Angel 5x09 In Harm's Way

[sisabet]

I have insomnia. Just wanted to get that out right now. Since I was sick right after Christmas, I haven't been able to get to sleep until after 2am (unless it is a weekend night - and go figure that). I have *tried* - I don't nap, I've cut out caffiene after a certain time - I just can't fall asleep until that 2am time is past. And I am tired - and also not waking up in the morning. Tonight, tonight all of this changes. I don't know why - I've just decided that this is ridiculous and I need sleep (I am one of those have to have 8 hours type people). So, whatever the reason right now (and I have always had problems falling asleep - since I was a kid - and I am lucky that my current ability to fall asleep lasted as long as it did - that was a nice stretch).

Oh and I am not stressed at all right now, thank you very much.

::smiles so hard face cracks::

Smallville was incredible. Just. Damn. I need to watch it a few more times to comment on it - but I see the beginning of the end now. I predict a dead Lionel and Chloe by show's end (wheee - SV spec is fun).

Soooo, who wants to talk about that other show that wasn't Smallville and came on last night?


Angel - "In Harm's Way" 5x09

I liked it. Would I have liked it if I hadn't just seen Smallville after a 2 month hiatus? Hell, no.

Do I think we needed a break after Lineage and Destiny? Hell, yes.

Do I think that break was provided sufficiently by a 2 month hiatus? Hell, yes

Do I think that "In Harm's Way" will function well within season 5 when viewed as a whole? Fer sheezy. I think that means Hell, yes.

I loved, loved, loved the employee film at the beginning. Also, I adore Harmony (but that is not new). What is new is I now want the Shanshu to go to Harm. Dawn and I decided last night that at this point we don't think she would even notice a soul (I mean in that tortured vamp kinda way) and it might make things a bit easier for her. Also - since now Joss is showing that vampires can try to overcome their nature, successfully, and be productive members of society - Nonhomicidal Productive members of society - than what does that say about the slayer? About Spike? I am all sorts of confused right now. Dawn says that Harm is a good kid and Angel set her up to fail the first go-round (Disharmony). I think Disharmony was true to canon and now canon is shifting. Or, it could just be that Harm is one special vamp (like Spike! Vampire Short-Bus).

This episode made me not like Angel. I have boss resentment issues. He is an ass to work for - I knew this - but that was pretty much the point of the episode. Also, I didn't like Spike. He was assier than Angel. And that is pretty damn assy. Wes was cool, he had three lines and also everyone knows that he is...muffins.

I don't get Fred. Did she or did she not have a relationship with Gunn? What's up with dishing about Wes? Is she now interested in Wes? (NOOOOOoooooo). Also, when did Fred become an idiot? Encouraging the evil unchipped vampire secretary to go hit on the nice human boy at the bar? Where is that a good idea? Other than that I really liked the Harm/Fred interaction. I did want a bit more from Fred in those scenes - they were so Cordelia Nostalgic, that I would have liked to see that reflected - rather than Fred just acting taken aback.

So I loved Harm - She had me at her tearful plea to Angel that she doesn't have a soul so it is harder for her - I felt much more sympathy for her than I ever did for Spike and maybe it is because Harmony is freaking motivated by herself to just *be* what she lost. To be this normal, single working gal, who gets up every morning and makes herself pretty for work and then gets there and does her absolute best (and actually a damned good job). This is what she lost at graduation, this is what she knows and dammit this is what she will make for herself. Of course it is hard to play Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex In the City" when you have no friends. SitC is an ensemble show and Harm is a cast of one. Her profound loneliness got to me. I know what is like to be in a different city, to have no friends, and to work in a hostile environment. Thankfully, for me - none of those things all occurred at once - but I can see it draining on her - and still she pushes on. And to chalk this up to low-intelligence is a cop-out. Yes, Harm ain't that bright. Do I think she is a caricature. Short Answer: no, long answer: only when the writing is cheap. I know people like her. Hell, I *like* people like her. Yes, she will get on your nerves sometimes, but an optimistic spirit can really go far in the world. Shallow isn't necessarily a terrible thing. In fact - I'll take shallow over devious, manipulative and selfish any day.

And I probably had more to say - but I cannot remember it, so I leave you with this final thought: Manwhore. Yes. Now, finally, "Cowboy" is officially canon. (also "Stay Away from My Manwhores!" was one of the considered taglines of Cowboy version 1.0 - where Angel actually was a pimp - kind of a tribute to Duece Bigelow).

