S02.E22: There's No Place Like Plzth Grb

[Joe Hellandback]

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE PLZTH GRB

The Good; The basket scene alone makes this wonderful. All told it's pretty good stuff though, a revolution in three eps.

The Bad; It seems rather contrite that the entire world of Pylea is ruled by this small band of priests and their tiny army.

Best line: Wes; "Why do people keep putting me in charge of things?" Gunn; (exasperated) "I have NO idea!". In many ways Gunn is the straight man of Angel Investigations, constantly staggered at the rest of the gangs grand notions.

Jeez, how did they get away with that? Severed Lorne's head, Pylea has a 'mutilation chamber'? Everyone keeps spitting on poor Lorne. The Groo sets his own hand on fire to intimidate Angel before they fight. He feels pain but just overcomes it!

Apocalypses: 5

Angel Clichés Inverting the Hollywood cliché; Lovely heart to heart between Wes and Angel over the fireside but we later learn that Wes doesn't necessarily believe it, he just needs Angel to.

In disguise; 8

DB get's his shirt off; 12

Cordy's tattoo; 6,

Cheap Angel; 7

Fang Gang in bondage: Angel by Groo Cordy: 5 Angel: 10 Wes: 6 Gunn; 3 Lorne; 2

Fang gang knocked out: Angel after the fight in the cave Cordy: 10 Angel: 13 Wes: 5 Doyle; 1 Gunn; 1 Lorne; 1

Kills: 3 demons for Angel, 3 for Wes, 2 for Gunn and 1 for Cordy Cordy: 5 vamps, 2 demons Angel; 26 vamps, 38 and 1/2 demons, 3 humans Doyle; 1 vamp Wes; 6 demons Kate; 3 vamps Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans. Gunn; 7 vamps+ 4 demons.

Fang Gang go evil: Cordy: 2 Angel: 2

Alternate Fang Gang: Cordy: 2 Angel: 6

Characters killed: 37

Recurring characters killed; 6;

Total number of Angel Investigations: 4, Angel, Cordy, Wes and Gunn

Angel Investigations shot: Angel: 11 Wes; 1

Packing heat; Wes; 3 Doyle; 1 Angel; 1

Notches on Fang Gang bedpost: Cordy: 2 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast Angel: 2; Buffy and Darla Wes; 2; Virginia and the bleached blonde

Kinky dinky: Cordy touches the Groo 'by accident' in the dark. She refers to Groo and her on their wedding night having a 'shared burden lifting' but denies that she has much experience. She doesn't like the idea of Com-shukking in front of the priests. The priests tell Groo that if Angel should win he will ravage and defile Cordy again and again until she has no more screaming in her.

Captain Subtext; Do the Covenant represent the Taliban? Check out the slave-girls expression when Cordy orders her to strip naked. Also check out that Lorne's eyes flicker open to watch. Lorne observes that Groo works out when Cordy rubs him up against him. When Cordy tells Groo she loves him Angel is a little affronted that she doesn't say she loves him too. Gunn's speech at the end neatly sums up post American Civil War history.

Know the face, different character; 2

Parking garages; 5,

Buffy characters on Angel; 16 Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, Master, Anne, Willow and Harmony

Questions and observations; To judge by his remarks when he and Wes are going to be executed Gunn is a Christian who believes when he dies he'll go to Jesus. CC can scream like a Classic Dr Who companion (as can Dawn, see Shadow). Angel doesn't snore. In demon form he rather resembles the Incredible Hulk. Lorne doesn't have 5 toes on each foot although we don't know how many he does have. Wes is faced with the General's classic dilemma of having to sacrifice some of his men for the greater good. How do they get Angel's car out of Caritas? Willow at the end is heartbreaking, how much can Alysson Hannigan emote with just her expression?

Marks out of 10; 8/10 good end to an enjoyable arc but you're keen to get back to LA.