Spider-Girl Vol 1 #3

Fun 'n' Games with the Fantastic Five
December 1998
Written by Tom DeFalco

Peter is up for an award directly from the Mayor, which is the topic of discussion at breakfast. May vows to be at the ceremony in time. At school, May is talking with Davida Kirby when Jimmy Yama breaks into the conversation. He asks May if she would like to go the new Fantastic Five showing at their base. Before May can answer, Moose Mansfield shows up with Brad Miller to mock him. However, Brad convinces Moose to back off and says how both groups of May's friends should go after school. They all do make it there after school and things seem to be going fine enough until a portal shows up in the middle of the room. Out of this dimensional doorway swaggers Spyral. It turns out he is looking for a Negative Zone device so he can get back to his right dimension. As May begins to engage him as Spider-Girl, the Fantastic Five shows up and jumps the gun by assuming she is working with Spyral. Before things can get straightened out, Spyral puts the public in danger and is able to get away as Reed Richards saves the crowd. May is also able to change back into her normal clothes before the Fantastic Five can capture her.

As she makes her way home, she is stopped by Phil Urich, he fathers partner as Midtown South Police Station. They have a conversation where he reveals to her that he once tried to be a superhero. May contemplates why he may have told her this a bit later as she watches for the Fantastic Five to go after Spyral. When they finally do, she follows them to the seedy warehouse 317 and assist them in their fight. Spyral is able to get the upper hand and May, along with Franklin Richards, are sent into another dimension, but with the Negative Zone technology. They try to fend of the creatures there as they wait for the rest of the team to bring them back, which they do. With Spyral in custody, The Thing and Johnny Storm want to hold May, but Franklin vouches for her, allowing her to leave with no questions asked. May hastily makes her way to her fathers ceremony, but she is already too late. The comic ends with Mary Jane and May walking away from each other in frustration.

This was a very well down issue, I believe. I like May's character more and more each issue and has a progression that I feel the other solo title, J2, is lacking. She is really starting to mature into the Power/Responsibility theme and she is becoming her father's daughter. The inclusion of the Fantastic Five didn't feel tacked on but felt like a natural part of the story. I am glad they are least gave a passing explanation as to what happened to Reed, because I didn't know that was him to begin with. It will be interesting in the next issue how May handles her parents, as well as Phil, who seems to know it is her who is the Spider-Girl.

Score: 4 / 5

A-Next #2

Suddenly ... the Sentry!
November 1998
Written by Tom DeFalco

As the second issue of this Earth-982 series begins, Mainframe, J2, and Thunderstrike are waiting for Stinger to come to an meeting. She is late because she is getting a stern talking to be her father, the former Ant-Man, about putting herself in jeopardy. She arrives shortly after and Mainframe tells the team that Earth's space defense satellites, put into orbit years ago after a major Skrull invasion, shot at something that then broke into two pieces, landing in Washington Park National Forest. Dr. William Foster and his son John Foster are in the area working with the Maria Stark Foundation (also a backer of the Avengers), and sends its own people to check on the crash. Their two people, Carol and Walt, are blasted by some creature though. On the flight in the Quinjet to the Forest, the group learns J2's identity since he reverts back after a time. Thunderstrike in particular becomes angered that a kid is part of his Avengers. They decide to continue the conversation after the mission as they land and are briefed by Dr. Foster. The Avengers and Fosters then break into two groups to investigate the crashes. Mainframe and Thunderstrike find the two researchers, set them free, and then begin a battle with Intergalactic Sentry 666. Stinger, J2, and the Fosters find the ship and infiltrate it, finding the pilot dead. As the battle gets closer to the craft, Stinger and J2 join the fight, but a misplaced hit by J2 sends the Sentry towards the ship. Panicking and wishing to save his father, John Foster tries to the Kree controls and becomes a human/Kree Sentry! He comes out of the ship with his father and joins the battle. He lures the Sentry into the ship, which falls into a ravine, and activates the ships self-destruct. The issue ends with John proclaiming himself the Earth Sentry and telling the Avengers he knows the Kree are going to try something eventually.

