Thoughts on Angel: Final few episodes [updated with link]
Sigh. Well I have watched the season and series finale for Angel: the Series. astridv is very evil, because of her I might go back and watch seasons 1-4. Hmph. :D
Also, I was unable to Obtain the new Buffy comic online because sendspace and megaupload both appear to be blocked by the PRC government now, so my brother is ordering the comic for me back in Australia. Apparently it was hugely popular and already sold out! Clearly, like the characters in the show, the Buffy fandom is still alive and kicking and nothing ever really dies in the Buffyverse :)
In the finale, Angel and his team prepare to confront the Circle of the Black Thorn, thereby throwing down the gauntlet and doing a big nyah nyah to the Senior Partners - a heroic giving the Senior Partners the finger, I suppose. The presumption of all is that this is a battle which they will not survive.
Most screen caps from Screencap Paradise. 6 Illyria caps by me. Dialogue from Buffy World.
The episodes prior to the finale were also excellent but I don't have the time or energy to recap them all I fear. Just a few random thoughts ....
Gunn: Move like this, wouldn’t hate having Blue Thunder in our corner.
Heh.
I was never really a Fred/Wes shipper, but I've decided that I have become an Illyria/Wes shipper. Both are so tortured, broken and sad and yet they cling to one another in a strange way. Wes' attraction to Illyria is in large part because she looks like Fred, but there's also something about Illyria herself that I think he likes. He doesn't really blame her for Fred's death in the same way that the others do. For instance, he's the one who made sure the 'gun' in 'Time Bomb' wasn't going to kill her - in direct contravention of Angel's orders.
When they go to Spike's apartment and find a battered Illyria, Wes is clearly concerned.
When Wes asks if Illyria can hear him, she gives the tiniest of nods just for him and it's almost child-like.
Later, Angel signs away his entitlement to the Shanshu Prophecy.
Presumably a contract signed under duress is not enforceable. :P Doesn't the Circle of the Black Thorn know that unjust or unconscionable terms and factors such as duress, mistake, legal incapacity, deceit, misrepresentation, illegality and undue influence may make an agreement invalid? True they may not observe fundamental principles of contract law but given that they're making him sign a contract, clearly there are some doctrines governing their enforcement :D
If a person who has entered into a contract can make use of a number of special doctrines then he or she may be able to cancel (rescind) the contract, the basic justification being that a person should not be held to a contract if he was the victim of unfair treatment during negotiations. Anyone who has behaved unfairly or unconscionably should not have the benefit of a contract. Angel just needs to get Gunn on the case and he might still have a shot at the Shanshu ;)
Then Angel recruits Lindsey to this cause despite not really trusting him.
Lindsey: If you want me, I'm on your team.
Angel I want you, Lindsey.
Angel pauses and regrets his wording.
Angel: I'm thinking about rephrasing that.
Lindsey: Yeah, I think I'd be more comfortable if you did.
Haha! :D
For their last day, the team all go and do their own thing. Lorne sings a final song.
Gunn seems to go back and see an old friend/colleague (?) I'm assuming he used to hang out at a kind of welfare shelter or something.
Spike goes to recite his Bad Poetry in public.
Angel goes to see Connor. Rare smile from Angel here - he looks like Booth from Bones here instead of Broody Pants Mr Tall Dark and Forehead ;)
Wes is tending to Illyria's injuries.
Illyria: I don't understand.
Wesley: It'll help you heal faster. If you really plan to join us in this fight-
Illyria: I will fight. I've been broken and humiliated. I will return in kind every blow, every sting. I will shred my adversaries. Pull their eyes out just enough to turn them towards their mewing, mutilated faces.
Wesley: You're a very inspirational person. Have I mentioned that? (brushes her hair away from her neck)
Illyria: You are what I don't understand.
Wesley: And that would be different because? (presses the strip to Illyria's skin)
Illyria: Angel told you to do whatever you wanted. Today... tonight, you may all be dead.
Wesley: Yes. Good point.
Illyria: I am not what you want.
Wesley: No.
Illyria: (touches her bandage) Then why-
Wesley: Don't I go off and have one last perfect day? Smell the flowers, or sky-dive, or have a go with Mistress Spanks-A-Lot... or whatever the hell one is supposed to do in this situation. (places another bandage on Illyria's neck)
Illyria: Mistress who?
