Epiphany

Season 2, Episode 16, Aired
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Episode Summary

After an empty night of passion with Darla, Angel wakes up with his soul still intact and has an epiphany. In a moment of clarity he realizes how deeply he had sunk into despair and how self-destructive his actions had become. He resolves to reunite with his crew, but Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn may not be ready to forgive him, even when their very lives are at stake.moreless
9.2
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Fan Episode Reviews (12)

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  • The gang back together

    10
    "Perfect"
    By joxerlives, Jan 19, 2012 Report Abuse
    EPIPHANY

    The Good;
    All of it, just magnificent, especially love the Lindsey/Angel fight and the truck crashing through the window.

    The Bad;
    Anyone?

    Best line:
    Gunn; "So what, you had a epiphany? Just wake up and bang?"
    Angel; "Sort of the other way around"

    Jeez, how did they get away with that?
    Even though it's just plastic you wince when Angel smashes Lindsey's hand

    Apocalypses: 5

    Angel Cliches
    Damsel in distress; 18 Cordy this time around

    Inverting the Hollywood cliche;
    We all expect Angel to lose his soul but he doesn't only Buffy can do that to him

    In disguise; 8

    DB get's his shirt off; still off from last week so yes
    12

    Cordy's tattoo;4

    Cheap Angel;
    6

    Fang Gang in bondage: Wes and Gunn at the house
    Cordy: 5
    Angel: 9
    Wes: 4
    Gunn; 1

    Fang gang knocked out: Cordy post-impregnation
    Cordy: 11
    Angel: 12
    Wes: 5
    Doyle; 1
    Gunn; 1
    Lorne; 1

    Kills: 1 demon for Angel and one for Wes
    Cordy: 5 vamps, 1 demons
    Angel; 22 vamps, 32 and 1/2 demons, 3 humans
    Doyle; 1 vamp
    Wes; 2 demon
    Kate; 3 vamps
    Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans.
    Gunn; 5 vamps+ 2 demons.

    Fang Gang go evil:
    Cordy: 2
    Angel: 2

    Alternate Fang Gang:
    Cordy: 2
    Angel: 6

    Characters killed:
    35

    Recurring characters killed;
    5;

    Total number of Angel Investigations:
    4, Angel, Cordy, Wes and Gunn

    Angel Investigations shot:
    Angel: 10
    Wes; 1

    Packing heat; Wes for the third time with his shotgun
    Wes; 3
    Doyle; 1
    Angel; 1

    Notches on Fang Gang bedpost:
    Cordy: 2 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast
    Angel: 2; Buffy and Darla
    Wes; 2; Virginia and the bleached blonde

    Kinky dinky:
    Darla and Angel have sex three times. Darla considers herself very good in the sack as she's been doing it for 400years and used to be a professional. She asks Angel was she "Not good?" which is exactly what Buffy says in Innocence. Lorne suggests that Angel give Darla cab fare (I had a friend who always said that if a guy does that/cooks you breakfast afterwards it made you a prostitute. Strangely she is now an unmarried mother). On that topic Cordy impregnated by a demon against her will for the second time. And we always thought Xander was the demon magnet? Of course if you like that sort of thing you can always try Monsters and Angels fetishism

    Captain Subtext;
    Apparently the way to tell Angel and Angelus apart is that Angelus wears leather pants? Keith Topping suggests that at the end of the ep Lindsey is 'struggling with his sexuality' but I'm not so sure?

    Know the face, different character; 2

    Parking garages;
    5,

    Buffy characters on Angel; 14
    Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, Master, Anne

    Questions and observations;
    The PTB decide to save Kate, well you would, wouldn't you? How much do I love Lindsey as a lonely drunken teenage buck with a pink carnation, pick up truck, cowboy boots and sledgehammer? Angel uses the 70s term 'pad', well he was about back then, a groovy cat if there ever was one. Angel smashing Lindsey's hand is SUCH a powerful moment, even when you know it's plastic it still makes you wince. Goodbye to Kate who leaves LA, changes her identity and becomes a district attorney in New York before returning to Angel in season 6. Angels observation that if it all means nothing then the smallest act of kindness means everything is just wonderful. Lovely ending too with Cordy being caught by Angel, the gang is back together.
    Marks out of 10; 10/10
    moreless

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  • Epiphany

    10
    "Perfect"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Dec 11, 2010 Report Abuse
    Epiphany was a perfect and classic episode of Angel. i really enjoyed watching this episode because Angel was seeking to be forgiven by the gang while they were dealing with Cordelia's disappearance. It was interesting that she had a third eye, though litereally in the episode, having visions and such. I think this episode had a great story that brought the characters back together in an unexpected way. This episode had great action, suspensful drama, and great acting. It was a bit of a surprise how Angel got back with the gang, and now I can't wait to watch what happens to them in the next episode!!!!!!!moreless

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  • Angel tries to make amends.

