Angel - "Destiny" Review
By: Michael Hickerson

Written by David Fury & Steven S. DeKnight
Directed by Skip Schoolnik
Original Airdate: November 19, 2003

Plot: A mysterious package arrives and makes Spike corporeal again. But it’s also thrown the entire Shanshu prophecy into chaos, threatening the very existence of the universe. Research reveals that the only way to restore order is for one of the two vampires—Spike or Angel—to drink from the Cup of Perpetual Torment. The two then set off on a race to beat the other to this prize and claim their humanity yet again.

Warning: It is not your “Destiny” to read SPOILERS for the latest episode of Angel. If you’ve not yet seen it, I strongly suggest you turn back now. I am going to give away SPOILER for the whole episode and it’s just one of those you should really see unaware of any SPOILER info. You have been warned.

In short: Great episode, superb coda…is it time for new episodes yet?!?

Sibling rivalry is as old as the world itself. One of the earliest stories in the Bible is the story of two brothers—Jacob and Esau. Jacob was the older brother who won his fathers love and approval but had all of that stolen from him by Esau, who disguised himself to swindle his brother out of his birthright.

With “Destiny” Angel continues to give us a new spin on an old story—the complex relationship of two brothers. Angel is clearly Jacob—the brother who seems to be favored in every way and Spike is clearly Esau, looking for his way to fit in.

As I’ve stated before in my review for “Just Rewards” Angel is the older brother who went out and blazed the trail for Spike to follow. He got a soul, he suffered and brooded because of it, he joined the side of good for love of the Slayer, he fights the good fight. He even is lucky enough to have a prophecy written about him—a birthright, if you will. Back in season one, we learned of a Shanshu prophecy, one that stated that a vampire with a soul would play a crucial part in the upcoming apocalyptic battle and be rewarded with the return of his humanity. Angel assumed it was about him—he had a soul, he was fighting the good fight and certainly he had been one hell of a bastard in his younger days.

But than, along comes Spike. And suddenly Spike is following in his footsteps. And not only is he following the path that Angel laid out for him—he’s doing it better than Angel ever could. Spike got a soul after fighting for it for love, not out of a curse. Spike only suffered for several weeks before he found a mission—to help Buffy fight the first. And while Angel and Angelus may have been with two of the same women that Spike slept with, it was Spike who gave him his heart and soul. Angelus only used Dru for the sex and to torment Spike while Spike stood by her in her madness and even cured her of it. And it was Spike who got to be with Buffy many times over, something Angel could only do once because of the horrible consequences should he experience one moment of true happiness. In a lot of ways, Angel got to be the first love for Dru and Buffy but Spike got to be more of a true love to them. He got to know them, to cherish them, to open his heart to them. He got to share more than just a physical connection, he shared an emotional one. He helped them in their times of trial—even so much so that Buffy rejected Angel’s help in the final battle and chose Spike her champion.

Now, Spike returns to the scene and once again, to Angel’s mind, he’s stealing Angel’s thunder. Spike has determined Angel isn’t the only act in town with a soul and by Spike’s reckoning, he is just as worthy to Shanshu, if not more. Spike has done the same things Angel did, but for what he considers better reasons. And he is determined that the birthright is his—and he’ll take it any way he can.

Of course, Angel doesn’t see it the same way. Instead, Angel reverts back to his season two self—he counts the numbers. He’s saved the world more than Spike, he’s saved more souls. If you add it up, Angel is more worthy based on sheer numbers. But as we learned way back in Judgment, it’s not numbers that count. It’s saving souls and having your heart in the mission. And while Angel has been there physically, there have been times all year that we see his heart just isn’t in the mission.

Instead of sitting down and trying to figure out what is best for everyone, the two vampires revert back to their old way—they battle for what they want. It’s interesting to see Fury and DeKnight take us on a flashback journey of Spike’s first days as a vampire. As Angel states, Dru sired Spike, but it was Angelus who made William over in his image. It’s interesting to compare the William we see in the flashbacks—horrified by what Angel has done in taking what he see as “his”—and the Spike of the present day—who has learned from Angelus—you take what you want and damn the consequences to anyone else.

Seeing William so happy to be in the presence of Angel in the killing but then horrified that he would sleep with Dru was a nice contrast. It’s interesting to note how in the cases of the women that Angel slept with first and then Spike that Spike got a longer relationship out of it. Angel may have been with Dru and Buffy once, but Spike got to be with them many times. Now, I’m not sure how often Angelus used Dru, but I think you see the point.

Also of interest is how Spike tries to get Angel back so many years later. Spike becomes real again and steals Angel’s secretary for a quickie, just as he did with Dru. I doubt that Spike was looking to re-establish his relationship with Harmony, but after being incorporeal for so long and wanting to hurt Angel, why not take the nearest, willing warm body? And as we’ve seen before, Spike can mold Harmony into the image of Buffy in his mind. (Why else tell her not to talk and ruin it, right?)

