I was happy that they didn't use another one. Instead, they wrapped up one they've been using since Season 3. Unless there was another prophecy I missed...

I thought the best thing about the episode was the understated way they resolved things between Angel and Connor. I had yet another fear that the two of them were going to have some kind of heart-to-heart, but once again the fear proved unfounded...and, in retrospect, a bit disloyal. :)

All in all, I think the episode was one of the best of the season, if only because it managed to resolve satisfactorily in one episode a situation that developed over two full seasons. Quite a tall order handled very well.

PS- My high point was the line, "They were supposed to take that out" when Connor indicated his attraction to older women. I laughed and, as a bonus, was reminded of the creepiness of the relationship between Connor and Evil-Cordy.

Hate replying to myself but:

PS- My high point was the line, "They were supposed to take that out" when Connor indicated his attraction to older women. I laughed and, as a bonus, was reminded of the creepiness of the relationship between Connor and Evil-Cordy.

The implication is that Connor does remember everything... but made a concious choice to walk away. I say this based on his body language and facial expressions at the end. The old Connor's imperious stalk was back. Seems like a year in a normal, well-adjusted family has given him some perspective.

Was there really a better way to handle Connor? I mean I can't think of anything off the bat.

The implication is that Connor does remember everything... but made a concious choice to walk away. I say this based on his body language and facial expressions at the end. The old Connor's imperious stalk was back. Seems like a year in a normal, well-adjusted family has given him some perspective.

I'd much rather see that kind of resolution than having every emotional situation end (or enter another cycle of the same old thing) through extended heart-to-heart dialog. Heck, I'd have liked more of that in the last episode, not having Angel give Gunn the Remorse, Repentance, and Redemption Special Event, but having Gunn make up his mind on his own, so that the impact would be, "Oh, of course, he had to do that" rather than "Oh, of course, now we know what he's going to do."

I don't think it's inappropriate to gush about how great this episode was handled in both writing and direction. Other TV creators in any genre should be looking at it...John Wells and Dick Wolf spring immediately to mind - I like ER and L&O quite a lot, but things get over-wrought quickly on both shows. Joss doesn't underestimate the intelligence of his audience; unfortunately, that may be key to why Angel doesn't get stellar ratings.

As bad as I think this season has been, and especially her particular storyline, I have to give credit to Amy Acker for her work as Illyria. She really gets across the subtle distinctions between Fred and Illyria with nothing more than posture and vocal tone. I daresay none of the rest of the cast would be capable of such subtleties.

Plus, well, Connor ain't the only one to like her in that outfit!

(Something I didn't understand and will have to go back and check: Spike said he thinks Illyria can speak to plants, but I didn't see any plants in that lab. So how does he know?)

(Something I didn't understand and will have to go back and check: Spike said he thinks Illyria can speak to plants, but I didn't see any plants in that lab. So how does he know?)

I daresay none of the rest of the cast would be capable of such subtleties.

Take a good look at Alexis Denisof's work from Buffy's third season on. Some of his subtlety was so subtle I missed it until I watched the entire first season in two or three days. (Yay DVD!)

Take a good look at Alexis Denisof's work from Buffy's third season on. Some of his subtlety was so subtle I missed it until I watched the entire first season in two or three days. (Yay DVD!)

Hm.. you missed his subtlety in season 3 by watching season 1?

I meant Angel's first season, which follows Buffy's third, where the character was first introduced.

As bad as I think this season has been, and especially her particular storyline, I have to give credit to Amy Acker for her work as Illyria. She really gets across the subtle distinctions between Fred and Illyria with nothing more than posture and vocal tone. I daresay none of the rest of the cast would be capable of such subtleties.

Plus, well, Connor ain't the only one to like her in that outfit!

(Something I didn't understand and will have to go back and check: Spike said he thinks Illyria can speak to plants, but I didn't see any plants in that lab. So how does he know?)

Wow Gunn really got to be hurting on the inside to let them hurt him so much on the outside

Wow Gunn really got to be hurting on the inside to let them hurt him so much on the outside

When He Wears The Necklace, he Doesn't Remember Fred. Maybe The Necklace Is To Him what The Bottle Is To Wesley?

I didn't see it as that so much as "wearing the necklace is my (self-imposed) punishment for what I did." But you may have a point...

-cb

Aside from that, excellent show.
"I like hitting him, he makes noises."