Review of Episode 19, Season 4 "The Magic Bullet" Poor Fred sure in is a pickle this week. She is the only person in the world to see Jasmine for what she really is, a maggot faced harbinger of evil. So, Fred's on the lam. And with her world domination plans at stake, Jasmine pulls no punches ordering a hit on plucky Fred at the hands of Angel and the team. Good thing that girl has one smart noggin on her teeny shoulders because Jasmine spares nothing (even conjuring some nifty group mojo) in finding Fred and getting her back. The Magic Bullet provides a nice showcase for the heroic Fred and writer/director Jeff Bell livens up the pace of this episode by focusing on that chase while revealing Jasmine's menace beneath the "peace and love" façade. The Magic Bullet ends up being revealed both literally and figuratively at an occult bookstore of the same name in L.A. where Fred violently gets Angel to snap out of his Jasmine induced haze. It's always about the blood, kids and through a shared bullet wound with Jasmine, Angel comes back to the land of the white hats. The bullet passing through both their bodies is a fantastic visual and a cool means to an end in explaining the source of Jasmine's power. Amy Acker does well in balancing Fred's strength and vulnerability as she bravely works alone to solve the puzzle of Jasmine. She gets to stir it up with a hilarious finger-eating demon, outruns possessed minions, makes a bold stand against her enemy and even shares a wet one with Angel. And finally, Gina Torres gets to infuse Jasmine's love with some wicked acid. After eating followers and chasing down Fred like a dog, her honeyed smile's not so lovely anymore. Chilling, actually. I can't wait to see her come unloose as her plans fall apart. Lastly, we get some much-needed insight into Connor's wet noodle follower syndrome. As he and Poppa Angel track Fred, Connor relates Holtz's lovely parenting techniques involving trees and ropes. No wonder this kid's not right in the head - seems his surrogate Dad wasn't so nurturing after all. Like last week, the themes of paranoia, free will and individuality are key issues that work better here than they did in Shiny Happy People due to the brisker pace and revelations about Jasmine. Actually, I think both episodes could have been condensed into one making for an excellent episode rather than two decent ones. I give it... Review by CoA Staff member, Phoenix

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

Lorne: (to a follower, re: Jasmine) Hey, preaching to the choir. I thought Our Lady of the Sea Breeze was the real deal til the divine Ms. J walked right through that door and into my ass. (stammering) Which is where my heart is. Physiologically. I can show you an x-ray. Bookstore Owner: (re: mind control) I believe. I just don't worry about it anymore. Fred: So, you don't worry that it's possible for someone to send out a biological or electronic trigger that effectively overrides your sense of ideals and values and replaces them with an alternative, coercive agenda that reduces you to little more than a mindless meat puppet? Bookstore Owner: Wow. People used to say that I was paranoid. Bookstore Owner: We don't need to use the evil tools of "the man" when we have "the woman". We need to trust that Jasmine's love will reach the rest of the world just like it reached us. Fred: (sarcastically) Oh, happy day. Gunn: I still don't understand why you don't just sashay into a TV studio, say scoot over, Regis, and sweet talk your love to the whole wide world. Jasmine: It's not the world's time yet. Angel: She's right. There's work to do here. We have a hotel full of people, people who have needs. Lorne: You know what they say about people who need people. Connor: They're the luckiest people in the world. Lorne: (as all stare incredulously at Connor) You been sneakin' peeks at my Streisand collection again, kiddo? Connor: It just kinda popped out. Little Green Demon: I'm vegetarian! Fred: (doubtfully) Really? With those choppers? Little Green Demon: OK. I eat fish and occasionally vermin. Fred: You don't live here? Little Green Demon: Do you live in a dirt hole? Fred: No. Little Green Demon: Do you want to live in a dirt hole? Fred: No. Little Green Demon: Then why the hell do you think that I live in a dirt hole? Lorne: I can't believe little old Fred managed to sway Angel back to the dark side. Gunn: Evil, not evil, evil again. I wish he'd make up his mind. Fred: (re: Cordy grabbing Angel's wrist) Angel. People in comas, sometimes their bodies just do things. Mumble words, maybe even open their eyes. It doesn't necessarily mean they're waking up. Angel: But it could, right? I mean stranger things have happened. Fred: You mean like Cordelia giving birth to a beautiful, ebony goddess? Angel: Not the example I was looking for, but yeah. Connor: You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Jasmine: My sweet boy. Connor: What happened to those people? Jasmine: I ate them. Connor: Cool. Lorne: (under his breath) Well, tonight the role of Judas Iscariot will be played by Krevlorneswath of the Deathwok Clan. Connor: (to Angel) I'll kill you. Angel: It'll pass. Lorne: (sarcastically) Yeah, right, 'cause Lord knows he's never tried that before. Quotes by CoA Council member, Seeker