Soulless

Season 4, Episode 11, Aired

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9.2
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Angel's soul has been removed, and Angelus has come to the fore. Now, in the middle of a city shrouded in eternal night, the gang must try to get information from one of the most dangerous vampires ever to roam the earth.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (12)

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  • Here's Angelus

    8.0
    "Great"
    By joxerlives, Jan 22, 2012
    SOULESS

    The Good;
    Love Connor sticking it to the tourist vamps. The rest of the ep is very Hannibal Lecter (you should only watch Manhunter, the rest are crap) and it's interesting how it emotionally affects the rest of the team.

    The Bad;
    The whole idea of Angelus being able to remember something whilst Angel can't is stupid (it's reminiscent of Buffy not being able to read his thoughts in Earshot). That said you wonder does he know the truth about Dawn?

    Best line:
    Angelus (on Connor's Oedipal dilemma) "There should be a play"

    Jeez, how did they get away with that?
    An entire family wiped out

    Apocalypses: 5

    Angel Cliches
    In disguise; 8

    DB get's his shirt off; 12

    Cheap Angel; 6

    Fang Gang in bondage: When they bring back Angelus he's tied to the table. So why did they let him up?
    Cordy: 5
    Angel: 13
    Wes: 6
    Gunn; 4
    Lorne; 4
    Fred; 2

    Fang gang knocked out:
    Cordy: 13
    Angel: 16
    Wes: 5
    Doyle; 1
    Gunn; 1
    Lorne; 4
    Groo; 1

    Kills: Connor kills at least 4 vamps. I know he's pretty much an unpopular character but he is heroic, fighting the good fight on the streets.
    Cordy: 5 vamps, 3 demons
    Angel; 41 vamps, 57 and 1/2 demons, 5 zombies, 8 humans
    Doyle; 1 vamp
    Wes; 12 demons+3 vamps, 5 zombies, 2 humans
    Kate; 3 vamps
    Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans.
    Gunn; 11 vamps+ 12 demons, 5 zombies, 1 human.
    Groo; 1 demon
    Fred; 3 vamp+ 1 demon, 5 zombies
    Connor; 12 vamps, 5 zombies, 2 demons

    Fang Gang go evil: Angel big time
    Cordy: 2
    Angel: 3
    Gunn; 1
    Wes; 1

    Alternate Fang Gang:
    Cordy: 4
    Angel: 10
    Fred; 2
    Wes; 1
    Gunn; 1

    Characters killed: the poor Sver family
    255

    Recurring characters killed;
    8;

    Total number of Angel Investigations:
    Angel, Gunn, Fred, Lorne, Wes, CC

    Angel Investigations shot:
    Angel: 11
    Wes; 1

    Packing heat;
    Wes; 7
    Doyle; 1
    Angel; 3
    Gunn; 1

    Notches on Fang Gang bedpost: Wes and Fred kiss at last, the effective end of Frunn
    Cordy: 5 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast+Phantom Dennis+Groo+Connor
    Angel: 5; Buffy, Darla and The Transcending Furies
    Wes; 3; Virginia, the bleached blonde and Lilah
    Gunn; 1 Fred
    Fred; 1 Gunn
    Groo; 1Cordy

    Kinky dinky:
    Angel refers to Buffy as a 'pistol'. He refers to his 'first nun' and the gypsy girl he got cursed for as a virgin. He thinks the sword in Angel's fantasy as phallic. He imagines Fred as a schoolgirl (as did Lilah) and thinks about bending her over the kitchen counter. Note when he remarks on 'different strokes' he moves his finger suggestively on the bar. He also comments on CC having a 'rack to write home about' which is certainly true. Angelus says he's sure that Angel like's CC on her knees and that Cordy looks good on everyone, is a screamer and a better ride than a Mustang. Angelus also claims he used to hear Fred and Gunn com-shuking but he might be lying. The rest of the gang find out about Connor and CC. CC offers herself to Angelus in return for his info. The translation of the Beast in ancient runes is 'big hard thing'.

    Captain Subtext;
    Angelus considers Angel 'candy-ass'.