This issue was a bit better than even the first one, since it didn't get bogged down by trying to explain how they all got together in the first place. Once thing that I was a little perturbed by was the amount of exposition during the fight scenes ... it was like Shakespeare during a Jackie Chan movie! Other then that, I enjoyed the conflict of interest between Thunderstrike and J2, since I find J2 a bit unnerving, especially in his series. I think it is funny that he continually thinks he is doing good when it turns out very bad. John Foster seems like he will be an interesting character, but I almost thought he would become evil by the way he was first presented. Overall, a good issue, but still a bit below of 4.

Score: 3 / 5

Smallville - S6E2

Sneeze
First Aired: Thursday October 5, 2006

While Metropolis and the world continue to reel from Black Thursday, Lana moves in with Lex, who is becoming paranoid. Clark, possibly as an effect of being in the Phantom Zone, has contracted his first cold ever, but it is no ordinary cold.

While Lex is transporting Lana to his mansion in Smallville because of the University being shut down, he notices he is being followed. Lana is able to pick up that something is wrong, but lets it go. At the Kent farm, Martha is watching a news report about the miraculous cleanup in Metropolis as Clark returns home. This is his handiwork, but it has begun to take a toll on his health. As he is doing his chores, he sneezes for the first time and blows the barn door off, which lands near a jogging Lois. As Martha and Clark deal with Clark's first cold, possibly due to the Phantom Zone, Lois shows up and notices it was their barn door. Lex, after consulting his P.I., goes to confront Lionel, who he thinks is the one having him followed. As he leaves Luther Corp, he is ambushed and taken away. Clark, also in Metropolis, tells Chloe about his problems and about how Lois is poking around. When he returns home, Lionel shows up to warm him Lex is missing and that he may still know Clark's secret. Clark begins to investigate, even going to the mansion and seeing Lana is there now, before overhearing Lana call the P.I. He goes to Chloe to get her help and he finds the man's apartment. There, Chloe suggests he huff-and-puff like the Big Bad Wolf, blowing the door off a secret room which has pictures of a warehouse. Elsewhere, Lana is also able to find out about the warehouse and gets there after Lex had revealed about the serum and Zod. Lana and Lex are able to get away from their captors, but a fire starts and they are trapped. Clark shows up and uses his new power to put out the flames. We also learn that these men were sent by Oliver, a old friend of Lex's, who saw video footage from Lex's Pentagon break-in. At Lex's mansion, Lana confronts Lex about the secret cameras, particularly the one in her room, and he says he will remove hers but the rest must stay. Lois, who had investigate the barn door, decided to write a story and try to get it published. It did, but in the Inquisitor, the tabloid-ish newspaper.

This was a good follow-up to the previous episode and introduced a new character; the Green Arrow! I think it was interesting to finally show Clark with a cold and it makes sense he got it in the Phantom Zone. It was also cool to finally see him use his "lung powers". I like how Chloe and him were close(er) in this episode as well. I am not too happy with Lana's living arrangements and she is becoming a bit of a bitch, but I am sure stuff will happen in future episodes. It is also good to see Lionel is still trying to "help".

Score: 4 / 5

Smallville - S6E1

Zod
First Aired: Thursday September 28, 2006

In the sixth season premiere of Smallville, things are in complete disarray after Lex was infected by Zod and sent Clark into the Phantom Zone. His friends and family come to the realization that they must kill Lex to save the world as he fights the denizens of the Zone.

