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Angel Season 4 Episode 20

Sacrifice

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AIRED: 4/23/03

Hiding from Jasmine in the sewers, Angel, Fred, Wes, Lorne, and Gunn run into a strange creature who claims that the beings of his world loved and worshipped Jasmine first. As Jasmine's forces close in, Angel realizes that he must travel to this other dimension to find the key to defeating her.moreless

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (9)

Going underground

7.0

By joxerlives, Jan 22, 2012

SACRIFICE

The Good;

The Critter in the sewers rather like Golum crossed with a giant tarantula and is truly scary. Gotta say I'm getting a little tired of the Jasmine storyline and I'll be glad when it's over

The Bad;

Jasmine's real face looks obviously rubber although the genuine maggots distract you from that. Again seems a huge coincidence that Angel and co fall into the sewers and discover just what they need. Once again the PTBs at work? I actually think that once they go down the sewers the whole ep withers. But the ending picks it up again mightily. Despite Gunn's comment we see exactly 2 police cars and a spotlight with some helicopter sound effects.

Best line;

Gunn; "I ain't never seen so many (police) cruisers"

Wes; "Well technically we're the only criminals left"

Jeez, how did they get away with that?

The vamp in the web, especially when it gets it tongue ripped out!

Apocalypses: 5

Angel Cliches

Inverting the Hollywood cliche; when Connor and his troops arrive Gunn remarks 'Time for the big fight scene!' echoing what the audience is thinking. Lorne's 'don't judge by appearances' scene cruelly shot down by the refugees.

In disguise; 8

DB get's his shirt off; 12

Cheap Angel; 6

Fang Gang in bondage:

Cordy: 5

Angel: 14

Wes: 6

Gunn; 4

Lorne; 4

Fred; 2

Fang gang knocked out: Wes by the sewer creature

Cordy: 15

Angel: 17

Wes: 7

Doyle; 1

Gunn; 2

Lorne; 6

Groo; 1

Connor; 1

Faith; 1

Fred; 2

Kills; one demon for Angel

Cordy: 5 vamps, 3 demons

Angel; 44 vamps, 59 and 1/2 demons, 5 zombies, 8 humans

Doyle; 1 vamp

Wes; 14 demons+5 vamps, 5 zombies, 2 humans

Kate; 3 vamps

Faith; 18 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans.

Gunn; 11 vamps+ 13 demons, 5 zombies, 1 human.

Groo; 1 demon

Fred; 3 vamps+ 2 demon, 5 zombies

Connor; 16 vamps, 5 zombies, 2 demons

Fang Gang go evil:

Cordy: 3

Angel: 3

Gunn; 1

Wes; 1

Alternate Fang Gang;

Cordy: 4

Angel: 11

Fred; 2

Wes; 1

Gunn; 1

Connor; 1

Characters killed:

255

Recurring characters killed;

9;

Total number of Angel Investigations;5

Angel, Gunn, Fred, Lorne, Wes,

Angel Investigations shot: threatened with guns by Jasmine's soldiers but no

Angel: 12

Wes; 2

Packing heat;

Wes; 8

Doyle; 1

Angel; 3

Gunn; 2

Fred; 1

Notches on Fang Gang bedpost:

Cordy: 5 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast+Phantom Dennis+Groo+Connor plus possibly the Beast

Angel: 5; Buffy, Darla and The Transcending Furies

Wes; 3 definite; Virginia, the bleached blonde and Lilah, 1 possible, Justine

Gunn; 2 Fred and Gwen.

Fred; 1 Gunn

Groo; 1Cordy

Kinky dinky:

Whereas the previous people Jasmine consumed were ordinary looking (and the director even commented on it) now it seems to be only pretty young things in their skimpy undies that Jasmine devours.

Know the face, different character; 4

Parking garages;

6,

Guantanamo Bay;

The Catholic Church is now dedicated to Jasmine and the governer (Schwarzeneger yet?) has handed over his administration to her.

Buffy characters on Angel; 16

Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, The Master, Anne, Willow and Harmony. POSSIBLY The First Evil

Questions and observations;

You almost get the feeling that this was getting towards to the end of the season and the budget was running out so they said 'Hey let's put the entire ep in those old tunnel sets, that'll save us enough money for some Lord of the Rings CGI'. Still some nice stuff with the bug and a great climatic cliffhanger.