    Know the face, different character; 4

    Parking garages;
    6,

    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;
    When Angelus is teasing Wes he refers to Faith who is of course coming up. Angel refers to Oedipus which was also referenced in the Buffy ep 'The Puppet Show'. We see Angelus in Prussia in 1789 making his way to Austria. This places him just after Darla abandon's him to Holtz in the barn, they'd agreed to meet in Vienna.

    Marks out of 10; 8/10 but it only get's better from here in.
    moreless

  • Soulless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Jan 16, 2011
    Soulless was a very intriguing and entertaining episode of Angel. I really enjoyed this episode as we got to see more of the other side of Angel through the presence of Angelus who distorts the truth to hurt the gang. Everyone now knows about Cordelia and Conner which makes things awkward. I thought it was interesting to see how Angelus knew the Beast from the past, and the incorporation of the priestesses. I thought the ending was very mysterious and I really look forward to watching how the story plays out in the next episode. Now that Angel's soul is missing anything could happen!!!!!moreless

  • Angelus!

    9.2
    "Superb"
    By TwistedConverse, Jan 16, 2011
    Soulless is a brilliant episode that doesn't have much action and doesn't really develop the plot much but Angelus is such a good villain that you can't help but love it!

    Angelus is just so creepy. Cordelia made a very good point about him here- "He lies with the truth". All throughout this episode he takes things and twists them around to make them perverted or evil. This has a very interesting effect on our characters and we can se how visibly shaken they get. Angelus can tear up relationships and cause violence without even lifting a finger. He's highly frightening and there's just an overall sense of fear in the cage scenes- he may be locked up but you know when he gets out it's going to be very, very bad. He reveals the gang's innermost secrets in the most grotesque fashion and you are constantly shocked at the things he says and the twists he puts on things. Another thing that makes him seem so powerful is that he just doesn't seem to care about what happens- he looks utterly nonchalent the entire episode. Not many villains can do that and get away with it- it just comes off phony but Angelus pulls it off. He also has a comeback for everything and the rest of the gang's words look silly next to his. His manipulation of the gang is excellent to watch.

    The whole Gunn/Fred/Wesley love triangle is starting to irritate me though and I must admit Fred is the cause for a lot of it. She should just make a choice instead of playing with both their feelings. I thought Wesley was wrong here- he shouldn't have made a move on Fred when she was vulnerable and I agreed with Gunn on all accounts. Fred is with Gunn and Wesley should see that and accept it instead of continually throwing jealous looks about like a schoolboy.

    Connor was another annoyance here with his whole "Angel is the cause of my problems" riff. He comes across just as a whining brat and I was so glad Angelus verbally assaulted him- someone needs to put that brat in his place and remind him he isn't centre of the universe.

    Soulless is a frightening and sometimes disturbing episode that has you on the edge of your seat the whole way throughout. Angelus causes thrills all around and this episode should not be missed.moreless

  • The team call on Angelus to help them defeat the Beast.

    8.5
    "Great"
    By NitroSpy, Jan 16, 2011
    Soulless

    We open with a shot of the newspaper. If there's a small blurb on the side of the newspaper that reads "Crime Wave Shut's Down City" what does the main headline read? Anyway, Connor fights some out-of-towners from Tucson. What are vampires doing living in Tucson? The sun is way hotter over there I guess it's all the same to them. Anyway, on the BtVS episode that aired with parallel to this one (Showtime) Andrew asks why the Slayer is always female but he's wrong 'cause this episode starts off with a male Slayer. Connor has everything a Slayer has with a little bit extra. I gotta admit, I liked this scene very much. Back to the Gang. Wesley carefully places the Jar O' Soul in a wall safe as the rest look on. Wesley boosts morale by telling them all that if Angelus gets out he'll kill 'em all. Lorne mentions the puppy nailed to the wall that Giles told Buffy about in BB&B (I :heart: continuity) and apparently Cordelia saw it on the Omniscient Higher Plane Channel. Wesley tries to emphasize that Angelus will distort the truth and that all he wants is to turn them against each other I guess not even Wesley was paying attention to himself in this scene. Hee! Teddy Bear Picnic.

