Are You Now or Have You Ever Been

XxSlayerxX

The News Reporter
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What do you think about this episode?I just saw it yesturday, at the space channel, (the canadian sci fi network, which airs buffy, angel, & firefly reruns) at midnight, and it was an okay episode.But at the ending where the woman dies of old age, was very sad.how did she survive all those years?what ddi she eat?what do you think?
 
I think the episode was great, nice showcase of the 50s rather then the glorified accounts. Plus the McCarthy referrence was cool.

As far as the woman, who knows? Don't think we're meant to give it too much thought.
 
I really enjoyed this episode, and it was a great way to bring in there new home. It is one of my faves of S2.
 
Alot of people always seem to like that episode...but I could care less for it really...I liked how they introduced the Hyperion because of it...but I didn't really like the episode itself...I don't really know why though...I just don't...
 
I liked it, because it showed that even going in with the best of intentions, its easy to get discouraged and allow other things to get in the way of doing what is right. I think the woman dying of old age at the end was appropriate, because it showed that even if you really feel bad about something, you can't change the past, and some things just can't be put back together. All you can do is try to do better from that point on, which is what Angel does.
 
BillieHunter said:
Alot of people always seem to like that episode...but I could care less for it really...I liked how they introduced the Hyperion because of it...but I didn't really like the episode itself...I don't really know why though...I just don't...

I'm with BillieHunter on this one..I'm lukewarm about the eppy. Not bad but not one of my faves. As for the older woman...not sure how she managed to stay there all that time..unless it was just her older ghost self being laid to rest finally.
 
i found it to be an excellent episode, i loved it, it's one of my favorite angel episodes. first of all, it had a glimpse into angel's history and i'm always happy for more of the above. second of all, the theme - redemption and forgiveness, it was so much like angel. this episode was very strong and very brutally honest. it literally threw in our faces that everything bad that happens is indeed our fault andthere is no one else to blame, and for giveness is an act of kindness that's not often given but could not be more important. humans are self-distructive. human paranoya and self-distructiveness is presented before us in the form of a demon feeding of exactly that and when someone went out of his way to help them although he had nothing to do with either of them, they turned on him and killed him (they didn't know angel was a vampire so technically they did) - they burned their bridges, destroyed their only chance. and had no one to blame but themselves. the statememnt is harsh and brutal and in your face but unfortunately all in all, it's true.
another negative trait the episode comes to stress is human hypocricy. the hotel was full of secrets, everyone had them, everyone hid them. but instead of opening up their own closets and showing off their own skeletons, humans would choose to throw it all on an unsusspecting outsider (judy, angel), they rather see others suffer than fall themselves.
 
The first time I watched this episode I liked it a lot, just because it is so beautiful (watching the commentaries made me think it was even more beautiful). And it is always interesting to find out things that happened before... But, really, I'm not crazy about those looking-back episodes. It's interesting that one time, just because you want to know.. And I don't really know why but those episodes can never be my favorites, no matter how beautiful or interesting they are..
 
XxSlayerxX said:
What do you think about this episode?I just saw it yesturday, at the space channel, (the canadian sci fi network, which airs buffy, angel, & firefly reruns) at midnight, and it was an okay episode.But at the ending where the woman dies of old age, was very sad.how did she survive all those years?what ddi she eat?what do you think?

I think it can stand alone - not just as TV - but one of the greatest movies ever. It reminded me of Barton Fink - besides all the slew of other greats it intended to pay homage. The atmosphere - everything from the music to the colors - chilling and fascinating. The story, the acting - everything was head and shoulders everything else in the series - and the series is quite exceptional itself. I had become interested in Angel a while before tis episode, but this made me a dedicated fan - looking for discussion boards on the subject. I know, I am a bit late, but on the bright side - there are stories I haven't seen yet! (part of season 2 and the entire 3rd one)
 
I liked this episode. Always great to see more of Angel's past. It was also interesting to see him be nice to someone and then get betrayed. He gives up trying right there. It is chilling when he says to the demon "take them all".
 
I thought the episode was really good and how she survived all those years just to tell Angel she was sorry the demon in that ep was a nice twist as well i always like learning more about Angel's past...I don't think that it was sad she died i think it was kind of nice the only part that could have been different was that she should have been able to leave the room at least once b4 she died...just a thought.
 
I really liked this episode (it was one of Joss's favorites too) I liked how it showed how awful the human race can be to things they don't understand (like Vampires) and completely overreact and try to kill him...I actually felt kind of satisfied when Angel walked past the demon and said "Take them all." (or something... haven't watched it for a while). Especially that Judy person. He was helping and she just condemned him! Yep, it definitely shows us our faults and the devastating truth.
 
I liked it, because it showed that even going in with the best of intentions, its easy to get discouraged and allow other things to get in the way of doing what is right. I think the woman dying of old age at the end was appropriate, because it showed that even if you really feel bad about something, you can't change the past, and some things just can't be put back together. All you can do is try to do better from that point on, which is what Angel does.
Yeah, I honestly don't think it'd be complete without her at the end. Also, it's not one of my overall favorites, but it was one of the best in the particular season - you'd have to give it that. Mmm perhaps it's just that I enjoy delving into Angel's past. To have an entire flashback episode - it was a bit refreshing. Also, they had never done one in that time period before. So chyeah...
 
Plus the McCarthy referrence was cool.
He recently died, didn't he?

I love this ep, but I'm a BIG fan of the eps where we get to see a little of Angel's past. The fun thing for me was the historical references to the 50's, like Xander's mention of McCarthy. I thought Judy surviving all that time so she could tell Angel she was sorry was so touching. I wish she'd have been able to leave the room just once before she died, but you know...that's Whedon-verse for you!
 
This is definitely one of my favorite episodes. Sometimes I think it is my favorite...I mean, I don't really have ONE episode I can think of that I like better...so I will have to say this is my favorite.

Yeah, I'm confused.

Anyway, as already mentioned, I love the themes. I loved the acting. Yeah, the special effects were really funny, but that is part of the campiness that I fell in love with in regards to Angel and Buffy. The fact that episodes like this can bring home a powerful message and a whole lot of emotion while still being pretty darn campy says a WHOLE lot to me.

And with regards to the woman who was still alive...I think the demon, who can obviously manifest it's self and has some sort of powers, must have kept her alive. He was keeping her around in the living so he could feed off her...like a parasite having a pet.
 
I liked it, too. Then again, I always tend to like episodes that delve deeper into Angel's past. The thing about this one was that it was pretty much an entire episode of it, and not just a clip of his life - a period of it, rather. Also, they had never had an episode during this time period before. It was rather enjoyable. :]
 
Does anyone know where I can find -- or if you can send to me -- pictures of the interior of the Hyperion Hotel? I always thought the office area and front desk was set up so cool.

Thanks, guys! I am happy to have found this forum.
 
I watched this ep a couple of days ago (i'm going through the whole of the five series again, i got the complete boxset for christmas : grinno : ) and when i watched it before, i admit i got a bit board because i didn't really 'get' what all the fuss was about.
But when i watched it the other day i finally 'got' it, it's a beautiful story. And also gives alot of insight into Angel's past, and the fact that he isn't only remorseful for what he did as Angelus.
Plus i love how its filmed, the camera flowing straight from the present day and straight into Angels past.
Plus some fine acting :wink:
 
I really enjoyed this episode! From what I can remember, and my mind is a little rusty, but I thought it was really nice how the old woman died at the end. I agree that it would have been really great if she had managed to get out of the room just once before whe died.

I also liked the insight to Angels past. I like to find out about Angelus more.

I'm going to go and watch this again and then I'll come back and add to this thread.
 
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