Wesley: There is no perfect day for me, Illyria. There is no sunset or painting or finely-aged scotch that's going to sum up my life and make tonight any... There is nothing that I want.
Illyria: You want to be with Fred.
Wesley: (finishes bandaging Illyria, wipes his hands on a hand towel) Yes. Yes, that's where I'd be if I could.
Illyria: I could assume her shape, make her come alive again this once for you.
(looks down) But you would never ask me to.
Wesley: The first lesson a watcher learns is to separate truth from illusion. Because in the world of magics, it's the hardest thing to do. The truth is that Fred is gone. To pretend anything else would be a lie. And since I don't actually intend to die tonight, I won't accept a lie.
Wesley: Is it better?
Illyria: (touches her neck) It's better.
Yup, despite his words and despite everything, I can't helping like these two as a pairing. He has let go of his anger towards her and she is softening because of him.
For their last night on earth, Lindsey and Eve have sex.
Then Angel addresses the troops - fortunately his speeches aren't as long and boring as Buffy's and he gets to the point quite quickly.
Angel: This may come out a little pretentious, but... one of you will betray me. (Spike raises his hands eagerly)
Angel: Wes.
Spike: Oh. (puts his hand down, then suddenly hopeful) Can I deny you 3 times?
Angel: Vail is the sorcerer of the bunch. You know that game. You've seen his place. He believes you'd make a play for my spot.
Wes: That's not very flattering.
Angel: It'll get you in the door.
Angel then addresses Illyria. It's clear that she's been watching Wes but she lifts her head to listen to Angel.
Angel Izzerial the Devil and 3 other members of the circle dine together almost every night.
Illyria: I'll make trophies of their spines.
Illyria rocks. Heh.
When it's Spike's turn for his assignment, he says: "Right. First off, I'm not wearing any amulets. No bracelets, broaches, beads, pendants, pins, or rings."
*laugh*
Video is here
We find out in the meanwhile that Harmony's bonking Marcus and betraying Angel.
I notice Illyria's always near where Wes is - standing beside him, watching him.
She tells Gunn not to die in typical Illyria fashion :)
Illyria: Try not to die. You are not unpleasant to my eyes.
Gunn: Uh, thanks. You... try not to die, too.
Then the team split up and do their jobs.
Wes dines with the devil - or Vail the sorcerer.
Spike goes all Christine Daaé on us and goes to rescue the baby from the Fell Brethren.
Gunn goes to kill the senator and her staffers. Kind of like an episode of The West Wing if Joss Whedon wrote it.
Lindsey goes and makes his allotment of bad guys.
As does Illyria.
While Angel takes on Marcus Hamilton, a character I personally found really annoying. So far I've only ever liked Adam Baldwin as Jayne :P He was boring in his guest appearance on Bones and nondescript in Independence Day.
Spike grabs the baby and then fights one-handed.
Lindsey vanquishes his allotment of bad guys.
Angel and Connor defeat Marcus.
Gunn gives the evil senator a splitting headache.
Illyria walks away from her prey calmly. The chick is good! :D
This is sad. Lindsey's all flushed with success, happy to be part of a team, babbling away to a clearly distressed Lorne.
Lorne assassinates Lindsey on Angel's instructions and Lindsey is outraged and bewildered - not about being killed, but about the fact that Angel sent a flunky to do it.
A devastated Lorne leaves after doing his final task for Angel. "Good night, folks" he says and he looks so sad and haunted.
Seriously, Angel has got some bad Grey Morality Areas going in these few episodes. He killed his friend and ally Drogyn. He has traumatised Lorne for life by making him shoot the unsuspecting Lindsey dead..... Drogyn was collateral damage - Lindsey I'm not sure about. I didn't watch the previous episodes, but I'm assuming Lindsey's human? I always thought that the rule was supposed to be avoid killing humans unless in self defence :P
Wes also fared rather badly against Vail and is badly wounded when Illyria arrives.
She tells him he is mortally wounded and asks if he wants her to lie to him now.
Illyria: Wesley. This wound is mortal.
Wesley: (he touches his wound) Aren't we all? (looks at her, smiles)
It was good... that you came.
Illyria: I killed all mine, and I was...
Wesley: Concerned?
Illyria: I think so. But I can't help. You'll be dead within moments.
Wesley: I know.
Illyria: Would you like me to lie to you now?
Wesley: Yes. Thank you. Yes.
Wes accepts and then we suddenly see a human (non-blue) hand touching his face. Illyria has assumed Fred's form to offer Wes comfort before his death.
