Mary Beth's Synopsis

"I've had it with these cheap trash bags. They leak and break and end up costing us more!"

Is Cordelia bombarding her new boss about better office supplies again? Nope, not this time. She's filling Doyle in on her latest failed audition and otherwise ignoring her job duties. In fact, the guys even have to remind her to pick up the phone when it rings. Unfortunately, or fortunately in Cordy's case, the answering machine picks up instead. It's Aura -- viewers with good memories will remember her way back in Welcome to the Hellmouth -- calling to check in on Cordy. As Angel rolls his eyes and returns to his evening activities [Hmmm... brooding? pondering? yearning?] Cordy turns down the volume on the machine. She isn't up for "leading the parade of pain," that goes with keeping in touch with the past. While Doyle can't do much for her acting career, he does tell Cordy he'd be happy to help her get away from her dump of a place any night she'd like. Sadly, for Doyle, Cordelia has sunk nowhere near that low yet.

She heads home, leaving Doyle to "watch her back." Left alone, but undeterred, he joins Angel in his office [Ah! Reading is this night's activity!], and proceeds to grill Angel further on Cordelia's past. Angel's in a nostalgic mood tonight and obliges Doyle with tales of the Cordettes ("the Soviet Secret Police if they cared a lot about shoes") and Cordelia's wealth and status and the loss of same. "Riches to rags." Doyle comments on how rough that must be, but Angel says she's doing okay.

Hardly.

As the former Queen C returns home -- banging the heck out of her funny bone on the door jamb and barely able to see from the flickering low-watt bulb in her entrance -- we see that nothing could be further from the truth. She tries simply to get a glass of water from the sink and ends up with a shirt full of brown gook. Yeah, right. This is "doing okay." Oddly, Cordelia just sort of takes this latest hit and shuffles to her couch for the best form of escape -- tv. But Cordelia quickly discovers the one thing that can get a reaction out of anyone .... roaches. Lots and lots of roaches. Shrieking, she calls Doyle, ready to take him up on his offer.

But Doyle has problems of his own. He returns to his own home to found an ugly bumpy-headed demon thing waiting for him -- a none too happy ugly bumpy-headed demon thing.

~*~*~*~

The ugly bumpy-headed demon thing wants money. He's collecting for someone, we don't know who. Doyle does his best to talk his way out of the situation, but for once his charm fails him. After getting his hand slammed in a drawer, he uses the same drawer to knock the demon out and make his break.

Back at Angel's place, Mozart is playing on the turntable and the shower is running. Suddenly, this peaceful tableau is shattered by pounding on the door. The shower cuts off and Angel emerges from the bathroom, dripping wet and clad only in towel . . . . .

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Um, where was I? Right. Wet. Towel. *ahem* He opens the door to reveal a flustered Cordelia, out of breath and moving in. She shoves some bags at the wet, shirtless (did I mention the towel?) Angel and tells him to get the other bag in the hall (for a girl who was living so poorly, she still has a lot of stuff....). While Angel stands in a wet, stunned silence (in the towel), Cordy fills him in on what has happened in one nonstop tirade about the injustice of her living conditions. She tells Angel (who's still dripping... and in the towel) that she tried to call Doyle but got no answer, so she came to him. She'll be staying there until she finds a place of her own, however long that takes. She settles right in and heads to the shower herself. Leaving Angel standing in the entrance trying to figure out what just happened to him..... while wet.... and in a towel.

The next morning, Doyle arrives at the office looking slightly panicked and probably having been on the run all night. His hand is nicely bruised, but he's more curious about why no one's in the office when it's almost 10 o'clock. He arrives downstairs to find Cordy in the kitchen, in a bathrobe examining her just-washed hair using a metal bowl. He's a bit surprised by this, but not nearly as much as he is when Angel emerges from his bedroom wearing only a robe and.... tight.... black.... boxer briefs. *sigh*

*ahem* While Doyle looks on, stunned, Angel chastises Cordy for getting peanut butter on the bed. She heads off to examine for herself, and as soon as she's gone Doyle lights into Angel for going after the her when he knew Doyle liked her. Angel assures him that Cordy is only there while she looks for a new place. Cordelia returns insisting that Angel is responsible for the peanut butter (even though he doesn't eat). Ah.... roomies.

