Quickening

Season 3, Episode 8, Aired

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8.8
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Angel must do everything in his power to protect Darla and their unborn child when Wolfram & Hart launches a full-scale attack to take mother and baby. To make matters worse, the gang is also threatened by a vampire cult who believe the baby is The Miracle Child.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (8)

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  • The proud father

    8.0
    "Great"
    By joxerlives, Jan 21, 2012
    QUICKENING

    The Good;
    Love Angel's pride at 'Our kid, special!", everything else just moves at SUCH a frantic pace

    The Bad;
    Fred is introduced to Phantom Dennis but didn't they meet before in That Vision Thing? How non-corporeal is Sahjhan, it seems to vary?

    Best line:
    Linwood; "We're going to give you a second chance"
    Psychic; (reading him) "No you're not, you're going to have me killed!"
    Linwood; (doing just that) "See, why couldn't you come up with insight like that earlier?"

    Jeez, how did they get away with that?
    Killing the psychic with the plastic bag, euuuughhh!

    Apocalypses: 5

    Angel Cliches
    Inverting the Hollywood cliche;
    Love the fact that the all powerful WR&H are once more betrayed by an underling, their security really does suck.

    In disguise; 8

    DB get's his shirt off; 12

    Cordy's tatt; 9,

    Cheap Angel; 7

    Fang Gang in bondage:
    Cordy: 5
    Angel: 11
    Wes: 6
    Gunn; 3
    Lorne; 2

    Fang gang knocked out:
    Cordy: 11
    Angel: 14
    Wes: 5
    Doyle; 1
    Gunn; 1
    Lorne; 2

    Kills: one vamp for Wes and one for Angel
    Cordy: 5 vamps, 3 demons
    Angel; 28 vamps, 41 and 1/2 demons, 3 humans
    Doyle; 1 vamp
    Wes; 7 demons+2 vamp
    Kate; 3 vamps
    Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans.
    Gunn; 8 vamps+ 6 demons.

    Fang Gang go evil:
    Cordy: 2
    Angel: 2

    Alternate Fang Gang:
    Cordy: 2
    Angel: 7

    Characters killed:
    45

    Recurring characters killed;
    7;

    Total number of Angel Investigations:
    5, Angel, Cordy, Wes, Gunn and Fred

    Angel Investigations shot:
    Angel: 11
    Wes; 1

    Packing heat;
    Wes; 4
    Doyle; 1
    Angel; 1
    Gunn; 1

    Notches on Fang Gang bedpost:
    Cordy: 3 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast+Phantom Dennis
    Angel: 5; Buffy, Darla and The Transcending Furies
    Wes; 2; Virginia and the bleached blonde

    Kinky dinky:
    Angel; "I'd had a bad day"
    Darla; "So you pushed me onto the bed and took what you wanted?"
    Angel; "Seemed the thing to do"
    Never got THAT on Party of Five! Which is probably why Buffy/Angel are the most popular series for adult fanfic ever. Gavin is quite the voyeur. It seems that everyone knows about Marcus/Lilah on the desktop. Angel remarks to Darla that she likes pain. Linwood dumped his wife for a younger model (perhaps literally?).

    Know the face, different character; 3

    Parking garages;
    5,

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

    Questions and observations;
    The title is derived from the term when a pregnant mother feels her child move inside her for the first time (rather puts a different perspective on 'Highlander' huh?). How does Wes know so much about childbirth? WR&H lose audio for a crucial 2 days, Jasmine/PTB interference? Linwood is played by the same actor who was in 80s detective show 'Crazy like a fox'.
    Marks out of 10; 8/10
    moreless

  • Quickening

    10
    "Perfect"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Dec 12, 2010
    Quickening was a perfect and classic episode of Angel because it blends the past with the future in a very entertaining way. There was lots of character development in this episode as well as action, drama and intrigue. I really enjoyed watching this episode because it had a great story and lays the foundation for the rest of the season. This episode introduces us to a Demon who has it out for Angel and Darla though we don't know why as of yet. I thought it was interesting to see Wolfram & Hart caught off guard by the events in this episode. I can't wait to find out what happens next!!!!!!!moreless

  • Oh Boy, It's A Boy!

