That Vision Thing

Season 3, Episode 2, Aired

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8.9
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When Cordelia's visions begin to manifest as painful physical wounds, Lorne tries to use telepathy to find out why this is happening to her, and how the visions can be stopped. Meanwhile lawyers from Wolfram & Hart make another visit to Angel's hotel.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (13)

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  • Vicious visions

    6.0
    "Fair"
    By joxerlives, Jan 21, 2012
    THAT VISION THING

    The Good;
    A real one for Lilah fans, our first sight of Skip and some great acting by CC

    The Bad;
    The brain thing looks fake. It also seems all very unnecessarily complicated to rescue Billy

    Best line:
    CC (about Gavin) "Ok, Satan's toady but that's a NICE suit!"

    Jeez, how did they get away with that?
    You so feel for Cordy as she suffers. Not so much the rebar through the head but Darla slicing her hand makes me wince every time.

    Apocalypses: 5

    Angel Cliches

    Inverting the Hollywood cliche;
    Darla's "Men are such babies" remark, about some things yes.

    In disguise; 8

    DB get's his shirt off; 12

    Cordy's tattoo; oh yes
    8

    Cheap Angel; 7

    Fang Gang in bondage:
    Cordy: 5
    Angel: 10
    Wes: 6
    Gunn; 3
    Lorne; 2

    Fang gang knocked out: Cordy and Lorne
    Cordy: 11
    Angel: 13
    Wes: 5
    Doyle; 1
    Gunn; 1
    Lorne; 2

    Kills: 2 demons for Angel
    Cordy: 5 vamps, 3 demons
    Angel; 28 vamps, 40 and 1/2 demons, 3 humans
    Doyle; 1 vamp
    Wes; 7 demons+1 vamp
    Kate; 3 vamps
    Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans.
    Gunn; 8 vamps+ 5 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: Fred doing research and taking care of Cordy, now part of the gang
    5, Angel, Cordy, Wes, Gunn, Fred

    Angel Investigations shot:
    Angel: 11
    Wes; 1

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

    Notches on Fang Gang bedpost: I'm going to add Phantom Dennis who Cordy will later tell us is 'good with a loufa'.
    Cordy: 3 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast+Phantom Dennis(?)
    Angel: 2; Buffy and Darla
    Wes; 2; Virginia and the bleached blonde

    Kinky dinky:
    'Dick' and 'dong' in the car on the way to get the key. Lilah paws Angel when he's in her office and when he's violent with her it actually seems to turn her on all the more, she keeps pawing. Fred is 'forking with Gunn'.

    Captain Subtext;
    Lorne loves The Sound of Music. But who doesn't?

    Know the face, different character; 3
    Bob Morrisey who plays the demon Dr is also the mad guy who accosts Dawn outside the Magic Shop in The Real Me.

    Parking garages;
    5,

    Guantanamo Bay;
    Angel threatens Lilah and Gavin. Wes and Gunn are quite prepared to kill Billy if WR&H try anything smart. Despite her tough girl image Lilah seems to be genuinely afraid at the end of the ep.

    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;
    CC impressed by Gavin's clothes, what a shame she missed most of season 5 when AI can put their wardrobe on WR&H expense account. I wonder if the makers of The Matrix say this ep? They certainly steal the key gag for the second film. Fred meets Phantom Dennis although she also feels the need to introduce herself in a later ep.
    Marks out of 10; 6/10, pretty good, not totally brilliant
    moreless

  • That Vision Thing

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Dec 11, 2010
    That Vision Thing was a really great episode of Angel. I really enjoyed watching this entertaining episode which included sinister plans by Lilah. I thought it was very interesting how Wolfram & Hart chose to go through Cordelia exploiting her power of vision. I think this episode had a lot character building for Cordelia. i really enjoye watching this episode's story unfold. There were some great action scenes, scenes of dramatic suspense, and some classic humor. I can not wait to find out what happens next! This episode sets an interesting tone for season three of Angel and I look forward to watching how things unfold for the characters!!!!!!!moreless

  • Cordelia's visions get gross.