Exasperated, Angel heads of to get dressed (dammit!), and Doyle butters Cordy up with compliments and then questions her about any recent inquiries into his whereabouts. She confirms that someone claiming to be his cousin has been looking for him. Stressed, Doyle admonishes her for not warning him. She snaps back that she was only trying to help. Angel interrupts them and immediately notices the bruise on Doyle's hand. Doyle sidesteps the issue and Angel leaves again, this time picking up Cordy's wet towel from off of his leather chair. This is going swimmingly.

Later that morning, Doyle notices Cordelia fiddling with the linoleum in Angel's kitchen. Fiddling is putting it mildly, actually. She's slicing it up with a knife and peeling it back -- to see if there are hardwood floors underneath. The reviewer can already hear the whistle of steam that will be coming from Angel's ears later. Doyle examines some of the belongings Cordy has already unpacked -- her Winter Queen trophies and her high school diploma, which is burned ("a rough ceremony." ) A small chink in her tough armor shows through as she laments how little she has to show for her life "pre-here."

Angel interrupts their bonding to tell Doyle that there's a "big guy" there to see him and that Angel told the guy Doyle would be right up. Panicked, Doyle tries to hide and say he'll be right there, but as soon as Angel is gone, Doyle bolts for the outer stairs and doors..... only to run into Angel at the top, waiting for him. Busted.

Angel quizzes Doyle on what's been going on and Doyle fesses up. He does favors for some people to pay debts to other people or something confusing like that, and his system of checks and balances has tilted. Angel understands, but has problems of his own to deal with. He offers a trade: He'll help Doyle with his problem if Doyle finds Cordelia a place to live. Doyle is more than up for the challenge.

~*~*~*~

At first, Cordelia insists on finding a place the old-fashioned way: newspaper ad by newspaper ad. Even as Doyle insists that "his guy" could help, they encounter slums; creepy communes with public toilets, Great Leaders, and 4 a.m. chanting; and more slums with sleazy landlords that are overly anxious for the beautiful, single Cordelia to move in. The last slimy straw forced Cordelia to give Doyle's guy a try.

Back at Doyle's place, Angel is hanging out, inspecting the place..... and waiting for ugly, bumpy-headed demons to show up looking for Doyle. He doesn't have to wait long, as he's grabbed from behind by the Ugly Dude while inspecting the dresser.

Meanwhile, Doyle's guy has come through ... in spades. He finds Cordy a dream California apartment: crisp, clean, big window, fireplace, Spanish-type tile, big kitchen, dining room. . Cordelia is in awe. It's beautiful, it's perfect.[Ed: THIS is in her price range?! What's wrong with it?] She inspects further and finds the gorgeous bedroom: "It's amazing in there" she tells Doyle. And too the realtor "What's wrong with it??" [Ed: See?] The realtor insists it's fine, that the tenant just broke their lease, and that the furniture is included. [Methinks she's glossing over something.....] Cordelia is caught up in the "herness" of the place to be as suspicious as the reviewer and, with Doyle's help, agrees to take it. The realtor leaves to draw up the lease, and Cordy and Doyle inspect a little more. She's already redecorating -- planning to have the wall between the living and dining room knocked out [Ed: with what money?]. She's in heaven, though, and can't wait to move in. Everything's perfect! But as she and Doyle leave, however, a ghostly face pushes out from the wall --the one Cordy's planning on demolishing -- and watches them go.

[Ed: Figures.]

~*~*~*~

Angel and Ugly Demon Guy are duking it out in Doyle's apartment. Angel, in full vamp mode, takes the guy pretty easily and manages to beat his name (Griff) out of him and to find out that Griff is no longer after the money, he's after Doyle's prickly little half-demon head. He doesn't get much more information though, as Griff seems merely to be the Heavy. Angel does manage to bargain with Griff enough to buy Doyle some time. He promises to get Doyle to pay up, if Griff will let him live. Griff agrees -- not that he has much choice.

That night, Cordy sleeps the blissfully content sleep of one who is once again in her element.... unaware of the radio, which has turned on and tuned itself to an AM station playing "You always hurt the one you love...." or of the ghostly figure that rummages through her drawers and whispers threats into her ears. She does awaken when her dresser drawers slam shut.

Back at the office, Angel has filled Doyle in on his plan. Doyle is less than pleased that he has to scrape money together, but relents when Angel tells him of the price on his head. Angel questions Doyle's choice of lifestyle. Doyle is defensive at first, but then admits that it's the kind of life that "keeps your expectations from getting too high" -- something he figures Angel understands. Angel does..... but his is a life he didn't have a choice in. Doyle does. He wants to know what happened to him. Doyle changes the subject back to Cordy....