Picking up right where the season finale of the fifth season ended, Clark is stuck in the Phantom Zone, a barren wasteland for Kryptonian criminals, by Zod, who had completely taken over Lex's body. Lana begins to realize Lex is someone/something else and starts to become frightened when she watches him transform the black ship into a small red tablet. Chloe and Lionel are able to retreat to his office in Luther Corp, where they come to conclusion that Clark has failed and they need to get the knife to kill Lex. Lionel volunteers to return to Smallville, due to Chloe's injured leg. In the mountains somewhere, Martha finally comes around and finds Lois' inert body in the wreckage. Surprisingly, she has been drawn to the Fortress by Jor-El, who tells her what has happened and that she must fulfill Clark's destiny of killing the vessel. He returns her and Lois to Smallville as Clark encounters Raya, a Kryptonian aide to Jor-El in the Phantom Zone. She explains to Clark that the phantoms in the Zone are the worst of the worst from the 23 known galaxies, no longer able to take the form of their own bodies. She also explains that there is a back door to the Zone so that any of the El line are able to escape and she vows to take him there. Back on Earth, Zod brings the power back to the world because he needs to get to the Pentagon for their satellite information. He leaves Lana behind with a pike sticking out of her hand, vowing he would return so she can sire his heirs. Chloe has found shelter at the Daily Planet, where she also encounter her old fling, Jimmie Olsen. Lionel, Martha, and Lana all arrive at the barn at the same time to find the knife. Lana wishes to take the knife to kill Lex. Even though Clark and his guide are ambushed by Nam-Ek (from the fifth season premiere that Clark sent to the Zone), he is able to ultimately escape, though some of the phantoms appear to follow him. Lana tries to use the knife on Lex, but is unsuccessful, and he begins to use the satellite information he obtained to destroy the Earth. Clark shows up in time and they start to fight. Though it appears that Clark is defeated and kneels to Zod, he uses Jor-El's gift to Raya to send him back to the Phantom Zone. Lex awakens in the hospital later, knowing nothing of what he did and can tell he has a lot to work out with Lana. Clark confronts Chloe about their kiss, but they both try to shrug it off as Clark meets Jimmie. The episode ends with Lionel scribbling designs with the word "Power", Lex holding a piece of the tablet/ship, and a brief glimpse of one of the escaped phantoms in Argentina.

This is everything a season premiere is suppose to be; suspenseful and making me constantly question what can possibly happen next. Rosenblum's acting as Zod is truly marvelous. I wish we could have done more with the Phantom Zone, but it will always be there and I think the escape of the phantoms is a great vehicle for the season. One thing I am hoping is that Lionel doesn't go back to his truly wicked ways. Of course, I have always enjoyed Glover's acting as the devious man, but I started to really enjoy him as a "good guy". I am also a little peeved about Chloe/Clark, since I really want to see them happen because they are right for each other. Of course, this is another plot vehicle for the season. All in all, a great start.

Score: 5 / 5

Angel - S1E22

To Shanshu in L.A.
First Aired: Tuesday May 23, 2000

In the season finale of Angel, Wolfram and Hart bring forth the demon Voka, who is enraged they let Angel get the Scroll. Vowing to retrieve it in order to complete the ritual, he targets Cordelia, Wesley, and the Powers That Be.

As this season finale begins, Wesley is hard at work translating the Scrolls that Angel obtained from the WR&H vault in the previous episode. In particular, he finds the word Shanshu, which he translates to mean that after Angel fulfills his duties, he will die. Elsewhere in the city, Lindsay, Holland, and Lila welcome the Warrior of the Underworld, Voka, who is angered that Angel has the Scroll. He needs it for a ritual that specifically targets Angel, so he vows to retrieve the scroll himself and cut off his communication with the Powers That Be. He first goes to the Oracles and slays them before putting a curse on Cordelia that makes he power of clairvoyance increase astronomically. Angel gets word she is in the hospital and rushes to her side, locking the scrolls in his office. Wesley returns minutes before Angel does again and the office is blown up by a bomb left by Voka after he had taken the Scroll. With Wesley now also in the hospital, Angel is confronted by Kate who he finally loses patience with and tells her to stay out of his way. Going to the Oracles, Angel discovers their bodies and the ghost of the female who is able to tell him that he must retrieve the Scroll in order to save Cordelia. He takes Voka's scythe and tails Lindsay and the other WR&H lawyers to the ritual area. Angel breaks into the party and engages Voka in battle. Lindsay continues the ceremony himself and is able to complete it, allowing the WR&H people to get the box out before Angel is able to kill Voka. Though he tries to burn the Scroll before Angel can do anything, Angel throws the scythe at Lindsay and cuts off his hand. He takes the Scroll to Wesley, who then does the spell and releases Cordelia. On the mend at Cordelia's home, Wesley realizes that his translation of Shanshu was wrong, and that Angel will actually become human once he fulfills his destiny. This makes Angel happy and he smiles. The season ends with Holland, Lila, and Lindsay all talking about the box before we see that inside of it is none other that a frightened Darla.

