Angel 5x16 Shells

Gunn would not have signed the custom papers if he had known what it meant for Fred. But there is a question of whether he would have if he had known how it might affect just some random person, and, then, there’s the guilt that, as Wes said, he didn’t tell them what was what, once he began to figure it out. Who knows, it may have made a difference? We will be dealing with Gunn’s guilt very soon, in another incredible episode. Great reaction, as always.

I have a strong memory of doing double takes to remind myself Amy Acker is playing Illyria, something I suspect you'll do in episodes to come. Between Home in the World and Shells, Joss Whedons wrote a letter to fans about THAT storytelling choice. Now you only have my word on this because I've searched high and low and can't find it or a reference to it. I'm pretty sure it was linkes to on Whedonesque. (Anyone?) He chose to kill Fred because she says the one character all others would unite to save. You can see it in 'Hole In the World. The choreography when she's diagnosed. Their decision to keep looking for a cure after she's gone. And particularly with Spike, averse to being there, remaining because of his Fred-ship. The events of these episodes shake up the series pave to affect everything coming next. I really hope you enjoy it like I do. It was controversial at the time but people have settled into calling it the greatest TV final runs off all time. Which it is!

There was a little joke in regards to Illyria as a character that someone in the show's production team made (can't recall who), and it was: "Illyria is Amy Acker's Emmy-reel." Shame she was never nominated, because she sure as hell deserved it.

Behind the scenes there have been cast interviews where it was mentioned that a few of the cast had serious doubts about the Illyria storyline. Not because of the storyline itself, but because apparently Amy Acker is such a lovely and sweet person in real life, they weren't sure how she would go playing a character like Illyria. During the final fight scene between Illyria, Angel and Spike, James Marsters has admitted to briefly dropping character, because he looked at Amy in that scene and thought, "Oh my god you are terrifying!" Score one for Amy and her acting ability!

Meet one of my absolute favourite characters in all of Angel. As horribly sad as it was to lose Fred, I freaking adore Illyria. I think I would have been way more pissed off when I first saw this episode if we didn't at least get a top level replacement for Fred, if they had killed her off for something really boring and dumb. Illyria is also arguably the strongest character in the entirety of the Buffyverse as well. Yes the First Evil predates the Old Ones, but that still needed it's own army, an acolyte, and the ability to project dead people to mess with someone's head. Without it's army the First has/had no real power on earth. Illyria, on the other hand, is a threat with or without her army. Jasmine is perhaps her equal in strength, but even she had to use powerful magic to get people to love her, whereas Illyria is entombed for millions of years and still manages to have worshippers. We never saw Glorificus in her full Hell God form, but I doubt that a God would be a match against an Old One. Illyria is a fascinating character to explore, and if we had to lose Fred then I'm at least glad we got something worthy to replace her. :)

Hey Juliette, just letting you know I need to leave the Patreon group for a while. I haven't been able to watch Angel reactions because I no longer have Disney+, and since Doctor Who has been taken off Stan, I can't watch that either. Until I know where DW will be available in Australia, there's no point paying to stay if I can't watch anything lol. Hopefully we find out soon so I can get back to your reactions! I do want to get Disney+ again eventually, so I'll be able to catch up on your Angel reactions then. For now, thank you for sharing your reactions with us! I look forward to coming back when I can 😊💗

It wasn't all just showrunner/writer *cruelty* behind the scenes--- although, yeah, there was clearly some of that. :) Joss Whedon was determined to give Amy Acker the chance to do more as an actress, and--- well, yeah! Also, ya gotta give Jonathan Woodward his full props--- for playing a character almost as vile as Warren Mears! There is a (sad) clue dropped back in Season 4, Episode 20, when Winifred says (of the mission at the time): "Well, I don't know about you, but--- I'd take that over being a shell any day." Edit: Naw, Gunn would have never have done that--- had he known. But he didn't. *Harsh consequences*--- are the dominant theme of the back half of this show...

I don't know how to feel about this episode because while it's objectively a good one, it's one I will never enjoy because... Fred 😭 I will say though that Illyria is a very intriguing and interesting character. Well, there's not too long left until we reach the end now and I'm very eager to see what you'll make of the remaining episodes. Thanks for another great reaction Juliette. Hope you have a most lovely day 💜

It's good that we have an episode of the Good Place in between episodes of Angel, to help us recover.

It’s ironic that in the episode before this one, Gunn said to Wes, “And to add the necessary boilerplate, you ever hurt her, I’m gonna kill you like a chicken.”

Amy Louise Acker does such a great job playing two such different characters.