Ep 19: Time Bomb - discuss!

[PokerKitten]

Casting sides for this ep are out. For a character called Amanda, and for Demon leader. They aren't too exciting, there is also no sign of Spike, BUT Gunn is there so he must have been retrieved from that nasty place with the lightbulbs and the basement! ;D

Here comes my summary of the sides.....

Angel and Gunn are talking, Angel saying it will be hard to practice law without making deals (so I figure they are swearing off the bad stuff since the deal Gunn made which enabled Illyria to be shipped in). And Gunn says it always was difficult, and calls his clients hideous, scaly, and evil! (so judgemental!)

Enter Amanda, who is very very preggers and in her "early mid 20s", saying she is here about the demon pact....

In the W&H conference room at the big ol' table, Amanda tells Angel and Gunn about the pact she made... Some folks - the Fell Brethren - have told her that her baby is some kind of Holy One, that it was a prophecy. She says they are very religious... only, not the God one (indicating upwards. Dozy tart!). And they are looking after her, bringing her shakes and special vitamins (Rosemary's Baby anyone?!). But she is well aware that they are demons. Good lord! Leave her to it, I say!

We then see Harmony talking to the Brethren, telling them he will "snap her like a pregnant twig". Oh Harmony! But she has apparently been offering them refreshments too, because one of them opts for an organic cola.

Back in the conference room, Gunn tells Amanda not to do it, which confuses Amanda because she thought they were supposed to tell her to do it. Angel fails miserably in trying to explain that they are and they aren't.

They are interupted by a static-y walkie talkie call from Lorne, who calls the boss "Angel-ears" *snerk* and himself "Secret Demon" ;D We can't make out what else he is saying, and Amanda returns to the subject of giving up her baby. She knows it sounds bad but these guys will worship him and care for him better than they could. She explains about her husband being hurt at work and now being brain damaged, how they live on food stamps and disability, but that the Brethren have said they can "fix" him.... and he'll remember who she is again *sniffle* Gunn and Angel withdraw to the bossman's office....

Next, we're out in the lobby with Illyria. Lorne is in a char, "reading" a magazine, in disguise.. ie hat and sunglasses, LMAO!! Some Secret Demon!! ;D Illyria heads off down the corridor that houses Wes's office, and Lorne walkie-talkies the info that "Blue Bird is in flight". And he follows her.

Off screen we hear the Brethren speaking their demon lingo, presumably agitated as it is described as a hub-bub, then we see them, and Harmony walking over to them, saying Angel needs a few more minutes. And she offers them drinks - tea, coffeee, blood... organic cola - hey, haven't we been through the organic cola thing? And some of the scenes suspiciously have PRESENT at their head.....

They want to know what he is doing with the Holy Vessel, and say they have a delicate relationship with her and if there are problems they should be dealing with them. Harmony continues to stall and says Angel will sort it all out. He'll be "sowing the seeds of fear" etc etc.

Meanwhile, Lorne is walking with Illyria, who ignores him, as he asks when she caught on to him. Oh please Lorne, inconspicuous NOT! Illyria says "The vampire plays children’s games."

I'm getting dizzy now! We are back in the conference room... in the PRESENT.... the Brethren are in there and cooing over Amanda, saying she looks wonderful. The contract is being laid out on the table, and then Gunn flicks through it looking anxious.

Three contracts to sign, the leader of the Brethren does his bit, Angel takes the pen ready to sign, but looks to Gunn first, who is still going through the papers. Amanda settles in to do her signing... then Waitaminute" says Gunn. He wants to know about "Gordobach". The child will be pampered, worshipped, fed a holy diet of - wait for it - berries, panda-meat, and consecrated urine..... then on the eve of his 13th birthday he will be prepared for the rites of Gordobach. Amanda reckons it's like a bar mitzvah, but Gunn says it's a nasty ritual sacrifice.

