Angel

THE WATCHER: ANGEL 5.22 - NOT FADE AWAY review

A television show like ANGEL could never end quietly, and NOT FADE AWAY, directed by executive producer Jeffrey Bell and written by Bell and series creator Joss Whedon, did exactly as the title stated. They went into battle, knowing the consequences, and made an impact. So much so that the hordes of several dimensions got peeved. The episode began right where POWER PLAY left off, and it was everything Angel warned his team that it would be.

One of the first heartbreaks in the episode was Angel giving up any future chance to achieve what the Shanshu Prophecy had promised: regaining his humanity after playing a pivotal role in the apocalypse. He gave up the only thing (other than his son) that had brought him hope since the prophecy was discovered at the end of the first season (TO SHANSHU IN L.A.). Just as he did when he lost his undead status in I WILL REMEMBER YOU, he gave up a chance at a "normal life" and happiness in order to keep fighting the good fight. This was a tremendous sacrifice. Technically, Spike still qualifies for Shanshu, being the other-vampire-with-a-soul that he is, but that’s is something for future contemplation.

It was gratifying to see so many nods to the past in this final episode: Connor fighting at his father’s side, Gunn’s visit to Anne (formerly known as Lily and Chanterelle on BUFFY), and the final stand at the alley behind the Hyperion Hotel. No major character was ignored in this episode, which was easily the most balanced of the entire season, and each had their own moments to shine.

Harmony: All season, it’s been mystifying that a non-souled vampire would be on the side of good. But this is Harmony that we’re talking about, and whether human or vampire, Harmony has always craved acceptance above all else. When she couldn’t get what she wanted from Angel, she turned to Hamilton, which was exactly what Our Hero was banking on. Harmony is without a soul and without a conscience, and it’s right that this fact came into play at the end.

Spike: His success at the poetry slam of his infamous "effulgent" poem caused the largest smile of the night. It was just plain thrilling to see him succeed with the creation that led him to his death and undeath. Apart from that, the events of this episode were right down his alley. He would never be one to go down without a fight, and that’s exactly what he was able to do. Amulet-less this time around, he probably raced Angel to be the first to attack the rampaging hordes, perhaps even beating Angel to the dragon.

Gunn: He couldn’t have asked for a more appropriate task: taking out the demonic senator who was already on his bad side, with the added bonus of her all-vampire staff that needed a good staking. His choice on his "perfect day" was to visit the aforementioned Anne, who gave him the best advice of the entire episode. In a nutshell: it doesn’t matter if the situation is hopeless; a person still should do what needs doing. His fight at the senator’s office wasn’t easy, and he arrived at the alley with serious wounds and weakened from loss of blood. The chances of surviving that last mega-battle would already be a lot more slim than his super-powered team members, and his injuries made his survival even less likely. He showed up anyway.

Lindsey: Angel recruited Lindsey to join the team for this battle with no intention of allowing him to survive the night. Angel does not believe that Lindsey is redeemable - to Angel, he is part of the problem. Lindsey’s character has been far from consistent this season, not to mention being nowhere near being the character who drove away in his pick-up truck in DEAD END. His Angel-ordered death at the hands of Lorne was a shock to him and to us: him, because he always believed that he would die at Angel’s hands, and us, because this was a double-cross that was difficult to see coming because of the puzzlement surrounding the character’s development this season. When I watched the episode for a second time, the conversation between Angel and Lindsey - reportedly penned by Joss Whedon - completely changed meaning as the intent behind the words was known. If Lindsey truly did aspire to be a member of the Circle of the Black Thorn for some reason, then Angel’s decision is understandable.

Lorne: Kudos to you, Krevlorneswath of the Deathwok Clan. Congratulations for knowing when to walk away. Lorne is a being of peace that fell into Angel’s circle after repeatedly having his home and livelihood destroyed, usually due to Angel in a direct or indirect way. He’s been a ray of sunshine amidst the Brood Boys and a welcome addition to the crew. But like it or not, Angel has crossed many lines in the fight against evil this year. He has killed, he has lied, and he has stopped helping the individuals out there in the big city who could use a little help. Asking Lorne to kill Lindsey wasn’t just a last straw, it was a last haystack. He had agreed to help with this plan, and he followed through, but I don’t blame him for wanting out. Lorne is not a demon who agrees with the concept of the ends justifying the means. I believe that Lorne sees the journey as being as important as the destination. This fight was never his. In severing his ties with Angel, he might regain the peace and joy that his life has lacked for quite some time.

Illyria: The former god-king had far more injury done to her pride than to her body by Hamilton during POWER PLAY. She wanted revenge on those who had humiliated her, and her dislike of "The Wolf, Ram, and Hart" certainly helped sway her to Angel’s cause for this battle. Her arrival at Wesley’s side is, of course, a moment too late, but we see that the she does indeed have some remaining very-human feelings for Wesley. Perhaps it was a combination of the last shreds of Fred and what transpired during his time as her guide that led her to offer that final lie. By the end, she finally admits to feeling human emotions, and she stands alongside the few remaining members of the team at the end.

Wesley: His death was tragic and staggering, but in some strange way, it was right. This was a man with little left to live for. Until six years ago, he had focused upon living the life of a Watcher, but when tested, he’d failed. Since arriving in Los Angeles, he formed bonds only to watch them unravel. How many times over the years have they shown Wesley sitting alone in his apartment? He has had few chances at happiness, despite his constant efforts to serve the greater good. Angel no longer fully trusted him and never would, Gunn and he would never have the brotherly bond they once shared, Lilah, who understood him better than anyone, is long dead, and Fred is utterly destroyed, leaving Illyria as a pale imitation. He did not plan to die, and did everything that he could to survive the battle, but he was simply outmatched. After such a tortured existence, his only peace could be found in death. It is a credit to him that he kept fighting for as long as he did - likely because the fight was all that he had left. Rest in peace, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.

Angel: This was "The Fight" for Angel, and he sacrificed a hell of a lot to get there. He turned away from his original mission in order to serve what he saw as the greater good. He killed two men, Drogyn and Lindsey (by proxy), to destroy his enemies in the most complete way possible. He asked his friends to do the impossible and the unthinkable in order to achieve his goals. He chose to make the largest possible impact against the evil forces within his reach, no matter what the personal cost might be.

Redemption isn’t something that gets handed to you along with a certificate and a gold star saying "I’m Redeemed, Ask Me How!" It’s an ongoing struggle, and it has been the focus of the series since the beginning. After the initial shock of the ending, I realized that Joss Whedon was absolutely correct to end the series as his did. ANGEL has never been about happy endings and loose ends tied with a happy bow. It’s about fighting the good fight. That’s how it began, and that’s how it ended.

Is it possible that Angel, Spike, Gunn, and Illyria survived that final onslaught? Probably not, especially the all-too-human Charles Gunn. But that’s not the point. The point is that they fought. They made a difference and stood their ground in the face of the consequences of their actions.

To the cast, crew, and staff of ANGEL... Thank you for five incredible seasons.