...who is sitting in her bed, well and truly freaked out. She turns off the radio, tries to turn on the lamp -- to no avail -- reaches for a cup of water that begins to boil. Never one to live in denial, Cordelia confronts the situation, even as her bed begins to rise. "I knew this was too good to be true, I just knew it." [Ed: DUH!] "I'm from Sunnydale, you're not scaring me you know!" She repeats this over and over.... trying to convince herself as much as the spirit that's taunting her. Neither seems to work very well.

As dawn breaks, we see Cordelia hovering against the backboard, clutching her knees to her chest. She hasn't slept a wink. Without ceremony, the bed slams to the floor. Cordelia goes about her morning routine, determined to put the night's events behind her.... unaware of the ghastly ghostly figure of a MUCH less than please older woman that is watching her.

Cordy wanders into the living room and adjusts a ladder back chair in passing. It moves back against the wall. Cordy pulls it further out and it slams back against the wall, hard enough to break a leg off. Cordelia backs away and is grabbed on the arm by the curtain cord. She pulls away and, in true Cordy fashion, tries to confront the spirit.

"You know what? I get it. You're a ghost. You're dead! Big accomplishment! Move on! You see a light anywhere? Go towards it!"

The spirit stirs up more trouble, literally, as a wind begins to swirl around the apartment. "Whoo! Cold wind! Scary. What're you gonna do? Chap me to death?" Good old Cordy, she doesn't give up easily. But she jumps pretty darn high when there's a sudden knock on her door.

Doyle and Angel have stopped by to warm her house -- Angel, who's standing in her doorway, which admittedly has a nice alcove thingy outside it but is still the access to the bright sunny California day, has brought her a cute little cactus. She tries to shoo them away, but they are undeterred. Doyle comments on the chair, but they're otherwise unsuspicious. At first. Angel also walks right in, since Cordelia had earlier told him that he was "completely invited over" as soon as she got a place. Doyle closes the curtains against the light [ED: Oh sure... now], but not before Cordy freaks and tells him to stay away. Nothing happens with the curtain cord, so she relaxes. Angel wants a tour, so Cordelia gives him the Buffy Summers Version, waving vaguely at various rooms and trying again to get rid of them. A pair of scissors goes flying behind Angel's head. He doesn't notice, and Cordy uses Buffy-like reflexes to catch them just in time. As she goes to put them away, the face appears again in the bottom of the drawer. She ignores it and slams the drawer shut. Now, the guys are getting a tad suspicious. Especially after one of Cordelia's trophies nearly clubs Doyle in the head. She again tries to play it off, but they're not buying it anymore.

Angel insists she tell him what's going on when a moaning starts up and the word "Die" appears on the wall in blood. Angel and Doyle try to drag her out the door, but she's not giving up easily. "It's haunted," Angel insists. "It's rent-controlled," Cordy throws back. They practically have to drag her out the door, but only after they promise to try to find a cleansing spell to put the ghost to rest. Cordelia tries to get in a last word, telling "Casper" that she'll die before she gives up this place.

As the door shuts, "Casper" answers back, "All right dear, if that's what you think is best."

~*~*~*~

At the office, Doyle is surfing the Web for information on Cordelia's building -- more specifically the tenets who've lived and died there. While he's looking, Angel tries again to convince Cordy that it's just a place, they can find another one. She's adamant. It's the perfect place and if it goes away.... The last of Cordy's walls crumble briefly as she admits that she feels like she's been being punished for all the things she said and did as Queen C in Sunnydale. This apartment, to her, is like the punishment is over.... like she can be herself again.... like she can't be that bad if she can live in a place like that. It's a beautifully raw, emotional moment.... wrapped in pure Chase materialism.

Doyle interrupts them... he's found something. The name of the deceased is Maude Pierson, she built the place -- Pierson Arms -- and lived there. And died there of a heart attack in 1946 at age 57. Cordelia is sure it's her ghost (she has that little old lady smell) even though Angel isn't so sure. It wasn't a violent death, which is usually a factor. Cordelia also thinks that a little old lady ghost should be a cinch to face down. Doyle heads out to gets supplies for the spell from a friend in Korea Town, while Angel heads out to try to get more information on Maude's death from Kate, leaving Cordy to hold down the fort.