    7.9
    "Good"
    By lenzinoH20, Apr 29, 2010
    Quickening-Angel must do everything in his power to protect Darla and their unborn child when Wolfram & Hart launches a full-scale attack to take mother and baby. To make matters worse, the gang is also threatened by a vampire cult who believe the baby is The Miracle Child.

    A drop down for The Miracle child arc but continues to intrigue just as Wolfram and Hart gets involved. It's shocking to know they've been watching the whole gang in the hotel for a while now. The best part is when we finally find out that the baby is human and is a boy. Also the vampire cult was great with their banter about ripping out the baby and eating Darla's eyes balls which forces her to fight. Although the Sahjin and Holts scenes dragged with him catching him up to the 21st century. Also it's hard to believe Holtz from the 18th century could defeat a bunch of Wolfarm and Hart soldiers who have guns. I mean his just a human, and I doubt his fighting skills could be that impressive when his needs minions to fight his enemies! The flashback scenes are good and the one where Holtz kills his vamped out daughter brings some stunning special affects. All and All, a good episode that continues to Miracle Child arc off well, but the Holtz arc just gets in the way.moreless

  • Darla goes into labour.

    8.9
    "Great"
    By TwistedConverse, Jul 19, 2008
    Quickening is a great episode that's slow at times and is ultimately the worst episode in the Pregnant Darla arc, but nonetheless is interesting and informative.

    The episode begins well with Angelus and Darla tracking down and killing Holtz's family in the 18th century in England. I felt for Holtz here and I could definitely see why he hates Darla and Angel so much for- they destroyed everything in his life, leaving him a hollow shell with nothing but vengeance in his heart. I really got a feel for Darla and Angelus' evil here and this episode shows their cruelty and terror here. Flashback episodes are always good and here I felt they were the highlight. The scene following after with Darla asking "Do you want to do it or will I?" was chilling and makes us fear for Angel's unborn child, as Darla clearly believes that once it's out of her she's going to kill it.

    This episode is very slow at times, especially the present day Holtz plot which at the moment I don't care for. I like Holtz as a character but as a villain he does very little for me. He's merely human so it's unlikely he'll kill Angel. Sahjhan should have been better but IMO he's a terrible villain, striking fear in no-one's heart. He's incorporeal. His motives aren't made clear. And Jack Conley can't act a good villain. He says everything in one voice. He has absolutely no presence. He has no mystery. He just bores me when he's on screen. I really wish they could have got a better actor with a good, spine tingling voice and have them hooded- then maybe Sahjhan would be interesting.

    Aside from that, the Darla scenes were excellent and made for much better viewing than the Holtz storyline. She had some great, funny lines here and the Cordelia "You want me to protect the vampire bitca that bit me and her evil love child?" scene was classic and made me laugh out loud. Fred was also hilarious here and every episode I see of her, I love her even more and I've watched Angel 3 times already! She's just so adorable and innocent and a joy to watch. The Wolfram and Hart scenes made for better suspense than the Holtz ones also and Lilah was brilliant as always. Gavin is incredibly annoying and it's a love to hate him thing. While I'm not a huge fan of Linwood, at least he made for a decent villain. I would have preferred Wolfram and Hart making the main villain against Darla and the baby rather than Holtz as they're undoubtedly far scarier, as we know what they can do from last season. Quickening is a slow episode that has some excellent scenes and sets up next week's amazing episode Lullaby nicely. It shouldn't be missed due to the important plot points but it's definitely not the most rewatchable episode of Angel.moreless

  • Behold, the miracle child.

    8.0
    "Great"
    By SMGslayer97, May 10, 2007
    In this episode we find out that Darla and Angel are having a boy, a human child. And I for one was so not expecting that. After weeks of wondering and seriously odd things surrounding Darla's pregnancy I just was not expecting something normal. Though I suppose a child born to two vampires is not normal in the least. Though it's clear that they are having a baby boy what isn't clear is how much trouble they are going to run into simply because Darla is pregnant. Crazy ninja guys, a vampire cult, Wolfram & Hart, and very possibly Holtz all have a vested interest in the pregnanacy and they all seem to have their own plans on what to do with it. Unfortunately none of that really seems to make a difference, the episode ending with Darla going into labor.moreless
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  • TRIVIA (4)

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    • When Sahjhan is ready to take Holtz out of the cavelike-shrine, he throws a cloak at Holtz and tells him to put it on. An incorperal being shouldn't be able to lift or throw corperal objects, such as the cloak.