    9.1
    "Superb"
    By TwistedConverse, Jul 15, 2008
    That Vision Thing is an excellent episode and one of the best fillers in the entire show. It had the return of a much loved character and shows the painful journey of another.

    Cordelia really gets put through the wringer in this episode, with having so many types of physical torture inflicted on her. From being viciously slashed to contracting some bizarre boils to being burnt, you truly feel for her here and her insistence to keep her visions shows how far she has truly come from S1. Her breakdown is sad and hard to watch and I think it's terrible that she feels she needs the visions to be needed by Angel and I liked it when he reassured her he needed her for her and the visions were just a bonus. Their relationship is an amazing one and one of my favourites.

    Lilah's return was excellent and we get to see how vicious and evil she can truly be- her torture of Cordy through the episode made us feel intense dislike her for her but she's such a great character we can't help but like her at times. I was glad of how Angel grabbed her by the throat- she needs to learn who's boss and it ain't her. Her malice in this episode is shocking; last season she seemed like a lesser version of Lindsey but now we can see she's much better at her than Lindsey is. The introduction of Billy in this episode was good- he only appears in one more episode but he is a memorable villain and pushes our heroes to places they'd never dream of going. The introduction of Skip was also welcome- as we know he becomes an important character later on this season and next and one of the major points in Cordelia's possession.

    Fred added some much needed humour here- her reference to Cordy as Lassie is hilarious and shes such an adorable character, you can't help but love her. She adds a new dynamic to the group and it's nice to see someone who's at least as intelligent as Wesley on the show. Lorne was also great here, as always.

    The ending was brilliant but I'm biased due to my undying love for Darla. The scene was so suspenseful and her last line "Guess it's time to go see Daddy" was chilling. Also accompanied by the amazing Darla melody from last season! That gets the episodes bonus points! That Vision Thing is an excellent episode and a great followp to last week's season opener. It provides us with a lot of insight to one of our main character's and shows how to do a good character based episode. A highlight of Season 3.moreless

  • When Bad Visions Go Gross!

    8.9
    "Great"
    By lenzinoH20, Aug 04, 2007
    That Vision Thing-When Cordelia's visions begin to manifest as painful physical wounds, Lorne tries to use telepathy to find out why this is happening to her, and how the visions can be stopped. Meanwhile lawyers from Wolfram & Hart make another visit to Angel's hotel.

    Much better than the premiere, this episode has some truly disgusting yet stunning images, new characters and settings. You can't help but feel awful for Cordy's situation in this episode. I have to give to the special effects and make-up department as those marks and boils on her body gave me goosebumps...just ehhww! Charisma really gave it her all this hour and even her voice suffered through most of the episode. Cordelia has always been strong about keeping her visions, but when they start hurting her she doesn't have the strengh anymore. It's also sad how Cordelia feels without her visions, she's worthless to Angel and the rest of the gang's cause. I have to admit that Lilah is becoming a great villian at this point, now with Lindsey gone, she full swing and her plan with using that powerful psychic against Cordy was original as well as great blackmail. Speaking of that psychic, Kal Penn who goes on to have a successful movie career is okay here but his character is underused. It sucks since he seemed really powerful and would have been nice to se what else he could do. This episode also introduces one of Angel's coolest demon ever, good ol' Skip. The dimension he lives in is cool and the flamming prison where he guards the prisoner has some great special effects. I just love the mild conversationhe and Angel have before they fight, which you just wouldn't expect from such a hideous looking demon, but was just priceless! There some fine dialogue in this episode like:

    Lilah: "I got to admit it, the firm didn't think you could do it, but I did, you are a remarkable man Angel."
    Angel: "And your an evil b!%ch."

