AtS on TNT Discussion Thread

I still think someone did offend the gods of irony by having In the Dark episode run the same night as the season premiere. I have to admit though I still like his little narration. “Quickly! To the Angelmobile!” I’m easily amused I admit.

I think for me this was the last of the real Spike who was a danger/Big Bad. Even before the puppy got neutered he was kind of beaten when he was left in an abandoned warehouse with his hair on fire. Kind of pathetic.

Remember the thrill of recognizing where a scene in the credits same from? It’s crying girl! I love when the guy pops out and he looks like of like Angel. Or DB’s skinny little cousin.

This episode always reminded me of Beauty and the Beasts in how it uses demons as a metaphor for domestic violence and addiction.

Speaking of beasts, I never noticed before that Oz and Angel had the same hairdresser.

And did anyone else notice Doyle in the blue shirt and black leather jacket? Unlike that bland fugly stuff from yesterday that blue brings out those amazing eyes and the black leather’s always in style.

BTW, since just about everyone can be slashed, does anyone know of any Oz/Doyle slash? I’m thinking there’s got to be a couple of good explanations why Doyle calls Oz Bam Bam.

It’s weird but did anyone else think of The Wish when they saw this episode? Seeing Oz with those little bows and the van, he looked like the White Hat who wouldn’t give up on Sunnydale.

Really weird OT question: does anyone know when Charisma got her rosary tattoo? Last episode they showed her bare wrist prominently. Now she’s got the bulky bracelets. I remember wondering what happened to Queen C that she was wearing rag tag accessories.

But I really miss that old brick set. Loved the sliding doors and the huge garage. I also love/miss characters like Frankie Tripod. I think he’s going to be on the Soprano’s this season. He should be anyway with that name.

They really poured on the Doyle/Cordelia vibe in this one. No wonder the websites were popping up like mushrooms. That look in his eyes when she figured out Frankie’s nickname was kind of blatant.

Did anyone ever see the video of Angel and Spike to Bush’s “Chemicals Between Us?” That fight between Angel and Spike I think was the bulk of it. Probably the best video in matching the action shots and the music.

I loved Angel in Rachel’s apartment. Emerging from the shadows in the corner and carefully skirting the pool of sunlight from the window.

Between the film noir flavor and the vampire angle, Ats did a good job with the light and shadows, especially the earlier seasons compared to the sunny, happy Sunnydale.

I like the silhouettes of Spike and the others in the warehouse, Angel moving shadow to shadow, those gunholes in the ceilings. Especially the office and Angel’s apartment. Cordelia’s upstairs in the light, he’s in the dark below. I miss the sewers and the foggy shadows in the tunnels. Maybe I’m just jonesing for Beauty and the Beast.

Speaking of his apartment below, I remember some club sent him some appliance that they kept in the kitchen. Was it the coffee maker?



Does anyone else find it hard to believe that the same girl who thought “Del” stood for “Delivery” is generating invoices? I guess it depends on your motivation. And the person who’s motivating you.

I felt so sad for her when she was gushing over Oz. This was the same guy who she couldn’t bother to even address properly or say hellow. Shows how isolated and shut off she’s already become from her life in Sunnydale. Something she’s got in common with Angel.

BTW, was it me or was she a little defensive about Angel being a detective with a hat and gun? I guess the protective vibe goes both ways.

She still seems to be into that gear when they go into the Batcave. Her little comments about Buffy, upset that she didn’t even send Angel a note. But she’s aware of him enough to register his look and back off her criticisms of Buffy. Those were more or less a reflex after three years of high school so it’s become habitual.

When she talked about being one of those topics she should avoid I wondered who talked to her about it recently? And who did she take seriously enough to listen? Certainly not Giles.

Also love her comments on him sitting around brooding. Even if he’s downstairs most of the time she’s aware of him and what he’s going through.

Oh, look at her smile for him when Doyle’s describing what he can do with the ring. But then she’s reacting to his anxiety over the ring. Really noticeable next to Oz’s wooden man bit.