Lorne mentions that he heard Belieze was nice which is where Riley has been killing demons in seasons 5/6 of Buffy.

Quite honestly do the words 'and the National Guard' ever signify anything good? When the National Guard turn up it's normally a signal that things really can't get much worse. I suppose if you were under fire in Vietnam and some National Guard troops came to help you then it would be a good thing?

I take it it's Connor's blood on Angel's hands? Unless someone can correct me the last we'll ever see of Angel's convertible? Note that at the beginning of the ep Angel is holding off the horde at the door to enable his friends to escape and at the end the situation is reversed.

Marks out of 10; 7/10

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Sacrifice

9.5

By TrueTvWatcher, Dec 20, 2010

Sacrifice was a really superb episode of Angel. I really enjoyed watching this episode because it was entertaining and revealed more information about Jasmine. Now that the whole gang has been awakened to the truth, except for Connor who never pulls away from Jasmine, they fight to reveal the truth to every one else. I thought this episode was interesting to watch as the characters dealt with impossible situations. This episode definitely moves the story line along. I can't wait to watch the next episode to see how things play out. There were quite a few unasnswered questions. This episode definitely shows another side to Jasmine and I think her power over people is very disturbing!!!!!!!moreless
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Jasmine becomes interesting!

9.2

By TwistedConverse, Aug 12, 2008

I really didn't like this episode before but after rewatching it, I have to say I was really impressed with it and found it enjoyable! Much better than I expected and quite underrated!

I must say, Jasmine is excellent in this episode. She was menacing, evil and just gave off a really good villain vibe- I loved her scenes and was excited to see what she'd do next! From the teaser, where she watches our gang flee in the car with that murderous look on her face, we know the love and forgiveness she's so fond of raving about was gone here- she's utterly determined to kill Angel, Fred, Wes, Gunn and Lorne. Gina Torres was MUCH better here and one scene that shows off the psychoticness of Jasmine was the "I want your pain" one with Connor. Jasmine came off as controlling and power hungry, ripping into Connor's hand with her fingernails. She's determined to have everything, even pain. She was just excellent here. Also, on first watch I thought her speaking through other people was cheesy, but today I found it a good effect and it made it feel as if every one was out for the gang's blood. Then Jasmine was even more brilliant in the last scene- laughing manically as the wounds her followers sustained cut into her as well. I never thought I'd say this but I really enjoyed old Jazzy this episode! *joins Jazminions*

The scenes with Gunn's old gang member were so-so. They came across as a walking clice but thankfully weren't featured too much. The episode really could have done without them but I'm glad they were just sidelined. The Fred/Gunn scenes were great- Fred's foreshadowing of her death saying "I'd rather feel pain than be a shell" was subtext of her inevitble consummation by Illyria. It was also a nice call-back to their relationship, which has sort of been forgotten for about 8 episodes.

The scenes with Wesley in the demon's lair was good and informing- the revelation that Jasmine's real name breaks her spell was good and it was nice to remember her telling Fred that she didn't want to choose her name- I remember thinking it was odd. It's nice to know even Jasmine has made mistakes- for all her planning and manipulating, her one big mistake proved her downfall- as most good villain's do.

Sacrifice is an excellent episode that makes you appreciate Jasmine as a villain- she was manic, scary and very well acted. I really liked her here! Really great episode.moreless
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It's Them Against The World

9.4

By lenzinoH20, Sep 10, 2007

Sacrifice-Hiding from Jasmine in the sewers, Angel, Fred, Wes, Lorne, and Gunn run into a strange creature who claims that the beings of his world loved and worshipped Jasmine first. As Jasmine's forces close in, Angel realizes that he must travel to this other dimension to find the key to defeating her.

