Review of "Lonely Heart" Stage two is set! Angel will run an investigation office, which Cordy will help run and get paid for since her ‘so fabulous’ acting career is seemingly in the toilet. Doyle, well he just hands around like demon Friday until visions arrive to guide Angel on his weekly due course. Once again, humor guides the way to darkness when Cordy arrives at the office with new business cards. I thought it was cute to see Angel finally show some emotion, I guess all that brooding got tiresome. Just like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel is written with an underlying metaphor of life. Although these references may be a bit more obvious, than those of high school or college angst may, it is worth the adventure to realize that we are not alone in our troubles of the common day world. We need people, we need to feel wanted and connected to something to make us feel strong and safe. Looking, finding and trusting those connections are the more frightening parts of life. As are the demons that come along with them. Demon, research and destroy is the order of the day. Now we get to see some wicked grossness in this demon! Have I mentioned this series will be darker and edgier?! “Can we say, ekkk!” Hat’s off to the special effects crew again! But ‘oh-oh’ I have my first two grips, or shall we call them swipes? Angel has a little trouble with sunlight, the camera catches him a few times in places and reflections where he shouldn’t be and the vamp face needs to be revamped. The appliances look like they are out of a bad B-movie. I trust that Joss will iron out the quirks as he goes along. Another introduction. We meet Kate (Elizabeth Rohm), a LAPD detective who gets to meet, chase and then work along side Angel. A lot of fans aren’t too happy with Kate, seeing a ‘soon to replace Buffy ion Angel’s arms’ scenario, but I like her. Her character has depth, she’s older, tougher and the actress is quite good. This episode was dark, gross, funny and kept a good pace. And written by Buffy’s David Fury who has and odd perspective to his own imagination. 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!

Doyle: “A couple of lookers like us should be out there enjoying the nightlife!” Doyle: “Don’t let her on to me being a half-demon, women get a little funny about that.” Cordelia: “Hey, you look troubled . . . or is that just your lazy eye?” Doyle: “How’s life treating you? What’s that? Minions from hell getting you down?” Angel: “Are you in need of rescuing?” Kate: “Well, that’s the strangest line I’m gonna hear tonight.” Angel: “Basically, I help. I’m a veterinarian.” Angel: “You’re a bit off the evolution chart yourself.” Cordelia: “Oh, Cordelia has girl parts!” Doyle: “You can sit in the dark alone.” Angel: “God yes, thank you.” Quotes by CoA Council member, Sasha