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Angel

Over the Rainbow

Season 2, Episode 20, Aired May 08, 2001

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After being inadvertently sucked into a dimensional portal, Cordelia finds herself stuck in Lorne's home world, Pylea, a place where demons rule and human beings are slaves at best. Back in L.A., Angel is determined to find a way to rescue Cordelia, but when it seems that travelling to Pylea is the only answer, Lorne begins to get cold feet. After spending years in L.A., he is not at all happy at the idea of a homecoming.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Susan Blommaert

Vakma
GUEST STAR
Persia White

Aggie
GUEST STAR
Michael Phenicie

Silas

David Boreanaz

Angel
Alexis Denisof

Wesley Wyndam-Pryce
Charisma Carpenter

Cordelia Chase
J. August Richards

Charles Gunn

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Fan Episode Reviews (11)

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Adventures in another realm

6.0

"Fair"

By joxerlives, Jan 19, 2012

OVER THE RAINBOW

The Good;
A fun romp veering unpredictably from the ridiculous to the sublime, not so much the series changing direction as looping the loop and throwing in a barrel roll for good measure. Must be so nice for DB to be able to work in the sun for once.

The Bad;
Even the most imaginative set dressing can't hide the cheapness of some of the production qualities. The bit where Lorne goes to see his psychic friend is also blatantly filler (although I love her name, Persia White, sounds like a film noir heroine?)

Best line: Another Xena reference (see also Disharmony and Halloween on Buffy)
Gunn; (on being told that Pylea is rife with xenophobia) "Why are they afraid of Xena? I think she's kinda fly"

Jeez, how did they get away with that?
A lot of the Pylea stuff especially the hellbeast discecting the guy. We thankfully never see the AI group as a freakishly hybridinized siamese twin, as Gunn observes, horrified "That was a risk!!!?"

Apocalypses: 5

Angel Cliches

Inverting the Hollywood cliche;
The guys take on the villagers and for once they lose.

In disguise; 8

DB get's his shirt off; 12

Cordy's tattoo; 6,

Cheap Angel; 7

Fang Gang in bondage: Cordyx2 but the rest of the guys as well
Cordy: 7
Angel: 10
Wes: 5
Gunn; 2
Lorne; 1

Fang gang knocked out:
Cordy: 10
Angel: 12
Wes: 5
Doyle; 1
Gunn; 1
Lorne; 1

Kills:
Cordy: 5 vamps, 1 demons
Angel; 26 vamps, 33 and 1/2 demons, 3 humans
Doyle; 1 vamp
Wes; 3 demons
Kate; 3 vamps
Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans.
Gunn; 7 vamps+ 2 demons.

Fang Gang go evil:
Cordy: 2
Angel: 2

Alternate Fang Gang:
Cordy: 2
Angel: 6

Characters killed:
37

Recurring characters killed;
6;

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

Angel Investigations shot:
Angel: 11
Wes; 1

Packing heat;
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:
Cordy as a slave for the second time. If you enjoy seeing beautiful women enslaved, enchained and degraded this is the ep for you. Of course if you enjoy that you should be in deep, deep therapy rather than reading my reviews! Wes has handcuffs or at least knows someone who does (Mistress Spanksalot?). Once again, here's where they miss Kate who could have lent them some.

Captain Subtext;
Gunn likes Xena. Now this could either be classed as kinky dinky, he just likes hot dominant women in leather,(well who doesn't?) or it could have some deeper significance? Pylea strikes you as just the sort of place that Xena and Gabby would clean up.

Know the face, different character; 2

Parking garages;
5,

Buffy characters on Angel; 16
Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, Master, Anne, Willow and Harmony

Questions and observations;
Angel was in the Tower of London at some stage. First real appearance for Fred and Amy Acker does a great job of portraying her impending madness. Also Gavin Parks oozes his Gucci clad self into the show. The scene where Angel leaves the tape for Gunn is very reminiscent of Kurt Russell in The Thing. Angel delighted in the daylight, his joy is lovely to behold.
Marks out of 10; 6/10, not great in itself but again, promising much
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Over the Rainbow

10

"Perfect"

By TrueTvWatcher, Dec 11, 2010

Over the Rainbow was a perfect and classic episode of Angel that has a lot of great character driven scenes. It was interesting and funny to see Cordelia shoveling Demon Cow Droppings. She made contact with Fred, the girl who went missing from the public library, though it was brief as she was caught by the constable. She seemed a bit crazy but who wouldn't be after living in that dimension. I really enjoyed watching the story unfold, seeing Lorne returning to his Home Dimension though he didn't want to. I thought it was cool that Gunn decided to come along too. Interesting that Angel can stand in the Pylian Suns lights. We also got to meet the Covenant shortly as they performed a test on Cordelia. I really like how the episode ended, it was a surprise. I can't wait to watch what happens in the next episode!!!!!!!moreless
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Angel, Wesley, Gunn, and Lorne go to the hell dimension Pylea to bring Cordelia back.

