Buffy and Angel Rewatch part 61

A4.19 The Magic Bullet
This episode does a great job of contrasting Fred's and later the groups, loneliness and despair over 'losing' Jasmine, with the happiness that the rest of LA is feeling, especially in the opening scene. The show is basically attributing to Jasmine's control to a cult and the mixing of the blood, to the loss of a cult and that sense of sureity and happiness. Fred's loneliness is sad to watch especially as she has been an outcast before in Pylea so this undoubtedly brings back
memories of that.
I'm not really sure what the writers were thinking writing a romantic scene between Fred and Angel; testing the water perhaps but they have already been down that road and feels a little odd to have every member of Angel Investigations fall for Fred.
There are a lot of fun scenes in this episode surprisingly, the open mic night and particularly Angel and Connor singing together was a real highlight. It's also pretty interesting to note that Lorne's demon-ness is completely out in the open and accepted as in another funny scene in which he discusses his physiology. A little odd perhaps that he's so open about it considering the wider demon 'jihad' as its put. (8/10)

A4.20 Sacrifice
Now that Angel Inc are out of Jasmine's control and her true colours are starting to show, the arc has become a lot more enjoyable. The show is always stronger when the gang is together anyway. The street/sewer kids were a good device to use to give the group direction. Them running away is not something we are used to; it makes more sense that they would stay to fight something. The skittery demon Angel fights, is pretty gruesome, though I did love that she was making a sacrifice out of a vampire, that was pretty amusing.
Jasmine continues to get creepier, especially in the scene in which she digs her nails into Connor and the final scene where she's manically laughing. However this also means that as a villain she is becoming stonger and more more interesting. When she talked about politicians surrendering to her was a particularly important scene as it gives an inclination into what she really wants. (8.5/10)

A4.21 Peace Out
This is an odd climax to the arc, but it was always going to be difficult to end. Jasmine's true name being the key to her destruction was a little hokey, but I loved her final confrontation with Angel. It throws up so many questions as to what Angel has achieved and the season as a whole. Was Jasmine really good like she says or was she evil? Yes she ate people, but she offered happiness. Lilah ascertains that Angel did just end world peace, but Angel contests that and it's a debate that will continue into the next episode. Speaking of, I also loved Lilah's entrance in this episode and it sets up for a much more satisfying finale than this episode would've been.
Connor played a major part in this episode, as it's revealed that he has known all along who Jasmine was. This is a little bit of ret-con but an interesting theory- perhaps he wasn't under her spell as he was her father. Why he overlooked it is easier to understand as Jasmine was to all intents and purposes, his daughter and parents tend to have a blind love. Vincent Karthesier, doesn't often get praised for his acting but he did a great job in this episode, especially in his monologue scene with Cordy, which a frank look at Connor's perspective. (8.5/10)

A4.22 Home
Though this episode starts off a little shaky, it develops into one of the best season finale the show has done. Coming of the back of an apocalypse and world peace/domination, where is there left to go for the team. They have saved the world, could they really go back to saving singular people week in and week out? That's why as the episode takes shape, the idea of Angel taking of W&H becomes more and more genius. It is a little hard to accept the idea of W&H now becoming
the gang's new home since it's been the villain for so long and also to see why the gang are considering it. There are perks for sure, but it must be hard for them to get their heads around the idea.
Bringing back Lilah was just a wonderful idea, there is no one better suited to entice the team. Her scene with Wesley, in amongst the filing cabinets is my favourite. The scene is fairly quiet, but there is a connection that runs surprisingly deep between the pair that just makes that scene so incredibly sweet and painful. This also goes for Angel in his scenes with both Lilah and Connor. Angel, along with Fred, is the least excited about the W&H deal; Angel was especially sceptical and even the offer of help for Buffy in Sunnydale wasn't enough to tempt him. Connor, of course would be the only reason for Angel to make a deal with the devil. It's perhaps an easy but necessary end for Connor's storyline and troubled past.
As for the rest of the gang's tours, I would've liked to have seen at least some of Lorne's and it's a shame that we didn't. Gunn's was the most interesting in that we don't see what happens to him in the White Room. Overall though this is a sensational finale and the perfect way to cap the season off. (10/10)