Review of
“In The Dark”
Here we have our first Crossover Event! (where characters from Buffy continue the same story line onto Angel) Personally I think it was too soon for a crossover. Angel really hasn't gotten established yet on its own feet and Buffy's forth season is still on new ground with the addition of college life. I know the fans want something to hold the two shows together but waiting one or two more eps wouldn't have hurt. Still, if you're going to cross someone over, whom better than Spike!? I like Spike! Who really doesn't?
To preface; Spike returns to Sunnydale (BtVS) in hopes of finding the Gem of Amarra. This little token will allows it wearing to become invincible to death if he's a vampire. Think of the possibilities! Spike finds the ring and Buffy, hot on his trail, takes possession of it and sends it along with Oz to LA to give to Angel and Spike follows to LA to get it back! As Angel is on a rescue-the-girl mission, Spike watches the scene from atop a near by building. Now, here is 'the' most hilarious monologue in B/A history!
Hats off to Doug Petrie for the writing of this ep. “You see, I was once a bad ass vampire . . . now I'm just a big, fluffy puppy with bad teeth! . . . 'I understand, I have a nephew who's gay' . . . and I'm almost out of that Nancy Boy hair gel I like so much.” James Marsters brings Spike to life and there is no better forum than this character. Oz [Seth Green] arrives and gives another wonderful performance of how not to show emotion! His reunion with Cordy and Angel are brilliant and his observations at the end of the episode of Angel’s skin tone are classic. “He's very pale! Paler than most humans.”
What's interesting about this episode is that you don't know where it will end. You want Angel to take the ring and walk into the day and run back to Buffy for hopes a wonderful, not so normal life, but you know that ain’t gonna happen. So we sit with anticipation and shock as Angel gets tortured by the evil likes of the vampire Marcus and Spike as he schemes to get the ring back. Once again, special effects are cool as hot rods are thrust into Angel's body. But he isn't giving anything up and soon Cordy, Doyle and Oz come to the rescue this time. Ah, the LA Scoobie Gang.
More daylight action as Angel and Marcus fight to the death under a nearby beach pier. Angel wins, places the Gem of Amarra on his finger and walks into the light after more than 200 years of darkness. Quite touching indeed! You feel for him and his pain. It's very well directed and flow between emotion and action is well choreographed. But then, Angel being Angel, the ring must be destroyed. He has too many lives to save and the daylight has enough protectors.
I give it . . .
Review by CoA Council member, Swoop
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