    • It's unclear how Sahjhan could knock on the door where the demons are training if he's incorporeal.

    • During the flashback to York, England in 1764, no one has any kind of English accent.

    • In 1773, Holtz's memories of his family's deaths are conveniently exactly the same as what actually happened, even though he wasn't there to witness the killings.

  • QUOTES (10)

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    • Cordelia: You want me to protect the vampire bitch who bit me and her evil love child? (punches Darla in the face) Okay, I'm in.

    • Darla: (about her unborn child) I know one thing about it. Something is protecting it.
      Fred: How do you know that?
      Darla: Because I can't get rid of it.

    • (Looking at Darla's baby on the ultrasound screen) Cordelia: I see it. Darla: My little parasite.

    • Wesley: Angel's right, clearly something wants this thing to come to term... We'll wait for it to be born, then we'll chop its head off. Fred: What if it doesn't have a head? Cordy: We're gonna need a really big mallet. Gunn: If it skitters, maybe we should have a net or something... maybe a flamethrower. Angel: Flamethrower!? No, there'll be no throwing of flames!

    • Angel: Darla, you might wanna join the fight. Darla: Sorry, darling. I'm gonna have to be Switzerland and sit this one out. (To vampires) Now, you did say you were just gonna kill the humans, right? Vampire: Yes, just the humans. Then we will nourish you, slice you open, wear your entrails as a belt and consume your eyeballs before we worship the miracle child. (Darla jumps off the table and goes to stand beside Angel) Darla: Okay. I'm in.

    • Darla: (going into labor) Something's wrong...the pain! Angel: You like pain. Darla: This is different!

    • Holtz: What of England? Has it survived the years and destruction? Sahjhan: Yes. It went through a rough patch about sixty years ago, but it's mostly unchanged; warm beer, boiled meat, bad teeth. That's why I moved to LA. Have you followed this part of history, American Revolution, Manifest Destiny, Westward Expansion, Beach Boys?

    • Angel: How you feeling? Darla: I haven't had blood in almost a day, and your devil's spawn is trying to rip it's way outta my body. How do you think I'm doing?

    • (an answering machine greeting) Christine: Hi, you've reached the Tittles. We can't come to the phone right now. If you want to leave a message for Christine, press one. Bentley: For Bently press 2. Tarfal: Or to speak to or worship Master Tarfal, Underlord of Pain, press 3.

    • Holtz: You're not human. Sahjhan: But clearly masculine. You get that, right?

  • NOTES (7)

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    • This episode won the 2002 Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Award for "Best Period Hair Styling - Television (For a Single Episode of a Regular Series - Sitcom, Drama or Daytime)".

    • This episode scored a rating of 4.5/6 in the overnight Nielsen ratings, ranking 4th out of 17 WB shows for that week.

    • The episode title refers to the sensation that a pregnant woman feels the first time that the baby moves inside her; it's often called "the quickening."

    • In this episode, we see for a first time that lawyers in W&H must sign on the documents with their blood.

    • Alexis Denisof does the "previously on Angel" voiceover.

    • This episode introduces John Rubinstein as Linwood, Head of the Special Projects Division and Lilah and Gavin's boss.

    • The demon Sahjhan is played by Jack Conley, who also appeared in the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" episode 'Phases' (2x15). He played Cain, the werewolf hunter.

  • ALLUSIONS (4)

    ADD ALLUSIONS

    • Cordelia: Nothing a couple of Band-Aids and a pint of Heath Bar Crunch can't fix.

      Cordelia refers to the popular brand of bandages and one of the many flavors of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

    • Angel: I agree, we need to get out of Dodge. Angel mentions the famous Western town of Dodge City, Kansas.The setting of many Western movies and a major cattle town in the 19th century.

    • Sahjhan: Did you follow this part of the history? - American Revolution, Manifest Destiny, Westward Expansion, the Beach Boys. Sahjhan lists some of the more important events in history that Holtz has missed. One of which (for him) is the music group The Beach Boys which had a surfer motif.

    • Darla: I'm gonna have to be Switzerland and sit this one out.
      Switzerland is notoriously neutral in the arena of intercountry alliances.

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