Wesley: (opens his eyes to see Fred's face, her hand stroking his cheek) Hello there.
Fred: Oh, Wesley. My Wesley.
Wesley: Fred. I've missed you.
Fred: (kisses his lips, sniffles, kisses his forehead) It's gonna be OK. It won't hurt much longer, and then you'll be where I am. (crying) We'll be together.
Wesley: I love you.
Fred: (smiles tearfully) I love you. My love. Oh, my love.
It's clear to me that Illyria has come to love Wes in her own way. There is no other reason for her to have comforted him in the way she did and to say the things that she said. Whether she was channelling things that Fred would have said or she was offering her own comfort is beside the point - I think there was genuine regard and sorrow for Wes.
After Wes dies, a grieving Illyria retains Fred's form.
Vail mocks her.
Vail: How very touching his meaningless death was, but this fight was never for mortals. Oh. Take your best shot, little girl.
Illyria stares at him, and this is where she reminds me of River the most - you can see the thoughts whirring in her head, the shift as she moves from grieving girl to vengeful warrior.
Vail doesn't stand a chance and a grief-stricken Illyria turns Blue with rage and ends him.
Video is here
Illyria rocks.
The team then reassemble in the alley. Angel is first, a bloody Spike appears, a mortally wounded Gunn shows up and Illyria arrives to tell them that Wesley is dead.
Illyria: Wesley's dead. I'm feeling grief for him. I can't seem to control it. I wish to do more violence.
All are shaken by the news of Wes' death, even Spike.
They turn to face the demon hordes. It's very Helm's Deep. Gunn is very gung ho.
Gunn: OK. You take the 30,000 on the left...
Illyria: You're fading. You'll last 10 minutes at best.
Gunn: Then let's make 'em memorable.
Spike: In terms of a plan?
Angel: We fight.
Spike: Bit more specific.
Angel: (steps forward) Well, personally, I kind of want to slay the dragon. (the demon horde attacks) Let's hunt some orcLet's go to work.
Video is here
The End.
*sigh*
So sad.
So many questions from me.
Did Buffy ever learn that Spike was back?
Was Lindsey good/evil in the end?
Why did Lindsey bring Spike back?
How much of Illyria was Fred? Was she channelling Fred or did she come to love Wes independently? More importantly - did Wes have real feelings for Illyria?
If the series had continued, could Wes have been brought back?
Were either, both, neither of Spike or Angel Shanshu'ed. Yeah, I made it a verb.
How did they get out of the alley?
Did Buffy, the Slayers and the Council perhaps come to Angel's aid?
Also, I was unable to Obtain the new Buffy comic online because sendspace and megaupload both appear to be blocked by the PRC government now, so my brother is ordering the comic for me back in Australia. Apparently it was hugely popular and already sold out! Clearly, like the characters in the show, the Buffy fandom is still alive and kicking and nothing ever really dies in the Buffyverse :)
In the finale, Angel and his team prepare to confront the Circle of the Black Thorn, thereby throwing down the gauntlet and doing a big nyah nyah to the Senior Partners - a heroic giving the Senior Partners the finger, I suppose. The presumption of all is that this is a battle which they will not survive.
Most screen caps from Screencap Paradise. 6 Illyria caps by me. Dialogue from Buffy World.
The episodes prior to the finale were also excellent but I don't have the time or energy to recap them all I fear. Just a few random thoughts ....
- Shells was an excellent episode. Illyria grew to be my favourite character after Spike. Angel's such a Boy's Own show - dominated by males. When Fred left, I was a bit worried because I usually like to have a cool female character for whom to barrack. Fortunately, Illyria filled the spot very nicely and she wasn't just a clichéd demon chick who was Anya Restated. I like her because in a lot of ways she reminds me of River from Firefly. A small pic spam of the end of Shells is here.
- In Underneath, I was totally creeped out by Lindsey's punishment. Very Prometheus to be having his liverheart ripped out every day. Ummm. Eww. Also very heroic (and sad) of Gunn to sacrifice himself like that.
Spike's comment is just so Spike: "This isn't hell. It's the 'burbs. Close enough."
Angel on the other hand seemed to regard Suburbia as a reward :D
- Also, in Underneath I loved Illyria's frustration: "Now I'm trapped... on a roof. Just one roof... in this time and this place, with an unstable human who drinks too much whiskey and called me a Smurf."