A wonderful episode, it is just a notch below stellar. We get to see the really coming together of Angel's "family", of his loving bond between Wesley and Cordelia (and the eventual others in coming seasons). I really liked the demon Voka and kind of wish that he would have survived a bit longer; I could have seen him teaming up with Darla. However, Angel was very determined, so it made sense that he was able to kill it. I also enjoyed Angel finally telling off Kate, because while she may have started out as great character, she has become too much of a bitch. As far as a season finale, the two twists at the end with Shanshu and with Darla were good vehicles to push for the next season. Buffy's pushes for season five were a bit more subtle and mysterious instead of Angel's straightforward "Here's Darla". Overall, a great season ender.

Score: 4 / 5

Freaks and Geeks - E06

I'm With the Band
First Aired: Saturday November 13, 1999

Nick's future is in jeopardy and he is trying his hardest to make it as a drummer. Lindsay tries to help, but ends up messing things up. Sam is ordered to take a shower in gym class, but he continually tries to duck out of them.

The episode opens with showing Nick pantimoining to a live recording while playing his drum kit. His father comes downstairs and shakes his head disapprovingly. The next day, Lindsay goes to hear his band play, but everyone bails when Nick's father wishes to talk to him. Lindsay stays and overhears the conversation. His father is going to send him into the Army when he is eighteen if he doesn't keep a C+ average. Lindsay tells Nick that they need to practice more and that they currently aren't that great. When the band gets together the next day, Nick brings this up and the band becomes disgruntled after having to perform "Sunshine of Your Love" six times. Ultimately, the band dissolves and Lindsay is to blame. All of the friends are at odds now the next day. Lindsay tries to rectify it by showing Nick a "drummer wanted" flyer for a local band. He goes to try out, but finally realizes he is way out of their playing league. To reassure him, Lindsay kisses him in the parking lot. The next day, all of the friends are talking again and Nick is more at ease with things. However, Kim talks with Lindsay about how Nick told people he and her had sex, leading to a confused Lindsay.

In the other story line, Sam's gym class is told by their gym teacher that they must all now take shows afterwards. Sam continues to refuse to do so, even getting Bill and Neil to join him in protest the first day. The following day, however, they relent and go to take shows. They are summarily harassed by the bigger kids with towel slaps. Sam finally does agree to take a shower, but on the way there, he is waylay-ed by his bully Alex. The bully pushes Sam out into the halls and then takes his towel. Sam then sprints around the school trying to get to his locker, but ends up back in the gym area where the teacher is flirting with another teacher. Sam is depressed about his ordeal and his bully confronts him after school about it. However, a car of football players and cheerleaders come by and applaud Sam's "ballsy" move. His bully leaves in a huff since Sam feels better now.

This was a good episode, a bit better than the couple of previous ones. I think it was and interesting story line for Nick and progressed his character. One thing I don't enjoy too much is that previous episodes aren't ever addressed, it seems. Lindsay and Dan are friends again even though she laughed in his face during the cheating episode. I am also sure nothing will come of Nick's "boasting". As for the Sam story, I think this is a common theme is sitcoms dealing with young boys, so I wasn't terribly impressed with it. Bill and Neil did have some great lines, though.

