Angel 4.1 FAQ
What’s it called?
“Deep Down.”
Who’s responsible?
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” vet Steven S. DeKnight (“Dead Things,” “Seeing Red”) makes his “Angel” teleplay debut.
Hey, didn’t Herc already post an Angel 4.1 FAQ way back on July 12?
He did. And a good deal of it was wrong wrong wrong! Much apparently has changed since July. Behold the misinformation:
Angel 4.1 FAQ (7/12 version)
Who do we deal with first – floaty Cordelia or floaty Angel?
Neither. The first scene of the fourth season is set on Oct. 28, 1985 at Thorpe’s Academy in Gills Rock, Wisc. There we meet 7-year-old Gwen Raiden. We also meet Gwen’s parents and Lydia Thorpe, who heads the Academy. We learn that Gwen has … “special needs.” Her own mother is afraid to touch her. Gwen, we’ll learn before the teaser ends, has scary superpowers.
Do we meet Gwen again in the present day?
We do.
And she’d be about 24 by now, right?
You’d think. And yet …
But first we learn about Cordy. Or Angel. Right?
Actually we might first catch up with Winifred Burkle and Charles Gunn, who don’t seem to scare the vampires the way they did when Angel was standing behind them. Gunn and Fred are questioning many a smug and menacing bloodsucker as they search for Marissa.
Who’s Marissa?
Vampire girl. May know something about what happened to Angel. Angel’s son Connor, of all people, leads Gunn and Fred into her crack-house lair. Connor is pretending to be worried about what happened to his pop. Marissa learns this. Marissa is not long for this world.
Is Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan still in Vegas?
He is, still working the Velvet Room. But he’s also in the “Angel” season opener, where he gets an urgent phone call from Fred.
How long has Angel been missing?
All summer.
Does he spend most of 4.1 trapped deep underwater?
He’s back on land before act three. Cables, we understand, pop loose from their moorings.
Let’s get back to superpowered Gwen. What kind of superpowers does she have?
She’s a lightning lass.
What’s she up to in 2002?
She’s a thief. In an auction house. Seeking out something called “The Axis.”
Is Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo in this episode?
The Axis turns out to be an ancient mystical relic. And it’s the only thing that can lead the gang to one Cordelia Chase.
Does Cordy appear in the season opener?
That would be telling.
Anything else?
Yeah. Don't be surprised if, at end of act two, Gwen kills one of last season's regulars.
What did Herc’s sources get wrong?
Lightning lass Gwen Raiden is not introduced this episode! One senses the start of her story was bumped to 4.2 to make room for a much expanded role for Wes this week. Also, Angel’s escape from the watery depths happens differently.
Differently how?
He’s rescued.
The big news?
Vincent Kartheiser, predictably, has been added to the title credits. Less anticipated is the fact that Alex Denisof has been bumped back to the end, much as his girlfriend was last season over on “Buffy.” And for the first time Joss Whedon gets the sole “executive producer” credit at show’s end.
So Wes gets more than a scene or two this week?
Yes. Wes is all over the episode. He’s on a mission.
Is evil attorney Lilah Morgan in any of Wes’ scenes?
She is. The pair share the hot and sweaty making of the love. This time around, though, there seems to be a bit more affection between the two. Lilah, by the way, also gets a load of screentime when she’s not frolicking nakedly with Mr. Wyndam-Pryce.
What about Gavin Park?
Gavin is about. He gets a new boss this week.
Do we learn the nature of Fred’s call to Krevlornswath?
She’s checking to see if his sources have learned anything new about Angel’s whereabouts. The call is urgent because Lorne is keeping very busy and has grown increasingly difficult to get ahold of.
Does Cordy sit out the episode?
Almost.
What does TV Guide say?
“In the fourth-season premiere, the series picks up where it left off last May - with its undead hero trapped in a metal box at the bottom of the ocean. Angel (David Boreanaz) lies entombed in the murky depths of the Pacific, lonely and hungry to the point of hallucination. He has been betrayed by his own son, Connor (Vincent Kartheiser), who was himself misled by the vindictive Justine (Laurel Holloman). Above sea level, Gunn and Fred struggle to simultaneously keep Angel Investigations afloat, find their MIA boss and care for his stubborn offspring. But it's the ostracized and hardened Wesley (Alexis Denisof), however, who holds the key to Angel's recovery.”
Will there be Skip?
Skip is absent (save for his bit in the unusually long “Previously on “Angel” clip-package).
Does Wes make contact with any of his former employees?
Yes.
Has he rejoined Angel Investigations by episode’s end?
No.
What’s Justine the vampire slayer up to?
Justine also has much to do this week.
Does anyone still call Connor “Steven.”
No. Now that Holtz is dead and he’s hanging out with Charles and Fred, it’s back to Connor full-time.
What’s good?
One of the best things about tonight’s installment is that a lot of it transpires from Angel’s delusional and watery point of view. We’re therefor often not sure if what we’re seeing is real. (The vampire doesn’t need air, but three months without food has pretty much shorted out his brain.
What else is good?
The progression of the opening scene. Wes in general, and his “bucket threat” in particular. The week’s Wolfram & Hart business. The first time we see what Justine’s been up to. “Make sure fluffy’s getting enough love.” Mr. Suvarta's great tips on office furniture.
What’s not so good?
A lot of the Charles-Fred-Connor stuff. Charles and Fred make unconvincing surrogate parents for Connor; they’re always trying to impart grown-up wisdom to their charge – which is nutty, because August Richards and Amy Acker look about six months older than Kartheiser. Also? Somebody’s finally discovered a hairstyle unflattering enough to make Acker look not-adorable.
How does it end, spoiler-boy?
“God, I am so bored.”
