Musings on AtS 5X10 "Soul Purpose"
Jan. 22nd, 2004 12:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ria_oaksMusings, musings, musings...
So, elaboration. First, I'll say this - I liked that episode. A lot. As I said earlier, I think that it summed up beautifully all the issues at stake (no pun intended) this season. "How do we do good in an evil corporation?" "Black&White VS Gray - see also Angel's Issues" "Is W&H going to corrupt us?" and, of course, Angel's Issues: "Am I necessary with Spike here?" "Am I not really the Champion?" "Is it really Spike's destiny?" "Have I become corrupted? although I'm not sure he yet realizes it, the issue is nontheless heavily present"...
Okay, better get this out next:
LINDSEY!
*ahem*
LindseyXSpike!
GunnXWesley and the revival of their Great t00by Love and Friendship!
AngelXWesley and trust/friendship issues!
FredXHarmony, just because!
SpikeXAngel, aka Spike Having Sex in Angel's Bed
Slashy subtext!
Okay, done now.
Seeing Lindsey again was wonderful just out of principle, although I think whatever his plan is is fucked up royally. What exactly does he _want_? And does he actually think he can get away with it without the SP _eventually_ finding out? Also, how the fuck did he inherit the visions? Did he really, or was he just faking? In retrospect, I think he was faking to get Spike's trust. I mean, why _would_ he have them? Cordelia may be in a coma, but she's still alive, and either way the PTB have no reason to give them to him...
Doyle reference - personally was amused and happy over this. Loved hearing him mentioned, just out of principle. Imho, it was not disrespectful of Glenn - I think that it's better to mention him occasionally (course, not like they ever did when Glenn was alive... still.) then completely ignore him. And I think it was nice to honour his memory like that. And aside from that, Lindsey calling himself Doyle and saying he has visions is just... funny.
Spike, you're stupid. You're being played so hard it's not even funny. No, I didn't mean that last line is such a sexual way. Bugger. Anyway, figure it out, Spike. Geez. -_-
Lindsey and Eve - ewww, no chemistry, and do NOT need to ever ever ever again see Eve straddling him with her arse up in the air while doing strange unknown sexual.. things... to his body. Honestly. *shudder*
On the other hand, Christian Kane is a sexy bitch (earrings! He had earrings!), even if he has gained a few pounds.
One of Fred's outfits looked horrible. I don't think the others were great, either, but she had one in particular that stood out... either way, I agree with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
thebratqueen's assessment that the costuming for the girls sucks. God.
Didn't the artifact thing with the runes on it have the same runes that are on Lindsey's body? Maybe not. If so, why is Eve giving it to them? So they figure it out and somehow trip the switch that makes Lindsey's tattoo protection die so he becomes revealed to the SP? Evidently she's playing him, but equally evidently I think he's playing _her_. After all, he's the one who stopped her from killing Angel. I think they both think they're playing each other, but in the end either he's the only one really playing anyone effectively, or both just plain suck at this. Which is more likely.
Okay, dream stuff:
In vague chronological order:
1. The Wes Dream - loved seeing Wes all friend-like with him at the beginning, then moving to betraying him - I wonder if even after what he said Angel doens't fully trust Wesley? OTOH, asthebratqueen said, Angel was looking for suicide - so maybe he wanted Wes to do that, and Wes was giving him relief? Possibly a bit of both, possibly more the latter... As has also been mentioned, it goes back to Angel's insistence that Wes and the others be able to stake him if necessary - so he trusts Wes to do that for him still? So is it betrayel? I'm really not sure... Also, Wes telling Angel he is inconsequential - again, the whole "Is Spike taking my place?" thing
2. The Fred Dream - pretty obvious analogies, for the most part. His heart, a dried up walnut - evidently he doesn't have any heart _left_ - he's dried up, uncaring, unfeeling - he's lost all mercy (re: Conviction) and true understanding of why he fights evil (re: Numero Chinco and Destiny). Flushing his soul - similar thing. His soul no longer functions fully, he's lost his ability for true good (which, granted, he didn't have often... after Epiphany, yes, but esp in S5 it's evident that he's lost a meaningful reason to fight evil - all he cares about is Shanshu, and now he's not even certain about that.). The bear I _think_ represents the beast inside him? Wasn't sure about that. Don't know about the necklace, although I gather that Fred/Angel fans are muchly happy over that. The license plate - the whole "I've lost my way" thing, maybe? It was beaten up, like it had been thrown away or lost or something... not sure. Couldn't find any symbolism in the actual number, but maybe I'm not thinking deep enough. ^^ Either that or, you know, it was a random number... :P
3. The Lorne dream - life sucks, then you go on and on and on... more about Angel's wish to die, I suppose. Also, Lorne with a moustache? Scary.