Later that evening, Cordelia is screening calls again, when Angel calls in to tell her he's found the answer to her problem. She picks up mid-message and agrees to meet him at her place. Once she gets there, however, Cordelia only finds Maude, who has tricked her with Angel's voice... and who is out for vengeance. Cordy tries to get away, but the door won't open. Maude throws her against the wall, knocking the wind out of her. Maude tells her it's just too bad that Cordy wouldn't leave her son alone.... Cordy is understandably confused.

At the police station, Kate is searching police files for Angel -- and making small talk. She teases him again about his "detective" status -- despite not having a business license or a resume... or a last name. An officer interrupts with some files for them. Luckily, the records go back that far and are easy to find. Turns out that the detective at the time was suspicious of the death. Maude and her son argued a lot over his girlfriend and the son and the girl disappeared the day after Maude's death. Worried, Angel has Kate search the more recent records for reports of suicides in Cordy's apartment..... and there have been several.

Even more worried, Angel tries to call Cordy at the office and gets Doyle, who has just returned from his foray for supplies. He finds the message it plays it so they can both here. Angel realizes Cordy's been set up.

Cordy is trying to convince Maude that she's not who she thinks she is. But Maude is firmly entrenched in the role-play. She slowly strips away at Cordelia's confidence, calling her a cheap whore, telling her that she has no friends, that she's alone, that she doesn't deserve to live there... that she doesn't deserve to live. Cordy starts buying into the delusion.

While the guys head to her place, Cordy tries to tell Maude she'll leave. But it's too late. The chandelier falls and the electrical wire pulls down and wraps around Cordelia's neck. As Cordelia's lifted into the air and passes out, Maude continues to taunt her. There's not fight left in Cordy as Maude disappears. But the guys arrive in time to pull Cordy down. Her neck is raw and she gasps for breath, but she's okay. Well... sort of. She's freaked out and babbling in fear of Maude.

Doyle starts to get the spell supplies out while Angel tries to get through to Cordelia, to convince her that she's just buying into the ghost's delusions. The wind picks up and moaning grows louder as Cordelia curls in a ball on the floor and Angel begins reciting the spell. Books and other items go flying and Cordelia is unresponsive. They need her for the spell but she's not moving. Maude is hovering near her, unseen to the others, whispering subversive things to Cordelia. Angel tries to get Doyle to recite the spell while he tries to get through to a distraught Cordelia, but Doyle has issues with Latin. Angel shakes Cordelia, yells at her, drags her up to the center of the room, but finally realizes that it's hopeless. The apartment is falling apart around them. They head for the door to make their escape just as it's kicked in by Griff the Big Ugly Bumpy-Headed Demon and two of his closest friends (one human, one a demon like Griff). All are all holding Very Big Guns.

~*~*~*~

The Bad Guys back Our Heros back into the apartment. Turns out Griff lied about giving Doyle more time... he just went for back-up. Maude is not happy about the new visitors. She yells at them from the door way and again from the center of the living room. Griff is undeterred by the angry spirit. He's a demon of focus. Maude makes some of the lamps on the walls explode. And one of the Bad Guys shoots at her. The bullet, of course, goes right through her and chips the tile around the fireplace. Maude is less than pleased. Angel and Doyle take this opportunity to jump the two demons. The human guy runs away. While the fight ensues, Cordelia retreats to the corner. Maude takes out one demon with flying knives (narrowly missing Doyle).

Cordelia is sucked back into the bedroom away from the action, where Maude confronts her. Cordelia pleads for Maude to let her go. But Maude's still not listening. She's still upset about the damage Cordy's friends have done. While Doyle and Angel take on Griff, Cordelia sinks to the floor under the pressure of Maude's torment. Cordy cowers, in tears, as Maude calls her a "stupid little bitch."

Something in Cordelia clicks into place. "I'm a bitch," she whispers. Maude has hit the nail on the head. She tries to tell Cordy to make a noose of the bed sheets, but Cordelia rises from the floor and stares Maude down.

"I'm not a sniveling, whining little cry-Buffy," she tells Maude. "I'm the nastiest girl in Sunnydale history. I take crap from no one!" Maude falters, but tries again to persuade Cordelia to make a noose.

Cordy is having none of it. She moves in on Maude. "Back off Polygrip!! You think you're bad? All mean and haunty? Picking on poor pathetic Cordy. Well, get ready to haul your wrinkly translucent ass outta this place, cuz lady.... the Bitch is back." This last line would make Miss Parker proud.

