Angel: After the Fall issue 5 review

[moscow_watcher]

Brian Lynch is a generous man. Really.
After Jay's insulting gesture at him in JASBSB

he could make him one of Kr'ph's slaves. Or Burge's victims. But he accomodated him at Lorne's peaceful oasis.


OK, that was a side-note. :)

Summary:
Somewhere, in a white nothingness, SP are very angry with Wesley because of the destruction of W&H's building. They threaten that Angel's blood will be on his hands. "We really wanted it on ours".

In Silverlake Lorne pities himself and his friends, but, finally finds the courage to act and echoes Angel's words in NFA: "Let's get to work".

In a half-destroyed building shirtless Angel shaves himself in front of the mirror among the rubble. "I should have spent the last couple of hours learning about Groo’s weapons. But I can’t face hell’s champions with stubble." (Hee! Quintessential Angel!) He mounts the dragon and they sett off for the battle.

In Beverly-Hills Spike's squad prepares for the fight. Spider's plan is to kill all demon lords, including "big bad Angel". Spike doesn't like the plan. Once he was the first to leap into any fray, but now he has human refugees to care about and he knows that Illyria is unstable, so he insists that "it’s so much easier if you just tell yourself you’re strategically heading in the opposite direction of those that wish to do you harm".

In Santa Monica Connor, Nina and Gwen prepare for the battle. Connor muses why Angel hasn't come to say good-bye - because he hopes to win or because he's suicidal.

The battle is staged on a big square somewhere in the downtown LA. A lot of people came to watch the show. Gunn and his vampire gang are also there. Angel arrives, makes a speech (great contraposition of his words and his thoughts) and the battle begins. Angel is definitely losing - but the cavalry arrives in time! Connor, Spike, Gwen, Nina, Groo - and Lorne is there, in the middle of the fight! "I’m a lord," he explains to Burge. "I entered a champion. Myself. Full disclosure, I can turn into a whole gaggle of different people".

At the height of the battle Illyria arrives. Spike explains to Angel that she needs help. And that's exactly when ghost!Wesley appears out of nowhere. Spike is shocked. "Does no one stay bloody dead in this world?" But Spike's reaction is mild as compared with Illyria's: on the last panel she transforms into Fred!

Analysis:

When a 12-issue run of season 6 was announced, I mentally broke down the story: in the first act Angel gathers his friends together, in the second act they prepare for the big fight, in the third act they save the day. But Lynch chose another, more twisted road, full of shocks and surprises. The battle that, theoretically, should be the culmination of the story, starts in issue 5, and, obviously, is the end of the first act. It's baffling and, at the same time, incredibly intriguing. If that's just the beginning, what awaits heroes in the end?

The only idea that comes to my mind is that in the next issues they'll try to break into SP's inner sanctum and force them to remove the barrier\return LA to Earth dimension\restore whatever they did.

I may be wrong, but I've got the impression that it's the real Fred on the last panel. "You," Illyria says. "Wesley," Fred says. Looks like these are reactions of two different persons. But if it's really real Fred, then what about her soul? According to season 5, her soul was destroyed resurrecting Illyria. Will she be reintroduced as a soulless human?

On metaphorical level it makes a lot of sense. Fred has always been a "science geek", so her new transformation could be a great metaphor of modern science exploring issues beyond good and evil. Her story could produce a lot of compelling conflicts and it may in many ways connect her back to Gunn - a soulless vampire who also tries to do good in his own twisted ways. Looks like Fred and Gunn may turn into the most interesting characters in season 6 (of course, if the creature on the last panel is really Fred).

I can see the return of the idea of soulless redemption that has been pretty popular in fandom in 2001-2002, when Spike has started helping Buffy on BtVS. Purists will be unhappy, of course. But given the popularity of the idea in a pre-Grave fandom, it could be a great move. Joss loves to reinvent his universe and Lynch is his apt pupil.