- Origin made me laugh with Spike and Illyria sparring so that Spike could do research.
Wesley: Illyria can be... difficult. Testing her might be hard without getting someone seriously hurt.
Angel: We'll make Spike do it.
*laugh* Angel's such a bastard :D Fortunately, Spike appears to like doing the research. :)
Illyria Why do you bother getting back up?
Spike: Right. We need to set some ground rules. First off- (makes a wide hand-gesture signaling an invisible wall between them) no more punching me in the face. (points at her) Secondly, when I punch you in the face, you tell me how you feel so I can write that down on my clipboard. (bends to pick up his clipboard from the floor) Third-no touching my clipboard. (holds up 4 fingers) Fourth-
- I haven't seen the earlier seasons but I was able to follow the storyline with Connor and it was interesting although kind of bizarre.
- Time Bomb was a really good episode with Illyria. Nothing in particular, just thought it was a very good exploration of a new character. I was relieved that Gunn was rescued from that awful place.
Wesley: I didn't send her. We were discussing Gunn. I explained his situation, our inability to get him out. She nodded, created a portal, and disappeared
*laugh*
Then when Ilyria shows up to rescue Gunn. She's so cool. And Blue.
Gunn: Can't. Can't leave this dimension unless someone else puts on the necklace... takes my place.
Illyria turns and stares at the dungeon monster. She gives the little head tilt she does (that I think is very cool) when she is processing information.
The dungeon master demon finally gets to his feet and charges at Illyria again. She looks at the necklace, then at the demon. So creep and dark but after Gunn and Illyria are out of the basement, we see that the necklace is around the demon's neck and it picks up the dagger and thrusts it into its own heart. *shudder*
Illyria rocks.
- The Spike and Angel storyline in The Girl in Question was profoundly stupid :P I'm sorry they never caught up with Buffy but while it was supposed to be funny, I found it kind of annoying. I also never enjoy seeing the flashbacks to Angelus with his bad accent and worse hair. :P The less said about this episode the better. The good bits were Fred's parents coming to visit and Illyia assuming the appearance of Fred - totally disturbing poor Wes. That was pretty interesting and quite moving.
- In Power Play, I liked Spike bonding with Illyria - reaching out to her because he understood her sense of disconnect and bewilderment. I like the humanisation of Spike because I am a redemptionist and I love his journey of self-discovery and betterment. I also like the way he does it without Angel's broodiness :D He's kind of matter-of-fact about it and I like that.
- I thought the evil female senator was a disturbingly funny.
And they were mine. I had a lock on the chick vote. And now my numbers are slipping. I didn't claw my way up from hell and get installed in a human body just to have some pedophile steal my senate seat.
- I liked Drogyn and Illyria sitting in Spike's apartment playing video games.
It is a test, a task of some sort. You must collect those crystals. And the fruit.
Gunn: Move like this, wouldn’t hate having Blue Thunder in our corner.
Heh.
I was never really a Fred/Wes shipper, but I've decided that I have become an Illyria/Wes shipper. Both are so tortured, broken and sad and yet they cling to one another in a strange way. Wes' attraction to Illyria is in large part because she looks like Fred, but there's also something about Illyria herself that I think he likes. He doesn't really blame her for Fred's death in the same way that the others do. For instance, he's the one who made sure the 'gun' in 'Time Bomb' wasn't going to kill her - in direct contravention of Angel's orders.
When they go to Spike's apartment and find a battered Illyria, Wes is clearly concerned.
When Wes asks if Illyria can hear him, she gives the tiniest of nods just for him and it's almost child-like.
Later, Angel signs away his entitlement to the Shanshu Prophecy.
Presumably a contract signed under duress is not enforceable. :P Doesn't the Circle of the Black Thorn know that unjust or unconscionable terms and factors such as duress, mistake, legal incapacity, deceit, misrepresentation, illegality and undue influence may make an agreement invalid? True they may not observe fundamental principles of contract law but given that they're making him sign a contract, clearly there are some doctrines governing their enforcement :D
If a person who has entered into a contract can make use of a number of special doctrines then he or she may be able to cancel (rescind) the contract, the basic justification being that a person should not be held to a contract if he was the victim of unfair treatment during negotiations. Anyone who has behaved unfairly or unconscionably should not have the benefit of a contract. Angel just needs to get Gunn on the case and he might still have a shot at the Shanshu ;)
Then Angel recruits Lindsey to this cause despite not really trusting him.