I like her little wave and smile to him as she leaves. One of those nonverbal flourishes that added texture compared to most situations where the actress would just walk out.


BTW, did Angel make a lot of clothing comments on BtVS? Now he’s complaining about Spike’s accessories clashing. Wonder if he’s been indoctrinated by Cordelia already. Or just sneaking her “Marie Claire.”

Notice how Angel’s between her and Spike. Who said chivalry’s dead?

Did you notice that Cordelia didn’t even wait till Spike had left to ask if Angel was ok? That check on Angel drive is already there.

And yet his immediate reaction is her safety and having Doyle take her to his place. Takes one obsessive vamp to understand another when a pretty girl’s involved. Love how she’s concerned about him and asks what he’s going to do. He looks at her directly when he answers. They’re looking at each other while she seems to pause and nods before she agrees to go.

I’m probably reaching but did anyone think of B/A when Angel was talking about bad, dysfunctional relationships that hurt and are more a habit than healthy. The pleasure that just doesn’t last because the pain is inevitable. He’s in that withdrawal phase himself as he’s just left Sunnydale but hey, let’s move onto healthier, real relationships. “The kind of love that you [he, Cordelia] deserve.” Right?

I love that boy in plum. Really brings out that vampirish sallow look. Got that Purple Hippo Garanimals on. Doesn’t quite match her lilac pants.

She really is nervous for Angel judging by the way she’s crouched over, anxious while Doyle’s on the phone with him.

Oh! She’s so worried for him while she’s sitting with the phone in her lap! That quiet, breathy voice worrying about things going badly for him. Wonder if she sat up all night in that chair waiting for him to call. From her expression she can’t even swallow Doyle’s fake assurances about hanging ten. Or maybe it was the image of him and the bikini babes. Eh, probably the image of Spike burning him up from the inside.

Liked Marcus’ comments about Angel having something to loose. He can smell it on his soul. Now since he didn’t have anything to loose in the pilot that kind of narrows the field to Doyle and Cordelia.

I love that confrontation she has with Spike. Her physical realization that he was telling the truth about dying before the arrow left the bow. Not a big deal but still a nice touch by Charisma. Just like her reaction to the news that Angel was being tortured. She’s rattled but can still be strident with Spike. Heh, I love his little “duh” comment.

I think this was the first time we saw her in the sewers. Probably the only reason she’s down there is her concern for Angel. She certainly wasn’t happy about it the next time. You can tell she’s anxious, immediately goes to the next step mentally when they find the ring. But not really able to think clearly which Doyle points out.

I was kind of impressed that she could be snarky with Spike on the wharf despite the fact that he had her so shaken up last time by his threat of killing her. Doesn’t hesitate to follow him as he leads her to Angel. I guess when you’ve got the right motivation…

I love how she tries to rush to him despite Spike in her way. That raw way she calls his name. I totally love how he responded to her, called her name when he can’t even raise his head. Specifically hers, not Doyle’s. And check out her almost anguished look when she realizes how much pain he’s in.

She’s so worried about him in the van that she’s trying to get him to a hospital. Uh, Cordelia, vampire? Remember?

Still though I think it’s becoming typical to see her focus on him when he’s hurt, trying to derail them from following Marcus. Her feelings are so strong that she’s the one calling the spade a shovel. Angel being in bad shape outweighing Marcus’ thing for kids.

I guess this is the episode where she becomes his official worrier. Like when they find him on the beach, she’s the one who asks if he’s ok. Wants him to lie down. She reaches out to touch him in more ways than one and almost violates that “no touching” policy. Even when Doyle tells her to leave him alone she’s standing there worried with her arms crossed.

I have to wonder who told him once or twice that he was a brooding addict? I don’t see Buffy noticing something like that or Xander/Giles caring. That leaves either Doyle or Cordelia as the ones who are around him enough to know him that well and since Doyle’s the one who’s asking, guess who’s left? Say the girl who was making “moping” observations earlier.



BTW, what’s this with Ats on Tuesdays at 11? Are they showing the new episodes then?