Score: 3 / 5

Buffy - S4E22

Restless
First Aired: Tuesday May 23, 2000

In this strange season finale, the Scoobies fall into a deep sleep and are stalked by an unknown assailant.

Picking up briefly after the previous episode, Buffy is saying bye to Riley who is going in for a debriefing from the government. As he leaves, Xander, Willow, and Giles all sit down with Buffy to watch some video because they claim that they aren't tired from the spell used to destroy Adam. However, moments after Joyce leaves the room and Xander puts in the first video, they are all asleep. This is where the episode gets weird, as we are transported into the jumbled dreams/nightmares of each of the characters, starting with Willow, going to Xander, then Giles, and finally Buffy. Willow is afraid that she may be acting the part of cool wicca person/lesbian and that people will see right through to what she used to be. Xander is running from his basement where he is currently stuck and hiding from his parents. Giles is worried about how is training or not training Buffy and begins to realize something is terrible wrong. Finally, Buffy is faced with her fears about Riley joining right back up with the government. At the end of each of their dreams, they are accosted by a strange faced-painted warrior who takes Willow's breath, Xander's heart, and Giles' brain. Buffy finally confronts the creature in the desert and it speaks through Tara. The thing tells her that she is the first slayer, her gift is death, and that there should be no friends. Buffy then proceeds to fight her to get control of her body again. She is successful and the others are safe as well. They discuss the dreams as the episode ends.

I can't stress how much I love this episode, especially since I have seen it last because I have gotten into more experimental things, such as David Lynch's movies and Chuck Palahniuk's books. It seems this is either a love it or hate it episode that is a little difficult to "get", but once I did, it was great. The cameos were very good, such as Snyder, Harmony, Oz, and non-killer Adam. The filming and the dialog is spot on for this type of dream sequence episode. This was an odd choice, perhaps, for a final episode of the season, since Buffy had already killed the Big Bad the episode before, but I found it revealing and a great vehicle for the next season.

Score: 5 / 5

Angel - S1E21

Blind Date
First Aired: Tuesday May 16, 2000

While fighting a group of vampires, Angel encounters a blind woman with amazing powers. He eventually finds out she is a client of Wolfram and Hart. This leads down a crazy path that includes Lindsay coming to Angel for help.

This episode begins with Angel fighting some vampires and being drawn into a fight with what appears to be a blind person. She kicks his ass and gets away. The next day, Wesley and Cordelia do research, find out the womans name, and find out she is on trial for murder, being represented by Lindsay of Wolfram and Hart. Lindsay is able to get her off all charges, which thrills the Senior Partners. His mentor, Holland Manners, informs him that they will be sending her after some children and that Lindsay should prepare a defense for the possible court proceedings. Angel is enraged to find out the woman walks, but is surprised when Lindsay comes to his office asking for help to get out of Wolfram and Hart. He wants to save the children. Angel, though skeptical at first, agrees to do it by getting into the files vault at WR&H. They enlist the help of Gunn and are able make it into the building. Angel grabs the files as well as a strange scroll, but doing that sets off an alarm. Angel gets out and takes the disks to Cordelia, who tries to decrypt them with Willow's help over the phone. Lindsay, on the other hand, gets trapped in WR&H and mind readers let his mentor know what Lindsay had done. The man chastises Lindsay, but ultimately lets him go. He arrives at Angel's in time to prepare their surprise attack on the blind woman. They are able to save the children and Lindsay returns to WR&H to gloat. His mentor is moving up the corporate ladder and he still offers Lindsay a job ... his job, with more power and money. In the end, despite his conflict, he takes the office.

Now back to another episode I don't remember seeing. It was good to see this one because it showed how/why Angle got the prophecy scroll that tells of his exploits for the coming years. It was also an interesting episode in that is focused at least half of its story on Lindsay, which is a character I enjoy. While still not leading up to a big season one ending, this was a very good next to last episode and showed more of Lindsay's character, as well as the character of WR&H.

