Buffy and Angel Rewatch part 60

A4.16 Players
I'm a big fan of this episode. What could've been a filler episode for the finale arc kicked in, was seamlessly part of the overall season by bringing back Gwen, who this time was looking for a cure. Her three episodes was actually a nice story arc for Gwen. We got to see her origins, and what she does best, then her helping the gang and being a hero, and finally her finding cure for her inner freak. This episode was also a nice episode for Gunn and showed that he has more talents that he has perhaps ever been given credit for. The final scene with the pair was incredibly hot and they would've made an interesting couple.
The storyline at the hotel felt a little filler, until the final scene, where it is revealed that Cordy's treachery has been found out. It makes for an exciting cliffhanger ending for the next episode. (9/10)

A4.17 Inside Out
For me this a pretty amazing episode. We finally get explanations of all Cordy's transgressions and also we finally get to see fully evil Cordy. It would've been nice to see more of Cordy as this evil thing- Charisma Carpenter does evil so well, but the fact we get so little makes this episode more special. Whilst its nice seeing Skip again- visually he's a pretty amazing demon and he's pretty funny even when evil- I'm not sure I like his explanation of how fate or Jasmine specifically has worked. It therefore renders both shows as the machinations of this god, which doesn't quite sit right with me. Still an explanation is better than none at all. I do love his death though, Wes' amazing on target shot into Skip's head was just incredible.
The strongest part of this episode is of course the Darla/Connor scenes. Its a thrill to see Julie Benz back and for once being the good one. The scenes are hugely haunting. It was also a nice chance for mother and son to meet and a reminder that TPTB are still around, despite Angel thinking they have deserted them. (9/10)

A4.18 Shiny Happy People
This is an interesting start to the Jasmine arc. Like many of Angel's arcs it's difficult to talk about this episode in itself. The beginning is a touch tedious as all the team bow to her will and act all googly eyed over her. Unadulterated happiness isn't that interesting to watch on TV funnily enough. However things get a lot more interesting once Fred finally wakes up. Emotionally and physically Fred has always been the weakest of the characters (baring perhaps Lorne), but here she becomes the detective and eventual hero of the group. As the only remaining female member, it's probably harder on her than it would be on any of the others and that's what makes it so interesting. I love the scene where Fred tells Wes her findings and he betrays her. It's very poignant and enjoyable to watch. (7.5/10)

B7.18 Dirty Girls
This is one of my favourite episodes of the season. The return of Faith brings much joy; she has a lot more history with the Scoobies than with those in LA making her entrance that little bit more interesting. It's a touch annoying that we have to have so much exposition courtesy of Andrew as to Faith's past, but for new viewers at the time this must've been useful. She zings with all the main characters and its nice to see that apart from Dawn and to an extent Buffy, they are all able to put their history with her to one side.
The other notable entrance in this episode is of course of Caleb. Nathan Fillion plays this role to perfection and it's a testament to his incredible acting skills. Having a corporeal and coherent baddie was much needed. The Turok Han and the Bringers are fearsome warriors, but they don't say much and though the First like to talk the talk, he can't really do anything. Caleb however makes a dramatic impact killing at least two of the girls and of course the biggest impact in squeezing out Xander's eye. This scene doesn't get any less shocking or hard to watch the more times I watch it and puts Xander top of the casualty list. Apart from Anya, Xander hasn't really lost anyone or thing like the other Scoobies have (Angel, Joyce, Tara, Jenny) so perhaps it is fitting that he loses something so important now. His speech earlier in the episode only makes his loss here more poignant. (9.5/10)

B7.19 Empty Places
Though this is a very enjoyable episode, it is somewhat of a placeholder between the last episode and the next one. I love the final scene when Buffy is chucked out of her house, it is a very strong scene, especially as all the main Scoobies get involved with their thoughts. Silence from any of them was just not an option. If I'm honest it's a little hard to feel sorry for Buffy at the end of this episode. She hasn't always done well at her leadership role and it's something that she has definitely struggled with. This is exemplified here more than anything, when she refuses to listen to anyone else over what they should do. (I must say her view on democracy is very interesting considering American's think themselves as the leaders of democracy!) Whilst I do think the potentials step out of line here, Buffy doesn't want to listen to the other Scooby's, even those she is currently speaking to and this is her downfall here. Buffy hasn't been a bad leader this season, but she has definitely lost perspective by the end of this episode. That said I'm not sure Faith is a better leader for the girls. In effect she and Buffy do make a good team playing good/bad cop, and I love the scenes when the girls go to The Bronze, but Faith is really not a leader. Even during her stint on Angel, she struggled with it a little and Wesley was by her side in the planning and execution of their ruse to trap Angelus. (8.5/10)