Review of Episode 20, Season 5 "The Girl in Question" After the rather dire events of the last episode, Angel does a complete 180 this week for one last opportunity to explore the comedic aspects of the show in this hysterical Italian adventure, "The Girl in Question." The girl, of course, is Buffy and after a season of dancing around her, the show finally deals with the Slayer metaphorically, if not physically considering Sarah Michelle Gellar does not appear. After a phone tip warning Buffy may be in jeopardy, Angel and Spike together race to Rome to find the object of their hearts and protect her from their former nemesis known as The Immortal. What they find is she has in fact moved on to a new life and as the boys ineffectually chase her around the Eternal City, they come to a bittersweet understanding about the place she holds in both their lives. Fans waiting for an answer to the nagging question of which former lover Buffy would choose now that she is free and they both still exist were sure to be disappointed this episode. But for those of us who never wanted either souled vamp to get the short end of the love stick, this episode was the perfect solution to the issue. What writers Steve DeKnight and Drew Goddard have brilliantly done is essentially taken Buffy out of the equation and brought the focus back to the real relationship of note this season - that of the squabbling brothers, Angel and Spike. Angel has never been about ships. It's about redemption, the never ending fight and the growth that journey brings. This episode charmingly allows the boys to unleash all their romantic baggage, their centuries old insecurities and their bruised egos as they devolve into inspired bickering and bantering while eventually coming to an understanding about just how much more they have to learn. Their hearts will always be with Buffy, but she isn't the ultimate prize - their journey is. As for the comedy, be it the sight gags (acquiring new leather coats, riding a tiny Vespa or duking it out to Dean Martin), or the pointed quips at one another's expense or just their facial expressions or reactions to each increasing humiliation befalling them as the episode progresses, David Boreanaz and James Marsters have never been funnier and their comedic chemistry is simply perfection. Nothing is sacred and they both spend the episode as equal part boobs and deserving heroes - as it should be. Once again, David Greenwalt returns to the Angel fold to relish his wonderful talent from the director's chair upon us with great visual impact. As if the two of them weren't enough to entertain, add in a return appearance by Andrew (Tom Lenk), flashbacks for one last, all too brief glimpse of the heavenly Dru and Darla (Juliet Landau and Julie Benz) and a classic pit stop at the eerily familiar office of the Italian branch of W&H run by a busty, over-the-top female version of Angel. Meanwhile back at the home office, DeKnight and Goddard weave in a B-story with a completely different tone dealing with the startling revelation of Illyria's ability to completely transform herself physically into Fred. When the unannounced Burkle's arrive to see their daughter, Illyria slips into her shell's former personae with such perfection, you can practically hear Wes's heart shatter when he gazes upon the visage of his lost love once more. While Illyria's ruse gets the gang out of explaining the truth to her parents, it also serves as a fascinating and painfully clever power play in Illyria trying to assert dominance over Wesley. Amy Acker is simply a revelation this episode, stunningly shifting between the disparate personalities and mannerisms of Fred to Illyria in the span of a line reading. And watching Alexis Denisof is just shattering. It was a true pleasure to get one last episode to appreciate the relationship between Angel and Spike, and to laugh with and at these gifted performers before the final curtain call. It was a perfect reminder of all of the things that make this series so special. Ciao, prego, kiss, kiss, Mutant Enemy! I give it... Review by Staff Writer, Phoenix

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!

Angel: Just admit it: you think you're gonna ride in, save the day, and sweep Buffy off her-- Spike: Like you're not thinking the same thing. Angel: I'm already seeing somebody. Spike: What, dog girl? Wesley: Illyria. Perhaps you should return to the lab. Illyria: I do not bend to your wishes. Wesley: I'm not asking you to. Merely suggesting that more tests might lead to knowledge of how to help you function. Illyira: I go because it suits me. Lorne: Whew. Ah, too bad that whirly-jig thing didn't suck the sass out of her. Angelus: (re: The Immortal) He's my archnemesis. Darla: Ohh. Darling. It was just fornication. Really great fornication. Spike: She's glowing, mate. Angelus: She isn't. Darla: Little bit. Spike: Best fit you for a pair to antlers. Been made for a right cuckold, you have. Drusilla: Time for another pony ride? Spike: Son of a bitch! Angel: Huh? Oh, yeah, here it comes. The part where you run off alone and play the big hero so Buffy'll take you back. Well, news flash, Blondie Bear: never gonna happen. Spike: Look! I know I don't have a shot with her, all right? Probably never did, but I still care about her, and I'm not gonna let her end up with a jerk like The Immortal. Or you. Angel: Well, ours is a forever love. Spike: I had a relationship with her, too. Angel: OK, sleeping together is not a relationship. Spike: It is if you do it enough times. Ilona Costa Bianchi: Ciao! Benvenuti! Weclome! Ah, Spike. Ha ha ha. Oh! You are the very meaning of handsome. You take my breath away. Ah I have no breath. Ha ha ha! And you, what an honor. The great Angelus. Angel: Actually, it's just Angel. Ilona Costa Bianchi: Ah, yes, of course. The gypsies, they gave you your soul. The gypsies are filthy people. (spits) And we shall speak of them no more. Angel: I helped saved the world, you know. Spike: Like I haven't. Angel: Yeah, but I've done it a lot more. Spike: Oh, please. Angel: Closed the Hellmouth. Spike: I've done that. Angel: Yeah, you wore a necklace. You know, I helped kill The Mayor and, uh, and Jasmine and-- Spike: Do those really count as savin' the world? Angel: I stopped Acathla. That saved the world. Spike: Buffy ran you through with sword. Angel: Yeah, but I made her do it. I signaled her with my eyes. Spike: She killed you. I helped her! That one counts as mine. Andrew: Dude, seriously, I thought of all those things, but turns out Buffy fell for The Immortal on her own, and--and now she's happy. That's it. Angel: But she's not finished baking yet. I gotta wait till she's done baking, you know, till she finds herself, 'Cause that's the drill. Fine. I'm waitin' patiently, and meanwhile, The Immortal's eatin' cookie dough! (sighs) Andrew: Uh, Spike, is Angel crying? Spike: No! Not yet. Illyria: (as Fred) Wes? Are you, like...mad at me or something? Wesley: Stop it. Illyria: Isn't it what you desire? I mean...you love me, I love you. What's the big deal? Wesley: I loved her. Illyria: You loved this. And a part of you still does. I can feel it in you. I...wish to explore it further. Wesley: Never. You...like this. It sickens me. Illyria: (as Fred) Oh, lord. We both know that ain't true. Wesley: Stop it! Change back. Be blue. Be anything. Don't be her. Don't ever be her. Quotes by Staff Writer, BCangel