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By TwistedConverse, Jul 12, 2008 Report Abuse
    Epiphany is a fantastic episode in its own right and a wonderful follow up to Reprise. However, this is one major thing that didn't sit right with me.

    Following the huge pit of gloomy despair that was Reprise, Epiphany is more of a light hearted affair and one that finally ends the Dark Angel arc and wisely and he was getting almost too broody and needed to snap out of it. It was good to see him trying to save his friends but it was also good they didn't just accept him back without question; their relationships aren't the same anymore and they need to work on things.

    The demons this week were more interesting than normal and I was glad they were mainly background material to use for Angel saving Cordy and Wesley. Too many demon scenes is a no-no but I was glad they used them minimally. The writers still haven't learnt: vampires are better. Though I think they use demons more to seperate Angel from Buffy.

    Kate made her final appearance in this episode and I was glad; it was the right time for her to go and her ending was good, if undramatic. After all she's been through and all her annoyingness I still liked her in her final episode and was glad she finally accepted the supernatural. The entire "I never invited you in thing" was good and it left you wondering what saved her. I like to believe it wasn't Jasmine though _.

    The part that didn't sit right with me was Darla's exit in this episode. She has been one of the most central characters this season and we didn't even see her leave. Heck, in her last scene she didn't even have any lines! Whilst I understood why she went (her story HAD to continue next season so that she could come back heavily pregnant. But come on, it wouldn't have killed to see her packing and telling Lindsey she's leaving.

    Lindsey was awful in this episode; his entire jealous boyfriend routine was cliched and irritating. Darla was never his girlfriend so he didn't have any right to attack Angel. I, for one, wanted Angel to tell him what happened and then murder him painfully but Angel was back on the path of good so it wouldn't have worked. It was fun to see Angel beat the hell out of him though- it gave us satisfaction. Epiphany is a brilliant episode and a conclusion to the outstanding Darla arc of S2. Besides the Darla exiting mistake they made, it was nonetheless an enjoyable episode and it was a beginning as much as it was an end.moreless

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  • *Angel & Kate have an epiphany *Darla departs *Lindsay's jealous & finds his inner homicide rage *Angel saves Wesley, Cordelia, and Gunn *Angel re-joins the team, and attempts to make amends *Wesley is our new Top Dog, Bmoreless

    8.5
    "Great"
    By DWBSR620, Jun 26, 2008 Report Abuse
    Well here we are Angel has an epiphany after sleeping with Darla he wakes up and realizes that he and his obsession has taken him off track and now he must find his way back. First things first Angel sets out to rescue Kate and finds he is able to enter her home uninvited as Kate is dying of a drug overdose. Once he puts Kate together he heads out to make amends with his old team of Wesley, Cordelia, and the use to be part-timer Gunn. Angel arrives at Wesley's apartment just in time to save Wesley from a group of demons out to kill him, and the wheelchair bound Wesley, who suffered an injury in an earlier episode and certainly not being in any condition to defend himself, and was saved by Angel's arrival. And now we come to the pathetic part of the episode, the part where Cordelia, Wesley, and Gunn get to show their immature sides. Wesley of course takes the stern stiff tempered route that while understandable, certainly being angered by Angel's treatment should be very grateful that Angel gave him an opportunity to be a part of his team when he had nothing else and was down and out. Cordelia and Angel having been together since episode 1 certainly one can feel her hurt, but then again Cordelia's continuous intrusive nature can be a bit overbearing and at a time when Angel was going through this phase the most that she could offer was annoyance, remember the Cordelia of season 1, and half of season 2 was not the Cordelia of season 3. In season 3 she was a lot more grown, experienced, and mature to counsel Angel and help to keep him grounded. Then there's Gunn whose attitude was moronic, if there's one thing that was irritating the most was his cockiness, trying to come off hard toward Angel even though he'd only been a part-timer to begin with, and had no personal relationship with Angel as of yet. Gunn and Wesley doing that goofy handshake, and all loving on each other for show was way too much, Gunn of all people was the least hurt by Angel's actions so his idiotic behavior made him look like well an idiot. Another thing for three people feeling so hurt and finding Angel's coldness so painful certainly had no problem being equally as cold and then some. It is perfectly understandable that Wesley and Cordelia would be hurt by Angel's rejection and their concern for him prior to his rejection was understandable, but Angel having to deal with a unique situation that none of them could understand you would think that they as mature adults could cut him some slack. Putting Wesley in charge of the group was a good idea because Wesley taking on this position helped to transform him positively, and what would probably be one of the best character transformations during the entire series. Next up would be Lindsay's pathetic obsession with Darla. Lindsay upon finding out that Angel had slept with Darla became enraged and needed to know everything that transpired between Darla and Angel, yes I agree quite sick, needed to take his revenge out on Angel. Lindsay catches up with Angel and runs him over with his truck several times, and then gets out and begins to administer a sledgehammer beating on Angel. Now naturally any human being cracked in the coconut/head that many times would've been D.O.A., but fortunately Angel being a vampire can survive such a beating, but not a staking. Lindsay turns his back on the fallen Angel and goes to his truck to retrieve a wooden stake to finish Angel off. But upon turning around Angel is back on his feet to take his turn in the beat down, and let's say things didn't fare to well for Lindsay as Angel gave him the smack down of his life. Angel doesn't kill Lindsay but to add injury to insult takes his truck and smashes it up a bit, but was kind enough to return it the next day. Well from this point Darla disappears to origins unknown. Kate meets up with Angel as she has had an epiphany as well, and the two make amends finally restoring the peace between them. The back story with these demons that kidnap Cordelia really isn't that central to the episode other than a reason for a call to arms. But mainly this episode was really a way to tie up story arcs, and begin a new one. Overall the episode was good the only bad taste it left, well see above. As for Angel he has turned a corner the only thing is that he's just going a little overboard with the please accept me back I want to be part of the group again, and it's okay for everyone to talk down to me, treat me like dirt, and walk all over me whatever it takes. But as far as Cordelia and Wesley are concerned I guess he does deserve to have to kiss a little butt for awhile, it'll do him some good. The one thing that's very important and shouldn't be forgotten again by Angel is that he can't afford to lose his team because his mission is theirs as well, and they belong together. Take care.

