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lonelybritBe warned, there will be no structure or planning in this. If I think at all about this weeks episode, I will starting pinging off walls, squeeing like a dolphin, and generally babbling like a fool.
So technically normal everyday behaviour for me, but there you go :)
Oh, and also warning that no matter who stars in each episode, my thoughts will usually still manage to focus around one particular character. No matter how little screentime he had :)
Underneath
Again, nearly all I want to say has already been said. So let's break it down by character. Or rather, just the two characters that caught me that ep.
Wes - Could be just cos I haven't seen him in a really long while, but I loved the scenes between him and Illyria. However, I think I'm at odds with most people in my view on him.
When reading the review, I would have said Wes was about one drabble away from snapping completely. But when actually watching the ep, my view changed. If anything, I think he was starting to show signs of waking up. And, surprise surprise, the catalyst was Illyria.
No doubt, Wes is in a bad way. He's drinking, moping, dreaming etc. Kind of what I assumed he was doing post Sleep Tight last season. But, I swear, there were moments when he honestly looked liked he pitied Illyria. He felt for it(her?). He may not be feeling for himself, but being capable of feeling anything at all is a definite improvement on his state in 'Shells'.
Gunn - Again, JAR was a joy to watch. And again, he has my favourite scene of the ep. Last time it was him and the Conduit. This time it was him and DB with the talk in the hopsital/medical ward.
Yes, the scene did echo, a little, the scene between Angel and Wes in 'Forgiving', except that this time round Angel did have the control to both rap knuckles *and* deliver a few well chosen words of wisedom. ("Because you're a good man." *sigh*)
But did anyone else wind up thinking of the scene between Wes and Gunn in 'The Price' as well?
In that scene, you had Gunn barging in on Wes, who is hiding away in hopes the world will forget him, demanding he get his head out the sand and help on a serious problem. Wes initially refuses, until Gunn brings up the convincing arguement; Fred.
This time, you have Angel barging in on Gunn. And like Gunn, Angel refuses to take 'No' as an answer. He keeps on prodding (and brings up Fred) in hopes that Gunn will get up and help. The difference is that he also offers advice before leaving. He also makes it clear, that he's expecting Gunn back on the team, that he wants Gunn back.
And as for Gunn's final choice.
I'm pretty sure that he won't be staying down in Hell. And here's two reasons.
1) "Senior Partner's rules." It's the SP's who have said that there can't be a void. At some point, someone is going to actually hear Lindsey's words. And then they're going to ask themselves: 'But we hate we guys. Why are we following their rules in the first place?'
Rules are there to be broken after all.
2) Atonement. I am not trying to belittle what Gunn did in that ep, but I just have this gut feeling that Gunn is capable of doing a little more before he finally bows out. He did what he had to this ep, but I just feel this wasn't meant to be his last stand. Plus, JAR is just on fire recently. It'd be criminal to write him out for the rest of the season. :)
Origin
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*cough*
Me like. Me like oh so very very much.
Angel - continues to grow and mature.
Last ep he had the strength to try and pull Gunn back into the fold. This week, he finally tries to do the same for Wes. From the looks of it, this isn't the first time he's made an approach. (And apparently, Wes effectively said 'Leave me alone. I can deal with this.') But this week, credit where it's due. Angel finally takes no notice of what Wesley's saying, and says what needs to be said. i.e.: 'Bullshit. You're not coping. This isn't the way out. Snap out of it.'
Yeah, it may be harsh. But it's a case of 'you have to be cruel to be kind'. And it is what Wes needs. He's not the type of guy who'll admit to needing help, and a few harsh home truths are pretty much the only way to get anything through to him.
Wes - *sigh* Of course, it had to be him to unravel the mindwipe. And I'm glad he did. I'm a little weary that, yet again, his whole reasoning for doing so had to be entirely because of Fred. But never mind, hopefully the ends will justify the means. And seeing as how a lot of the memories apparently returned were of Lilah, hopefully Wes'll also remember that Fred was a person and that, while he did love her, she was not his only reason to fight the good fight.
And sheesh!
Anyone else think that Angel had a very very narrow escape?
"He no longer follows you."
Damn. I know Angel didn't want the box/window to be broken, but it was a good thing. If anything it ensured his continued survival.
Wes and Illyria.
Wes (temporarily) left, and Illyria followed. Not sure if this will always be the case, but for the moment, these two are a very, very dangerous duo and I think Angel's lucky not to still have them as his enemies.
Connor - When I read the reviews, I just thought there was simply a poignant last look between still-unwitting son and father. However, from people's reactions, it seems there was, in fact, a strong implication that Connor *did* remember but still chose to believe in the lie.