Score: 4 / 5

J2 #2

Secrets and Lies / Alone Against the X-People
November 1998
Written by Tom DeFalco

In the first story, Zane is dealing with the aftermath of being admitted into the Avengers. His mother, A.D.A. Yama, is concerned this new Juggernaut may have had contact with Cain Marko and explains this to her son. Zane leaves for school worrying about what this may all mean for him if his mother finds out he is actually J2. In school, Miller is still gloating about "helping" J2 in the previous issue and Zane becomes angry. J2 calls to check in with the Avengers and Jarvis tells him A.D.A. Yama would like a meeting with J2. Miller shows up and demands the phone. Vowing to "diss" Miller, he changes into J2 later but ends up responding to a bank robbery. There, he meets and fights with Buffer Zone, a shield-protected bad guy. In the end, it is Miller again who helps Zane by taking the guy out when his force field was down. Zane slinks away in shame and meets with his mother at the Avengers headquarters. She demands to know who he is and how he got his powers, but he doesn't relent and she leave in a huff. In the end, Zane's high school classmates are talking about how Miller is partners with J2 and Zane begins to feel even worse.

In the other story, Zane is on his way to visit the X-People in Saddle River, New Jersey when he notices their gate is broken. Changing into J2, he rushes in to offer aid, but is mistaken for someone else; Enthralla, niece to the Mastermind. He is able to fight off the various X-People, but is ultimate faced with Enthralla herself, who uses her powers to enthrall J2. Zane's helmet is impervious to mental and psonic attacks, though, and he is able use a shockwave to disorient her. His splash wave from the pool he used to knock out the X-People also brought them to their senses and they proceed to take care of Enthralla. The story ends with J2 being accepted as a good guy by the X-People.

While not as bad as the first issue, I was still hoping this would be a one story issue. However, both stories were decent enough, even if they had some cheese exposition. I don't like the side-story about Miller being J2's helper very much, but I do like the mystery with A.D.A. Yama trying to figure out who J2 is. The X-People story reminded me a lot of the old comics from the 50's and 60's, with the action and the comments. Overall, a better issue then that first, but still only average.

Score: 3 / 5

Buffy - S4E21

Primeval
First Aired: Tuesday May 16, 2000

After the emotions ran high, the Scoobies are now divided, thanks to Spike's plan to help Adam. They are able to get the courage to face their demons before they have to face the real demon threat; Adam's ultimate plan is to unleash all threats in the Initiative.

At the end of the previous episode, the Scoobies have gone their separate ways because of things said. As they each try to deal with their feelings, Riley has had his behavior modification chip activated by Adam. The chip makes him completely subservient to Adam whose final stages are about to begin. Spike shows up and ultimately figures out his plan to separate the Scoobies has one fatal flaw; how will Willow get the disk information to Buffy if they are strained? Spike encounters Buffy and tries to persuade her to make up with "reds" in order to get the information and Buffy begins to realize what may have happened. Calling an importune meeting, the four core Scoobies meet and discuss how Spike was the one giving them the wild thoughts. They make up and start working together again just in time to take on the Initiative. They try to infiltrate the base again, but are ambushed by the commandos. Elsewhere, Adam shows Riley his new lab as well as his new experiments; Professor Walsh and Forest. Adam then begins his next phase by cutting the power and unleashing the demons in the Initiative. Buffy and the others escape capture and make their way to 314, where they think the secret lab is located. While Giles, Xander, and Willow set up for their spell, Buffy encounters Riley and the others. Forest and he square off, enraging Riley to the point where be gets enough willpower to remove the chip from his chest and takes on Forest himself while Buffy goes to find Adam. Buffy is no match for Adam and he has upgraded himself with an arm cannon, which he uses to chase Buffy into hiding. At that moment, the three others complete their spell and are infused with Buffy, giving her their power as well. With untold power, Buffy is able to rip out Adams power source and destroy him. Riley is also able to kill Forest while Spike saves the Scoobies, who are drained from the spell. The episode ends with a government panel discussing their failure while scenes of the escape orchestrated by Buffy are shown.

