The Shroud of Rahmon

Angel Episode Review

In which Angel and Gunn try to prove who is cooler.

What Happened

Gunn asks for help with a cousin who has agreed to join a gang stealing a mystical whatsit from a local museum. By "help," Gunn means he wants Angel to stand behind him looking broody while he does all the talking, so he is annoyed when Angel hears who is involved and announces that he'll take care of it.

Angel goes undercover as an out-of-state demon, managing to pull off the deception despite his lack of fashion sense. The gang gathers to plot the theft, joined by Gunn, who takes the place of his cousin and tags along. He and Angel each try to convince the thieves to ditch the other guy, but it doesn't work.

Their booty is the "Shroud of Rahmon," which Wesley identifies as the cloth used to wrap up the body of a Very Bad Demon after it finally died. Exposure to it drives a person batty, worrying Wes and Cordi as Angel isn't exactly stable these days to begin with.

Kate wanders in a critical juncture and Angel bites her in order to keep up his cover story. When the thieves get the Shroud back to their hideout, a fight breaks out over who gets to keep it. Finally, Angel grabs the Shroud and burns it, releasing them from its spell.

What We Learned

• Wesley is quite good with the ladies himself, you know.
• If Kate gets stuck between Angel and Darla, it'll be the last thing she ever does.
• Two things bringing in the chicks: the do and the ride.
• People, you've got to leave your tombs earthed.
• You would think that people would find less accident prone explosive than nitro-glycerin, but then I suppose there would be no excuse for fifteen seconds of pointless tension.
• It has nothing to do with purity. It is all about dominance. You can bet that if someone ordered a male body part for sacrifice, the world would be atheist, just like that.
• Humans always gotta feel something about everything. And they always gotta tell you about it.
• Cordi thinks it's the altitude... here at sea level.
• Wesley never thought of Gunn as a museum type.
• Wesley doesn't think recent events did Angel a lot of good.

Best Lines

Cordelia: "So in order to take his mind off the torment that is Darla, we send Angel after a shroud that makes you crazy?"

Gunn: "When they gonna start making some pretty demons?"

What Did I Think?

Total Usual Suspects rip-off, though the teaser with Kate falling to the ground at Angel's feet is very effective.