And I see that some people are very very unhappy about it, saying why does Connor get to choose the easy way out.
I can understand why people think that, but I don't agree.
Connor's memories will have included, one assumes, his death. The fact he died. The memory of his old life, and everything therein, ending.
On the other hand, he presumably also has an equally healthy set of memories that are still growing and alive. To me it makes sense that therefore these should have a a greater hold on him.
Another thing. Compare the state the boy was in during his old memories. He was totally and utterly screwed up. His mind had effectively shattered and gone to pieces. He didn't know what to believe in any more, who to believe, he couldn't feel anything.
But in *this* life. He's whole, he's complete. He's strong.
As long as he has both sets of memories, I don't see how Connor *can* go back to being who he used to be. It's human nature to recoil away from something that burns you, hurts you, etc. I think the same thing went on there. Connor can remember individual things, but his own mind now won't allow him to go back into his old personality. It can't. There's nothing left to go into.
I'm babbling. Hopefully at some point I'll be able to say that more coherently.
Last ramble, again about Wes: Hmm. Not sure about the 'lies help us to endure life'-type line at the end.
At the end of Season 4, Wes was not the happiest person on the planet. But I think he was at his strongest then. He knew who he was, what he was capable of, he was fine with that... and it meant he could effectively take on the world and not get too badly damaged.
He wasn't like that this season. When Fred got hurt, he utterly went to pieces.
I hope that Wes doesn't try to cling on to the lies just because they were happier than the reality. Hopefully when he has more time to think, he'll realise that he was far stronger and, deep down, far happier back when he didn't have all these lies to comfort him. Ironic but true.
ETA:
*GASP*
How could I forget?!
ALL HAIL GUNN! GO GUNN! **shakes pompoms**
Loved loved loved Gunn in this ep. He's damn well learnt from his mistakes. Whether or not he really feels he deserves continual hell is now a moot point. He knows himself and believes in the mission enough to not even be tempted by the SP's hint of an offer. He knows they're not even worth listening to.
I could have kissed him :)
He better get rescued though...
Right. I need a drink.
So technically normal everyday behaviour for me, but there you go :)
Oh, and also warning that no matter who stars in each episode, my thoughts will usually still manage to focus around one particular character. No matter how little screentime he had :)
Underneath
Again, nearly all I want to say has already been said. So let's break it down by character. Or rather, just the two characters that caught me that ep.
Wes - Could be just cos I haven't seen him in a really long while, but I loved the scenes between him and Illyria. However, I think I'm at odds with most people in my view on him.
When reading the review, I would have said Wes was about one drabble away from snapping completely. But when actually watching the ep, my view changed. If anything, I think he was starting to show signs of waking up. And, surprise surprise, the catalyst was Illyria.
No doubt, Wes is in a bad way. He's drinking, moping, dreaming etc. Kind of what I assumed he was doing post Sleep Tight last season. But, I swear, there were moments when he honestly looked liked he pitied Illyria. He felt for it(her?). He may not be feeling for himself, but being capable of feeling anything at all is a definite improvement on his state in 'Shells'.
Gunn - Again, JAR was a joy to watch. And again, he has my favourite scene of the ep. Last time it was him and the Conduit. This time it was him and DB with the talk in the hopsital/medical ward.
Yes, the scene did echo, a little, the scene between Angel and Wes in 'Forgiving', except that this time round Angel did have the control to both rap knuckles *and* deliver a few well chosen words of wisedom. ("Because you're a good man." *sigh*)
But did anyone else wind up thinking of the scene between Wes and Gunn in 'The Price' as well?
In that scene, you had Gunn barging in on Wes, who is hiding away in hopes the world will forget him, demanding he get his head out the sand and help on a serious problem. Wes initially refuses, until Gunn brings up the convincing arguement; Fred.
This time, you have Angel barging in on Gunn. And like Gunn, Angel refuses to take 'No' as an answer. He keeps on prodding (and brings up Fred) in hopes that Gunn will get up and help. The difference is that he also offers advice before leaving. He also makes it clear, that he's expecting Gunn back on the team, that he wants Gunn back.
And as for Gunn's final choice.
I'm pretty sure that he won't be staying down in Hell. And here's two reasons.
1) "Senior Partner's rules." It's the SP's who have said that there can't be a void. At some point, someone is going to actually hear Lindsey's words. And then they're going to ask themselves: 'But we hate we guys. Why are we following their rules in the first place?'
Rules are there to be broken after all.