Awesome episode all around. This is how all seasons finales of Buffy feel; epic to a T. While the final fight scene between Buffy and Adam could have been a little more fleshed out, the action sequences in the Initiative's central area was amazing. While the action soared, so did the drama and humor, which was still intact. This season did depict college life, where you drift away from high school friends, but these friends have something stronger than simple friendship keeping them together. It was heartwarming to see the core four be the main focus and power behind the confrontation. Great stuff.

Score: 5 / 5

Freaks and Geeks - E05

Tests and Breasts
First Aired: Saturday November 6, 1999

Lindsay offers her services to Daniel so he can pass an algebra test, but things don't go as planned as they are accused of cheating. Sam and his friends decide to learn about sex the hard way; by watching a porno.

This episode began with Sam and his friends in health class. Bill and Neil are being disruptive and it is Sam who tries to quiet them done. However, he turns out to be the one who gets into trouble. The health teacher gets frustrated enough that he makes Sam go up to the front and teacher about the female reproductive system. Sam is unable to but is called Doctor Love is jest. Daniel is having the same type of trouble, but he is jeopardy of failing algebra. Later at lunch, he tells Lindsay this and she offers to help him study that evening. Sam, while trying to talk with his crush Cindy, is taunted by other males by being called Doctor Love. He and he friends then try to figure out a perverted joke, even trying to tell other people and get it explained to them. That evening, Daniel shows up, but is miffed when he finds out Lindsay actually wants him to study instead of learn "shortcuts". As he goes outside to smoke, he sees Sam trying to read the sex education book, and offers to help him with something tomorrow. Dan leaves shortly after. The next day, he steals the test and asks Lindsay to help him fill it in, but she refuses by trying to get him an extension. When the teacher is rude about that, she agrees and Dan passes, which sends up a red flag with the teacher. He accuses Dan and Lindsay of cheating. Dan lived up to his promise to help Sam, though it wasn't what he expected. He gave same a 35mm porno. Neil offers to have Sam and Bill come over to watch it, but when they do, Sam and Bill become disgusted. The next day, Sam can't even talk to Cindy without being embarrassed. The health teacher pulls him aside after class because Sam had submitted some odd questions anonymously, but the teacher was able to tell who it was. He then proceeded to disclose secretly what he could to Sam about sex. Back with Lindsay and Daniel, she keeps flip-flopping about whether to admit it or not. Dan even gives her a sob story about how he was labeled dumb when he was in sixth-grade. When they are in their meeting, the teacher said he will dismiss the charges if Dan can do the first problem. Of course, he can't and instead writes "LED ZEPPELIN". When the teachers and parents start to get upset, he comes into his sob story that he had told Lindsay. Before anyone can say anything at the end of it, Lindsay begins to laugh uncontrollably because she realized how badly Dan has been playing her.

I enjoyed the episode, but I still felt like it was average. I understand that the humor, if there is any, is suppose to be subtle. The show seems like it has become more and more serious with each episode, and though that is not a bad thing, I think the comedy they did have in the show's pilot and even second episode were what made it great. I figured before that Dan is really good at manipulating people, but I didn't think he would do it this soon to Lindsay. At first, I wanted to feel bad for him, but now I am beginning to realize just about everything he says is a lie. As for Sam's story, I think that was pretty good from the awkward side of things. It was cool to see Tom Wilson as the sex education teacher, since I remember him mostly from the Back to the Future movies. I think his ending was good with the teacher giving him the whole truth about sex. So, overall I enjoyed Sam's story more than Lindsay's.

Score: 3 / 5

Angel - S1E20

Warzone
First Aired: Tuesday May 9, 2000

Angel is hired by a rich computer person to stop him from being blackmailed. When Angel strays into a certain neighborhood, he is confronted by a rag-tag team of street kids who hunt vampires.