Angel's story continues to be incredibly dark and gloomy. Small glimpses of humor (can't face hell’s champions with stubble!) are very appreciated. Spike's new-found responsibility for Illyria and human refugees and his warrior squad triggers interesting changes in his attitude to the battles. He provides much-needed humor without turning into a comic relief. Connor's angsting over Angel's is touching and very in character.

Wesley gets the best close-ups in this issue. Urru finds a very fine balance between Alexis Denisoff's face and comic stylisation. Wes' story continues to be the most mysterious one. Interestingly, SP let him go after their vague threats. Could SP be powerless? Could they just pretend they are in control? In that case there is a creepy parallel with Angel and his glamor.

OTOH, I've always suspected that SP are writers. And they seem to be at their creative peak. :)

Talking about glamor. I've got the impression that it must be an orb identical to the one Gunn took from Kr'ph and then gave to the demons he keeps in his hotel. Another intriguing detail of a sprawling story.

P.S. I read the issue for the first time before Joss has made his statement about comics on Paley reunion. I'm writing this review after I became aware of his words: "if I had to shoot down everything I'm doing in comics because we were doing a project, a film with these actual people, I wouldn't lose a lot of sleep." I'm trying to figure out if it bothers me and the answer is no. Am I too elated because of all that drool-worthy Spuffy stuff at Paley? Maybe. Still I don't feel cheated or betrayed as some people feel. Comics are different canon. Neither superior nor interior to TV. Just different.

Comments

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

Talking about glamor. I've got the impression that it must be an orb identical to the one Gunn took from Kr'ph and then gave to the demons he keeps in his hotel.
*Snort* Poor Angel. If that's the case, it must be so difficult for him to stuff it up his bum. ;)
As for my part, I hope it's something small, oblong and smooth. Just for Angel's sake. :)

Comics - canon or no? As the possibility of any movie in Buffyverse (except Ripper), is mostly theoretical, I assume Buffy-8 to be canon, but canon of a new show Comic!Buffy Season 1.
As for Angel: ATF - it's a direct continuation of a TV show. I can't treat it the same way as Buffy comics, and wish to take it seriously.

I don't have an opinion whether it's really Fred on the last panel, or Illyria turned Fred. Can't even guess - just have to wait when the story picks up. Either way it should be a fascinating story.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

*Snort* Poor Angel. If that's the case, it must be so difficult for him to stuff it up his bum. ;)

Do you realise how slashy your comment sounds? :))))

As for my part, I hope it's something small, oblong and smooth. Just for Angel's sake. :)

Well, maybe it's another type of glamor. But with Kr'ph, the orb was inside him and he lost all his power immediately after Gunn ripped it out of his body.

As for Angel: ATF - it's a direct continuation of a TV show. I can't treat it the same way as Buffy comics, and wish to take it seriously.

You know what's funny? A year ago I'd be happy to find out that Joss doesn't regard comics seriously. But today I invested into them and I may be a bit disappointed by his attitude. But I agree, it's easier to see AtF than BtVS as a real continuation of the verse.

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

Angel's comment that he "spent a long and uncomfortable night" with the glamour inside him suggests that usually he takes it out for a night. Can't see a human Angel taking something out of his heart regularly and putting it back...
It might be in his ear, or his tooth - but admit my option is the most natural one. :) It was also used by Captain Sheridan in Babylon-5. Which bugged me a little bit because of repetition.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

Angel's comment that he "spent a long and uncomfortable night" with the glamour inside him suggests that usually he takes it out for a night.

You may be right. I interpreted his remark that he had to spend the night in the ruins without conveniences and it was uncomfortable for him. I wonder why couldn't he spend the night chez Lorne. Or with Connor and his people.