2) Atonement. I am not trying to belittle what Gunn did in that ep, but I just have this gut feeling that Gunn is capable of doing a little more before he finally bows out. He did what he had to this ep, but I just feel this wasn't meant to be his last stand. Plus, JAR is just on fire recently. It'd be criminal to write him out for the rest of the season. :)
Origin
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*cough*
Me like. Me like oh so very very much.
Angel - continues to grow and mature.
Last ep he had the strength to try and pull Gunn back into the fold. This week, he finally tries to do the same for Wes. From the looks of it, this isn't the first time he's made an approach. (And apparently, Wes effectively said 'Leave me alone. I can deal with this.') But this week, credit where it's due. Angel finally takes no notice of what Wesley's saying, and says what needs to be said. i.e.: 'Bullshit. You're not coping. This isn't the way out. Snap out of it.'
Yeah, it may be harsh. But it's a case of 'you have to be cruel to be kind'. And it is what Wes needs. He's not the type of guy who'll admit to needing help, and a few harsh home truths are pretty much the only way to get anything through to him.
Wes - *sigh* Of course, it had to be him to unravel the mindwipe. And I'm glad he did. I'm a little weary that, yet again, his whole reasoning for doing so had to be entirely because of Fred. But never mind, hopefully the ends will justify the means. And seeing as how a lot of the memories apparently returned were of Lilah, hopefully Wes'll also remember that Fred was a person and that, while he did love her, she was not his only reason to fight the good fight.
And sheesh!
Anyone else think that Angel had a very very narrow escape?
"He no longer follows you."
Damn. I know Angel didn't want the box/window to be broken, but it was a good thing. If anything it ensured his continued survival.
Wes and Illyria.
Wes (temporarily) left, and Illyria followed. Not sure if this will always be the case, but for the moment, these two are a very, very dangerous duo and I think Angel's lucky not to still have them as his enemies.
Connor - When I read the reviews, I just thought there was simply a poignant last look between still-unwitting son and father. However, from people's reactions, it seems there was, in fact, a strong implication that Connor *did* remember but still chose to believe in the lie.
And I see that some people are very very unhappy about it, saying why does Connor get to choose the easy way out.
I can understand why people think that, but I don't agree.
Connor's memories will have included, one assumes, his death. The fact he died. The memory of his old life, and everything therein, ending.
On the other hand, he presumably also has an equally healthy set of memories that are still growing and alive. To me it makes sense that therefore these should have a a greater hold on him.
Another thing. Compare the state the boy was in during his old memories. He was totally and utterly screwed up. His mind had effectively shattered and gone to pieces. He didn't know what to believe in any more, who to believe, he couldn't feel anything.
But in *this* life. He's whole, he's complete. He's strong.
As long as he has both sets of memories, I don't see how Connor *can* go back to being who he used to be. It's human nature to recoil away from something that burns you, hurts you, etc. I think the same thing went on there. Connor can remember individual things, but his own mind now won't allow him to go back into his old personality. It can't. There's nothing left to go into.
I'm babbling. Hopefully at some point I'll be able to say that more coherently.
Last ramble, again about Wes: Hmm. Not sure about the 'lies help us to endure life'-type line at the end.
At the end of Season 4, Wes was not the happiest person on the planet. But I think he was at his strongest then. He knew who he was, what he was capable of, he was fine with that... and it meant he could effectively take on the world and not get too badly damaged.
He wasn't like that this season. When Fred got hurt, he utterly went to pieces.
I hope that Wes doesn't try to cling on to the lies just because they were happier than the reality. Hopefully when he has more time to think, he'll realise that he was far stronger and, deep down, far happier back when he didn't have all these lies to comfort him. Ironic but true.
ETA:
*GASP*
How could I forget?!
ALL HAIL GUNN! GO GUNN! **shakes pompoms**
Loved loved loved Gunn in this ep. He's damn well learnt from his mistakes. Whether or not he really feels he deserves continual hell is now a moot point. He knows himself and believes in the mission enough to not even be tempted by the SP's hint of an offer. He knows they're not even worth listening to.
I could have kissed him :)
He better get rescued though...
Right. I need a drink.
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no subject
Date: 2004-04-23 09:39 am (UTC)There, better now?
I liked the way Conner got to choose.IMHO It wasn't necessarily choosing the lie, it was more an acceptance of what had happened, what had facilitated the lie and the choices that had had to be made.. And look how much happier he is..Oh now I'm rambling..
*pours herself a large vodka*
Hope the exams aren't kicking your ass/arse too much
*smooches*
p.s and look what the spell check comes up with as an alternative to arse..Ares, ares, Ase, ar se, ar-se, arise, arose, are, Erse, parse, apse, Arie, Arne, Arte, ease