Needless to say, the leader isn't pleased with Gunn and wants to know whose lawyer he IS! Angel tells Gunn to get over to him, but then Illyria walks in, wanting to speak to Angel. She looks ready to square off to the demon leader so Angel gives in.

And then we are in the lobby again, in the PRESENT. Sheesh! Angel and Illyria exit, as Lorne plays with his walkite-talkie.

And that's that

[PokerKitten]

Tensai says:

Episode 19

Turns out that this episode may not be as lighthearted as I originally expected. It's appears that it's going to be another Illyria-centric episode, where things start going very wrong for her. Fred's body can't contain Illyria's energy, it's just too fragile. As the energy corrupts her, Illyria starts shifting in and out of this dimension. Angel goes after her, finding himself in a number of different realities. In these realities, Illyria kills various members of 'Angel Investigations' (not sure if it's someone other than Fred who dies, or if she kills them after arriving in the dimensions). Wesley finds a way to keep the energy from literally blowing Illyria apart, but in doing so, he also brings more of Fred's personality to the forefront.
www.spoilerslayer.com/archives/002914.php

[PokerKitten]

Due to air April 28th

BACK TO THE FUTURE — When Illyria’s (Amy Acker) powers become unstable and cause her to erratically jump through time, she learns that the gang intends to kill her. Upon returning to the present, Illyria plans to murder everyone before they’re able to attack her. To save everyone’s lives, Angel (David Boreanaz) goes into the past with Illyria to alter the course of events. David Boreanaz’s wife, Jaime Bergman guest stars. Alexis Denisof, J. August Richards, James Marsters, Andy Hallett and Mercedes McNab also star. The episode was written by Ben Edlund and directed by Vern Gillum

[Cyrus]

PokerKitten said:

David Boreanaz’s wife, Jaime Bergman guest stars.

NOOOOOOOOOOO! ! ! ! ! !

The episode was written by Ben Edlund and directed by Vern Gillum

Who?

[twistedspike]

At this point I'm beginning to think it's a good job Angel is finnishing. I mean Jaime Bergman can a show stoop any lower ;D

[PokerKitten]

I assume Cy was querying the director, not Ben (wee puppet man!)

ADDITIONAL CAST
Harmony MERCEDES MCNAB
Hamilton ADAM BALDWIN
Amanda JAIME BERGMAN
Fell Leader JEFF YAGHER
Fell Brother #1 NICK GILHOOL
(Info from Mythical Boards)

Confirmation of the nepotism....

[PokerKitten]

On-Set report from Joseph McCabe - Episode 19 'Time Bomb', at Totally David Boreanaz UK

[PokerKitten]

Episode summary from Mythical Boards

Episode 19

As Angel and Hamilton urge Wesley to get rid of Illyria, she suffers a potentially cataclysmic physical breakdown; and Gunn clashes with Angel over the enforcement of an evil demon contract.

As the medieval demon tortures Gunn yet again, Illyria bursts in, grabs the necklace that keeps Gunn there, and pins it on the demon, who then begins to cut out his own heart. Later Illyria and Gunn return through a mystical portal to Angel’s office, where Illyria notes that she retrieved Gunn because he seems important to Wesley. The next day Gunn returns to work, still a bit shaky, and Wes apologizes for stabbing him a few weeks ago. Gunn accepts the apology, saying having his heart cut out day after day has put things in perspective. He notes, though, that Illyria must take some getting used to, and Wes agrees it’s not easy dealing with her “God-King” ego. At the same time, Spike takes another beating from Illyria in the Wolfram and Hart training room. Angel asks him to stop the sessions, since it’s likely she’s training Spike, not the other way around. Then, as they talk, Illyria suffers a sudden pain in her gut, but recovers quickly. A bit later Angel gathers Wes, Spike, and Gunn in his office to say that he doesn’t trust Illyria. Then Hamilton tells them that Illyria has been destroying company assets, and the Senior Partners insist she be removed. A bit later Illyria goes to Wes’ office and accuses him of betraying and trying to kill her when he smashed the Orlon Window. He insists he was just trying to get Fred back. Meanwhile Gunn reviews a new case file, and one of the parties involved — a pregnant woman named Amanda — enters. Three scaly demons follow, and Gunn and Angel learn the demons have come to sign a contract, which would turn over Amanda’s unborn child to the Fell Brethern: a demon cult. Finally, back in Wes’ office, Illyria suffers another cramp and is transported several hours into the future, where Angel urges Wesley to aim a mystical device at her. As he does, she suffers another cramp and winds up back in the training room, where she and Spike re-live their last fight.

