Hellbound. (ATS 5.04)

[elisi]

I love this episode. Love, love, love, love, LOVE it! It's pretty darn near perfection in TV terms and makes me almost cry because we didn't get a Season 6 and we'll never ever see them all on screen again and nothing else will ever come close! *deeeep sigh*

A few thoughts before I rec lots of insightful essays. Firstly - just to get it out of the way:

ANGEL: I just want you to be careful, Fred, because I know how charming Spike can be.

Really? You do? Well ain't that interesting... *g*

Anyway, that's just an aside.

ANGEL: I know Spike better than anyone, and he only cares about himself.

Oh but you don't. Not at all. Not anymore. And also you're lying through your teeth, because you know that Spike has *always* cared about someone - starting with Dru... Of course Spike goes on to show that he cares about a little science girl he only met a month ago more than his only near-chance of becoming 'real' again. Anyway, that whole bit is Angel projecting something fierce of course:

ANGEL: "Some people can't be saved."

Just like Buffy, Angel always makes everything about himself...

But - what I love (more than the other stuff if that's possible) is of course the scene in Angel's apartment. Because although Angel apparently can't stand Spike, he still reaches out when Spike comes to him. OK, so he's only got despair to offer, but it's shared despair... ("I hate you!"/"And I'm all you've got!") Despair and a compliment. *loves Angel*

But you all knew that. This is what you should be reading (as in go right now!):

harmonyfb: Hellbound.
estepheia: Essay on AtS 5x04
the_royal_anna: Essay: What Price Your Soul?
monanotlisa: My 2€ cents on ANGEL SEASON FIVE so far-- a response to the_royal_anna's fabulous analysis.

Comments

[morgantree.livejournal.com]

I was trying so hard to be productive today, but now look what you've done! Must. read. essays.

Great callout on Angel knowing how charming Spike can be. Someone needs to write that scene, don't you think? Where Spike is charming the pants off Angel?

:: gives up on work entirely ::

[elisi]

Must. read. essays.
Absolutely. Go get blown away by the fantastic meta!

Someone needs to write that scene, don't you think? Where Spike is charming the pants off Angel?
Oh try estepheia's 'Nothing Else Matters' (on her website). Set post-Dead Things and *so* good...

Enjoy! :)

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

Just like Buffy, Angel always makes everything about himself...

I think it has to do with them being the main character, I mean, usually almost everything tends to be about them, even though it gets a little annoying to the viewer.

[elisi]

I mean, usually almost everything tends to be about them, even though it gets a little annoying to the viewer.
Well considering that the last two years of Angel's life have been all about him and his family, with prophecies coming true before his eyes, it's hard *not* to be self-obsessed! :)

[lusciousxander.livejournal.com]

Was it in Seeing Red when Spike told Buffy, "It's not about you, no matter how you like it to be."? LOL

That's something Buffy and Angel have in common, though I don't really blame them.

[elisi]

Was it in Seeing Red when Spike told Buffy

Yes: "Well, this isn't just about you... as much you'd like it to be."

Aw, poor Spike.

That's something Buffy and Angel have in common
And why their interactions are so over the top! :)