Review of “Parting Gifts” The Rumor Mill was buzzing with the return of a previous character! I am staying far away from spoilers this season so I wasn't too sure whom it might be. Actually I was a bit confused in the opener, or was it just me? But I had trouble at first discerning if the leather-clad figure was male/female, ethnic or white! Well I was quite surprised to see it was Wesley! (Alexis Denisof) Ah yes, typical! I must admit I rather liked him in leather! But then again he was still Wesley although I think he fits in nicely! He ads an interesting touch and the chemistry between Wesley and Cordy is true fun! Perhaps he has a purpose again and I'm willing to give him a shot. I much liked the commercial audition because can't you just picture those three people as, let's say, Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson and Tim Minear!? And now that Cordy has visions, things should start to heat up nicely! A nice touch to let Cordy kiss Angel. I know a few fans have been eyeing that for awhile. The talents of David Fury penned this episode, a frequent posted to the Bronze posting board, and we can always expect something quirky when he's involved! He's just quirky-guy in my book all around with lines like . . . "I'm a rogue demon hunter now" "What's a rogue-demon?" Brilliant! And I hope I credited the proper writer for that one. Again we see a taste of Wolfram & Hart. My appetite is a flutter for a main course on that one. Still, I think the story line was just an intro for Wesley and there wasn't much else going on in the emotions department. I give it . . . Review by CoA Council member, Swoop

CoA Stakes Rating Guide = Disappointing, stake it, bury it! = Not too bad, Lacking a few graves. = Typical Dark Avenger saves the day Saga. = Better still, Quality Headstones. = Outstanding! Reward it with mortality!

Barney: You scared the heck out of me! Cordelia: I scared you? Look in the mirror lately? Barney: Every chance I get! Barney: I just realized its 3:45 in the afternoon. If you’re a vampire, why aren’t you in your coffin? Angel: I hate that stereotype. You’re a demon and you don’t know anything about vampires? Barney: Only what I’ve learned from TV. Angel: Vampires don’t sleep in coffins. It’s a misconception made popular by hack writers and ignorant media. In fact you know, we can and do move around during the day, as long as we avoid direct sunlight. Got it? Cordelia: I didn’t feel anything. Did you feel anything? Angel: No! You see that’s what I’m trying to… Cordelia: Urgh! That means I still have it! Damn, I can’t believe he did this to me! Angel: Who did what? Cordelia: Doyle! I thought our kiss meant something, and instead he…he used that moment to pass it on to me! Cordelia: If they know what’s good for them, the PTB better just stay out of my head. Angel: The Powers That Be. You had a vision. Cordelia: Boy! Howdy. And guess what, you know how they look painful? Well, they feel a whole lot worse! Angel: Another door opens. You’re my link to the Powers, now. Cordelia: I’m nobody’s link to anybody. I lost control of my entire nervous system getting that stupid vision and I’m not certain, but I think I may have drooled a little at the first audition I’ve had in weeks. Angel: What was it? Cordelia: Ah, Stain-Be-Gone, it was a national no less. They’ll probably never call me again. Angel: The vision! What was the vision? Cordelia: Oh. Pfft! Who knows. It was a thing! Angel: A thing? Cordelia: An ugly, grey, blobby thing. What difference does it make? Angel: The difference is if you saw it in a vision it could be an ugly, grey, blobby, dangerous thing! Cordelia: Wesley? What are you doing here? Are you working with Angel? Wesley: A lone wolf, such as myself, never works with anyone. I’m merely allowing Angel to assist me. I’m a rogue demon hunter now. Cordelia: Oh, wow. What’s a rogue demon? Wesley: I’m a fool. The Council was right to sack me. - Yes, I was fired. I had two…two Slayers in my care. One turns evil and now vegetates in a coma, the other is a renegade. Fire me? I’m surprised they didn’t cut my head off. I’m useless. A fool. A snivelling great, big… Angel: (looking at Cordelia’s sketch) Ugly, grey blobby thing. Wesley: Ugly, grey, blobby thing. What? Quotes by CoA Council member, Raven