Lindsey: If you want me, I'm on your team.
Angel I want you, Lindsey.
Angel pauses and regrets his wording.
Angel: I'm thinking about rephrasing that.
Lindsey: Yeah, I think I'd be more comfortable if you did.
Haha! :D
For their last day, the team all go and do their own thing. Lorne sings a final song.
Gunn seems to go back and see an old friend/colleague (?) I'm assuming he used to hang out at a kind of welfare shelter or something.
Spike goes to recite his Bad Poetry in public.
Angel goes to see Connor. Rare smile from Angel here - he looks like Booth from Bones here instead of Broody Pants Mr Tall Dark and Forehead ;)
Wes is tending to Illyria's injuries.
Illyria: I don't understand.
Wesley: It'll help you heal faster. If you really plan to join us in this fight-
Illyria: I will fight. I've been broken and humiliated. I will return in kind every blow, every sting. I will shred my adversaries. Pull their eyes out just enough to turn them towards their mewing, mutilated faces.
Wesley: You're a very inspirational person. Have I mentioned that? (brushes her hair away from her neck)
Illyria: You are what I don't understand.
Wesley: And that would be different because? (presses the strip to Illyria's skin)
Illyria: Angel told you to do whatever you wanted. Today... tonight, you may all be dead.
Wesley: Yes. Good point.
Illyria: I am not what you want.
Wesley: No.
Illyria: (touches her bandage) Then why-
Wesley: Don't I go off and have one last perfect day? Smell the flowers, or sky-dive, or have a go with Mistress Spanks-A-Lot... or whatever the hell one is supposed to do in this situation. (places another bandage on Illyria's neck)
Illyria: Mistress who?
Wesley: There is no perfect day for me, Illyria. There is no sunset or painting or finely-aged scotch that's going to sum up my life and make tonight any... There is nothing that I want.
Illyria: You want to be with Fred.
Wesley: (finishes bandaging Illyria, wipes his hands on a hand towel) Yes. Yes, that's where I'd be if I could.
Illyria: I could assume her shape, make her come alive again this once for you.
(looks down) But you would never ask me to.
Wesley: The first lesson a watcher learns is to separate truth from illusion. Because in the world of magics, it's the hardest thing to do. The truth is that Fred is gone. To pretend anything else would be a lie. And since I don't actually intend to die tonight, I won't accept a lie.
Wesley: Is it better?
Illyria: (touches her neck) It's better.
Yup, despite his words and despite everything, I can't helping like these two as a pairing. He has let go of his anger towards her and she is softening because of him.
For their last night on earth, Lindsey and Eve have sex.
Then Angel addresses the troops - fortunately his speeches aren't as long and boring as Buffy's and he gets to the point quite quickly.
Angel: This may come out a little pretentious, but... one of you will betray me. (Spike raises his hands eagerly)
Angel: Wes.
Spike: Oh. (puts his hand down, then suddenly hopeful) Can I deny you 3 times?
Angel: Vail is the sorcerer of the bunch. You know that game. You've seen his place. He believes you'd make a play for my spot.
Wes: That's not very flattering.
Angel: It'll get you in the door.
Angel then addresses Illyria. It's clear that she's been watching Wes but she lifts her head to listen to Angel.
Angel Izzerial the Devil and 3 other members of the circle dine together almost every night.
Illyria: I'll make trophies of their spines.
Illyria rocks. Heh.
When it's Spike's turn for his assignment, he says: "Right. First off, I'm not wearing any amulets. No bracelets, broaches, beads, pendants, pins, or rings."
*laugh*
Video is here
We find out in the meanwhile that Harmony's bonking Marcus and betraying Angel.
I notice Illyria's always near where Wes is - standing beside him, watching him.
She tells Gunn not to die in typical Illyria fashion :)
Illyria: Try not to die. You are not unpleasant to my eyes.
Gunn: Uh, thanks. You... try not to die, too.
Then the team split up and do their jobs.
Wes dines with the devil - or Vail the sorcerer.
Spike goes all Christine Daaé on us and goes to rescue the baby from the Fell Brethren.
Gunn goes to kill the senator and her staffers. Kind of like an episode of The West Wing if Joss Whedon wrote it.
Lindsey goes and makes his allotment of bad guys.
As does Illyria.