The arc continues to get better and better as the character of Jasmine herself gets creepier and creepier! At this point, this "rogue" higher power makes Glory look sane and sweet! I mean just the scene of her forcing her nails into Connor's hands to the final moments when she laughs menancingly as deep gashes and cuts appear then disappear from her skin gives me goosebumps just thinking about it! Not to mention, she's eating people in the blink of an eye! Back to our lone heroes, Angel and the gang battle some Jasmanics along the way, to which Jasmine's speaks through them (who would have thought Gina's voice could sound so errie and terrifying?) The episode developments on as our heroes flee into the sewers, they meet a couple of kids, who happen to be demon hunters, and Gunn happens to know the leader, the boy has connections and looks good in a suit, cool! On a darker note, there is a mysterios and hideous looking insect demon that kidnaps Wesley, to which he learns Jasmine use to rule it's kind in it's own dimension. Gotta love the insect being so polite to tell Wesley all this information...while tearing out the inside of a vampire, he even takes out it touge, what a guy! Seriously, that was a disturibing and disgusting site! Back at the hotel, Jasmine continues to plan her worldwide domination, she even owns L.A. mid way through the episode, uhh ohh! Connor continues to follow his daughter and lover wishes (yes, Jasmine was technically both!) But she took Cordy, who is in mystical coma, Connor doesn like that. Gunn and Fred have a touching scene together to which I notice a forshawdowing of her downfall to be replaced by Illyria.

Fred: "...I'd rather be that, than be a shell anyday."

Coincidence? In the Buffyverse, I think not! The episode ends in an almost season finale-esque and epic way. When Gunn and Fred rescue little Matthew, Jasmine speaks through Matthew and orders little gang to kill big gang..Glup! But Connor is there with a SWAt team ready to beat them down, double GLUP! Wait Angel defeats the insect demon as Wesley activiates it's portal orb thingy, only Angel can survive in that world, so through the portal he goes...:

Gunn: "Time for the big fight scene."

Good old Gunn and his quotes, lol. It sure is a great fight as Wesley, Gunn, Lorne and Fred all battle for their lives against the SWAT team. Jasmine laughs with her gashes and cuts, like I said, a very disurbing site! But Angel is now in this unknown world cornered by countless insect demons...under a slightly unconvincing blue screen, the plot thickens! All and All, a brilliant episode with very errie developments, disturbing scenes, great acting and fights.moreless
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On the Run

8.7

By mattsafreak, Jan 23, 2007

We pick up where we left off in the last ep. Angel is barracading the door between himself and Connor/Jasmines followers. He tries to convince Connor of the truth but Connor will have no part of it, he believes in Jasmine. The rest of the gang made a getaway for the car, and suddenly two bodies fly out of the upstairs window right in front of them; Angel and Connor. Angel tells the gang to DRIVE and they leave Connor behind. They speed off into the night as Jasmine watches. As they drive, to Lord knows where, they listen to reports on the radio and realize Jasmine is spreading like wildfire. At the hotel Jasmine heals Connor and assures him that she is becoming more powerful everyday. The only thing missing from her speech is her pounding on her chest. Our fearless heroes take refuge in the sewer and soon come upon a gang of kids who are hiding out and have no idea who Jasmine is. They are also being picked off one by one by a creature who lives in the sewer. Soon enough we find out this creature inhabited the world that Jasmine ruled over first. Back at Jasmine central, much to Connors confusion, Jasmine has Cordelia moved for "her protection." Soon enough Connor and Jasmines army find the gang. The creature in the sewer has an orb that is a passage to his world, where answers about Jasmine may be found. As they barracade the door against Connor and crew, Angel goes into the passageway. Stay tuned!moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

EDIT

David Boreanaz	Angel
Alexis Denisof	Wesley Wyndam-Pryce
Amy Acker	Winifred "Fred" Burkle
Vincent Kartheiser	Connor
Andy Hallett	Lorne
J. August Richards	Charles Gunn

