Time Bomb

Angel Episode Review

In which the thousand year war of Good vs Evil is well under way. Evil just hasn't told anyone it's going on yet. Which will probably be why Evil wins.

What Happened

Illyria rescues Gunn from his holding dimension, which should make Angel feel better about her, but doesn't. He even tells Spike to stop sparring with her, concerned that she's learning too many of their weaknesses.

While talking to Wesley, Illyria bounces through time a couple times and starts to think that Angel is planning to kill her. Angel doesn't know what she's talking about; he's distracted by a woman who's about to hand her baby over to a demon cult and wants Wolfram and Hart to handle the negotiations. It's good for business, Hamilton points out.

Hamilton implies that the Senior Partners really don't want Illyria hanging around and points Wes in the direction of a way to stop her. Wesley realizes that Fred's body is incapable of holding all of Illyria's power and tells Angel that they need to do something before she explodes and wipes out half of LA.

The fight doesn't go so well. In fact, Illyria pretty much kills them all, before jumping back in time to find herself standing in the hall, having a conversation with Angel. When she jumps again, he is carried along and finds out what happened... or will happen... or whatever.

Returning to the seconds before Illyria attacks, Angel stops her. Wesley reveals that the device he's constructed will remove most of Illyria's power and save her life. She allows him to go ahead with it, and Angel decides to take her words about power to heart: he goes through with the baby contract without any further protest.

What We Learned

• Illyria was ruler of the world, after all. That sort of thing goes to her head.
• Despite his former affection for Fred, Spike has no problem hitting Illyria.
• Adaptation is compromise. To never die and to conquer all. That is winning.
• Don't go into Wes' office. That's where he keeps the full crazy.
• The thousand year war of Good vs Evil is well under way. Evil just hasn't told anyone it's going on yet. Which will probably be why Evil wins.
• It's profits that let them keep this plucky little boat of good above water.
• Betrayal was a neutral word in Illyria's day.
• Wesley's opinion of Illyria weighs less than sunlight.
• The Brethren have finished their organic colas and the sugar high isn't helping matters.
• Secret Demon Man's cover is blown.
• Now might not be the best time for the "when we were muck" story.
• A true ruler is as moral as a hurricane.
• It's not murder if you say yes.
• Wesley lied.
• Again.

Best Lines

Wesley: "I stabbed you. I'm not sure how to apologize for that. I think it'll just be awkward."

What Did I Think?

"The baby belongs to the Fell." Did not see that coming. Accepting Illyria is one thing (cause she's in the credits), but recommitting to W&H? I suppose he'll weasel out of it before the end of the season, but I still went, "Huh. Cool."