I may be removing the spoiler tag sometime around 7.15am tomorrow moring (UK time) if I can't find a review for those are unspoiled.

Simon | October 30, 02:34 CET

An awesome episode. Ben Edlund is a brilliant writer, Joss really knows how to wrangle top notch talent into his stable of writers. Hopefully this ep will quiet the haters, if it doesn't I'd guess they lost their funny bone (possibly during Angel Season 4).

ringworm | October 30, 08:08 CET

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

"It's not like it's the first time I've had sex under a mystical influence. I went to UC Santa Cruz!"

I lauged for five minutes.

(UCSC grad, Porter, 1995)

fraying | October 30, 10:09 CET

Yah, I am currently attending UCSC (Go Stevenson!), and my friend and I sat there in shocked silence for about 5 minutes before howling with laughter. Gotta love how many times UC Santa Cruz has been mentioned in the Buffy-verse: first with the dorm names at UC Sunnydale, and now with this. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Marti Noxon is a UCSC graduate herself. :)

tinypinkchildren | October 30, 10:49 CET

I am the friend that tinypinkchildren mentioned, and even though she said it already, I have to just let out my Santa Cruz love.
Love for Stevenson, and love for UCSC.

saralove | October 30, 11:21 CET

Good ep. Funny stuff. "Gunn! Stop that!" hehehe.... And I couldn't suppress a chuckle or two with the "Harmonica" and "Lornytunes!"
Main complaint would be they did practically nothing funny with Spike. Now don't get me wrong, he had an ep practically to himself last week, I get that. He doesn't have to be in the spotlight all the time, but they could have made some better funnies with him than they did. Had him dance silly with Harm or something.
Oh and the ahem...'wrist-wine'...("Uh, you taste great.") was brilliant in how it was as funny as it was revolting, hah!

Also....sorry if I'm out of line.....but am I the only one who noticed that Angel and Eve behind the couch....appeared to be doing it....ehm...kinda...looked like doggiestyle to me...hehe.

EdDantes | October 30, 11:38 CET

Great link! I loved the UCSC references. Since this is turning into an unofficial thread of former/current Slugs, I might add that I'm also a member of Stevenson College ('04).

BTW, does anyone know what college Marti Noxon belonged to?

nightingale | October 30, 11:56 CET

Yah, she belonged to Stevenson! Isn't that awesome? I always wanted to get hold of her and use it as a conversation opener.

tinypinkchildren | October 30, 12:02 CET

I was half asleep when I watched it and had to turn the volume down so as not to disturb the neighbours and I still enjoyed every second of it. That was just... entertaining. It was a like watching a comletely different show all of a sudden and I don't know if that's good or bad. Must watch again right now.

There were a few scenes where it seemed like they told Marsters: "... and you... um, yes, stand in the background there doing, um... well, nothing. Don't worry, you won't be in focus."

ASH was a good one for finding something to do even if he wasn't directly used in the scene. In fact all the early Buffy episodes had the cast always 'doing something' in the background - which made every scene come alive so brightly.

I absolutely loved the creepy demon gang with the slave. More of that, please.

Caroline | October 30, 13:08 CET

I liked when he found the pee-pee. Reminded me of my dog.

Overall it was OK. Kind of funny, but not at all what I would call brilliant.

When are we going to get a Wesley-centric episode? We have so little clue what he's been getting up to!

melsta | October 30, 17:38 CET

First let me make it clear, I am not a "hater". But I am still waiting for an episode that says to me...Angel has returned. I haven't had that moment as of yet. I did like Hellbound...that was on track. I laughed a few times last night at this episode but still cannot believe what has happened to my favorite show. I cannot even stand the "bouncy" - "sappy" music they play with the promo's in between commercials...you know what I'm trying to say???...It's like they took my cool, dark, vampire, show and are turning it into some happy, go lucky, gather the kids around show...Before I get hammered with posts...I just want everyone to know...that I LOVED Buffy and AtS...they were my favorites and still are...I'm just disappointed and am waiting and holding out hope that the series I love will kick in...I understand the changes that had to be made to keep it on the air...but I don't have to like them and as of right now...I don't. But with that said...will continue to watch because like I said...favorite show and all. Oh and one last thing that I'm sure will piss off a few...Angel's spikey hair is back!!! Yippee!!! :)

Coll | October 30, 18:24 CET

I agree with you, Coll. I have enjoyed this season thus far but I feel that something is missing from the Angel I've known and loved for the past 4 seasons. It seems like all the characters, just like Spike, are missing their true voice. I'm sure that's the whole point but it just feels like Angel has a new staff of writers trying to find out who the characters are. Hopefully the ME staff will find a way to balance what the WB wants vs. being true to the world they have created on Angel. With that being said, I will still continue to watch one of the best shows television has to offer right now...

lala | October 30, 19:09 CET

This was an excellent episode -- it was funny but still moved the characters along. I loved when Lorne said he was part of the team, and this was what he was supposed to be good at. Enough darkness with the drinking of the blue blood and the slaughter to let us know it was still Angel. Nice to see Angel not having to be a eunuch, and I didn't mind Eve much this episode -- of course, I remember how sexy she was on Boston Public.