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Micah Henson	Matthew	Guest Star
Avery Kidd Waddell	Golden	Guest Star
Bradley Stryker	Sculpture Vampire	Guest Star
Gina Torres	Jasmine	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (4)
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- None of the kids seem to suspect Angel is a vampire, even though he super-leaps and all, until he puts on his vamipric "game face." What did they think he was before that, particularly since some of them are familiar with vampires and what they can do?
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- Connor hits the door and knocks a hole in it, then there's a camera cut and there's no hole, then there's a cut to Angel on his side and the hole is there.
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- Fred and Gunn follow Matthew, but have to kick the sewer grating open to go outside after him. So how'd Matthew get past the grating? Or if he can open it and put it back nice and neat, why doesn't Gunn?
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- When Jasmine takes him over, Matthew is bruised on the wrong side of the face from where Gunn hit him.
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QUOTES (18)
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- Gunn: That's right. It's the big bad free will gang gassin' up.
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- Spider Demon: (to Wes) You is talky meat.
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- Wesley: How does your kind define "love"?
  Demon: Same as all bodies. Same as everywheres. Love is sacrifice.
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- Lorne: And, that's why, when we use words like, ugly-ass, and Beastie, we can sometimes do more damage than we intend to.
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- Fred: Look at 'em, they're all so happy.
  Gunn: Yeah, they'll be happier when they're gouging out our eyes and stomping us till their shoes get sticky.
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- Lorne: Oh God, are we dead yet?
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- Lorne: He only drinks pigs blood.
  Angel: Lorne!
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- Lorne: Oh, I don't know, kids. That's a whole lotta pod people.
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- Fred: It could be rats.
  Gunn: Why did you say that!?
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- Angel: Oh hell...
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- Gunn: I ain't eatin' no rats.
  Angel: Well neither am I!!
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- Angel: Someone who knows the truth has to live through this.
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- Matthew: You didn't tell me the sun came back out.
  Gunn: Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, the sun came back out.
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- Lorne: I really hate today.
  Gunn: I'm worried about tomorrow myself.
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- Lorne: 2 weeks down here and I'd be ready to move in with my mother.
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- Wesley: Someone who knows the truth has to live through this. Angel, that's you.
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- Gunn: (about Randall) This punk stole my car when he was 12 years old.
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- Lorne: Did I ever tell you I suck at sports?
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NOTES (7)
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- This episode received a 3.4/5 in the overnight ratings.
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- Ben joins the writing staff and earns a producer credit with this episode. With Firefly canceled by this point, Joss and Tim brought him over in preparation for next season if The WB renewed Angel, which the network did.
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- Jeff Rickets who plays the Spider Monster previously appeared in the season 1 episode "Sanctuary" and the Buffy season 4 episode "Who Are You?" as one of the Watcher's Council elite assassins sent to capture Faith. He was also one of the Blue Gloves in "Firefly", making him one of only four people who were in all three of Joss Whedon's television series.
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- The whole portal appearing, and Angel stepping in, is similar, to the "Buffy" episode 'Get It Done' (7x15). The scene where it is in the world, and the camera backs off, showing all those demons, is similar to the scene at the end of 'Get It Done.'
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- This is at least the third time this season Angel/Angelus has won a tough fight with a demon using the new "kill it with itself" theory.
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- Although he's a "self appointed slayer" Gunn is apparently still very afraid of rats.
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- In this episode we find out Jasmine's real name is top secret. Skip referred to it in 'Inside Out' (4x17) when he said he only called her Master or "hey..."
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ALLUSIONS (3)
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- Lorne: And knowing is half ...
  Lorne is cut off before finishing the line after his little PSA about being sensitive, but it sounded as if he was about to say "Knowing is half the battle," which is the famous tag line of the old 1980s GI Joe cartoon PSAs.
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- Gunn: You had no problem turning off your emotion chip....
  Presumably refers to the android Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was unable to feel human emotions until he obtained an emotion chip from his "brother" Lore. Data had the ability to turn it off whenever emotions were inconvenient.
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- Lorne: Does anyone else feel like the last fiesty wife in Stepford?
  A reference to the classic 1975 film "Stepford Wives" (being remade now with Nicole Kidman) in which a couple move to an idyllic American suburb ("Stepford"). As the film progresses one by one the women in the town begin to act differently: mindlessly devoted to their husbands, apparently incapable of thinking for themselves and all the while with an inane, excessive cheerfulness. In the end the heroine discovers the wives are being replaced by robots. She, the last fiesty wife, is surrounded by these mind-controlled robots and then men who want to capture and replace her.
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