Shiny Happy People (9 Apr. 2003)

When the demon Cordelia gives birth to turns out to be a saintly, beautiful woman, all who lay eyes on her become entranced by her spell. With Cordelia in a coma, Angel and the gang help ... See full summary »

Director:

Marita Grabiak

Writers:

Joss Whedon (creator), David Greenwalt (creator),

Stars:

David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, J. August Richards

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David Boreanaz	...	Angel
Charisma Carpenter	...	Cordelia Chase
J. August Richards	...	Charles Gunn
Amy Acker	...	Winifred 'Fred' Burkle
Vincent Kartheiser	...	Connor
Andy Hallett	...	Lorne
Alexis Denisof	...	Wesley Wyndam-Pryce
Gina Torres	...	Jasmine
Sam Witwer	...	John Stoler
David Figlioli	...	Vamp Leader
Suzette Craft	...	Teacherly Woman
Annie Wersching	...	Margaret
Steven Bean	...	Middle-Aged Man
Lynette Romero	...	News Anchor
Lyle Kanouse	...	Diner Counter Guy

Storyline

When the demon Cordelia gives birth to turns out to be a saintly, beautiful woman, all who lay eyes on her become entranced by her spell. With Cordelia in a coma, Angel and the gang help the new, unnamed prophet create the perfect Utopian L.A. But as every spell is a deception, even the most peaceful and reasonable ideals may conceal the darkest of secrets.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Fantasy | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 April 2003 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mutant Enemy, Kuzui Enterprises, Sandollar Television

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is a reference to the 1991 song "Shiny Happy People" by R.E.M..

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Quotes

Winifred 'Fred' Burkle: Eight legs, three heads, horns?
Lorne: Hey!
Winifred 'Fred' Burkle: No offense.
Connor: Two legs, one head, no horns.
Lorne: Let me guess, green?
Angel: No. Kind of... mocha.

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Connections

References I Remember Mama (1948)

User Reviews

Invasion of the lotus eaters

SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE

The Good; Gina Torres is great. Certainly this is an ep that turns things on it's head!

The Bad; Just because Jasmine's true face is ugly is that any reason to presuppose she's actually evil? I mean Lorne is pretty unconventional looking but he's a good guy?

Best line; Fred; "There's been too much dismembering going on in that basement recently!"

Jeez, how did they get away with that? Jasmine's true appearance and severed head bowling.

Apocalypses: 5

Angel Clichés In disguise; 8

DB get's his shirt off; 12

Cheap Angel; 6

Fang Gang in bondage: Cordy: 5 Angel: 14 Wes: 6 Gunn; 4 Lorne; 4 Fred; 2

Fang gang knocked out: Cordy: 15 Angel: 17 Wes: 6 Doyle; 1 Gunn; 2 Lorne; 6 Groo; 1 Connor; 1 Faith; 1 Fred; 1

Kills; 3 vamps and 1 demon for Angel, 1 vamp and 1 demon for Wes, 2 vamps for Connor Cordy: 5 vamps, 3 demons Angel; 44 vamps, 58 and 1/2 demons, 5 zombies, 8 humans Doyle; 1 vamp Wes; 14 demons+5 vamps, 5 zombies, 2 humans Kate; 3 vamps Faith; 18 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans. Gunn; 11 vamps+ 13 demons, 5 zombies, 1 human. Groo; 1 demon Fred; 3 vamp+ 1 demon, 5 zombies Connor; 16 vamps, 5 zombies, 2 demons

Fang Gang go evil: not so much evil as happily enslaved Cordy: 3 Angel: 3 Gunn; 1 Wes; 1

Alternate Fang Gang: possessed Lorne, Gunn, Fred and Wes Cordy: 4 Angel: 11 Fred; 2 Wes; 1 Gunn; 1 Connor; 1

Characters killed: 255

Recurring characters killed; 9;

Total number of Angel Investigations: CC out of it until season 5, Connor back in Angel, Gunn, Fred, Lorne, Wes, Connor

Angel Investigations shot: Angel: 12 Wes;2

Packing heat; Wes; 8 Doyle; 1 Angel; 3 Gunn; 2

Notches on Fang Gang bedpost: Cordy: 5 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast+Phantom Dennis+Groo+Connor plus possibly the Beast Angel: 5; Buffy, Darla and The Transcending Furies Wes; 3; Virginia, the bleached blonde and Lilah, 1 possible, Justine Gunn; 2 Fred and Gwen. Fred; 1 Gunn Groo; 1Cordy

Know the face, different character; 4

Parking garages; 6,

Buffy characters on Angel; 16 Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, The Master, Anne, Willow and Harmony

Questions and observations; Like the way you can spot CC's Sunnydale High cheerleader trophy in her room. Note that Angel now wears a lighter coloured shirt now he's no longer haunted all the time. The bowling scene is reminiscent of Fright Night pt2 (which features Buffy alumni Brian Thompson).

Well, Angel throws us another ball from leftfield, not so great in itself but speaks of interesting things to come.

Marks out of 10; 6/10