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Angel: To Shanshu in L.A.

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Wolfram & Hart summon a demon and charge him with the task of separating Angel from the Powers That Be. While Angel is busy dealing with this threat, Lindsey and his coworkers are working on summoning something else which will make Angel's unlife a lot more interesting. Read full recap »

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Writers:: David Greenwalt

Director:: David Greenwalt

Stars:: David Boreanaz (Angel); Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase); Alexis Denisof (Wesley Wyndam-Pryce)

Recurring Role:: Sam Anderson (Holland Manners); Stephanie Romanov (Lilah Morgan); Christian Kane (Lindsey McDonald); Elisabeth Rohm (Detective Kate Lockley); Julie Benz (Darla)

Guest Star:: Gerard O'Donnell (Monk #2); Carey Cannon (Female Oracle); Todd Stashwick (Vocah); Randall Slavin (Male Oracle); David Herman (David Nabbit); Brahman Turner (Young Tough Guy); J. August Richards (Charles Gunn); John Eddins (Monk #1); Susan Savage (Doctor); Robyn Cohen (Nurse); Lia Johnson (Vendor); Jon Ecklund (Uniform #2); Daren Rice (Uniform #1); Louise Claps (Homeless Woman)

Time Index 36:35 - In Cordy's apartment, the boom mic is visible over Wesley's head just as he says "Oh, wait, that's due to arise in 2003...". edit »
Time Index 25:38 - The boom mic is visible as Angel is summoning the Oracles, just after he says "I come before thee Oracles for guidance and direction." edit »
Late in the show Cordy takes out a bottle of pop, takes off the cap and holds it. Then in the next shot she claps her hand - the bottle is on a table nearby with the cap on. edit »
Angel knocks off Vocah's mask, but it reappears on his face and then disappears again in successive shots just before Angel kills him. edit »
When Wes and Cordy are sharing a donut, watch carefully: in continual shots it goes from whole to ripped in half to missing a bite to a complete break to just missing a bite again. edit »

Darla is the last face we see in this Angel season one finale episode, she was the first face we saw in Buffy the Vampire Slayer's season one premiere episode, "Welcome to the Hellmouth". edit »
The name of the demon in this episode is "Vocah" which are the letters in the word "havoc" rearranged. edit »
This episode scored a rating of 4.7/7 in the overnight Nielsen ratings, ranking 3rd out of 16 WB shows airing for that week. edit »
There have been some references to Season 1 of Buffy. Both Season 1 of Buffy and Angel make a reference to Spider-Man 2. In Buffy, Season 1, when Xander is moping in his room, he is listening to "I Fall To Pieces". And in Angel, Season 1, there is an episode titled "I Fall To Pieces". Also in both shows' first season when Cordelia has a deflated ego, she refers to herself as Buffy. edit »
Julie Benz was a guest star of Fame L.A., a show which Christian Kane starred in. edit »

Cordelia: Well, he's going to have to start wanting things from life, whether he wants to or not! edit »
Cordelia: Well, what are you saying Wesley? That Angel has nothing to look forward to? That he's going to go on forever, the same? In the world, but always cut off from it?
Wesley: Yes.
Cordelia: Well, that sucks. We've got to do something. We've got to help him!
Wesley: I'm not sure we can.
Cordelia: What is your deal? You go around boring everyone with your musty scrolls and then you say there's nothing we can do!
Wesley: He is what he is.
Cordelia: He's Angel. He's good and he helps the helpless. And now... he's one of them. edit »
Wesley: What connects us to life is a simple truth that we're part of it. We live. We grow. We change. edit »
Wesley: The fact that his death is prophesied, which isn't good news, doesn't concern me nearly as much as the way he took that news.
Cordelia: What? He didn't scream like a girl as some of us would have? Angel's cool.
Wesley: Angel's cut off. Death doesn't bother him because... there's nothing in life he wants. It's our desires that make us human.
Cordelia: Angel's kinda human. He's got a soul.
Wesley: He's got a soul, but he's not part of the world. He can never be part of the world. edit »
Cordelia: It's just a prophecy. It's not like it came from on high.
Wesley: That's what a prophecy is Cordelia. edit »

Wes: Cordelia - it's an ancient prophecy, not a Magic 8-Ball.
A Magic 8-Ball is a black plastic ball filled with liquid. It is used by asking a question and then turning the ball upside down to reveal a small window into the ball. A message will float up to the window providing a yes or no answer to the question. Not really any better for answering questions than flipping a coin, it is sold as a toy and not taken seriously. edit »
Title: To Shanshu In L.A.
Since we eventually learn that "shanshu" means both life and death, the title of this episode would translate to "To Live and Die in L.A." which is also the title of a 1985 film directed by William Friedkin about a cop who's willing to do anything to avenge his partner's death, breaking the law and risking his own life to catch the killer. edit »
Cordelia: (after hearing that Angel may eventually gain his humanity) Yeah, break out the champagne, Pinocchio.
Pinocchio was a story about a wooden puppet brought to life who longed to become a real live boy. Eventually his wish becomes true. Walt Disney made an animated feature from this tale. edit »
David Nabbit: Tonight's my turn to be Dungeon Master.
Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy role playing game that gained popularity during the 1980's. The Dungeon Master was the person who guided the game. edit »
Wesley: After all you did for him, he sells his soul for thirty pieces of silver.
In the Bible, Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. edit »

9.4
00
TwistedConverse
member since: Nov 20, 2007
To Shanshu in L.A.
The Bottom Line: "Pivotal"
The Season 1 finale. ...Continue »
07/03/08 12:11pm | report abuse
10
10
raluka87
member since: Apr 22, 2008
To Shanshu in L.A.
The Bottom Line: "Series classic"
Connection... ...Continue »
06/17/08 09:24am | report abuse
9
00
ggoblin31
member since: Apr 1, 2008
To Shanshu in L.A.
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
A wonderful first season of Angel comes to an exciting and shocking close. ...Continue »
04/02/08 07:24am | report abuse
9.8
10
lenzinoH20
member since: Jul 12, 2006
To Shanshu in L.A.
The Bottom Line: "Pivotal"
If The Shanshu Fits... ...Continue »
07/27/07 08:23am | report abuse
10
10
ZDonnelly85
member since: Mar 3, 2007
To Shanshu in L.A.
The Bottom Line: "Pivotal"
Wolfram and Hart raise a mysterious demon to help them rob Angel of his soul. In the course of events Cordelia's life is put in danger and Angel gains a little perspective on what it means to the a hero, and what it means to be part of the world. ...Continue »
03/06/07 01:22pm | report abuse