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

Those are ruins of a supermarket (you can see remains of "K-Mart" sign when Angel exits it) and Angel is just using a bathroom there. Also he probably picked up a packet of fruit cereal there - we see him holding a bowl of cereal in his hand. Brian said that he's eating cereal as he shaves to save time. :)
But I assume he spent the night with Lorne and Co and therefore had to keep the glamour on. And the phrase definitely suggests that "long and uncomfortable night" is related to keeping a glamour inside him - "better not ask" where. :)

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

you can see remains of "K-Mart" sign when Angel exits it

Yes, now I see it. I didn't realize Angel was in a supermarket. Obviously, I need explanations of some details. :)

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

Hmm, and now I'm thinking that maybe I was too hasty - Angel also said that the glamour will be destroyed only when he himself will be destroyed - so maybe it is implanted somewhere under his skin, permanently? And he only meant that sleeping in those ruins made for an uncomfortable night?
Maybe my mind is just too dirty. :)
OK, I hope we'll learn more about this glamour thingie in the continuation.

[ladypeyton.livejournal.com]

According to season 5, her soul was destroyed resurrecting Illyria.

Technically it was "consumed by the fires of resurrection" and you know what they say: You are what you eat.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

Technically it was "consumed by the fires of resurrection" and you know what they say: You are what you eat.

You've got a point. Well, in Jossverse writers always reserve a loophole. It's either a wrong translation, or a vague explanation or an ambiguous prophesy. :)

[shapinglight]

So that really is Brian in that pic with Jay and Silent Bob? It does look like him, but I didn't realise it was really him.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if that is Fred, I highly doubt she'll be soulless. Some reason will be found for why she's back, like Doctor Sparrow lying to Wesley or something.

I think you're probably right about the orb. Maybe it's buried in Angel's heart like it was in Kr'ph's? If so, and Gunn finds out, Angel could be in trouble.

Great review, Moscow. Love what you say about Spike.

I'm not sure how I feel about what Joss said about the comics. It's not like I haven't heard it before, of course, but in a way, I'm disappointed because everyone knows there'll never be a feature film and with this comment,he's given people carte blanche to ignore the comics continuity - which I have been doing, but I kind of liked the Buffy/Satsu stuff, have to say, as it ended the 'shipper wars temporarily.

AtF is altogether different. Like Nata, I have no trouble seeing it as canon because it's so like an episode of the show.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

Great review, Moscow. Love what you say about Spike.

Thank you!

So that really is Brian in that pic with Jay and Silent Bob? It does look like him, but I didn't realise it was really him.

Oh, believe me, I watched the scene frame-by-frame, trying to find the best screenshot! :)

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if that is Fred, I highly doubt she'll be soulless. Some reason will be found for why she's back, like Doctor Sparrow lying to Wesley or something.

You may be right. That's the most enticing and the most frustrating about Jossverse - limitless possibilities. It's great and it helps a lot when you write fanfiction, but it's hard to get used to the idea that the rules of the game may change any minute.

I think you're probably right about the orb. Maybe it's buried in Angel's heart like it was in Kr'ph's? If so, and Gunn finds out, Angel could be in trouble.

Agree. But I can't shake off the idea that the Kr'ph's orb has been introduced to take an active part in the story. Maybe even to help Angel at some point.

Like Nata, I have no trouble seeing it as canon because it's so like an episode of the show.

Oh, I agree. I just visited IDW boards and read a comment by a fan who gulped all the 5 issues at once and likened it with watching an episode of AtS.

[shapinglight]

Oh, believe me, I watched the scene frame-by-frame, trying to find the best screenshot! :)

Heh! Brian's probably mentioned this, or hinted at it, and I've failed to take it in.

Agree. But I can't shake off the idea that the Kr'ph's orb has been introduced to take an active part in the story. Maybe even to help Angel at some point.

Oh, it could do. It's a great, big stonking mcguffin, like that Hagun shaft thing-y that Spike let Spider waltz off with. It's bound to crop up at some point. Besides, Gunn was building that horrible installation with all the demon bodies and the glowing orb was part of that, and I'm sure he's not doing it for nothing.

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful review! I love your take on the events.

Fred as a soulless human. Wow, that would be an intriguing concept!
My pet theory so far is that Illyria expresses feelings etc. via Fred. Might well be that she is reshaping Fred with her own soul, if she has one.

