The Jasmine storyline is sort of like the "Stepford Wives" meets "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." It's not my favorite plot on of the series, but it's pretty fun. Plus, I give the show high marks for doing something really unique and making the ultimate bad guy a beautiful woman who wants to bring peace to the world. In a way, Jasmine's giving Team Angel everything they've always wanted. Peace, an end to evil, a place to belong... But in doing that she's also stealing their free will and (to paraphrase the book "A Brave New World") everyone's right to be unhappy. It's kinna cool. Anyway, this is an important episode for the rest of the season and you can't skip it.
"Happy Shiny People" revolves around the birth of Conner and Cordy's full grown daughter, Jasmine. She quickly puts a whamy on Team Angel and they're all happy to be worshiping her. They help her name herself, move her into the Hyperion and are thrilled to be taking her orders. Jasmine says that she's some sort of ancient power who's come to bring world peace. Team Angel are the start of her loyal army. They go out slaying vampires and Jasmine is accidentally cut by one of them. Jasmine dismisses the injury and everyone they meet is taken in by Jasmine's warming, loving, warming glow. Except for one kid, who screams that she's really a hideous monster and tries to kill her. Angel beats him up and Jasmine tells them to take the boy to a hospital.
Back at the Hyperion, Fred works to clean the blood from Jasmine's shirt. When she goes to talk to Jasmine, though, she is horrified. Jasmine's beautiful face is crawling with maggots and dripping ooze. Fred begins to realize that Jasmine has them all under a spell. She goes to talk to the guy at the hospital, who's face is now a mass festering boils. He warns her not to trust anyone, but Fred doesn't listen. She goes to Wes, who thinks she's crazy. He tells Gunn. Seeing that she can't stay with Team Angel. Fred tries to kill Jasmine herself. When Angel stops her, Fred flees the hotel. Her terror only grows as Jasmine appears on TV and begins taking over everyone in the city.
There are some good part to this episode. I like Wes and Gunn trying to name Jasmine. Their arguing between "Helen", Gunn's grandmother's name, and some long Greek name that I can't spell, but which apparently mean "lover of mankind." Fred comes down the stairs talking about Clorox and they assume that she's offering her own suggestion. Wes says "Oh, I think it's probably best if we stay away from brand names" and it cracks me up every time. Also, I like Team Angel being all smiley and cheerful. It's just so... Wrong. And after Fred is cured I think it's sweet that she went to Wes and tried to explain the spell. I think it says a lot about who she really trusts and who she thinks is strong enough to maybe see through the spell by himself. I feel so bad when Wes turns to her. Then Fred tries to kill Jasmine and Team Angel is so funny & surprised. "I can't believe Fred's evil." Wes laments and I just have to laugh.
On the down side, what happens to the kid in the hospital? Why doesn't Fred free him so she'll have an ally? Does his face ever get cured?
My favorite part of the episode: The very beginning, before most of Team Angel has seen Jasmine. Wes realizes that Angel is under a spell. He tries to reason with Angel, who just wants to "worship" Jasmine now. Wes tells Angel to try and see through the magic. Just then, Jasmine comes sweeping in and one by one Team Angel falls to their knees in front of her. Wes holds out the longest, trying to fight the spell. But it's just too much and he starts asking Jasmine how they can serve her. The scene's funny and creepy all at the same time.
"Happy Shiny People" revolves around the birth of Conner and Cordy's full grown daughter, Jasmine. She quickly puts a whamy on Team Angel and they're all happy to be worshiping her. They help her name herself, move her into the Hyperion and are thrilled to be taking her orders. Jasmine says that she's some sort of ancient power who's come to bring world peace. Team Angel are the start of her loyal army. They go out slaying vampires and Jasmine is accidentally cut by one of them. Jasmine dismisses the injury and everyone they meet is taken in by Jasmine's warming, loving, warming glow. Except for one kid, who screams that she's really a hideous monster and tries to kill her. Angel beats him up and Jasmine tells them to take the boy to a hospital.
Back at the Hyperion, Fred works to clean the blood from Jasmine's shirt. When she goes to talk to Jasmine, though, she is horrified. Jasmine's beautiful face is crawling with maggots and dripping ooze. Fred begins to realize that Jasmine has them all under a spell. She goes to talk to the guy at the hospital, who's face is now a mass festering boils. He warns her not to trust anyone, but Fred doesn't listen. She goes to Wes, who thinks she's crazy. He tells Gunn. Seeing that she can't stay with Team Angel. Fred tries to kill Jasmine herself. When Angel stops her, Fred flees the hotel. Her terror only grows as Jasmine appears on TV and begins taking over everyone in the city.
There are some good part to this episode. I like Wes and Gunn trying to name Jasmine. Their arguing between "Helen", Gunn's grandmother's name, and some long Greek name that I can't spell, but which apparently mean "lover of mankind." Fred comes down the stairs talking about Clorox and they assume that she's offering her own suggestion. Wes says "Oh, I think it's probably best if we stay away from brand names" and it cracks me up every time. Also, I like Team Angel being all smiley and cheerful. It's just so... Wrong. And after Fred is cured I think it's sweet that she went to Wes and tried to explain the spell. I think it says a lot about who she really trusts and who she thinks is strong enough to maybe see through the spell by himself. I feel so bad when Wes turns to her. Then Fred tries to kill Jasmine and Team Angel is so funny & surprised. "I can't believe Fred's evil." Wes laments and I just have to laugh.
On the down side, what happens to the kid in the hospital? Why doesn't Fred free him so she'll have an ally? Does his face ever get cured?
My favorite part of the episode: The very beginning, before most of Team Angel has seen Jasmine. Wes realizes that Angel is under a spell. He tries to reason with Angel, who just wants to "worship" Jasmine now. Wes tells Angel to try and see through the magic. Just then, Jasmine comes sweeping in and one by one Team Angel falls to their knees in front of her. Wes holds out the longest, trying to fight the spell. But it's just too much and he starts asking Jasmine how they can serve her. The scene's funny and creepy all at the same time.