    Just hilariously perfectly delievered by Angel. Also, the prisoner Angel releases to save Cordelia, soon to be known as Billy, already looks like a very creepy character this isn't the last we see of him this season. Again, this episode ends with a very pregnant and stressed Darla who has a great scene invovling a Shamon. But when he can't help, she decides to go to the man that made her pregnant. Here comes the drama! All and All, a great episode with some disturbing images and solid plot.moreless

  • One of the best episodes of Angel!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Angel200489, Jun 25, 2007
    What starts out like a normal episode, turns out to be of the best. Fred finally gets out of her room and starts talking to the gang and Cordelia is having more powerful visions that are putting her in some really heavy physical pain. The gang tries then to contact the Powers That Be. They call Lorne to try and trace "the calls" from the Powers That Be. Cordelia is not to happy about it because she thinks she might lose the visions and become useless to Angel. But then, suprises of surprises, who is the person that is hurting Cordelia? That's right, you've guessed: Wolfram & Hart! Why? To rescue a prisoner of a Hell Dimension. He's delivered to Wolfram & Hart and in exchange Cordelia is left alone.moreless
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  • TRIVIA (3)

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    • When Wesley is reading a book written in kanji (Chinese or Japanese characters) at 00:06:08 the characters are upright from the camera's point of view. This means that from Wesley's angle the book is upside down, and unless he is extremely fluent in either Chinese or Japanese he would probably be unable to read the book.

    • After Cory's first vision of the episode, she has scratches from the demon's claws on her stomach and shoulder that are bleeding. Angel is later surprised at their existence, yet he can usually smell blood.

    • This is Charisma & David's 100th episode in the Buffyverse, each had 54 eps on Buffy (Angel had four guest appearances after he left the series) and this is their 46th episode of Angel.

  • QUOTES (15)

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    • Lilah: It's just business.
      Angel: Right. Just business. Don't come at me through Cordelia. You play that card a second time, and I'll kill you.

    • Fred: I know you're probably disappointed that you couldn't go fight that thing with Angel. Gunn: Right, because why would I want to walk with a cute young woman on a beautiful night, when I could be out hacking and slaying an ugly boil covered demon monster, and getting myself killed? Fred: I can't apologize enough.

    • (Angel, Gunn & Wesley enter Chinese herbalist) Old Lady: Your kind not welcome here. Gunn: Since when can't a brother buy some ginseng tea? Old Man: Not you, him. (points at Angel) Vampire not welcome.

    • Wesley: (describing Cordelia's visions to Fred) Think of them as gifts. Cordelia: Yes, having my head torn open and hot lava poured into my skull gifts.

    • Fred: (Speaking to Angel) I've been forking with Gunn.

    • Cordelia: (about Gavin Park) Yeah, okay - minion of darkness - Satan's toady - but that is a nice suit. Did you see that suit??

    • Wesley: (to Gavin Park) Well, now that we've had this lovely reintroduction - I suggest you piss off.

    • Angel: (about Lorne reading Cordelia) Maybe he can make the noise stop. Cordelia: Yeah. Angel: Isn't that what you want? Cordelia: Yes! No. Well, no. Sure I hate looking and feeling like this, but if I lose the visions, I wouldn't be able to help you anymore. You wouldn't need me. Angel: That's not why I need you. You're important, and the visions are just after market extras like Hurst shift or Krager wheels. Cordelia: Did you just compare me to a car? Angel: It was a very nice car.

    • Wesley: (about the key) Something you probably won't like to hear is that both artifacts are considered objects of good. Angel: Oh. So the Chinese guy and the boil guy... Wesley: Were also aligned with the forces of good. Angel: Damn! So hard to tell these days, you know, they should wear lapel pins or something.

    • Angel: It's not about winning, Cordelia, it's about what's at stake. And in this particular scenario you were way more important than winning. I can't worry about that guy I set free. I did what I had to do. I'll just deal with the consequences when they happen.

    • Gavin Park: This is a list of fifty-seven city code violations for your hotel, including earthquake proofing, asbestos and termites. Be advised I filed a copy of this with the city planning office. Angel: Gee, fifty-seven - is that a lot?

    • Fred: You're Angel's Lassie. Cordelia: Oh, well I'd be flattered, except for the "Lassie being a dog" part!

    • Gunn: How come whatever we're searching for is always in the last place we look? Wesley: I suppose it's one of the unwritten laws of being a dick. Ah... ahem... a sleuth, a gumshoe, a Sherlock. Gunn: All I know is, you use the word "dick" again and we're gonna have a problem. So what's the name of this place anyway? Wesley: Van Hoa Dong.

    • Lilah: You're a remarkable man, Angel. Angel: And you're an evil bitch.