    Peace To Allmoreless

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    0 1

  • Lorne: I think I'm speaking for everyone when I say if all you're gonna do is switch back to brood mode, we'd rather have you evil. Then at least, you'd be in leather pantsmoreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By addict666, May 27, 2008 Report Abuse
    Angel wakes up after his night with Darla and has an epiphany that doesn't involve him losing his soul. His morning after response to her is classic and her as the desperate female looking for some validation is so perfect.
    When he comes back to the Angel Investigation team and they are hesitant to accept him back he deserves it so much that I only wish they were worse to him. I also really love Darla and Lindsay in this episode because they are one of my favorite pairings and I always wanted them to get together. Then the final drama with Cordy almost dying and Wes and Angel coming to the rescue and they all coming together as a team. The way that Wes describes how Cordy changed to Angel is also really moving and sweet because it shows her progression past her teenage days where she was so shallow into the woman she is know with all the maturity and responsibility that she has.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • Between the scene with Angel and Darla and the scene in which Angel goes to save Kate, one of the quick flashes is an image of a crew member holding a slate marker. It goes by too quickly to see, but it is visible if the moment is run frame-by-frame. Edit
    • Wesley used a wheelchair or cane for the entire episode so why is he able to help Cordelia up and walk out of the house without any help from Gunn or Cordy or even a limp? Edit
    • In the previous episode, when Cordy turned off the single light on the desk, all the lights in the room went out. In this episode, Angel turns that one off first, then has to go and turn off all the others individually. But then, when he turns one of them back on, they all come on. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • This very episode is mentioned by Director Joss Whedon in the commentary track to the last episode of Firefly "Objects in Space". Joss Whedon goes into length on how he got an epiphany when he was 16 that he had no faith. Later he explains that when Angel doubt there is a grand plan and says "if nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do" that is his way of expressing "the moral implication of a universe with no meaning". Edit
    • This episode received a rating of 5.2/8 in the overnight Nielsen ratings, ranking 3rd out of 17 WB shows for that week. Edit
    • In the scene when Angel and Wesley are driving down the road, you can see that the windshield has been removed. Presumably so that there would be no reflections of the crew that were filming those scene(s). In addition, the rear view mirror is missing, most likely to prevent it from blocking Wesley's face. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Wesley: You don't know her at all. For months now you haven't cared to. Otherwise you might have realized that our Cordelia has become a very solitary girl. She is not the vain and carefree creature she once was. Well... certainly not carefree. Edit
    • Wesley: In any event. I diagnosed the girl's condition as infection by a Skilosh.
      Angel: With your books?
      Wesley: Yes...
      Angel: You were always so good with those books. Made it look easy. It's not. Edit
    • Angel: Invite me in! I've never been here before Wesley, you have to invite me in! Wesley: Well, perhaps if you had shown a bit of interest... Angel: Wesley! (Skilosh demons break through the window) Wesley: Yes! Well, absolutely, I invite you in! Man, I invite you! Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • The Host: Zuzu's Petals
      In the classic Christmas film, It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey, after spending his entire life helping people, contemplates suicide after his bank loses all their money. However a guardian angel shows him what a miserable place the town he lives in is without him. After being returned to his own world, George reaches inside his pocket and pulls out the petals of a flower his daughter Zuzu had given him earlier. Edit

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