The physical fight continues in the living room while a battle of wills goes down in the bedroom. "Do you think I'm going to take that from trash like you?" Maude asks. "I'll tell you what I think," Cordelia response. "I think you're going to pack your little ghost bags and get the hell out of MY HOUSE!!!"

The force of Cordy's words is so strong and so loud, it blasts Maude away. In the living room, the wind stops suddenly, the furniture falls to the ground, as does the flying debris. Angel takes advantage of the moment to rid Griff of his weapon and snap his neck. Cordelia joins them in the living room. "You did it," says Doyle. "Yeah, well, she pissed me off," Cordy answers. But before they can leave, Cordy's eyes glaze over. She grabs a lamp shade and starts pounding the wall. She goes through plaster and brick.... and finds a body buried in the wall. Maude, a paler more translucent form of her old self, watches and shrieks as the body is exposed.

A flash of light and the scene shifts.....

The same room, more than 50 years earlier, warm and cozy. "You always hurt, the one you love..." is playing on the radio and a scraping and tapping can be heard. We focus in on Maude, who is busy walling her son, Dennis, in. He's tied up, but trying to talk her out of it. She's obviously a little too intent on keeping him from leaving with "that streetwalker." As she finishes the bricks and is plastering him in, Dennis' muffled screams can be heard through the wall. Then, as she hangs a picture on the wall and bids him good-bye, Maude is struck by the heart attack and falls to the floor -- dead.

Back in present day, the spirit of Dennis rises up and destroys his mother's ghost, even as she pleads with him that she was doing it for his own good. In a flash of blinding light, it's over.

~*~*~*~

Angel watches as Doyle replaces the lock on his door. Angel questions if Doyle is going to continue to live like this. Doyle tries again to sidestep the issue, but does admit that, yes, he's likely to continue as he has... and have occasional "misunderstandings." Angel assures him he'll continue to help Doyle out, for which Doyle is grateful. But Angel doesn't let him off completely. He wants to hear Doyle's story someday. He needs to. Humbled a bit, Doyle tells him he will.... in time.

Back at her apartment, finally settled in, Cordelia is talking with Aura. She may have taken a step up, but she's hardly opening up -- telling Aura that she missed her calls due to an incompetent girl at work. She does fill Aura in on her great new apartment -- complete with semi-sorta-kinda stars (or their relatives) for neighbors. She also tells Aura that she does have a roommate -- but one she hardly sees. As if on cue, the root beer can slides across the end table slides. Cordy is having none of this.

"Hey, hey! Phantom Dennis!" she admonishes. "Put that back!" He does.

She tries to continue her conversation, but Dennis turns on the TV. Cordy gets on to him again. "Dennis, when I am on the phone, that's quiet time." He turns it off. He knows who's boss.

As we fade to black, we hear Cordy dissing someone's wardrobe and taste to Aura. Yes.... the bitch is definitely back.

Mary Beth's Review

This was a fabulously fun episode filled with chills and thrills and laughs aplenty. The effects were well done and the music was top notch -- really lending themselves to a creepy, spirited episode. The writing was tight, witty, and engrossing. And behind it all was some wonderful character development.

Characters:
Some would say that Cordelia hasn't quite been.... Cordelia since the show began. I'd take that a step further and say that Cordy hasn't quite been Cordy since, oh, about the time she fell on a spike in Lovers Walk. Since having her heart broken and then her fortune stripped away, Cordelia has been forced to live in a shell -- creating a tough exterior that's masked a great deal of pain underneath. She's been often too bitchy or too flirtations or too.... too -- especially for someone who'd come so far from the May Queen we saw in Invisible Girl to the Slayerette we came to respect for her truthfulness and toughness in later episodes. Since coming to LA, she's been putting on a lot of airs and false bravado -- defending her living conditions, cracking only ever so slightly in the face of rejection. She's still been using her wits -- she's not stupid -- against Russell Winters in City of and Spike in In the Dark.

But, in Rm W/ A Vu, we finally get to see through that shell to the hurt young woman. At times, it's painfully obvious that she's still only a teen fresh out of high school. Her mannerisms and actions are often tinged with naivete. But even more she finally admits to feeling pain and confusion... and guilt... over her behavior in Sunnydale. It's a touching moment when she admits this to Angel.... but Cordelia being Cordelia... she only lets you in for a moment before the materialism or selfish mask slips back on.