10

"Perfect"

By illyria18, Jan 01, 2010

This was Literally the fist full episode of Angel I ever saw. I was a BIG Buffy fan at the time and really didn't plan on watching Angel since I never much cared for the character on Buffy. I obviously changed my mind but you can bet I was really confused when I seen this. I already knew Angel, Cordelia, and Wesley. Had no clue on the other characters I was seeing. Also was very confused in seeing all the green people with horns walking around. Since this was my first episode I fell In love with Lorne immediately. This was also the first full episode with Fred, who I thought was ok and same goes for Gunn. The night I seen this they played the trilogy all together. I was really glued to the Tv that night. So this episode and really Trilogy will always hold a big spot in my heart. I thought it all was really great and of course was really happy to see a BIG familer face at the very end. :)moreless
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Welcome to Pylea!

9.1

"Superb"

By TwistedConverse, Jul 14, 2008

Over the Rainbow is an excellent, fun episode that after so much darkness this season, is such a breath of fresh air. It's probably the weakeast of 3 parter Pylean arc but it's still excellent, highlighting the brilliance of other episodes. Some didn't like the Pylea arc because it felt shoved in and the Darla arc felt abandoned- now I am probably one of the Darla arc's biggest fans but I think it was right she left until next season- give her pregnancy time to grow. The Pylea arc did feel a little shoved in but I gotta hand it to the writers, the actors, the makeup people and whoever found the setting- I LOVED THIS ARC! The main story of Cordelia being captured as a slave and sold to a demon peasent woman was excellent. Her owner had some great lines and looked very real, as did the rest of the village. The real introduction to Fred was in this episode and you really felt for her- she's gone mad from being stuck in this hell dimension. It leaves us to wonder if that would be Cordelia if she had have remained there. Amy Acker is brilliant as her and a much welcome addition to the show. I was quite disappointed with Gunn in this episode- after all they've went through, he won't help Angel and Wes rescue Cordelia because he lost a member of his (annoying) crew. I understand he felt guilty but he shouldn't just abandon Cordelia like that when she needed him most. However, it was great to see Angel and Wes so determined to get her back- Angel especially seems to be frantic in her absence, making us realize how much she means to him.

Pylea itself is amazing. It's always nice to see new, grand locales but this completely outshines what is found in most T.V. The village looks and feels like a real village, every townsperson has something to do and looks authentic. The surrounding woods are amazing also- enchanting and beautiful. Whoever found this, I congratulate them- it gives an amazing otherwordly feel to it. I'm glad they put the whole different physical laws thing in so Angel wasn't bursting into flames the whole time- it enabled him to go as he pleased which is needed as having him to have to wait until nightfall would have been annoying.

The twist at the end was great; Cordelia becoming Princess of Pylea? Excellent. This further sets up the remaining two episodes and the castle itself is breathtaking. Plus, her outfit was droolworthy.

Over the Rainbow is an excellent change of pace for Angel and one of the handful of episodes in S2 that is just plain fun to watch. While it's outshined by most of the Darla arc, it's still brilliant and not to be missed. A true classic.moreless
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To Oz they go...

9.5

"Superb"