While Angel takes on Marcus Hamilton, a character I personally found really annoying. So far I've only ever liked Adam Baldwin as Jayne :P He was boring in his guest appearance on Bones and nondescript in Independence Day.
Spike grabs the baby and then fights one-handed.
Lindsey vanquishes his allotment of bad guys.
Angel and Connor defeat Marcus.
Gunn gives the evil senator a splitting headache.
Illyria walks away from her prey calmly. The chick is good! :D
This is sad. Lindsey's all flushed with success, happy to be part of a team, babbling away to a clearly distressed Lorne.
Lorne assassinates Lindsey on Angel's instructions and Lindsey is outraged and bewildered - not about being killed, but about the fact that Angel sent a flunky to do it.
A devastated Lorne leaves after doing his final task for Angel. "Good night, folks" he says and he looks so sad and haunted.
Seriously, Angel has got some bad Grey Morality Areas going in these few episodes. He killed his friend and ally Drogyn. He has traumatised Lorne for life by making him shoot the unsuspecting Lindsey dead..... Drogyn was collateral damage - Lindsey I'm not sure about. I didn't watch the previous episodes, but I'm assuming Lindsey's human? I always thought that the rule was supposed to be avoid killing humans unless in self defence :P
Wes also fared rather badly against Vail and is badly wounded when Illyria arrives.
She tells him he is mortally wounded and asks if he wants her to lie to him now.
Illyria: Wesley. This wound is mortal.
Wesley: (he touches his wound) Aren't we all? (looks at her, smiles)
It was good... that you came.
Illyria: I killed all mine, and I was...
Wesley: Concerned?
Illyria: I think so. But I can't help. You'll be dead within moments.
Wesley: I know.
Illyria: Would you like me to lie to you now?
Wesley: Yes. Thank you. Yes.
Wes accepts and then we suddenly see a human (non-blue) hand touching his face. Illyria has assumed Fred's form to offer Wes comfort before his death.
Wesley: (opens his eyes to see Fred's face, her hand stroking his cheek) Hello there.
Fred: Oh, Wesley. My Wesley.
Wesley: Fred. I've missed you.
Fred: (kisses his lips, sniffles, kisses his forehead) It's gonna be OK. It won't hurt much longer, and then you'll be where I am. (crying) We'll be together.
Wesley: I love you.
Fred: (smiles tearfully) I love you. My love. Oh, my love.
It's clear to me that Illyria has come to love Wes in her own way. There is no other reason for her to have comforted him in the way she did and to say the things that she said. Whether she was channelling things that Fred would have said or she was offering her own comfort is beside the point - I think there was genuine regard and sorrow for Wes.
After Wes dies, a grieving Illyria retains Fred's form.
Vail mocks her.
Vail: How very touching his meaningless death was, but this fight was never for mortals. Oh. Take your best shot, little girl.
Illyria stares at him, and this is where she reminds me of River the most - you can see the thoughts whirring in her head, the shift as she moves from grieving girl to vengeful warrior.
Vail doesn't stand a chance and a grief-stricken Illyria turns Blue with rage and ends him.
Video is here
Illyria rocks.
The team then reassemble in the alley. Angel is first, a bloody Spike appears, a mortally wounded Gunn shows up and Illyria arrives to tell them that Wesley is dead.
Illyria: Wesley's dead. I'm feeling grief for him. I can't seem to control it. I wish to do more violence.
All are shaken by the news of Wes' death, even Spike.
They turn to face the demon hordes. It's very Helm's Deep. Gunn is very gung ho.
Gunn: OK. You take the 30,000 on the left...
Illyria: You're fading. You'll last 10 minutes at best.
Gunn: Then let's make 'em memorable.
Spike: In terms of a plan?
Angel: We fight.
Spike: Bit more specific.
Angel: (steps forward) Well, personally, I kind of want to slay the dragon. (the demon horde attacks) Let's hunt some orcLet's go to work.
Video is here
The End.
*sigh*
So sad.
So many questions from me.
Did Buffy ever learn that Spike was back?
Was Lindsey good/evil in the end?
Why did Lindsey bring Spike back?
How much of Illyria was Fred? Was she channelling Fred or did she come to love Wes independently? More importantly - did Wes have real feelings for Illyria?
If the series had continued, could Wes have been brought back?
Were either, both, neither of Spike or Angel Shanshu'ed. Yeah, I made it a verb.
How did they get out of the alley?
Did Buffy, the Slayers and the Council perhaps come to Angel's aid?