It's fitting that Maude takes advantage of her weakened mind set ... playing on her feelings of solitude and guilt. But the one thing Cordelia has never done is dwell. And once she sees her opportunity for her own kind of redemption, she latches on. I liked that she was onto the ghost almost immediately and wasn't going to let it get to her with simple tricks. It wasn't until Maude started to get into her mind that she started to win. But no one, but no one can out Bitch Cordelia... and that's where Maude met her match. I certainly hope that Cordelia maintains some of her bitchiness while continuing to grow into a mature, strong woman. She's more fun that way... and she *has* more fun that way.

Doyle, on the other hand, seems stuck in a rut. He's obviously got a shady past... but he's not doing much to shake it. Angel's right, he needs to open up and share with his new friends... especially if he expects to win their trust and loyalty. He comes through for Cordelia... and he's obviously tickled pink that he brightens her life. But he needs to be more open with her and less "slick" if he's ever going to make it anywhere.

Relationships:
Doyle continues his flirtations, and even thinks he's making headway, but Cordelia, aside from being grateful for his help, seems less receptive than ever.

A cute little Angel and Kate scene. He's all business -- friendly business -- but methinks this particular cop was flirting. And when he leaned over her shoulder, she definitely gave him a second look. Is that because she's attracted.... or because she senses he's trouble?

Continuity:
Just to make things more confusing, we learn that vampires can be extended blanket invitations into people's homes when Cordelia tells Angel he's "completely invited over" as soon as she gets a place.

Apparently Cordelia's apartment has a tunnel of some sort leading to her front door, since Angel came to visit her in the middle of the day.

More references to Doyle's shady past, but nothing is resolved.

Some nice references to Cordelia's high school past -- with the trophies and the diploma. But even moreso with the fabulous scene when she admits to Angel she feels like she's being punished. A "cameo" by Aura, from WTTH.

Best Moments:
Cordelia facing down Maude Pierson. Her delivery of "The Bitch is Back" would make Miss Parker proud.

Cordelia and her new roommate Phantom Dennis. I do so hope we'll see him again. It's be fun to see him come to Cordy's rescue at some point.

Cordelia admitting that she believes her present situation is a direct result of how she acted in high school.

Angel threatening Griff. How come when he threatens bodily harm, it sounds sooooo good?

Doyle flabbergasted at Cordy and Angel "the morning after."

Cordelia's nonstop, exhausting monologue when she seeks refuge at Angel's. The poor vamp looked positively stunned..... and stunning.

Did I mention the towel?

Rating:
Some fabulous character development, truly freaky effects, well-written story. And a towel. Kudos to Jane Espenson and Charisma Carpenter, especially.

I give it a 4 out of 5

SunSpeak

"Gee, Cordy snapped back quickly didn't she. Hell, if calling her a bitch is all it takes... I was wondering when *that* Cordy would come back. The Cordy from Homecoming. Poor Cordy. Thinking all this time she was being punished."
"I'm also glad to see she's back. With her, it usually only takes being backed into a tight corner. Much like in Homecoming. Then she's hell on wheels."
"I know, I felt bad for her too. But I also think that the sum total of whatever debt she owed karma got paid with that spike in her stomach. And then later, when her parents lost their money, any residual debts were wiped too. Not that I believe in that kind of karma, really--- but if I did, I'd think she was due for some breaks, like that apartment." -- Deb, Julie, & Kiki

"I adore that Dennis and she are happily co-habitating. She'll have him doing household chores next."
"This sounds a bit like my sister's first apartment. Then has a ghost that liked to move things around. My sister & her roomie had no problem with this--until it decided hiding money was fun. My sister chewed it ectoplasmic butt out for that. (Yes, it _very_ promply returned the money & never touched it again.) I'm looking foward to seeing more evidence of Dennis' presence. Can't you see him helping Cordy at some future time?"
"Oh, *God* I hope that they return back to Dennis at some point! *snerk* I mean, shouldn't he be moving to the light now? Or did he just feel so cheated about getting killed so young, that he's hanging around the apartment? And is he ever visible or audible at all? And what *does* he think of Cordy (aside from, don't drink her pop)?"
"Well, I mean, given the view he must get from time to time, he's probably sticking around to get a little semblance of 'living' done before he heads on..." -- Deb, Julie, Kiki & Jennie

"She should put his name on the answering machine. I mean, hello! He lives there too!" -- Kiki on Roomie Dennis

