manipulated Angel’s once beautiful character, into the stereotype of the week. Although this new type of darkness in the show is intriguing, it is also evidence that the old Angel is well and truly of the forgotten past, and that the future holds no return to the angsty vampire whom we all adored.