The opening segment of the episode shows a girl being chased by some vampires, but when they turn to see who has come to stop them, it is a young black man (instead of Angel). He and his group take on the vampires, dusting a few, but when they return to their home, one of the group dies. Charles Gunn, the leader, shows little remorse since the guy died for a cause. Angel, Cordelia, and Wesley are attending a party elsewhere. The man running the party is a computer nerd who has made millions and is now being blackmailed with pictures of him at a demon brothel. Investigating the case, Angel is lead back to a man in a seedy part of town. When he confronts the man there, Gunn sees Angel vamp-out and sees him as a target. Angel returns the next night, but the blackmailer has brought a demon, which Angel is able to kill after a taxing battle. That isn't the end of the night for him, however, since Gunn's crew then shows up and hunts him. They corner Angel, who has Gunn's sister hostage, but he saves her life and the crew lets him go. Angel worries for their wellbeing and returns the next night to aid them. They aren't interested in that, since they had been ambushed by the vampires in the area and Gun's sister was taken, so they look him in a meat locker and they go to confront the vamps. Gun wishes to enter alone and is confronted by a horrifying sight; his sister has been turned. She tries to convince him to join her, but in the end he does the hardest thing and stakes her. Back at the locker, Cordelia and Wesley show up to let Angel out. Angel arrives at the warehouse in time to kill the vampire leader and scares off the rest. Cordelia and Wesley talk the next day about how the people survive with Charles Gunn before Cordelia starts talking about selling herself out to the geek. The episode ends with Angel meeting up with Gunn in an abandoned building and Angel saying he may need his help in the future, giving him reassurance that what he is doing is right.

I enjoyed this episode, if for nothing more than it introduced Gunn. It was an above average episode where two separate story lines converged into one. My favorite moment was at the end when Angel sort of confirmed to Gunn that he was on the right path and that Angel would be glad to have him as an ally.

Score: 3 / 5

Buffy - S4E20

The Yoko Factor
First Aired: Tuesday May 9, 2000

After returning from Los Angeles, Buffy has to deal with Riley's new feelings towards Angel. Also, Spike has teamed up with Adam and tries to sabotage the rest of the Scoobies.

This episode revolves around how Spike tries to ruin the Scoobies bonds. Adam has "recruited" Spike, promising that he will remove the chip if Spike helps him. Spike talks about a plan where it would be best to split up the friends of Buffy. Riley, who is hiding out in the old high school, is told the full story about Angel from Xander, since Buffy left out the most important parts. While hiding out, Riley picks up a transmission about a group of the commandos being attacked. Riley goes to help out and finds Angel is the assiliant. They square off, with Angel putting the bigger beat down on Riley. They both retreat as the Initiative shows up. Elsewhere, Spike begins his plan. First, he puts Giles down for his ineffectiveness in helping Buffy. Then, he asks Xander why Buffy and Willow were joking about him joining the army. Finally, after retrieving some Initiative disks (really given by Adam), she comments to Willow about how Buffy said her "wicca" stuff was just a phase. Back at Buffy's room, Angel and Riley both show up. Buffy briefly speaks with Angel, who wishes to just apologize for the way her acted while she was in Los Angeles. Buffy then has to tell Riley about Forrest being killed by Adam and Riley leaves in a hurry. Buffy goes to Giles' home to work with the rest of the Scoobies, but they end up verbally sparing when they war over what Spike said to them. In the end, they all go their separate ways. The episode ends with Riley showing up at Adams stronghold, since he was expected by Adam.

This was a very good episode and was fun to watch Spike be manipulative. I am not really sure how much I like the very brief cameo by Angel. I understand the symbolism of him fighting, and beating up, Riley, but it still felt weird. I really enjoyed the fighting between the "core four" at the end, while Anya and Tara retreat to the bathroom. There were some funny lines ("Tara's your girlfriend?!" "Bloody Hell") to the serious. It really was like the Yoko Factor.

Score: 4 / 5