Comments

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

Angel is a really terrible boss. I was charmed despite myself at the slow, reluctant "Harmony ... get some coffee." He's so horrible at relating to people! I mean, this is his big generous gesture of the episode, he's been touched by Harmony's complaint that it's hard not to be evil when you don't have a soul, he's giving her a second chance ... and all he can do is awkwardly and grumpily indicate that she's not fired. I love this in him, probably because I am just that emotionally retarded myself.

I don't think Fred knew Cordy in the full flower of her snark.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Normally, I find awkward, stiff Angel endearing. Just last night - not so much. I was most likely over-identifying with Harmony (I tend to do that - over-identify).


I don't think Fred knew Cordy in the full flower of her snark.

I think you are right. Cordy was still pretty much Cordy early season 3 (except for the bogus crying because she had been a bad person in That Vision Thing - grrrrrhh) but Fred was still getting over the effects of Pylea. Poor thing, she really only knew Pod Cordy. Fred needs a friend. She should call Willow.

[eleveninches.livejournal.com]

later_brian: Also, when did Fred become an idiot? Encouraging the evil unchipped vampire secretary to go hit on the nice human boy at the bar?
later_brian: WHOA IS SPIKE GAY?
juteux0519: spike's gay??
later_brian: oh, harmony
later_brian: i was like :O
juteux0519: lol
later_sunshine: LOLOL

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Hee, ya'll are so funny. Spike isn't gay - he is just omnisexual.

[eleveninches.livejournal.com]

Spike/Angelus, man. So canon.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

It totally is canon now. Especially after Angel's deviant crack. You know what else is now canon? Manwhore. I just can't get tired of saying that.

[eleveninches.livejournal.com]

Really?! I need to download this ep. I wonder if it's online yet.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Well - the canonical acknowledgement of S/A was in 5x08 "Destiny" - which is everywhere. Last night's ep "In Harm's Way" 5x09 is up at the BitTorrent, but I haven't checked the newsgroups.

[eleveninches.livejournal.com]

BitTorrent works for me. I saw 508 (bisexual much, Angelus?) when it came out, so now I just need this one. *goes to buffy.nu*

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

She has reasons to see Spike as an ass. He's her ex-boyfriend who treated her like furniture then dumped her for that chick she hated so much when she was in high school who then became the love of his life. That bastard!

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

He is! He is one of the Bastard People!

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

Not that I can relate to ol' Harm or anything. ; )

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Right! Me either...

::shifty eyes::

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

The only thing that could make it better was if Spike was a musician and after dumping Harmony, he wrote a song about what a Bitch she was that became a great big hit that she would have to listen to on musak every time she went to the grocery store for the rest of her life.

I guess it's a good thing she doesn't need much in the way of groceries.

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

That is actually the plot of a novel I read once. And now I can *almost* but not quite remember the title. Damn!

[jackiekjono.livejournal.com]

Sigh. I guess there really are no new ideas.

Jonathan: "Lex is different."

[undercoverbro.livejournal.com]

Soooo, who wants to talk about that other show that wasn't Smallville and came on last night?

Not me. Read on.

Smallville was incredible. Just. Damn. I need to watch it a few more times to comment on it - but I see the beginning of the end now. I predict a dead Lionel and Chloe by show's end (wheee - SV spec is fun).

Lionel, yes. Chloe, not sure. Some spoiler info, which I won't share, can suggest she lives on. But I fear for Jonathan and/or Martha. Unfortunately, Lana lives forever.

I'm not sure Lex has forgotten everything. But I agree -- the beginning of the end is here. The rift between Clark and Lex is not a dichotomy of good and evil but of truth and lies. I'm not convinced the show is going to create an evil Lex.

truthseekersara had a hellish, long workday, so she hasn't seen it. After last week's Joan of Arcadia debacle*, I played it safe and said it was an okay episode, with great drinking game potential. Let her be pleasantly surprised.

*Last Friday's JoA was the best episode evah. I told her as much, and she created in her mind some otherworldly plot expectations that never happened, so she was ultimately disappointed.

::smiles so hard face cracks::

Hey, that's not Blue Steel!

By the way, Clark Kent is not Angel. Angel (and DB) have been around the block some. CK is a newbie in many senses of the word. Besides, I wouldn't wish that bloat on anyone.