By addict666, May 28, 2008

I love the scenes with Cordy in Pylea which start off with her all alone in the forest wearing her jean jumpsuit and looking so out of place that it is just funny. Then she is imprisoned and made into a slave and called a 'cow' which takes her so outside of her life into something completely scary and new that it's like going over the rainbow and ending up in hell instead of Oz (Sorry, I'm a really big Wizard of OZ fan). Then the rest of Angel Investigations is left trying to find a way to cross the dimensions to save her. I love how gung ho both Angel and Wes are as they try to save her with little concern to their own safety and Lorne and Gunn both have cold feet. When Gunn comes back at the end it is nice to see that he has decided his place in the world and it really shows the unity between these four and their loyalty to Cordelia that continues into the next two seasons.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (3)
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- In this episode we learn that Lorne can't get drunk.
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- When Angel goes to retrieve branches to cover the car a microphone is visible on the left side of the screen.
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- How does Gunn find the rest of the gang at the Melrose Gate? Angel left him a message, then Lorne comes in and tells Angel the location of the gate. We never see Angel make a second phone call, and there doesn't seem to be time for him to do so.
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QUOTES (16)
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- Lorne: Remember when I said, uh, I love this dimension and I'm never, never, never gonna leave? Well, e-exactly which 'never' did you not understand?
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- (Angel, Wesley, Gunn & Lorne surrounded by Pyleans) Wesley: We've been through a lot together fellas, fought a lot of battles, faced some pretty steep odds. Gunn: I'll take the 20 on the left, you take the 50 on the right. Angel: Okay.
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- Wesley: I suppose I could try a binding spell of some kind, something that would fuse us together as we enter the portal. Angel: Good, let's do that. Wesley: However we could emerge on the other side as a freakishly hybridized Siamese twin. Angel: Keep looking.
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- (Gunn tries to break handcuffs) Gunn: It's no use. Thing's made out of some kind of magical alloy. Wesley: Really? How can you tell? Gunn: I can't. I'm just making myself feel better.
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- Angel: I don't want to calm down, I want to jump through the big swirly hole thingy and rescue Cordy! Wesley: Well there won't be any big swirly hole jumping without the big swirly hole jumping book!
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- Angel: Lawyers. Don't you people sleep during the day?
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- Aggie:(talking on the phone) It's like you feel cut off. (hangs up the phone)
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- Gunn: I got a call - it sounded like the captain of the Titanic getting ready to go down with the ship.
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- Lorne: You know, ordinarily I handle bad news really well. I just drown my sorrows in an iced cold gin and tonic little squeeze of lime, except they don't have them here!
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- Cordy: I want to go home. I want to be in my bed. I want to order some Thai food. I want to read the latest issue of Marie Claire. I want to be doing anything but shoveling demon horse poo!
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- Angel: Let's start gathering some branches, some brush, anything that will cover up the car. Oh hey look, there's some over in that patch of sun... I'll get them!
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- Lorne: Just remember, keep your head down. Xenophobia, kind of a watchword where I'm from. Gunn: I don't get it. Why are they afraid of Xena? I mean, I think she's kinda fly. Wesley: Xenophobia - fear of foreigners. Gunn: Oh, then can we pretend I didn't just say that?
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- Angel: Ha, I'm not on fire. Wesley: And, we're together. We didn't merge into a freakish four-man Siamese twin. Gunn: That was a risk? How come nobody told me that was a risk? Angel: Can everybody just notice how much fire I'm not on?
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- Lorne: How you holding up? Angel: I wanna go, bad. I'm just waitin' for Wes to have that Eureka moment. Wesley: Eureka! Angel: Oh geesh, thank God! Lorne: You mean he actually really says Eureka?!
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- Lorne: I think we're only a couple of miles from town but, we'll have to walk it. Angel: No problem here, walkin' in the sun. Hey, do it all the time. Wesley: Yes, we're all heartily aware that you're not on fire.
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- Angel: Start talkin'. Lorne: About my dimension? Sure. Let's see... I was there, I came here, I like here, I don't wanna go there.
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NOTES (5)
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- This episode received a rating of 4.7/7 in the overnight Nielsen ratings, ranking 4th out of 17 WB shows for the week.
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- J. August Richards does the "Previously on Angel" voiceover.
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- The hell-beast Cordy encounters closely resembles the hell-hounds from the Buffy episode "The Prom"
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- The Paramount gate is used primarily because Angel, a 20th Century Fox property airing on the WB, is produced at Paramount studios. The studio grounds and neighboring area are often used, including the nearby Los Altos apartments which doubles as the Hyperion.
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- Persia White (Aggie) also played Aura the girl "who found the extreme dead guy in her locker" in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer's" 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' (1x01) also Cordelia and Aura were talking on the phone in 'Rm W/a Vu' (1x05).
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ALLUSIONS (4)
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- Cordelia: I want to read the latest issue of Marie Claire.
  
  Marie Claire is a monthly women's magazine that covers health, beauty, and fashion topics.
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- Lorne: Ah, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, all right. This is a reference to the educational children's program Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" is part of the theme song.
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- Gunn: I don't get it. Why are they afraid of Xena? "Xena: Warrior Princess" ('95 - '01) is a television show where the warrior fights evil to redeem herself in the eyes of the world, and to herself for her past deeds.
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- Cordelia: (Taps her heels three times) This is a reference to The Wizard of Oz, which was a book by L. Frank Baum about a Kansas girl who travels to a crazy world called "Oz." It was made into a movie in 1939 staring Judy Garland as the lead character, Dorothy. In both versions, Dorothy is told by Glinda, the good witch of the North, to click her heels together three times to go home. The most famous song from the film version is "Over the Rainbow" (hence the title of this episode). The popularity the Oz story has spawned many spin-offs and retellings; most recently, the hit Broadway musical Wicked.
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