Angel (TV Series) Home (2003) User Reviews

Team Angel gets a job offer

[katierose295 · 8/10 · 7 March 2007]

Let me start by saying that I think that having Team Angel taking over Wolfram & Hart is one of the best plots ever. It's completely unexpected and, at the same time, it makes perfect sense. What better way for Wolfram & Hart to corrupt our Champions than to bring them inside the belly of the beast? This episode is really like a preview of season five. Where Team Angel finds themselves sliding down a slippery slope of compromise and begins forgetting their mission. It's not about trying to mitigate (or even fight) evil or about personal gain. It's about helping the helpless and in season five that distinction becomes a major story line. Anyway, "Home" is an important episode and you really shouldn't skip it.

"Home" revolves around Lilah visiting from the after life and offering Team Angel the keys to the chocolate factory... aka Wolfram & Hart. It seems that the Senior Partners are impressed that Team Angel stopped world peace and wants to reward them with control of the LA branch. They promise that Team Angel will be in charge of the offices of Wolfram and Hart and they can use it for good or for evil depending on their choices. Team Angel is suspicious, but they each wind up agreeing to tour Wolfram & Hart. Gunn is shown the White Room, Lorne the entertainment devision, Fred the science labs, Wes the research department and Angel the CEOs office.

At the same time, Conner is falling apart. He kidnaps Cordy's comatose body, takes some people hostage and threatens to blow up a sporting-goods store. In order to save his son, Angel cuts a deal with Lilah. He'll take over Wolfram & Hart is they give his son a new life, free from the memories of Angel, Holtz and all the rest. If Conner can finally have a home. In doing that history is rewritten and no one can remember Conner except Angel. Team Angel all sign on at Wolfram & Hart and Angel goes to look in on his son. Seeing Conner happy with his new family, Angel quietly walks away, into the darkness.

There are some great parts to this episode. I like Team Angel reacting to Lilah's theory that they'd wiped out world peace. "We didn't end world peace. We stopped a evil plot to enslave humanity. Didn't we?" And I think it's sweet that Gunn finally sees that Wes had real feelings for Lilah. When Wes calls her a "loved one," Gunn looks sort of surprised and sad for him. It's a nice moment between the two of them. Also, having that Sirk guy be an ex-Watcher is just a great way to touch on the shows history. And it's pretty funny that Angel is completely unimpressed with the fancy office and power of Wolfram & Hart... But he's seduced by that hi-definition television set. And it's interesting that Angel really does fulfill that prophesy from season three, the father DOES kill the son in "Home." He does it out of love, but it still comes true. In the Buffyverse, prophesies just always seem to come true no matter how hard you fight against them. Finally, it's cool that Wolfram & Hart gave Angel that pendant to take to Sunnydale. It plays a big role in BTVS season seven's "Chosen" and in "Angel" season five, so it's cool to see it Lilah with it for the first time.

I think that Angel, really ALL of Team Angel, makes the wrong choice in this episode. They never should have joined Wolfram & Hart. Angel does it out so he can save Conner. Which I can understand, but it's still a bad call and wiping out the memories of his friends is just flat-out wrong. I'm not sure that Wes would have joined Wolfram & Hart if he'd had all his memories. Gunn and Lorne would've. Maybe even Fred, but Wes had a chance to join Wolfram & Hart before and he turned it down. Plus, he seemed more interested in helping Lilah then learning about his new job offer. Really, I think that season five bares out that this is just a really bad decision for all of them. That's what makes it such a great story line. It's dramatic, with a lot of conflict and moral dilemmas. Who wants to watch characters who always know just what to do or who always make the right choices? Where's the fun in that? It's why season five is one of my favorite seasons in the entire Buffyverse. It's so gray and ethically complicated.

On the down side, this is Lilah's last episode. It's a shame because I just love her and I want to know what happens to her next.

My favorite part of the episode: Wes trying to burn Lilah's contract and set her free. I think it's the sweetest, most heartbreaking scene of the entire season.

Home-Stretch

[benjaminchristopher · 9/10 · 30 January 2019]

This episode sets us up for the final season of the much loved cult classic "Angel".

As team Angel get a ethically and morally hard decision, whether or not to take over the headquarters of evil 'Wolfram&Hart'- each member get their own private tour, which essentially tries to break them down and make their decision easy.

A big part of what the tv show tries to tell us is; Is there such a thing as good and evil, black and white or the right side to be fighting on? We can all get morally corrupted as the decisions we make seem to be our free will (a big part of this whole season is in fact, the big moves in their lives isn't free will at all).