Along these lines, we the pair’s reations to the cross are very telling. Angel pulls away from it in horror and fear, but Spike touches it, holds it and isn’t afraid of a little pain. I think this scene is very telling. Angel doesn’t like being a vampire—he is ashamed of it in a lot of ways, possibly because of how great a killer he was back in his Angelus days. But Spike is more comfortable with it. This is who is he is—he’s the sum of all his experiences. He was once a ruthless killer but he’s become more. Spike has allowed himself to grow while Angel still beats himself up for his past sins. Spike has done what it takes to get the reward of Shanshu, just as Angel has.

Angel feels he’s entitled to the reward. Spike feels he’s earned. And both are right—from their own perspective. Who should get to Shanshu? I’m not really sure, though I’m leaning more toward Spike getting to fulfill the prophecy than Angel. Honestly, he’s got a better resume for getting to fulfill the prophecy. Angel was cursed, Spike chose his path. Not sure if that means much in the grand scheme of things, but hopefully it will when this all comes to an end.

Both of them believe it’s their destiny. And both have been played like violins.

To see them both manipulated so was superbly done. First of all, the passion with which they fought and the intensity. Every fight scene was like a ballet of violence and superbly realized. But I also wonder if there was something more sinister up. Eve went to a lot of trouble to get the two vampires out of L.A. and throw everything into chaos. So, surely there must have been some reason, other than just pulling their chains.

Or maybe that’s the whole point.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

But along the way, I have to admit, Eve got very interesting. Seeing that she could be killed was a nice touch, but then seeing she’s not all she appears—wow, that has to be up there as one of the more stunning moments in Angel history. OK, not a huge stretch that she’s working against the Angel crew, but that she’s also sending the Senior Partners up the river…great touch. And who she’s doing it for…wow…one of the great moments of the year.

Seriously, I am about to reveal who is behind all this. If you haven’t seen Destiny, turn back. It’s so good you want to be surprised.

What I love most is that who is behind it is the absolute perfect villain. When Eve came in and was talking to her benefactor and undressing, I kept wondering—who is over there. My mind first ran to Holtz or possibly Justine. Or maybe even Darla. But then, as we did the reveal, I was stunned, shocked and my jaw dropped. Lindsay! Not seen since season two and yet the perfect person to have every reason to take out Angel and the Senior Partners. Wow, that minute was superb and left me yearning for more Angel and saddened that we might not get any until January! Ugh! We need some new Angel before Christmas or else I will start having withdrawal symptoms…OK, worse than I’m having right now!

Of course, seeing that Eve is working for Lindsay makes me wonder—does that mean that Lillah could be out there and being held prisoner or on the side. And could we see her return to take on Eve? Who wouldn’t pay to see that battle royale? You think Spike and Angel was good…I wouldn’t take bets on Eve vs. Lillah, though I’d LOVE to see it. (If you can work it in so it makes sense in the plot, that is).

And here I was thinking only 24 could leave yearning for more episodes right now this week. Boy has Angel equaled and excelled that.

So, that’s about it for now, except a few small things..

--So, is the white room back?
--How exactly did Eve cut off Angel from the Partners?
--OK, Eve is lying through her teeth and her minion lied to Angel and Spike. I am still thinking they can both Shanshu. In fact, I’d be willing to bet this is what the evil Powers That Be would want least. To have two horrible killers get redeemed and fight on the side of good like Spike and Angel…wow, that is a heck of a win for the good guys, don’t you think?
--I liked seeing Gunn get smacked by Fred. Anyone wonder if there was some residual anger there from him dumping her?
--Fury and DeKnight got every nuance of the entire cast right here. From Spike and Angel to Harmony, they all felt exactly right. Almost Joss-written. Huge compliment to them both.
--Only compliant—no Wes. But then again, I bet AD was off getting married during this filming of this one. Also, liked how they took that and used to be integral to the plot. Great job!
--I think the symbols in Lindsay’s room and on his body are to shield him from the Senior Partners and Angel. And I didn’t’ catch it—must go to the videotape—did he have his hand back?
--Did anyone else think Lindsay’s room looked a bit like a room from the Hyperion? How much would that rock if he’s holed up in Angel’s old HQ.
--Does Lindsay know about Connor? Just food for thought.

Well, that’s it for now. I’ve rambled on longer than usual (I tend to do that when I LOVE an episode and I LOVED this one). Two GREAT episodes back to back and now they leave us with re-runs. Life just isn’t fair sometimes!

My rating: 10.0 (out of 10.0)

Next up: Repeats until January….man, I can’t wait for new episodes.