Herc’s rating for “Angel” 4.1?
***1/2
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
- ***** better than we deserve
- **** better than most motion pictures
- *** actually worth your valuable time
- ** as horrible as most stuff on TV
- * makes you quietly pray for bulletins
9 p.m. Sunday. The WB.
To order boxer shorts adorned with the image of a green, leg-free “Alias” fanatic, click here.
Neither. The first scene of the fourth season is set on Oct. 28, 1985 at Thorpe’s Academy in Gills Rock, Wisc. There we meet 7-year-old Gwen Raiden. We also meet Gwen’s parents and Lydia Thorpe, who heads the Academy. We learn that Gwen has … “special needs.” Her own mother is afraid to touch her. Gwen, we’ll learn before the teaser ends, has scary superpowers.
We do.
You’d think. And yet …
Actually we might first catch up with Winifred Burkle and Charles Gunn, who don’t seem to scare the vampires the way they did when Angel was standing behind them. Gunn and Fred are questioning many a smug and menacing bloodsucker as they search for Marissa.
Vampire girl. May know something about what happened to Angel. Angel’s son Connor, of all people, leads Gunn and Fred into her crack-house lair. Connor is pretending to be worried about what happened to his pop. Marissa learns this. Marissa is not long for this world.
He is, still working the Velvet Room. But he’s also in the “Angel” season opener, where he gets an urgent phone call from Fred.
All summer.
He’s back on land before act three. Cables, we understand, pop loose from their moorings.
She’s a lightning lass.
She’s a thief. In an auction house. Seeking out something called “The Axis.”
The Axis turns out to be an ancient mystical relic. And it’s the only thing that can lead the gang to one Cordelia Chase.
That would be telling.
Yeah. Don't be surprised if, at end of act two, Gwen kills one of last season's regulars.
Lightning lass Gwen Raiden is not introduced this episode! One senses the start of her story was bumped to 4.2 to make room for a much expanded role for Wes this week. Also, Angel’s escape from the watery depths happens differently.
He’s rescued.
Vincent Kartheiser, predictably, has been added to the title credits. Less anticipated is the fact that Alex Denisof has been bumped back to the end, much as his girlfriend was last season over on “Buffy.” And for the first time Joss Whedon gets the sole “executive producer” credit at show’s end.
Yes. Wes is all over the episode. He’s on a mission.
She is. The pair share the hot and sweaty making of the love. This time around, though, there seems to be a bit more affection between the two. Lilah, by the way, also gets a load of screentime when she’s not frolicking nakedly with Mr. Wyndam-Pryce.
Gavin is about. He gets a new boss this week.
She’s checking to see if his sources have learned anything new about Angel’s whereabouts. The call is urgent because Lorne is keeping very busy and has grown increasingly difficult to get ahold of.
Almost.
“In the fourth-season premiere, the series picks up where it left off last May - with its undead hero trapped in a metal box at the bottom of the ocean. Angel (David Boreanaz) lies entombed in the murky depths of the Pacific, lonely and hungry to the point of hallucination. He has been betrayed by his own son, Connor (Vincent Kartheiser), who was himself misled by the vindictive Justine (Laurel Holloman). Above sea level, Gunn and Fred struggle to simultaneously keep Angel Investigations afloat, find their MIA boss and care for his stubborn offspring. But it's the ostracized and hardened Wesley (Alexis Denisof), however, who holds the key to Angel's recovery.”
Skip is absent (save for his bit in the unusually long “Previously on “Angel” clip-package).
Yes.
No.
Justine also has much to do this week.
No. Now that Holtz is dead and he’s hanging out with Charles and Fred, it’s back to Connor full-time.
One of the best things about tonight’s installment is that a lot of it transpires from Angel’s delusional and watery point of view. We’re therefor often not sure if what we’re seeing is real. (The vampire doesn’t need air, but three months without food has pretty much shorted out his brain.
The progression of the opening scene. Wes in general, and his “bucket threat” in particular. The week’s Wolfram & Hart business. The first time we see what Justine’s been up to. “Make sure fluffy’s getting enough love.” Mr. Suvarta's great tips on office furniture.
A lot of the Charles-Fred-Connor stuff. Charles and Fred make unconvincing surrogate parents for Connor; they’re always trying to impart grown-up wisdom to their charge – which is nutty, because August Richards and Amy Acker look about six months older than Kartheiser. Also? Somebody’s finally discovered a hairstyle unflattering enough to make Acker look not-adorable.
“God, I am so bored.”
Do we meet Gwen again in the present day?
And she’d be about 24 by now, right?
But first we learn about Cordy. Or Angel. Right?
Who’s Marissa?
Is Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan still in Vegas?
How long has Angel been missing?
Does he spend most of 4.1 trapped deep underwater?
Let’s get back to superpowered Gwen. What kind of superpowers does she have?
What’s she up to in 2002?
Is Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo in this episode?
Does Cordy appear in the season opener?
Anything else?
What did Herc’s sources get wrong?
Differently how?
The big news?
So Wes gets more than a scene or two this week?
Is evil attorney Lilah Morgan in any of Wes’ scenes?
What about Gavin Park?
Do we learn the nature of Fred’s call to Krevlornswath?
Does Cordy sit out the episode?
What does TV Guide say?
Will there be Skip?
Does Wes make contact with any of his former employees?
Has he rejoined Angel Investigations by episode’s end?
What’s Justine the vampire slayer up to?
Does anyone still call Connor “Steven.”
What’s good?
What else is good?
What’s not so good?
How does it end, spoiler-boy?
Herc’s rating for “Angel” 4.1?
***1/2
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
9 p.m. Sunday. The WB.
To order boxer shorts adorned with the image of a green, leg-free “Alias” fanatic, click here.