Re: Jonathan: "Lex is different."

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Last Friday's JoA was the best episode evah. I told her as much, and she created in her mind some otherworldly plot expectations that never happened, so she was ultimately disappointed.

This happened with Dawn and me - she was spoiled for the Buffy series finale and I wasn't and for some reason I interpreted her clues to mean that there was going to be an episode where they went in and out of alternate dimensions - as in the world where Buffy is not the slayer, the world without shrimp, etc. I was absolutely convinced that there would be a world where Spike and Xander were in luv and was so disappointed when there was no Spander dimension forthcoming. So I understand your decision. However - as soon as she has seen it - CALL ME. Hee.

By the way, Clark Kent is not Angel. Angel (and DB) have been around the block some. CK is a newbie in many senses of the word.

See how I ignore the bloat comment? I am such a tolerant friend. Yes - CK on SV is not Angel -- BUT - I was comparing the movie-verse CK - and there are some scary-ass similarities. Especially if you try to keep the movie-verse on par with SV - then Clark mindwiping Lois is just wrong, but now you know where he got the idea.

And I too am concerned about what Lex recalls. He seems dangerous now and not the same Lex (who was dangerous, but at least had that crush on Clark that I could identify with). You know - the person post-brain injury is not the same person that existed pre-brain injury. I am freaked as all get out by this last episode.


Lionel, yes. Chloe, not sure. Some spoiler info, which I won't share, can suggest she lives on. But I fear for Jonathan and/or Martha. Unfortunately, Lana lives forever.


Lionel is so dead. He is walking around deader than dead right now, so why am I all uncomfortable and worried that even dead, he wins? He is like the Anti-Obiwan Kenobi. I think Chloe has to die. She has to die and it has to be Lex's doing in order to make the animosity that results between him and Clark a balanced thing. I will cry if anything happens to Bo Duke. Cry! He was my boyfriend when I was 6. Also, Mama Kent can't die. Sorry, all my previous Superman experience suggests that it is Bo that would kick and since I can't deal with that, it will not happen. So - you see - the sacrificial lamb on Clark's side is one pointy-haired blonde who has the great misfortune not to belong to previous canon. Which is all kinds of suck and could quite easily be a red herring - especially since we know that the quickest way to a mind wipe, insanity or death is to learn Clark's secret (and dude - last night! Continuity! Whee) and Pete so far has escaped all three. But if Lana survives the show, based solely on SM canon, than so does Pete. Ack! I am confused. This is like a puzzle and for once it does not involve Samantha Mulder so I am not afraid of the Starlight People.

If both Lana and Chloe die, then Clark's fixation on Lois Lane later on gets that much more creepy (and all kinds of interesting). Looks like Lana, sounds like Chloe, Clark you are one sick, sick bastard.

Re: Jonathan: "Lex is different."

[truthseekersara.livejournal.com]

did you think that the guy that Lana met in Rehab was an amalgam of Clark and Lex?
He verbally bitch-slapped her the way that Lex does, but had that whole dreamy fantasy thing that Clark does (with his eyes etc.)
Saw the episode. LOVED IT! "Clark I knew you'd come.."
Yeah, you did baby!!

Re: Jonathan: "Lex is different."

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

did you think that the guy that Lana met in Rehab was an amalgam of Clark and Lex?

I actually kinda thought he was an amalgam of bitchy fans - but UB says he is a Bruce Wayne wannabe. I don't care - I *like* him. If Lana doesn't want to date him, I will.

[barkley.livejournal.com]

I slept for four and a half straight hours last night and only managed to snooze slightly late. Ask me how!

I'm working on a theory that it's not only the caffeine, but the artificial sweetener. In an effort to cut out caffiene in the evenings, I started sucking down six packs of diet Sprite in the evening. I managed to drink only water last night and was Not Tired at midnight, but fell right asleep when I went to bed at 1. The alternate theory is that the stress went away too, but I'm discounting that on account of stressor still existing and the fact that I woke up with a jaw clenched so hard, I thought I'd break my skull.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Everything I drink has artificial sweetener in it. Damn. I thought as long as it did not have caffeine, you could treat it like water.

Tonight I drink chamomile. The Grand Experiment Continues! The stress will remain though.

Thanks for the tip - I never would have thought to cut out Nutra-Sweet.