    • Skip the Demon: Hi. Angel: Hi. Skip: You know you're not supposed to be here, right? Angel: Yeah. What about him? (points to prisoner) Skip: Oh, him? Oh, he's supposed to be here. Do you have any idea how monsterous a guy's gotta be before he gets sent to us? We're a very high-end institution. Angel: And it's your job to keep him here? Skip: Yeah. (extends hand) I'm Skip. Angel: Angel. (pause) So...ah... you live in here, Skip? Skip: No, I commute. Not too bad. About 20 minutes. (pause) Angel: What keeps him in the fire? Skip: My will. Angel: How come he's not screaming in pain? Skip: Oh, he is. My will prevents him from being heard. I mean, there's only so many "Oh my god, the pain! Please make it stop"s you can listen to before it starts to bug the crap outta ya. Angel: I see your point. Skip: (sniffing) You're a vampire, right? How come it smells like you work for the powers that be. Angel: Cause I do. Skip: But you're here to try to rescue this guy? We're on the same side. Shouldn't you be helping to keep him in here? Angel: I know, I know. Long story. Involves a girl. I don't like it any better than you do. Skip: So, I really can't talk ya out of this. Angel: Sorry. Wish you could. I guess we'll just have to agree to (Skip hits Angel across the room) argh disagree.

  • NOTES (7)

    ADD NOTES

    • Kal Penn, who plays the man sending Cordelia visions, also appeared in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer season four episode "Beer Bad." He was one of the young men turned "prehistoric" by the magical beer.

    • This episode scored a rating of 4.5/6 in the overnight Nielsen ratings, ranking 4th out of 11 WB shows for that week.

    • David Boreanaz does the "Previously on Angel" voiceover.

    • The crew named Skip after producer Skip Skoolnik.

    • This episode was intended to be the third episode of the season as indicated by the production number but was switched to be the second.

    • There's a lot of (supposedly) adult sexual innuendo and puns in this episode. Fred talks about "forking" with Gunn, Wesley uses the word "dick", the name of the herbal shop is "Van Hoa Duong," and Wesley suggests that the demon might be a "Cantonese Fook Beast."

    • Lilah Morgan's printer is an Epson 740i (Special iMac edition).

  • ALLUSIONS (8)

    ADD ALLUSIONS

    • Angel: Damn! So hard to tell these days, you know, they should wear lapel pins or something. This may be a reference to the live-action version of the White Wolf game, Vampire (and similar such games), wherein lapel pins are commonly used to identify the vampire clan you come from.

    • Lorne: See if we can reach out and touch someone. This is possibly a reference to AT&T's first ad slogan back in 1981 which stated, "Reach Out and Touch Someone".

    • Lorne: You're Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. Lorne refers to the musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, about a rebellious nun that falls in love with a man in war-time 1940s Austria and together they must smuggle his family out of the country.

    • Cordelia: ...with the Powers That Be doing this whole Book of Job thing... Cordelia refers to the the Book in the Bible that is most associated with plague and pestilence.

    • Cordeila: Cause I'm going to be really ticked off if I'm all Phantom of the Opera and there wasn't a key. Cordelia compares herself to the disfigured character from the novel by Gaston Leroux. It has also been turned into a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and numerous films.

    • Cordelia: Well it's comforting to know that my next vision will just be blindingly painful and not turn me back into the Elephant Man or anything.
      The Elephant Man was a man who lived during the 19th century and had a genetic disorder that made him him horribly disfigured. He had bumps and tissue masses like Cordelia did.

    • Lorne: But hey, who knew William Shatner could sing?
      William Shatner, after playing James T. Kirk on the original Star Trek went on to produce several records of his 'musical' work. He sang (among other things) a series of pop hits including Mr Tamborine Man, and Rocketman.

    • Fred: ...it's your visions that tell him Timmy's trapped in a well or the robbers are hiding in the barn.
      Lassie was a television show in the 50s. Lassie was the pet dog of Timmy, a boy who always seemed to get himself trapped in a well, or in some other form of trouble. Lassie would always be there to run and get help. The idea of Timmy being trapped in a well is used frequently to describe helplessness, or hope that some higher being will get word to someone who can help.

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