"I'm still trying to figure the peeling up the linoleum thing."
"Just Cordy being unable to leave anything alone. The peanut butter stuff had me laughing harder." -- Julie & Kiki

"I just loved that the first thing Cordy wanted to do was take out the wall. Mildred must have had her radar go off within two seconds when she said that." -- Kiki

"Now that she's got a little distance from Sunnydale, those trophies are looking sillier, but more important... something to hang onto, from when the world made sense." -- Kiki

"I also realized --- sickly enough--- that *Dennis* had a little Rm w/a Vu, after Cordy broke in that wall. Sick sick sick. And does she get a break on the rent for finding a dead body, or will they take it out of her deposit?" -- Kiki

"Kate was just getting paid this week, but when Angel was bending over her shoulder, reading stuff on the computer, I coudln't help thinking she should be feeling creepy vibes. He doesn't need to breathe... he's too cold.... and he's too quiet... if I were a cop, my radar would be going "*meep* meep *meep* MeeP* MEEP*!" But no, she just thinks he's amusing. Although I liked her points about what it takes to be a *real* detective. :> I do wonder how he showed up to take the licensing exam...." -- Kiki

"It's good to see Cordelia taking back her identity as Bitch Queen, though. Not that she *was* the most vicious girl at Sunnydale High--- but she was the most vicious one with a brain who didn't used to be a demon. Close enough. But the point is, that she *knows* she's not a loser... and she really really wanted that apartment." -- Kiki

"As for plot--- kudos to whoever wrote this one (I should pay better attention, but I got swept in too fast). They had me thinking that the son *did* kill Mildred, but part of me still wondered why she'd be killing anyone else, or how they could possibly resolve the situation, if it had happened like that. Afterwards, I was just smacking my forehead and going "duh!" because whenever someone disappears and is never heard from again, and they're the prime suspect, you should always wonder if they're dead. They kept the pace moving fast enough that I never had time to really think it through before we were watching Dennis get bricked up, poor kid." -- Kiki

"This ranks as my fave Angel episode to date. Lots of good laughs, lots of Cordelia being both bitchy and vulnerable, and some _awesome_ riffs by Doyle at Angel's expense. His reaction when he walked in and they were both in robes--- ohhh, man. I didn't stop laughing until the commercial. I had to watch it twice to catch the "low-sloping forehead" crack, and then I lost it again. Great stuff." -- Kiki

"But could someone please explain to me the "found her center" reference that Angel put forth? I mean, yeah, Cordelia blasted Mildred into next week--- but it worked so well, why?" "I *think* he means a figurative 'center of balance' - basically, until then she was kind of off balance and so when she pushed back at the ghost she only pushed herself over time and again. Once she got her center of balance and planted her mental feet, though, the *ghost* went flying." -- Kiki & Jennie

THE FOLLOWING ARE FUTURE SPOILER RELATED COMMENTS. STOP HERE TO AVOID!!!





"Angel and Doyle bonding.
Sweet.
Nice.
Make them friends.
Make us watch.
Make us care.
Give Angel a someone to count on, a buddy.
Give Doyle a life, friends with whom he can start over, a purpose - then rip them apart and stab us all in the heart! Why don't you just torture puppies and spare us all this pain!!!!!???" -- Deb
"Damn it! When Doyle said he needed time before he filled Angel in on his story, I almost cried. Well, I actually I teared up. In fact, I threw socks at my favorite, adorable '70's-leather-jacket-wearing, booze-happy, bowling-shirt-wearing, second-hand-clothing-store-shopping, laughing-on-the-outside-while-crying-on-the-inside, half-demon' and I yelled at him 'You don't have time!' I wanna know NOW and if I don't get to find out I'm gonna be a very unhappy Doylette.

I hate Joss!

But in that "please don't stop" sort of way...:-)

--Deb

"We do need to know more about Doyle and care more about him or else whatever Joss has in mind would be rather pointless. Joss _never_ does something like that without maximizing the trauma quotient." -- Julie

"I'm hating them for this, not just on Angel's behalf, but on Cordelia's---she now has another buddy who's going to bite it soon --- and on Doyle's. He finally does have that purpose, that sense of being on the right track, and maybe a shot-in-a-million with a girl who won't think he's crazy if he tells the truth about half his parentage. And what they've hinted at could've had *sooo* many facets and ways to go.... anyway. Ain't gonna happen. Just feeling really really cheated, here." -- Kiki

END FUTURE SPOILER RELATED COMMENTS