Hellbound

Angel Episode Review

In which, on a list of Spike's attributes, I would not list hair as a positive.

What Happened

Spike keeps vanishing in the middle of conversations, claiming to Fred that he's being drawn into Hell. Recently, he's been spotting ghouls and ghosties in the shadows, whispering that the Reaper's coming for him.

The Reaper turns out to be Pavaine, the guy who Wolfram & Hart used to de-consecrate the ground for their headquarters. He was a ritual sacrifice, but has escaped Hell by feeding it the ghosts who might otherwise haunt W & H. Spike's next.

Fred figures out a way of making Spike corporeal, but it's a one time deal. Meanwhile, Spike and Pavaine are beating on each other, 'cuz that's what ghosties do. Pavaine threatens to kill Fred, telling Spike to choose between her life and becoming flesh. Spike tosses Pavaine into the mystic circle, making him corporeal and allowing Angel to lock him in a box for all eternity.

What We Learned

• Spike's more than a common spectral disturbance.
• The Shan-Shu-Haw means that if Angel helps enough people he might become human again.
• All Fred has to do to help Spike is defy most of the Laws of Nature.
• Never a fetching mad scientist about when you need one.
• Angel is not the most optimistic puppy about these days.
• Gunn is the only one Spike pops up next to in the bathroom.
• There are 132 references to a "Dark Soul" is Wesley's books. Four of them are about Angel.
• Angel's a dog person.
• There's worse things than being a ghost.
• If there's anything Wolfram & Hart excels at, it's keeping their unmentionables unmentioned.

Best Lines

Angel: "There was one thing. I never told anyone. I liked your poems."
Spike: "You liked Barry Manilow."

What Did I Think?

I know it's a horror movie staple and all, but watching characters wandering through dark hallways just isn't that interesting, visually. Personally, I would be moving as quick as possible, but no one ever strides through a horror movie. They just... sort of... wander...

The psychic was cool, though. She's what would happen if Elle Woods got hired by Wolfram & Hart.