4. The Apocalypse dream - was I the only one thinking of Rain of Fire/Apocalypse Nowish, what with LA burning? Hm. And again, we have Angel on the outside, unable to do anything, watching as Spike does the work.
5. Spike the Hero Becoming Human dream - OMFG that was too funny. "And he turned the world into a utopian wonderland where everyone's happy and joyous and etc etc etc", and the shot to the fairy tale world outside - I died laughing. Also, the fairy - rofl. "Someday you'll be a real boy!"
6. Angel in Chair in Middle of Nowhere dream - Again, we have an Angel who is no longer necessary. He is cut off, inconsequential, uneeded. He can go off and do nothing and not have to worry, because Spike's here to save the day. Also: metaphor for death.
That's about it - there were a few more dreams, but nothing I can think of to commentate on. Think I might've forgotten one of the earlier ones... meh.
Other randomness:
1. Spike saving the girl then telling her off - freaking hilarious.
2. Spike using the double stakes in his sleeves and doing the same move Angel did in City Of - brilliant, hilarious
3. Wes and Gunn talking to Spike - a. continued the whole "is it possible to do good within evil?" thing, and b. dear god, could you have spread your legs apart any _further_, James? And his hand placement... looked like he was masturbating. Hehe.
4. Wes In Control - a fair amount has been said on this by others. Several suspect potential darkness in him based on it, aka he's plotting something... Personally, I was more like "heh, he's second in control and they're finally showing us that... yay." Still, more than open to it being foreshadowing for darker happenings later.
5. Alexis has all but shaved his beard off. I gather Alyson didn't like it much, for "practical reasons" (snerk). Sigh. He looked a bit older without it in this ep, I thought. Still gorgeous, though.
Interesting thing to note - despite the fact that the episode was all about Angel's Issues, I found it interesting that Harmony kept talking about how she had to defer to him, thus making him important... hm. And Wesley's insistence that they dont' bother him - rather interesting... On second thoughts, Wes's behaviour in the ep was... questionable. Hm.
Oh, and also - as David Boreanaz's directing debut, I think he did a pretty good job.. I dont' know a thing about directing or what's good or bad, but it didn't strike me as horrid and he seems to mostly be getting praise for it. Also, the writer was a new guy - never heard of him. He did a good job, got the characters down well...go him.
One last thing, just thought of - interesting the parallels between this ep and S4's Awakening - which was also the tenth ep of the season. Go figure.
Anyway, that's it. Bed now.
So, elaboration. First, I'll say this - I liked that episode. A lot. As I said earlier, I think that it summed up beautifully all the issues at stake (no pun intended) this season. "How do we do good in an evil corporation?" "Black&White VS Gray - see also Angel's Issues" "Is W&H going to corrupt us?" and, of course, Angel's Issues: "Am I necessary with Spike here?" "Am I not really the Champion?" "Is it really Spike's destiny?" "Have I become corrupted? although I'm not sure he yet realizes it, the issue is nontheless heavily present"...
Okay, better get this out next:
LINDSEY!
*ahem*
LindseyXSpike!
GunnXWesley and the revival of their Great t00by Love and Friendship!
AngelXWesley and trust/friendship issues!
FredXHarmony, just because!
SpikeXAngel, aka Spike Having Sex in Angel's Bed
Slashy subtext!
Okay, done now.
Seeing Lindsey again was wonderful just out of principle, although I think whatever his plan is is fucked up royally. What exactly does he _want_? And does he actually think he can get away with it without the SP _eventually_ finding out? Also, how the fuck did he inherit the visions? Did he really, or was he just faking? In retrospect, I think he was faking to get Spike's trust. I mean, why _would_ he have them? Cordelia may be in a coma, but she's still alive, and either way the PTB have no reason to give them to him...
Doyle reference - personally was amused and happy over this. Loved hearing him mentioned, just out of principle. Imho, it was not disrespectful of Glenn - I think that it's better to mention him occasionally (course, not like they ever did when Glenn was alive... still.) then completely ignore him. And I think it was nice to honour his memory like that. And aside from that, Lindsey calling himself Doyle and saying he has visions is just... funny.
Spike, you're stupid. You're being played so hard it's not even funny. No, I didn't mean that last line is such a sexual way. Bugger. Anyway, figure it out, Spike. Geez. -_-
Lindsey and Eve - ewww, no chemistry, and do NOT need to ever ever ever again see Eve straddling him with her arse up in the air while doing strange unknown sexual.. things... to his body. Honestly. *shudder*
On the other hand, Christian Kane is a sexy bitch (earrings! He had earrings!), even if he has gained a few pounds.