The only reason I think a lot of people dislike the season is the handling of Cordy's character. There was no real transition where the viewer can properly mourn her character, we're just poorly given exposition from the Skip character where he tries to tie up the loose ends.

But that aside, I think it's a brilliant season, some really heavy character development for the rest of the characters!

I've been reading Katie's reviews religiously at the end of each viewing (even though they were posted over a decade ago) I've just finished watching this season for about the 3rd time, glad to see people still care about this show :).

The end of another chapter.

[m-47826 · 7/10 · 5 June 2021]

Season four is hard to pin down. It's either good or bad, but mostly all over the place. When it introduced us to several new characters that never really left a mark. It's also the season that needed to get rid off Connor, and Cordelia. I'm sorry, but season 3 really had a toll on her, and season four was just trying to find a way to keep her relevant again. Connor, is a different story. He's basically the only character related to all the excess baggage drama in the series. So I couldn't wait for him to be written out, and was still glad it was done in a way that brings him closure. The fact that this was the episode chosen to be a season finale, instead of a premiere, was pretty bold too. And can have some fans be thankful for this enjoyable ride, the show has been since its pilot episode. Only to decide to pass on the writers offer, leaving the rest for each interpretations. Just like they did with the heroes, who are given the choice to keep the battle underground. Or simply go their separate ways. And I can't blame them. Personally, I see season five as a bonus season, that has no real incidence to the series itself. Or its appeal, like this first introduction to the new and improved Wolfram & Hart implied. Seeing Lilah back is always a pleasure. I'm really gonna miss this character...

The best episode of a great season

[stephenebrey · 10/10 · 28 December 2007]

Season 4 had no weak episodes and some extremely strong ones: like the season opener, the start of the main plot arc (Apocalypse, Nowish), and all the Angelus episodes. But Home packs more emotional punch than the rest of them, and is perfectly written and directed.

In "Home", Lilah shows the heroes around the Wolfram and Hart facilities, forcing them to decide whether to join the company, and Angel deals with Connor's madness once and for all. One thing that throws people off about "Home" is that it sets up season five with the tour of Wolfram and Hart, THEN resolves season 4. It seems like the opposite order to do things, but it's the only way that would have worked. If the Connor storyline been resolved halfway through the episode, then the tour of Wolfram and Hart would have been anticlimactic. Connor has been a problem for Angel all season, and it was only fitting that it would conclude with Angel finally fixing him.

And what a fix it is. Angel has to make a huge sacrifice to save his son. Although I don't like the Angel/Connor storyline of season 4 as much as the Buffy/Dawn one in Buffy season 5, this one is wrapped up perfectly. Dawn's character was trivialized in season 6 and 7, which was a shame because her original story was so good.

Angel sells out to 'The Man'

[Joxerlives · 10/10 · 3 April 2012]

HOME

The Good; Love the way that when Lilah moves at first she seems awkward, as though she's getting used to using her body again.There is just something endlessly, savagely beautiful about a black panther. Love Fred and Lorne dancing. Great fight between Connor and Angel and lovely ending.

The Bad; Fred's submachine-gun is obviously fake, she totes it around like it weighs nothing because of course it's actually just a hollow shell. You can see that the cops besieging Connor in the sports store aren't LAPD, in fact you can see the word 'Boston' written on the side of their vehicles. Wes and Lilah never get the chance to say goodbye?

Best line; Lilah; (of Wes trying and failing to burn her contract) "But it means something that you tried" (how BEAUTIFULLY does Stephanie deliver this line?)

Jeez, how did they get away with that? Connor pummelling the cop into unconsciousness is nasty although given what Connor's going to do next maybe he should think himself lucky he just got a few bumps. The terrified hostages at the sports shop are hard to watch as is Angel putting the knife in Connor and even more viciously yanking it out again. Lilah is in hell and despite all of Wes' efforts she's going to remain there. So sad, she had her chance at redemption and she blew it.

Apocalypses: 5

Angel Clichés Inverting the Hollywood cliché; Despite being nonchalant about all that WR&H have offered him Angel is hugely excited about his big TV

Fang gang knocked out: no but Connor beats the suicidal cop unconscious Cordy: 15 Angel: 17 Wes: 7 Doyle; 1 Gunn; 2 Lorne; 6 Groo; 1 Connor; 1 Faith; 1 Fred; 2

Kills; unless someone can correct me the only ep of Angel ever when not only does no one die but no one even kills anyone/anything? Cordy: 5 vamps, 3 demons Angel; 44 vamps, 59 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 vamps+ 2 demon, 5 zombies Connor; 16 vamps, 5 zombies, 2 demons, Jasmine

Packing heat; Fred with her submachine-gun. WR&H seem to have invested in a lot heavier weapons for their new security force, maybe to stop something like The Beast ever happening again? Wes; 8 Doyle; 1 Angel; 3 Gunn; 2 Fred; 2

Kinky dinky: How gorgeous is Gunn's guide, Lacey? Knox tells Fred that WR&H have a dungeon. For prisoners or for S&M shenanigans? Lilah wants Angel to strip in front of her.

