Discussion of 4.09 "Long Day's Journey" - Aired 1/22/2003 (WB-US)

[Flannen]

The gang learns that the Beast is planning to rip five magickal totems from the bodies of the beings who are protecting them. If he gets them all, then he will be able to blot out the sun forever. When they learn that the Beast already has four of the five, they plan to protect the final one with the help of the electrifying cat-burglar Gwen Raiden.

Source: TV.com

Discuss this episode here!

 

[Jules]

I love Lorne giving Angel a pep talk and poor Angel's all broody and defensive. Like Lorne said though, he's a Champion and he doesnt have the luxury of being able to wallow in self pity. I'm glad Gwen's back, I really like her character, she's got a lot of potential. I just wish they hadnt thrown in that stupid kiss with her and Angel.

I cant believe Connor didnt understand why what he and Cordy did was wrong and why it would really hurt Angel. Cordy is doing a really good job of pitting Angel and Connor against each other though. She is very manipulative.

I'm glad that the gang is looking into the cryptic message left by the demon child in the previous episode. Its a shame that you can see Wes and Fred growing closer together while Gunn is getting pushed to the side lines. I think its sad that Angel only left his room after Cordy gave him the same speach that Lorne had done earlier. It shows how much he depends on her, even after what she did. I love when Gwen showed up, she increased the tension in the group more than I thought possible, what with Angel being all petty and trying to make Cordy jealous and Gunn and Fred holding a serious grudge. I also loved her home, it was amazing!

The whole thing was a complete set up and they pointed everything at Connor. I'm glad Angel acted how he did though, as if even if the Beast and Connor were linked he'd still look after him. What a shock to find out the person on the inside was Angelus.

 

[PassionBecoming]

Ooo, I'm excited to see Gwen again!

-Nice O+. Love Lorne.
-"Don't interrupt me, I'm brooding". Hahahahaha
-"You're a champion, Angel. You don't get personal days." Indeed.
-Wonder what Gwen is up to...
-Creepy eyed guy.
-Ooo, saved by The Beast. What just happened can't be good.
-Weird hearing Connor actually refer to Angel as "my dad"
-Things in L.A. getting crazy, just like in Sunnydale...Hmmm
-Cordelia gets more and more aggravating by the ep
-W&H is neutralized. Nice.
-Gunn has a point - why is Cordelia acting weird towards the whole gang?
-I don't like the whole pantering of Fred and Wes in front of Gunn.
-I wish I could have punched Cordelia for being so patronizing to Angel. My goodness.
-"And you're the leader. So lead." I feel like Buffy and Angel are having parallel issues this season.
-Gwen in leather coming around makes the world a better place.
-And then Cordy is there, all jealous. ARGH.
-Love the chemistry between Angel and Gwen.
-Um, gruesome demon killing much?
-"Evil right down to her mary janes." Heh. I like this guy.
-Just L.A. would turn dark? Hmmm.
-Oh, nevermind.
-"Slight case of getting ripped-open to death in a cave."
-Gwen's got nice digs
-Cordy and Angel on guard duty together. That won't be awkward.
-Ew. Who is going to clean up the panic room??
-Cordelia's visions are awfully vague now that things are important. I'm not sure why, but I feel like she's manipulating the situations. Also not sure why she would be doing it. Hmm.
-Connor with smashy face.
-Well, The Beast is gone, but...ut-oh
-"We need Angelus." Oh, boy.

Why do I have a feeling nothing good will come next?

 

[Give Us A Kiss]

Gwen is good, as always and she has good chemistry with Angel

I always found it weird that Angel is the one that does all of the talking when he and Gwen are in Manjet's cave, since Angel is usually the quiet one.

I think that spiking Angel and Cordelia's drinks and killing Manjet without leaving traces was a genius evil plan

Lorne was also pretty funny here

 

[Give Us A Kiss]

Pigs have blood types too ???

Connor and Cordelia,I don't like it either but it's not a reason to kick people out of your house, they are both over 18...

Gwen

His eyes

The beast is awful

Achy floor neck, that sucks

So W&H are now powerless ???

Cordy, do not do that

Angel, please stop acting like a teenager...

The beast has no weaknesses, which makes him even scarier...

Gwen

Higher plane channel

His head is made of rocks

Killing off the Ra-tet, along with everyone else...

Gwen, that was pathetic

Turn off the sun ??? That sucks

Manny should really be careful of the grim reaper...

Angel really needs to learn how to use a cellphone...

33 million dollars ??? that's a lot

Forth nanny ??? That's a lot

Swimsuit edition, pretty sure I know what he's doing in there...

No

The earth is doomed...