One of Fred's outfits looked horrible. I don't think the others were great, either, but she had one in particular that stood out... either way, I agree with
thebratqueen's assessment that the costuming for the girls sucks. God.Didn't the artifact thing with the runes on it have the same runes that are on Lindsey's body? Maybe not. If so, why is Eve giving it to them? So they figure it out and somehow trip the switch that makes Lindsey's tattoo protection die so he becomes revealed to the SP? Evidently she's playing him, but equally evidently I think he's playing _her_. After all, he's the one who stopped her from killing Angel. I think they both think they're playing each other, but in the end either he's the only one really playing anyone effectively, or both just plain suck at this. Which is more likely.
Okay, dream stuff:
In vague chronological order:
1. The Wes Dream - loved seeing Wes all friend-like with him at the beginning, then moving to betraying him - I wonder if even after what he said Angel doens't fully trust Wesley? OTOH, as
thebratqueen said, Angel was looking for suicide - so maybe he wanted Wes to do that, and Wes was giving him relief? Possibly a bit of both, possibly more the latter... As has also been mentioned, it goes back to Angel's insistence that Wes and the others be able to stake him if necessary - so he trusts Wes to do that for him still? So is it betrayel? I'm really not sure... Also, Wes telling Angel he is inconsequential - again, the whole "Is Spike taking my place?" thing2. The Fred Dream - pretty obvious analogies, for the most part. His heart, a dried up walnut - evidently he doesn't have any heart _left_ - he's dried up, uncaring, unfeeling - he's lost all mercy (re: Conviction) and true understanding of why he fights evil (re: Numero Chinco and Destiny). Flushing his soul - similar thing. His soul no longer functions fully, he's lost his ability for true good (which, granted, he didn't have often... after Epiphany, yes, but esp in S5 it's evident that he's lost a meaningful reason to fight evil - all he cares about is Shanshu, and now he's not even certain about that.). The bear I _think_ represents the beast inside him? Wasn't sure about that. Don't know about the necklace, although I gather that Fred/Angel fans are muchly happy over that. The license plate - the whole "I've lost my way" thing, maybe? It was beaten up, like it had been thrown away or lost or something... not sure. Couldn't find any symbolism in the actual number, but maybe I'm not thinking deep enough. ^^ Either that or, you know, it was a random number... :P
3. The Lorne dream - life sucks, then you go on and on and on... more about Angel's wish to die, I suppose. Also, Lorne with a moustache? Scary.
4. The Apocalypse dream - was I the only one thinking of Rain of Fire/Apocalypse Nowish, what with LA burning? Hm. And again, we have Angel on the outside, unable to do anything, watching as Spike does the work.
5. Spike the Hero Becoming Human dream - OMFG that was too funny. "And he turned the world into a utopian wonderland where everyone's happy and joyous and etc etc etc", and the shot to the fairy tale world outside - I died laughing. Also, the fairy - rofl. "Someday you'll be a real boy!"
6. Angel in Chair in Middle of Nowhere dream - Again, we have an Angel who is no longer necessary. He is cut off, inconsequential, uneeded. He can go off and do nothing and not have to worry, because Spike's here to save the day. Also: metaphor for death.
That's about it - there were a few more dreams, but nothing I can think of to commentate on. Think I might've forgotten one of the earlier ones... meh.
Other randomness:
1. Spike saving the girl then telling her off - freaking hilarious.
2. Spike using the double stakes in his sleeves and doing the same move Angel did in City Of - brilliant, hilarious
3. Wes and Gunn talking to Spike - a. continued the whole "is it possible to do good within evil?" thing, and b. dear god, could you have spread your legs apart any _further_, James? And his hand placement... looked like he was masturbating. Hehe.
4. Wes In Control - a fair amount has been said on this by others. Several suspect potential darkness in him based on it, aka he's plotting something... Personally, I was more like "heh, he's second in control and they're finally showing us that... yay." Still, more than open to it being foreshadowing for darker happenings later.
5. Alexis has all but shaved his beard off. I gather Alyson didn't like it much, for "practical reasons" (snerk). Sigh. He looked a bit older without it in this ep, I thought. Still gorgeous, though.
Interesting thing to note - despite the fact that the episode was all about Angel's Issues, I found it interesting that Harmony kept talking about how she had to defer to him, thus making him important... hm. And Wesley's insistence that they dont' bother him - rather interesting... On second thoughts, Wes's behaviour in the ep was... questionable. Hm.
Oh, and also - as David Boreanaz's directing debut, I think he did a pretty good job.. I dont' know a thing about directing or what's good or bad, but it didn't strike me as horrid and he seems to mostly be getting praise for it. Also, the writer was a new guy - never heard of him. He did a good job, got the characters down well...go him.
One last thing, just thought of - interesting the parallels between this ep and S4's Awakening - which was also the tenth ep of the season. Go figure.
Anyway, that's it. Bed now.