Captain Subtext; It's a small moment but when Lilah refers to 'My Wesley' it just speaks volumes. Nice to know that when the chips are down the way to prove yourself to the girl you love is to cut her head off!

Know the face, different character; 5 Jonathon Woodward who plays Knox here was Holden Webster in the Buffy ep 'Conversations with Dead People'.

Missing scenes; If this ep was 9/10 minutes over why can't we get Special Edition Angel DVDs with such footage restored?

Questions and observations; The last we'll see of Lilah and that is SUCH a shame, Stephanie Romanov has been one of the best things in the series for the last four years. I'd love to see her in the comics (the female boss of the Dollhouse owes much to her, right down to her look). Who's the girl in the picture on the wall behind Wes in his office? WR&H's office now resembles a shopping mall. So is Sirk a genuine defector or a plant from the Watcher's council? Twilight? The Lineage ninjas? Wes has heard of the destruction of the Watcher's Council but probably been too busy to worry about it. Angel knows that Buffy will prevail against evil no matter what the odds. Presumably Gunn taught Connor how to make bombs during the last summer? Angel quite obviously gets the idea for Connor's retrofit from Dawn's origin on Buffy. Wouldn't you love to see Connor get together with Dawn? They have so much in common and it would be cool to see what their kids turn out like? Unless anyone can correct me we'll never see the Hyperion again either. Seigfreid and Roy are referenced, do they own the panther?

WR&H give the amulet to Angel. Now, are they doing this purely to thwart The First's plans or are they now aware that there is a SECOND vampire with a soul and that he might be the one that the prophecies speak off? Is this intended to gain control of Spike but Lindey get's there first? Speaking of whom in Dead End Lindsey warns Angel not to play WR&H's game. For good or ill here he ignores that advice and does exactly that.

Marks out of 10; 10/10, not so much a season ending but a pilot for the new series, a complete reboot. That said if Angel had ended here I'd be disappointed but it would still be a good ending.

This is the offer of a lifetime. Just not, you know...mine.

[SleepTight666 · 10/10 · 4 November 2007]

This is the offer of a lifetime. Just not, you know...mine. - The end of Season 4, it might not be one of the best episodes of the Season. But I think it worked, and definitely had one of the best endings. It was truly great to see 'Lilah' back, I loved every single one of her scenes. Especially when 'Wes' tried to free her from her contract. The lesser-great parts are the rest of the scenes on Wolfram & Hart that do not include 'Lilah'. The episode introduced some W&H people that never come back (Gunn's girl) or don't play a big part (Lorne's guy and Sirk) and characters I wish had never been introduced (Knox). The best scenes are the ones including 'Connor' who went completely mad, beat up a cop and wanted to blow up a bunch of people including himself and Cordy. After a great fight scene, 'Angel' proves his love to him by giving him an entire new life, with a family just like he always wanted. 'Home' could have been the series' last episode, i'm just glad it wasn't. Would have left way too many answers (Even more than 'Not Fade Away'). But It was a great episode, but the Wolfram & Hart scenes could have been used for the next episode. CONNOR: People like you. People like this. None of you deserve what she could give you. She wanted to give you everything. ANGEL: I know how that feels. 'Cause I want to give you everything. I want to take back the mistakes, help you start over. CONNOR: We can't start over. ANGEL: We can. I mean, we can change things. CONNOR: There's only one thing that ever changes anything... and that's death. Everything else is just a lie. You can't be saved by a lie. You can't be saved at all. (10 out of 10)

Some loose ends tied up and minor irritations removed

[rcthx · 10/10 · 13 August 2006]

Jasmine (or whatever her real name was) has gone as Connor finally did something useful! The world is in disarray at the loss of the perfect happiness that Jasmine appeared to bring. Things are beginning to settle down for those at team Angel but they still can't find Cordy. Think Lilah was dead? Well she had a perpetuity clause in her contract which means Wolfram and Hart still own her after death! Just don't pull her head too hard Angel!! So Lilah appears and has an offer for all at Angel Investigations. All are wary but to cut a long story short they're too curious not to check it out. They all get taken round W+H separately by the people that specialise in their fields of expertise (i.e Fred with some science dept bloke etc). They all seem interested but Angel bargains to get a little more to the offer and takes it on behalf of them all. Anyway, not to spoil too much, Wes tries to do something really noble (which I alluded to a few lines up) and Angel makes a major sacrifice that proves how much he loves Connor. A really poignant ending that leaves you thirsting for season 5!