A gather the kids around show with people drinking from each other, a guy getting shredded in the bathroom and the lead boning his possible nemesis behind the couch? I don't think so. If the later character-centric episodes are as good as this one, I'm certainly looking forward to it. First Spike, now Lorne, and here we go.

brother_grady | October 30, 19:12 CET

That was one of the most subversive hours of TV ever aired! You are not supposed to mention, let alone show people urinating or sitting on the toilet on prime time TV. I can't believe the censors let the homosexual, S&M, pedophile Demon get past them. Remember when Angel having sex was a huge deal and he would brood about Buffy whenever a girl even looked at him? As Lorne said to Harmony, "keep pushing the envelope".

vpecoraro | October 30, 19:23 CET

I friggin laughed my ass off. Hillarious. Best ep of the season if ya ask me, although that's not saying much, but you get the point.

That little slave demon anorexic looking thing was funny as hell. When he was touching the plant and then smelled his fingers and said "peepee", I nearly fell off the couch.

And Gunn peeing all over the place. And Presumallly (that's spelled wrong on purpose). Drunk Wes is funny.

oh, and how about the whole elevator bit with Wesley

"Oh come on, come one"

Fred informs him that he needs to press the button, and he proceeds to press the button

"Oh come on, come on" LO-freaking L

Ok, My optomism for this season has made an appearance. I have hope now that this season won't suck ass.

And Harmony dancing on the dance floor all by herself... Priceless. Great moments in this ep.

Oh, and um "Ocupado"

*sigh* Hillarious

nychick | October 30, 19:58 CET

Harmony all by herself on the dance floor...right you are, nychick...utterly hysterical.

Not a great episode, but very enjoyable. I still don't have a sense of this season yet, though.

Chris in Virginia | October 30, 20:21 CET

Overall an entertaining ep. I was watching the clock like a hawk...not because i wanted it to be over, but because I didn't want the hour to end.

The good stuff:
--"peepee!"
--Lorne talking to himself
--"you...you taste great"
--"HAHA,you pissed in the boss' chair?!"

The not so good stuff:
--Lorne lamenting on his lack of super powers?! Hello!
--Lorne's inner Hulk...that seemed thrown together(but hey, nifty new effect).
--Took your 'sleep' out?..o..k...

[ edited by protector on 2003-10-30 18:33 ]

protector | October 30, 20:32 CET

Oh yeah, the best thing about this episode... eventhough Lorne was the focus, all the others had more or less equal parts in the story.

I rather liked the idea of having one's sleep removed.

Caroline | October 30, 20:48 CET

The episode definitely had it's laugh-out-loud moments but overall is was alright. Drunk Wes, peeing Gunn, and "Eve, you stay here with me and we'll more sex" Angel- hilarious. Lorne Ferrigno on the other hand- kinda cheesy.

I watched the show with my husband and a friend that I converted into a Buffy fan. Unfortunately, I have yet to sell him on Angel and he really didn't care for last night's episode. When it ended I sheepishly said, "I'm still waiting for the show to get good this season" and his response, "Will it ever get good?" Ouch.

I hate to admit that I haven't been that impressed with the season thus far but I remain ever-hopeful. I will continue to watch every Wednesday even if we get 5 more episodes into the season and my opinion hasn't changed. I seen how fantastic this show can be so I will keep watching even if I'm not in the "this episode was brilliant" camp.

Karen | October 30, 21:36 CET

I have to say, I've been trepidatious about this season of Angel. But I loved this episode. It's exactly the kind of episode that wouldn't have fit in last year (and I loved last year, don't get me wrong). It was a great play on the "nothing ever happens on Halloween" thing in the Jossverse. All the characters had their funny moments. And it gave some real depth to Lorne for the first time since our visit to Pylea.

Plus, the black-robed horned group of baddies was truly excellent - creepy and funny in equal measure. And we finally got to see Angel so something besides brood. It reminded me of the slightly goofy Angel from season one. Besides, how cool is it to get a show that can go from super horror creepy last episode to funny the next? I like the variety.

Loved it, loved it loved it.

fraying | October 30, 22:39 CET

A great episode. The only thing I have to complain about is that the Hulk-Lorne was kind of lame, both in concept and effect. A 9 out of 10.

Invisible Green | October 31, 00:04 CET

Yes... Lornes Hulky manifestation was very lame, but I overlooked it cause I couldn't stop laughing. "Ocupado" LOL Sorry, that is just tooo freaking funny.

ANd how about that demon fella coming as a human. That's the ugliest looking human I've ever seen. Funny stuff

nychick | October 31, 00:15 CET