A moment later Illyria cramps again and winds up back in Wes’ office where she started. Recalling her glimpse of the future in the training room, though, she accuses Wes of trying to kill her. He has no idea what she’s talking about. Meanwhile Angel and Gunn consult with Amanda. While Gunn tries to find a loophole in Amanda’s contract, Angel tries to talk her into giving up her child to the demons, and asks Gunn to go along until they can figure out their next move. About the same time, Hamilton visits Wesley and makes it clear that the Senior Partners are expecting him to deal with Illyria personally. Wes has no solutions, so Hamilton tells him to look at Illyria’s energy readouts on a low-emanation scanner. Wes calls up the data on his computer, which shows very erratic readings as Illyria moves through the building. Back in Angel’s office, Angel presents the contract to Amanda, but as she’s about to sign it, Gunn questions a clause that calls for her child to become a ritual sacrifice. Before Angel can react, however, Illyria enters and pulls Angel away. She demands to know what he and Wesley have done to her, but then she realizes their actions are still in the future and he has no idea what she’s talking about. After Illyria leaves, Angel consults with Wes, Spike, and Lorne, who say Illyria is on the verge of self-destruction. Wes shows them a mystical hand cannon, which he says could blast her leaking energy into another dimension, killing her. Seeing a monitor indicating Illyria’s back in the training room, they head there, but then don’t see her. Then Spike dusts as Illyria stabs him with a piece of a wooden desk. Wes aims his hand cannon, but Illyria stabs and kills him before he can fire. Then she slams a fist through Lorne, killing him, and cuts off Angel’s head, dusting him too.

Then Illyria cramps again, and winds up a few minutes in the past, talking to Angel in the lobby. Yet another cramp transports both of them in time and space to Wes’ office. As they all register surprise, still another cramp sends Illyria and Angel back to the suburban basement, where Gunn is about to have his heart ripped out by the medieval demon. The demon charges, and after Illyria deflects it, she asks Angel how he’s doing these things to her. He says they’ve been looking for a way to control her. As she reminds him she’s the God-King, she cramps again and they wind up back in the training room, where Wes and Spike are already dead and Illyria is about to swing the axe at Angel. Then he sees his own pile of dust and realizes he too is dead. He asks Illyria how this can be, and she says he’s now a paradox, transported here from earlier in time. Then, as she tries to explain that he’s been caught up in paradoxes for a long time, she’s wracked by more pains and a crack opens in her face, emitting a beam of light. Another spasm rips her apart, and Angel is blown back in a white-hot burst of energy. A moment later Angel, Wes, Spike, and Lorne are once again on their way to find Illyria in the training room. This time, though, when they enter, Angel anticipates Illyria flying at them with the desk shard, shoves Spike out of the way, and takes the hit himself.