On Gunn and the soulless redemption: Gunn seems much more tragic and wrong than Spike did in S5/6, maybe because there motivation is so different, Spike never exactly cared about good and evil. He was just in love. Gunn on the other hand clings to morals and helping people (while eating a few on the side). I really look forward to what Spike has to tell him when they meet.

On canon or not: Hm, S8 might work better on screen than it does on paper so I would not care much if Joss made some changes and made a movie. That would in fact be wonderful.
I'd really like him to keep AtF as canon though. I just don't see away to continue the story any better.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful review! I love your take on the events.

Thanks!

My pet theory so far is that Illyria expresses feelings etc. via Fred. Might well be that she is reshaping Fred with her own soul, if she has one.

I love your idea! Fred with a soul of God? Terrific development! I really, really hope that she has underwent some major changes, because I love when characters change and develop. And Fred, as great a character as she was, still was trapped in her role of a moral compass of AtS.

Gunn seems much more tragic and wrong than Spike did in S5/6, maybe because there motivation is so different, Spike never exactly cared about good and evil. He was just in love. Gunn on the other hand clings to morals and helping people (while eating a few on the side). I really look forward to what Spike has to tell him when they meet.

I agree. Spike's easygoing personaly helped him to overcome all the transformations he underwent. To quote Angel "I spent a hundred years trying to come to terms with infinite remorse. You spent 3 weeks moaning in a basement, and then you were fine!" I've got the impression that Gunn is like Angel in the brood department.

I'd really like him to keep AtF as canon though. I just don't see away to continue the story any better.

*Nods*

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

I love when characters change and develop. And Fred, as great a character as she was, still was trapped in her role of a moral compass of AtS.
I agree. I welcomed Illyria very much but I thought she would get stuck too pretty soon. Both of them merging into something new could be awesome.

I've got the impression that Gunn is like Angel in the brood department.
But very different in being evil. I love that they made him the evil moralist. That's something we never really had before.

[menomegirl.livejournal.com]

Love your reviews! They're always so thought-provoking.

I'm not bothered by Joss' comment but then I'm not as into the Buffy comics as much as I am ATF.

I loved the fifth issue. I've read it several times and i keep liking it more each time.

Well, except for the zombie Lindsey thing. Didn't care for that very much.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

Love your reviews! They're always so thought-provoking.

Thank you!

Well, except for the zombie Lindsey thing. Didn't care for that very much.

I'n torn about Lindsey. I don't want to see him as a zombie, but, OTOH, I feel a bit cheated with the way writers has ended his story in season 5. It was incredibly shocking, but it felt unfair towards the character. I'd give a lot to see Lindsey - whether zombie or not - confronting Angel and Lorne about his murder.

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

I'd give a lot to see Lindsey - whether zombie or not - confronting Angel and Lorne about his murder.
Oh yes! You just can't sweep a thing like this under the rug! It's not lawyers in the cellar or Holtz team hunting your baby, it's killing someone who trusted you and fought on your side, and who was, once again, in conflict and possibly on the brink of turning around.
That's why I feel cheated a bit by the chirpy Lorne and hope we'll get to dig deeper into this in his portion of First Night. Hopefully Zombie!McDonald mention is not a hint to us fans to just drop it and move on...

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

it's killing someone who trusted you and fought on your side, and who was, once again, in conflict and possibly on the brink of turning around.

And who didn't hesitate to tell you uncomfortable truth... ;)

I feel cheated a bit by the chirpy Lorne and hope we'll get to dig deeper into this in his portion of First Night

I've got the impression that it was Lindsey' murder that eventually promoted Lorne to the rank of Lord. In Hell only cruelty is valued.

[mrs-underhill.livejournal.com]

I've got the impression that it was Lindsey' murder that eventually promoted Lorne to the rank of Lord. In Hell only cruelty is valued.
Fascinating thought! Could very well work: otherwise it's hard for me to imagine how Lorne would be just left alone, and with his protegees. Surely, he's a nice guy to everyone and can please one's ears, but as you mentioned, it's not what is valued in Hell.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

otherwise it's hard for me to imagine how Lorne would be just left alone, and with his protegees.

