This is an episode about connections and loneliness, subjects that will be revisited throughout the series. By the end of "Couplet," Gunn & Fred are a couple, Cordy & Gru are a couple, Angel realizes that he's not really alone because he has Conner, and Wes, the one member of Team Angel without anyone, uncovers a prophesy that will inadvertently leave him completely alone. Honestly, "Couplet" isn't the best episode that "Angel" ever produces. But, it does reinforce some character stuff, it gets Cordy out of town for a bit and sets-up the Wesley story line that will unfold in the next three episodes and beyond. You could probably follow the season without watching "Couplet," but it's worth a look if only to better understand Wes and the prophesy that will have such a vital role in the rest of the series.
"Couplet" picks up just after "Waiting in the Wings." Cordy takes Gru back to her apartment. Before they can do the royal comshuck, though, she gets a vision about a slimy demon. She also remembers the Pylean rule about her vision: If she sleeps with Gru, her visions will pass to him. Cordy didn't become a part demon just to hand over her visions. But, she's also really eager to get Gru into bed. After talking with Wes, she starts looking for some sort of mystical protection.
Angel is not thrilled with Gru reentering the picture. Not only is Gru's relationship with Cordy irritating him, but Gru is also taking over parts of Angel's Champion role. After Gru kills a demon in the sunlight, something that Angel can't do, Angel begins to question his place. Wes reassures him that he's one of a kind, but Angel isn't real convinced. Especially, when Cordy dresses Gru up in Angel's clothes and gives him Angel's haircut. Angel reluctantly agrees to go to a demon brothel and pick up some mystical potion that will allow Cordy to sleep with Gru.
Meanwhile, Wes is working on Conner's origins. He's worried that there maybe something more to the baby's fate and that other's still want to steal him. He finds some books and works on decoding a prophesy. Fred and Gunn are getting closer. On an assignment together, they are trapped by a tree demon under the park. Gru and Angel have to save them. Then Angel gives Cordy the potion and tells her that he's giving her some time off. He wants her to go on vacation, somewhere with sun. She and Gru leave. Angel is depressed until he realizes that he still has his son to love. Unfortunately, Wes finally translates the prophesy, which says "The father will kill the son."
There are some fun parts to this episode. I can't believe the show got away with Cordy's of phrasing the idea that she might be able to keep her visions if she and Gru don't go all the way: "Maybe we could "com" without actually "shucking." It just makes me snicker every time I hear it. And I like Angel and Gru visiting the demon brothel. Angel is just so eager to tell everyone that he's not "with" Gru, or a princess... How many different demon brothel's are in LA anyway? That seems like a different one than the brothel Angel investigated back in season two's, "War Zone." Anyway, I also like the lady whose boyfriend was sucked underground. Her reasoning that he'd never cheat because they'd been engaged for eight years just has Angel staring at her. Finally, I love Wes. He's so sweet trying to reassure Angel that he'll always be the center of Angel Inc., even if Gru can walk in the sun. And I appreciate the sad irony that Wes is working so had to find out about Conner's origins. He's worried that something maybe happen and, by looking for answers, he accidentally sets it into motion. It's just got a whole Greek tragedy vibe that I enjoy... In a heartbreaking sort of way.
On the down side, with Cordy leaving town and remaining off screen for the next few episodes, the show looses a lot of it's comedy. Also, I like Gunn and Gru. I really do. But, there's no way I'd pick them over Wesley and Angel. Maybe it's the whole tortured hero thing, but personally I think Fred and Cordy are nuts. And if we were going to have a scene with Gru and Cordy at her apartment, I wish we'd gotten to "see" Dennis. Also, after seeing season five, I think it's sad to hear Gunn promising Wes that he'll always take care to Fred. Personally, I don't really blame Gunn for the season five disater, but I know that he blames himself and this episode sort of foreshadows the disaster to come.
My favorite part of the episode: Angel's reactions Gru. From his insistence that Gru has gotten shorter, to his complaints that Gru is using Angel's favorite broad sword, to his horrified response when the tree demon stabs Gru through the chest, "That's my shirt!" Honestly, it's some of the funniest material that Angel ever has.
"Couplet" picks up just after "Waiting in the Wings." Cordy takes Gru back to her apartment. Before they can do the royal comshuck, though, she gets a vision about a slimy demon. She also remembers the Pylean rule about her vision: If she sleeps with Gru, her visions will pass to him. Cordy didn't become a part demon just to hand over her visions. But, she's also really eager to get Gru into bed. After talking with Wes, she starts looking for some sort of mystical protection.
Angel is not thrilled with Gru reentering the picture. Not only is Gru's relationship with Cordy irritating him, but Gru is also taking over parts of Angel's Champion role. After Gru kills a demon in the sunlight, something that Angel can't do, Angel begins to question his place. Wes reassures him that he's one of a kind, but Angel isn't real convinced. Especially, when Cordy dresses Gru up in Angel's clothes and gives him Angel's haircut. Angel reluctantly agrees to go to a demon brothel and pick up some mystical potion that will allow Cordy to sleep with Gru.
Meanwhile, Wes is working on Conner's origins. He's worried that there maybe something more to the baby's fate and that other's still want to steal him. He finds some books and works on decoding a prophesy. Fred and Gunn are getting closer. On an assignment together, they are trapped by a tree demon under the park. Gru and Angel have to save them. Then Angel gives Cordy the potion and tells her that he's giving her some time off. He wants her to go on vacation, somewhere with sun. She and Gru leave. Angel is depressed until he realizes that he still has his son to love. Unfortunately, Wes finally translates the prophesy, which says "The father will kill the son."
There are some fun parts to this episode. I can't believe the show got away with Cordy's of phrasing the idea that she might be able to keep her visions if she and Gru don't go all the way: "Maybe we could "com" without actually "shucking." It just makes me snicker every time I hear it. And I like Angel and Gru visiting the demon brothel. Angel is just so eager to tell everyone that he's not "with" Gru, or a princess... How many different demon brothel's are in LA anyway? That seems like a different one than the brothel Angel investigated back in season two's, "War Zone." Anyway, I also like the lady whose boyfriend was sucked underground. Her reasoning that he'd never cheat because they'd been engaged for eight years just has Angel staring at her. Finally, I love Wes. He's so sweet trying to reassure Angel that he'll always be the center of Angel Inc., even if Gru can walk in the sun. And I appreciate the sad irony that Wes is working so had to find out about Conner's origins. He's worried that something maybe happen and, by looking for answers, he accidentally sets it into motion. It's just got a whole Greek tragedy vibe that I enjoy... In a heartbreaking sort of way.
On the down side, with Cordy leaving town and remaining off screen for the next few episodes, the show looses a lot of it's comedy. Also, I like Gunn and Gru. I really do. But, there's no way I'd pick them over Wesley and Angel. Maybe it's the whole tortured hero thing, but personally I think Fred and Cordy are nuts. And if we were going to have a scene with Gru and Cordy at her apartment, I wish we'd gotten to "see" Dennis. Also, after seeing season five, I think it's sad to hear Gunn promising Wes that he'll always take care to Fred. Personally, I don't really blame Gunn for the season five disater, but I know that he blames himself and this episode sort of foreshadows the disaster to come.
My favorite part of the episode: Angel's reactions Gru. From his insistence that Gru has gotten shorter, to his complaints that Gru is using Angel's favorite broad sword, to his horrified response when the tree demon stabs Gru through the chest, "That's my shirt!" Honestly, it's some of the funniest material that Angel ever has.
