"Angel" Benediction (2002)

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Tim Minear

Writers:

Joss Whedon (creator) &
David Greenwalt (creator) ...

TV Series:

"Angel" (1999)

Original Air Date:

13 May 2002 (Season 3, Episode 21)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Fantasy | Thriller

Plot:

With Holtz back in LA, Angel Inc. is in for some problems. As Angel tries to bond with his son, Holtz reconnects with Justine...

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Vampire Slayer | Redemption | Actress | Supernatural

Cast

David Boreanaz	...	Angel
Charisma Carpenter	...	Cordelia Chase
Alexis Denisof	...	Wesley Wyndam-Pryce
J. August Richards	...	Charles Gunn
Amy Acker	...	Winifred 'Fred' Burkle
Vincent Kartheiser	...	Connor
Laurel Holloman	...	Justine Cooper
Mark Lutz	...	The Groosalugg
Andy Hallett	...	Lorne
Stephanie Romanov	...	Lilah Morgan
Keith Szarabajka	...	Daniel Holtz

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Mutant Enemy

Quotes:

Winifred 'Fred' Burkle: Okay, so he survived an unspeakable hell dimension. Who hasn't?

Not my favorite episode

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I've written a bunch of IMDb reviews for BTVS and "Angel." Ususally, I watch a few episodes, write a few reviews and then move on to the next DVD full of episodes, etc... I've seen all these episodes about 6 times over the past year, so it's really not that hard to keep track. So, when I sit, staring at the computer screen wracking my brain to recall what happened in an episode... It's not a good sign. It's not that "Benediction" is a bad episode, exactly. It's just only the last 10 minutes really matter. The rest of the episode is Angel and Conner bonding, which will pretty much be nullified by the season finale. So what's the point? Anyway, you need to see the end if you're watching the season because Holtz death will have huge repercussions. But otherwise it's kinna forgettable.

Basically, the episode revolves around Holtz being back in LA. He's aged really badly, but he's still the same bitter zealot that he's always been. While in that hell dimension, he grew to love Conner and he's not about to let the kid bond with Angel. He hooks up with his old pal Justine and the two of the cook up a plan. Meanwhile, he sends Conner to the Hyperion to trying and "see through" Angel's Champion mask. Angel takes the kid vampire slaying and the two of them have a good time. Wes and Lilah look on as the father son team battles demons. Wes immediately realizes who Conner is, which really interests Lilah.

Meanwhile, Conner is annoyed that Lorne is a demon. And, when he finds out that Cordy is part demon, too, he tries to stab her. She melts the knife and draws out a lot of the bad energy in the kid. More subdued Conner agrees to go out with Gunn and Fred, who have just returned. They had been out tracking residue from the hell dimension or whatever, and it led them to Holtz. They quickly tell Angel, who heads off to confront Holtz. Cordy warns him not to, but he won't listen. Holtz puts on a show for Angel, telling him that he's going to leave Conner alone. He even gives Angel a good-bye note for Conner. But when Angel leaves, Holtz has Justine stab him in throat with an ice-pick to simulate a vampire attack. When Conner overhears Fred and Gunn saying that Angel is at Holtz's, he runs off to protect Holtz and finds his dead body. Justine tells him that Angel did it and Conner prepares to get revenge.

There are some good parts to this episode. Wes and Lilah are just so, SO cool together. I never would have thought of hooking them up, but I'm glad that someone did because it just works so well. Also, I like Lorne calling Conner on his crap. Most of Team Angel just ignores his abuse. But Lorne, who arguably spent more time with the baby than anyone except Angel, just doesn't trust Conner. It fits with his ability to read people. The fight scene in the night club is also cool. I like how Wes & Lilah are watching Angel & Conner fight and Wes just instantly knows that the kid is Angel's son. Wesley's so smart. And even I have to admit that for a second, watching Conner & Angel in the alley way afterwords, I wished that Angel could really bond with his son. He just loves Conner so much that it breaks my heart. Finally, I love the final scene of the episode, where Angel is reading that letter that Holtz gave him, while Holtz & Justine stage a vampire attack. "Conner" says Angel, smiling with satisfaction that Holtz is promising to leave his son alone. "Steven" whispers Holtz as he dies. "Dad!" Conner shouts as he runs to Holtz's side. Justine tells him that Angel did it and the episode ends with Conner spitting out one finally word, "Angelus." It's just really neat.

On the down side, I still hate Conner. If Cordelia drains all the "bad" out of him with her glow-y magic, why is he still such a jerk? Also, what is Angel's deal? Holtz kidnaps his son, drags him into a hell dimension and Angel ends up APPOLOGIZING to him?!? It's insane. He tries to smother poor Wes, but he feels sympathy for the abductor's plight? Give me a break. I'd have liked the episode more if Angel HAD killed Holtz. Just my opinion.

My favorite part of the episode: That vampire saying that Justine "thinks she's the Slayer." It's just a nice little reminder of the show's history.