Buffy and Angel Rewatch part 67

5.13 Why We Fight
When I first watched this episode, I most disliked the fact that it came after Cordy's death and there was no reference to that at all. But watching the episode this time, the episode's actual flaws are glaringly obvious. Firstly we've have this episode before- Somnabulist in season 1, wasn't entirely different and the episode wasn't that interesting. Then we have the flashback itself, which completely contradicts the Angel we have seen around that time in past flashbacks (in Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been; Orpheus; Becoming part 1 in season 2 of Buffy). The Angel in the flashbacks (personality wise) wasn't that different from the Angel we know in the show's timeline and is miles away from the reclusive, can't bear to be near humans Angel that we saw a few years later in the flashback for 'Are you Never...'. Though the writers came up with a plausible storyline, it just didn't work with what we've already been given. Finally there's the fact that we saw very little of the gang, the flashbacks, which were pretty boring, took up most of the time and this made the episode very lacklustre for me. (4.5/10)

5.14 Smile Time
This is an utterly silly and yet brilliant episode. The puppet idea, could've gone wrong, but the sheer cuteness of the Angel puppet keeps it going. This is a great demon of the week/ helping the helpless storyline and it gives all the main characters something meaningful to do. It's funny playful and a joy to watch.
There are plenty of side stories to keep the episode from being too much of a flight of fancy. I'm not a fan of the Nina storyline, since her chemistry with Angel is pretty forced. Gunn making a deal with the devil to get his permanent brain upgrade was pretty interesting as it shows huge character change within him. Shame his cockiness and determination to have this super brain doesn't get explored any further. The Fred/Wesley storyline was the sweetest storyline. Wes is such a sweetheart in his devotion to Fred, especially during his conversation with Angel. However it's hardly surprising he failed to pick up on her signals considering how long she has kept him waiting. Regardless of their future, it's a moment of pure happiness to see the two finally together. (9.5/10)

5.15 A Hole in the World
This is a heartbreaking episode. The episode gut-wrenchingly begins happily, with all characters content, before throwing them all for six and breaking theirs and the audiences hearts. Fred's death scenes are not dissimilar from what someone with a terminal disease may go through- mystical style of course. They're horrible and yet brilliantly powerful scenes, made all the more excellent by Amy Acker's and Alexis Denisof's wonderful performances.
One of the most stunning and memorable scenes in on the stairs. The only bit of cute, Wesley and Fred flirting we get before that pure look of horror on Lorne's face after Fred sings, is just shocking.
The Gunn and Knox scenes are also painful to watch, but in a good way. It's almost a relief to see Know be revealed as evil, since he's not been very likable so far and because it's a further sign of the influence of W&H. However seeing Gunn receive the ultimate punishment for his upgrade is devastating and it's something he won't recover from.
Though the Angel/Spike scenes aren't quite as emotive, and the fight scenes kept the episode from being too much of a sobfest. Drogyn was a nice character, though a little backstory here would've been nice. I liked the name check for Cordy, since the show has largely ignored her death. (10/10)

5.16 Shells
Another heart breaking episode, though until the end, this episode perhaps isn't quite as sad as the last. Killing off Fred good and proper, (no soul to bring back) was a necessity because, as Angel said in the episode, death isn't always death in this verse. The job of this episode was to establish that death really was death in Fred's case. The episode therefore is a touch rushed; Illyria's powers are revealed to their full extent, her purpose ruined and she submits herself to Wesley just a little too quickly and easily. Though the gang obviously struggle to control her, it feels too quick. The decision to kill off Fred is a contentious one. It does make the season a lot more interesting, but losing sweet Fred is hard on everyone. It does however give Amy Acker the chance to shine in a really different role.
Thankfully Knox is dispatched off as I don't think I could've taken more of him. The show not so sneakily used the old hotel set for the Illyria stand off which made the scene lose it's impact a little.
Gunn's guilt and Wes' anger/grief is more acutely felt in this episode and it's hard not to sympathise with them both. It's a little shocking to see Wes be so violent, so easily, but he and Gunn have had their fair share of problems so it's believable. There's also the brilliant ending, in which the bookends of Fred leaving her parents and home (started in the previous episode) act as a poignant reminder of who she once was and the journey she has made. (9.5/10)