Oh, I could imagine whispers behind Lorne's back: "This guy looks like a nancy but he's ruthless and insidious. He killed that McDonald guy who made all dirty work for him. Brilliant! Better not to mess with him!"

[goodbyebird]

Great review!
I'm reeeally hoping that Angel's glam doesn't come from one of those Orbs though, because ouchie! I completely agree on Illyria and Gunn turning out to be two of the most interesting characters. I do love to lap up those ambiguous characters. hehe.

Really looking forward to the Spike/Illyria mini, so we can get a better overview of what's going on with out schizo god.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

Great review!

Thanks! :)

I'm reeeally hoping that Angel's glam doesn't come from one of those Orbs though, because ouchie!

A very Jossian ouchie!

Really looking forward to the Spike/Illyria mini, so we can get a better overview of what's going on with out schizo god.

I wonder if Spike has already witnessed her transformations into Fred. His phrase about Wesley "Wouldn't have ever come here if I knew he was back" may be an indication that he could predict her reaction.

[goodbyebird]

I wonder if Spike has already witnessed her transformations into Fred. His phrase about Wesley "Wouldn't have ever come here if I knew he was back" may be an indication that he could predict her reaction.

Illyria did already have a soft spot for Wesley, and "wishing to do more violence" at the end of s5 could have spiraled downwards from there. Still, I'm thinking Fred had popped by before too, though I guess we can't say for certain.

[littlesoprano15.livejournal.com]

I did this theory in depth in another thread, but here's the shorter version. Keep in mind I'm not sure if I'm actually behind it, but I'm throwing it out there. Possible "First Night" spoilers:

Is the last panel really Fred? Fred with a soul? Okay, notice that Lorne says in this issue that Fred is in heaven. What? That is the complete opposite of everything that was hammered into our heads in Season 5. Even if her soul wasn't destroyed, the gang was convinced enough not to try to bring her back. And you KNOW Wes wouldn't have stopped trying if he wasn't totally convinced.

So Lorne is saying Fred is in heaven. Something has changed. We got preview panels of "First Night" with Wes and Fred in some sort of heavenly setting. We learned last issue that Wes sure wants to "move on." Let's assume Fred is in heaven, and the gang all knows this.

Now there has been a huge effort in previous issues to keep Wes and Illyria apart or even aware of each other's continued existence, which seemed like a bit of a stretch of imagination. It must have been a massive effort, since Wes knows all about the demon lords-- even where and when they meet-- yet he doesn't know that it's Illyria who is the actual demon lord of Beverly Hills (even though all the other lords do). And you know if Illyria had known about Wes being around, she would have found him. Wes has probably been told she's dead, hence his shock at seeing her.

So... maybe Spike, and arguably some other members of the gang, knew that if Wes and Illyria met up, Fred's soul/spirit/essence/presence would be pulled out of heaven and down into the hell that is L.A. They don't want that. Illyria is already unstable, and the strong emotional tie to Wes (her strongest point of commonality with Fred) would be the trigger.

The one problem I see with it is Spike talking about how unwell Illyria is, and how he doesn't know how to help her. It is possible that he is talking not about her grappling with her dual Fred/Illyria nature, but about her time-jumping and trouble controlling her violence.

So we have the real Fred with her soul, but in a dual-nature situation with Illyria. I think I see something with the Hagun Shaft coming, maybe splitting them into two bodies, or trying to do away with Illyria (the immortal of the two).

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

Fascinating idea!

Theoretically, one can argue that Lorne spoke metaphorically, and his girls quickly corrected him. One can argue that the effort to keep Wes and Illyria apart could be explained by plot necessity - because Lynch wanted to make this scene shocking and memorable. One may argue that Spike may be using Illyria's need for help as a pretext to come to Angel's help in the battle.

But I'm so intrigued by your idea I don't want to argue. Jossverse is so rich of possibilities - anything can happen. I can imagine the situation you describe.

May I reconmmend you to start a separate thread on Angel: AtF community and repost your thoughts? Because I really, really want other fans to see it. We'll have a lot of time to speculate. :)