The Beast is too smart for his own good...

Fred, how would a portal help ???

Poor Cordy

Cordy is starting to become a bit useless...

Day is turning into permanent night

Do we need to bring Angelus back ??? Guess so...

Next time: Angelus is being brought back...

 

[Mr Trick]

Nice, tight plot, and a good cameo from Gwen. Again the weak stuff is all the soap opera BS. But this was a more focused episode than some this season. It built the Beast story effectively.

 

[Stake fodder]

Cordelia continues her flip-flopping by telling Connor not to go to Angel, then immediately deciding to go herself. I think Angel was being immature about Connor and Cordy, but I dislike Cordy for telling him so. It's not for her to decide when he needs to pull it together. Someone had to give him that speech re the Beast, but it seemed really smug and dismissive coming from her. Lorne's tough love was much better, I thought. Cordy's original vision was completely useless, and not worth coming to Angel about, anyway. And how does she have any right to be jealous of Gwen? (Though it's odd they are setting Gwen up as a potential love interest for Angel, when in the comics she was said to be too young for Spike.) Cordy's losing more points with me with her flip-flopping behavior these past couple episodes than by sleeping with Connor.

The Ra-Tet sounds like some '60s musical group. I liked Manjet, even though he was kinda sleazy. "I don't speak college-boy," heh. Too bad he didn't last long.

As jealous as Gunn has been, I was surprised that he left Fred and Wesley together while he went with the others to Gwen's place. Fred and Wes are already finishing each other's thoughts, not a good sign for Gunn.

A lot of magical things are found in Death Valley in this show. That's my favorite national park. Stop ruining it with the crazy stuff!

 

[Antho]

I think Angel was being immature about Connor and Cordy,

Not saying that to defend him but… he just saw the woman he has feeling for sleeping with his own child. That’s the kind of things it’s hard to deal with it. In the place of Angel my reaction would be worse.

 

[thrasherpix]

Not saying that to defend him but… he just saw the woman he has feeling for sleeping with his own child. That’s the kind of things it’s hard to deal with it. In the place of Angel my reaction would be worse.

Connor was forced to grow up in many ways, but he was obviously new with the female attraction thing. Angel would've known that. Or should've.

I'd have acted worse myself, but in a way protective of Connor. I'd see it as Cordy not being herself, and even if she was, it was blatant emotional and sexual manipulation of Connor, at least putting more on Connor than he was ready for. I'd have confronted Cordelia over it which could lead to the reveal that's coming to come out a bit sooner. But Angel had to let jealousy take hold of him instead, another example of how love makes people crazy in the Buffyverse.

I had a better father than Connor, and that's saying something (though I think Angel cared for him more than mine did me).

 

[Stake fodder]

Not saying that to defend him but… he just saw the woman he has feeling for sleeping with his own child. That’s the kind of things it’s hard to deal with it. In the place of Angel my reaction would be worse.

I'd have acted worse myself, but in a way protective of Connor. I'd see it as Cordy not being herself, and even if she was, it was blatant emotional and sexual manipulation of Connor, at least putting more on Connor than he was ready for. I'd have confronted Cordelia over it which could lead to the reveal that's coming to come out a bit sooner. But Angel had to let jealousy take hold of him instead, another example of how love makes people crazy in the Buffyverse.

You both said it better than I did! I completely understand Angel's feelings about it, especially as they were very close to an understanding when events separated them. But he has no entitlement to Cordelia, and he's acting like she has deprived him of something that's his right, and that Connor has done something to him by falling in love with the woman he's in love with. I wasn't clear if Connor even really knew that Angel loved Cordelia, though I can believe he wouldn't care if he did know.

I could also understand Angel feeling betrayed or jerked around by Cordelia, if she had suddenly pivoted without anything else happening. But she had her "higher power" time, and then amnesia, so she's not in the same place as when she almost declared her love.

Most importantly, he is Connor's father, and he's acting like his rival. He should not blame or hate Connor for having sort-of won. Compare his behavior to Wesley's acceptance after Fred chose Gunn. Wesley acted maturely about it, beyond a few snarks at Gunn. Like @thrasherpix says, if Angel is going to be angry, he should be angry at Cordelia for hurting and toying with his son. Connor should come first with Angel. I don't love the character of Connor - he seems mostly pointless and unnecessary - but Angel is not being a good father, nor a good loser.

Having said all this, Cordy is jerking both of them around! And my sympathy is entirely with Angel. (Well, I feel sorry for Connor for being dumped so quickly.) I mainly think he needs to not show his feelings so openly. And now the old song, "Don't Cry Out Loud" is going through my head!