Angel pulls the shard out of his chest and tells Illyria that he knows she’s about to explode, but he can’t let it happen because it will destroy his world. Wes says if she lets him use the mystical cannon, it will withdraw the harmful energy from her and let her live in a less powerful form. Illyria says she’d rather be a crater than have as little power as a mere human. She lunges at Wes, but Spike deflects her as she spasms in pain again. Angel gives her another chance to decide, and Wes steps forward with the cannon. Finally she relents, and as the fault line opens in her face, Wes shoots. The cannon opens a black hole, and a pillar of fire streams from Illyria’s chest into it. Then, as the hole closes, Illyria collapses. Later Wes tells Angel that Illyria can no longer stop time or walk through dimensions, but her ego still rages unchecked. Angel asks if Wes is going to stay with her, and Wes says caring for her is something he needs to do. Finally Angel returns to his office, where Gunn and a Fell demon are still fighting over Amanda’s contract. Gunn tries to throw the demon out, but Angel grabs the contract and says Amanda’s baby belongs to the demons. Gunn protests, saying they can win this fight, but Angel says it’s not the one he wants to win. When Gunn asks what he’s doing, Angel says he’s just serving their clients… and then he walks away, leaving Gunn alone.

[PokerKitten]

Holy fuck!!!

This time, though, when they enter, Angel anticipates Illyria flying at them with the desk shard, shoves Spike out of the way, and takes the hit himself.

Spangel forever!!!

[PokerKitten]

Some pretty freaky pic of Illyria at mediasharx And Lorne looks hilarious, all sleuthy and disguisy, lol!

[Cyrus]

Ooh Amy looks wicked! ;D
LMAO @ Lorne's pimp hat! Interesting choice of shirt... although that has always been his trademark - brightly colored odd clothes!

[Ditto]

Lol at the hat. Don't think I'm gonna like tonights ep though. Bring back Smile Time, I could watch it over and over.

[Cyrus]

Trailer was a bunch of shots cut into each other with some voiceovers. You know how they do promos where you can't focus on anything before they change the shot...

Booming voice: Next Wednesday...
Angel: I know what happens.
Booming voice: What if the world's only hope...
Wes: Angel.
Illyria: You weren't here before.
Booming voice: Could fast forward to the future...
Angel: I saw you kill us all.
Booming voice: Just four episodes left...
Spike: A bit pessimistic aren't you?
Booming voice: A fresh Angel next week on the WB's Wednesday night.

Very descriptive promo, don't you think?

[PokerKitten]

I just watched it, and those superfast shots from previous eps are way cool when you catch them frame by frame! Most of them were too pale to cap though.

[PokerKitten]

DeannaB went to the SO Show taping and says the clip they used for showing James' Spike incarnation was from ep 19:

Spoiler- Short Ep. 19 scene shown at Sharon Osborne taping

(Trying to remember, forgive me if I get some details wrong. I was being distracted by the presence of a still-blond shiny thing. ;-))

The clip that they showed for James Marsters' appearance was a scene of Spike and Illyria in the training room. Spike manages to duck and dodge Illyria's blows and deliver one of his own. Think Buffy vs Caleb when she finally got the sythe. He remarks to her query as to how that's possible by saying that people learn, that's our strength. He says something insolent and she finally connects and decks him, but he just hops up again, grinning in triumph. Spike says that Illyria might have been the big thing a long time ago, worshipped by all, but now we've got the internet instead.

Or something to that effect.

www.voy.com/14810/23979.html

[Cyrus]

Very confusing time-line-wise... but this is what I scribbled or well typed, while the ep was airing...


Whoa! There's a weirdup scene in which Illyria stakes Spike and Angel and gets Wes and Lorne with an axe! *break to commercial* If I wasn't so spoiled, I'd have really freaked out when that wood went into Spike! She did him first.

BroodyAngel has turned into AngryAngel.

Illyria: "I slew the white haired one first, then wesley as he raised his weapon, then the demon as he wilted in terror.. then you were last."

ANGEL SAVED SPIKE'S LIFE! The stuff we saw that I mentioned earlier took place in one of those weird time things. When the real thing started playing out (all the same words spoken, places, etc), and Spike says, "That's the problem, you never do see her." and I gasped because I knew that's where she staked him from behind, but Angel says, "I slew the white haired one first..." and lunged at Spike, pushing Spike to the ground and taking the stake in the chest himself!

Angel: "I know what happens. You kill us all."
Spike: "A bit pessimistic, aren't you?"

Wes: "I doubt she'll ever stop trying to cockup... everything."