    Exposicion A morir er um I mean Exposition Galore. Wesley and Angelus go back and forth but only do my ears perk up when Angelus mentions Faith. Yay. I :heart: continuity. Angelus ain't even in the same room with Gunn and yet he's managed to get to him too. Blah, blah, blah Bony Fred. Blah, blah, blahBald Gunn. Blah, blah, blahCordy's boobs. Blah, blah, blahCreepy Connor. But wait! Things get interesting when Angelus reveals that Cordelia "banged" Connor. Eeew. Connor comes in looking all cool and beaten up and he gets hit with a sock full of awkwardness as well. Heh. Now it's Fred and Gunn's turn to get picked on. Othello and Desdemona. Ha! Gunn enters holding a crossbow? If Angel can catch an arrow fired at him, while his back is turned, in mid-air don't you think that he'll be able to stop one fired at him up front? Then he'll have something to throw at you! Stupid Gunn. Fred then stupidly pushes the cart past the red line and naturally Angelus has her. Enter the hero with the brains. That's what you need people tranquilizers. Fred runs into Gunn's arms and Wesley is jealous like always. Wesley is doing some research then he starts to do some research on Fred's lips if you know what I mean. Too bad they're interrupted by Gunn who doesn't happen to see the kiss yet he still knows what went down. Aaand they fight. Wesley doesn't have his collapsible sword this time but he still manages to get a few hits. Fred also manages to hit Gunn's elbow with her face Oh, that's not what happened? Ok, Gunn hit Fred then. Poor Fred everyone looks at Gunn with disgust 'cause he's black Oh, that's not why? Ok, because he hit Fred then. Angelus got his way. Cut to Connor and Angelus. Blah, blah, blah Cordy's easy. Blah, blah, blahDarla. Blah, blah, blah Daddy issues.

    It's Cordelia's turn. She manages to get the info out of Angelus by giving him what he wants, her. Everyone wonders what she offered Angelus but Cordy ain't spilling the beans 'cause she's you know evil. Angelus confesses that the Svear Priestesses banished the Beast and Gunn is the one who finds them. Cut to Pacoima, the Svear Priestesses' house to be exact too bad they're too late. Aww little boy. Connor is greatly affected by the sight and Cordelia pretends that she is too. They're all out of ideas so they want to bring back Angel. Only thing is that the Jar o' Soul ain't there no more. Shocker. Cordelia tells Angelus that he won't be able to dive into those "nice ripe thighs" of hers. She goes up and sees that the soul's gone and she acts surprised 'cause she's you know evil.moreless

  • The Truth Unfolds

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By lenzinoH20, Jan 16, 2011
    Soulless-Angel's soul has been removed, and Angelus has come to the fore. Now, in the middle of a city shrouded in eternal night, the gang must try to get information from one of the most dangerous vampires ever to roam the earth.

    An very dark and impressive episode with a chilling performance from David. He immediately recaptures the sinister and cold attitude that made Angelus such a highlight in Buffy's 2nd season. It's great to see Angelus as he tortures the whole gang with the truth, yet using lies and deception to create tension in the group. Like the Gunn-Wesley-Fred triangle that been going on since last season and watching the tension explode between them is hard to watch. From Wesley kissing Fred for the first time, to Gunn walking in after it, to Wesley and Gunn fighting each other only for Fred to get hurt in the crossfire. There is also shocking scenes like Angelus strangling Fred, to Cordelia offering herself for him to the oracle family being found slaughtered. I got to say Wesley was solid throughout going toe to toe with words at Angelus, just goes to show how strong he has become with Alexis giving a wonderful performance. The episode ends with a big cliffhanger as just when the gang decides to bring Angel back, his soul is gone! All and All, a superb episode with strong acting, great writting and a lot of tension.moreless
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  • TRIVIA (4)

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    • When The Beast knocks Angelus to the ground in the flashback scene, there is blood leaking from the left side of Angelus' mouth. In the next scene the blood has changed sides and is running out the right side of his mouth.

    • Trivia: Just when the episode begins, we can see a headline on a newspaper. The headline reads "Crime Wave shuts down city." The article was written by "Kirk Seadorn."