Season 4 review

[Red_Identity · 9 March 2014]

After all the fuss made about Season 4, all the extremely love-hate reactions, so many people claiming it was the best season of the show and so many claiming it the worst... I don't really see why all the divisiveness. And that's to say that I don't really find it that much different in quality to the last two seasons. The fact that the whole season is pretty much serialized from 4.06 onwards does make it the most addictive one. But it's also easily its most problematic.

Let's start with Cordelia. I had heard so many people say they had "ruined" her in this season. Once she slept with Connor I fully agreed... until realizing she was possessed. Basically, "Cordelia" really didn't appear in this season at all besides her brief "paradise" scenes in the first few episodes. I can see why some might say they gave Charisma sh*t to do, but the character, as she was, really wasn't a factor. Once I saw she was possessed I very much enjoyed her presence. Since Charisma was apparently pregnant, I want to know how different the original storyline was supposed to be. I think they made it work to the best of their abilities. And because I had heard so many times that she was "fired", I totally expected her to die in the season finale. So, she won't be a regular anymore? This I'm not sure I like. If they knew Charisma wasn't going to be back as a series regular they should have just killed her off here, instead of her just being in a coma throughout Season 5. They definitely have waned my interest in the character by her just not actually being in the show anymore.

That brings me to Jasmine. I loved the way Season 3's main arc events were connected to this, and the fact that even from Darla's pregnancy it tied. But, you'd think the end to this great, big villain would be a lot more climactic. Jasmine's end is probably one of the best definition of anticlimax. I don't rally care all that much because I loved the season finale, but still. Gina Torres rocked it though, so fantastic.

Now we come to Lilah. The Wesley/Lilah arc is one of my favorite things the show has done to this point, and her death was so, so sad. She will be missed. I'm also glad Fred/Gunn ended sort of subtly and naturally. I wasn't a huge fan of 4.05 because I thought the writing for Fred was too out-of-character in the way it was executed, but what came out of it was really great.

Now Connor. I actually really like the way the writers wrote him. It was never going to work out, and his ending in 4.22 is really great. However, Vincent Kartheiser really does just make all of his characters unlikable to a degree that the writers don't intend. I'm not particularly a fan of his and I think he prevents the characters he plays from being, well, better. This is the case in Mad Men, where he can be good and sometimes suits his character, but where I think a better actor would make more justice to the role. The same goes for him here. The same facial expressions, the same attitude. People need to stop casting him.

But yes, overall a really entertaining season with problems that in the end didn't seem to bother me all that much. 3.08-3.15 is a truly fantastic run of episodes, probably the show's best. And while the season finale's Wolfram and Hart events seem too much like an excuse for the show, ehh, I don't mind at all.

An Offer You Can't Refuse

[Samuel-Shovel · 4/10 · 29 March 2019]

In "Home" Lilah (back from the dead) gives Angel Investigations an offer they can't refuse: the LA branch of Wolfram & Hart. A distraught and seemingly broken Connor takes a store full of customers hostage with explosives and Cordy in tow.

Meanwhile the gang is getting personalized tours around WR&H. Lorne gets shown the celeb client list, Fred is shown R&D lab, Wes the archive of books, Gunn the security detail, and Angel is shown all the people that need his help. He learns of the situation with Connor and runs off to confront him. He beats up his son (for the millionth time) and stops the hostage crisis. He then takes the deal with Lilah to save his son, erasing everyone's memory of him and placing him with a loving, normal family. He watches them through the window, knowing he can no longer teach Connor the world as he knows it. New Connor seems more well adjusted as the season ends.

An odd ending to the penultimate season. The final product felt a bit disjointed. I expected a bigger finale involving Jasmine but she's cast aside without a second though. The finale seems more like a setup for Season 5 more than anything else. I thought we'd finally got rid of WR&H once and for all but it looks as if it'll get an even larger focus in the final season. I wouldn't have minded Angel Investigations getting a different archrival for a change but I'll withhold judgment until I see a few episodes with this new setup in place. Overall I think this might be the most inconsistent and bad season for Angel thus far.