Gunn: "Angel! What are you doing?"
Angel: "What we're supposed to. Serve our clients." [goes into office with baby worshiping/killing demons]

oooohhhhh the promo for next week! ! ! ! Will write about it in that thread! ! ! ! ;D SPANGEL FOREVER! ! ! !

[slaybelle74]

episode was good....cy has listed some of the better scenes!!!!but i liked when spike said.."it's not murder if you agree to it".....gotta love his reasoning!!!!

[PokerKitten]

Oh wow!! What a titanic turbulent terrific episode!! One of my faves of the season so far. And pivotal. You have to trust Angel has learned the lessons taught by Illyria with her speechifying throughout the ep and go with his behaviour in the next few (that's not too spoilery, is it )

DB was magnificent in "Time Bomb", I thought. "Destiny" terrific, "Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been..." terrific. And you know I haven't a reputation for being his biggest fan. And Illyria didn't annoy me at all in this ep, and by the end, seeing It slumped on the floor in the training room, motionless, so much of who It is and was now gone, I felt desparately sorry for It. Their scenes together were gripping, even surpassing the fantastic frisson there is between Illyria and Spike.

Infact, nearly everyone was firing on ally cylinders. I say nearly because I just can't stomach Wes. It's an old prejudice but it is getting more and more entrenched the wackier and more over the top his portrayal becomes. What was the Gollum act in his office all about?! He isn't that psycho and histrionic ALL the time; he seems to be suffering a multiple personalities disorder so lock him up for his and our own sanity! Or... Put him out of his (and my!) misery, already!

Lorne was funny AND getting justifiably irritable. If no-one takes him seriously he'll.... yeah, shutting up on that now! I thought he looked... kinda snappy, undercover. And he had some pithy lines amongst the funies - "a walking obituary" being the one that stood out for me. Although his off camera "That was mature!" to Angel was cool! And I think he spoke for us all when he observed that he still liked Hamilton (and boy, is he big and scary!) better than Eve! ;D

Gunn is growing in stature all the time... or is that JAR?! He is burning up the screen. Fantastic! And what he said about "hiding the horror" was spot on.

Spike's characterisation was enjoyable in this one too. All fighty, but witty, observant, dedicated too. His "Alright, grandma" cracked me up! He is very grown up and clear about the difference between Fred and Illyria, no blurring round the edges for him. It and Spike clearly enjoy their perverse testing sessions, physically and quippily! The slowing of time with Spike in slo-mo throught the air was so cool, too! ;D

Other things I enjoyed - Spike pacing restlessly round the meetings room as the others sat at the table is so him (and possibly James )

Angel and the walkie-talkie business when meeting with Amanda, very funny.

Amanda being on the face of it such a silly naive bint, but hey, hard times! Tough life, tough choice. Tempting to want to reclaim what you had, over something you have never known.

The Brethren ordering their organic cola, and clucking over the pregnancy, made me chuckle.

Spike talking about Illyria spending two hours mind-melding with a potted fern! And his description of her having cracked her engine block and leaking petrol..... And how he and Wes were "motivated go-getters"!

The way the time shifting was handled, tight and tense.

The dusting of Spike and Angel, and Illyria's satisfied smile after she had despatched them and Wes and Lorne.

And as time shifted again, her throwing her big chopper into Angel's big ol' pile of dust was very effective.

Illyria's speechifying - once was irritating, this time was all meaningful and worth paying close attention to. Had some great lines, but "the ooze that eats itslef" stays with me.....

And then her pivotal "If you want to win a war, you must serve no master but your own ambition."

Keep the faith. Peace, out.

[nightnurse]

Gotta say I loved the ep, but only after the second viewing....I was tired when I watched first time and found it a bit too wordy to concentrate properly. But as PK say's you have to listen and learn, and i found it made much more sense watching the second time!
Still shocked when Illyria staked Spike even though you knew it had to be 'not real'
'motivated go-getters'....LMAO