    • When Wes, Cordy, and Connor come out of the house Wes's SUV is there. Connor throws up, then it (and Wes) are gone. Then the vamps attack and Wes drives up to the rescue. What happened to him and the SUV? Why'd he drive away and then come back?

    • When Cordelia glances up at the monitor just after the Wes/Gunn exchange, Connor and Angelus's position is totally different from what we see once our viewpoint moves down there.

  • QUOTES (15)

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    • Angelus: Is that my shirt? Connor: Not anymore. Angelus: It looks good on you. Connor: (smugly) So did Cordy. Angelus: She looks good on everyone.

    • (After the guys find the Priestesses dead) (Connor runs down to the street and leans over into the bushes. He vomits, then kneels there, heaving and gasping. Cordelia follows him out,then sits down beside him when she sees what happened.) Cordelia: Connor? (sighs) The sun should be up. (beat) It's different, isn't it? Dead demons are just a big blob of oozing mess. Vampires turn into dust like they were never anything at all. But humans… it's different. (Connor shakes his head.) Connor: That's not… Cordelia: What? Connor: The family…

    • Connor: Angel's my dad. Angelus: I'm going to cry. Connor: That's what he told me... and he thought I believed him. The truth is, Angel's just something that you're forced to wear. You're my real father.

    • Angelus: (to Wesley) You know, you're not fooling anyone. Get some new clothes, cool haircut, hit the gym—you're still the same loser none of the other kids wanted to sit with at lunch

    • Angelus: Right. Like letting Lilah suck Lorne's brain. Or, here's an oldie but a goodie: Faith. Good job being her watcher. She turned out to be a peach.

    • Angelus: (mocking Cordelia) Oh, God. Oh, Angel. Angel, we can't. I love you, but you were so bad. You ate babies. (scoffs) Chicks.

    • Angelus: Doesn't it freak you out at all that she used to change your diapers? I mean, when you think about it, the first woman you boned is the closest thing you've ever had to a mother. Doing your mom and trying to kill your dad… hmm, there should be a play.

    • Angel: You want to know about the beast. Cordy: Everything you know. Angel: Oh...and in return I get what? Wouldn't mind a car, I hear the new mustang is nice. Cordy: Something better. Angel: What's a better ride than a mustang? Cordy: Me.

    • Angelus: Now Cordy, there's a rack to write home about. Too bad about the personality though...yap yap yap...

    • Angelus: What are you going to do - kill me? Wes: If I have to. Angelus: Wait 'til they drop, Wes, then try that line again.

    • Angelus: Buttering me up. Getting me all relaxed. Not the most innovative interrogation technique, but okay, I'll play. Wes: Is it a game? Angelus: Hey, open book. Anything you want to know. How sweet that virgin gypsy tasted? Special smell of a newborn's neck? My first nun? Now that's a great story!

    • Angelus: Did ya bring me back a souvenir - maybe a stray baby toe?

    • Angelus: Wes, why the long face? Aren't you happy to see me? Wes: Should I be? Angelus: Well, if it wasn't for you and your shaman friend, I wouldn't be here. I'm feelin' the love.

    • Connor: Welcome to L.A., tourists.

    • Angelus: I love a woman with nice ripe... thighs!

  • NOTES (11)

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  • ALLUSIONS (4)

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    • Angelus: Foul rag and bone shop of the heart, that's where you live. This is an allusion to the William Butler Yeats poem The Circus Animals' Desertion which contains the line: Now that my ladder's gone, I must lie down where all the ladders start In the foul rag and bone shop of the heart.

    • Angelus: If you go into the woods tonight...
      The song Angelus is singing when he's by himself in his cage is the children's song, The Teddy Bears' Picnic.

    • Angel: Bodies, bodies everywhere and not a drop to drink.
      The is a variation from a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge called The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. In the poem this passage is Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink ; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink.

    • Angel: I mean, when you think about it, the first woman you boned is the closest thing you've ever had to a mother. Doing your mom and trying to kill your dad… hmm, there should be a play.
      The play that Angel is referring to is the play "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles. In the story Oedipus fulfilled the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Connor somewhat does that same thing.

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