In "Billy", the gang tries to send back the man that Angel was forced to release from a hell dimension, Billy. He is part of a rich family and well protected. He has the ability to cause female hatred in men with a single touch, causing his victims to kill women. Angel & Cordy both blame themselves for setting him loose in the world and both go on their own vendettas to destroy him. Wesley and Gunn are both infected while doing testing on Billy's blood and chase Fred around the hotel trying to kill her. Lilah feels conflicted on what to do about Billy after he causes Gavin to attack her. In the end, it's Lilah that takes Billy down, shooting him on the tarmac.
Wow, one of the tensest episodes of Angel to date! The Shining-esque sequence in the hotel of Wesley menacingly following Fred around was difficult to watch. His cold, business-like demeanor made it all the more horrific. I think they lay it on a little thick with the ax through the door though; we get it, it's a Shining homage. That's really my only issue with the episode. That and the seemingly out-of-nowhere love interest between Fred and Wesley that seems like a plot device to add weight to the episode.
Joss Whedon has always been a champion of feminism and this episode is all about that. The three female characters (Cordy, Fred, and Lilah) take center stage in the plot. Cordy is no longer the helpless cheerleader she once was, she can get stuff done herself. Fred fends off her two coworkers with aplomb. Lilah gets revenge on the cause of her assault. All three women look tough and independent when all is said and done.
This episode focusing on misogyny in the modern world is still relevant 17 years later. With this whole incel subgroup of men coming to light recently, this episode felt all too unfortunately real. Wesley blaming Fred for teasing him, it gave me the heebie-jeebies. Seeing empowered women onscreen is always a welcomed sight.
Wow, one of the tensest episodes of Angel to date! The Shining-esque sequence in the hotel of Wesley menacingly following Fred around was difficult to watch. His cold, business-like demeanor made it all the more horrific. I think they lay it on a little thick with the ax through the door though; we get it, it's a Shining homage. That's really my only issue with the episode. That and the seemingly out-of-nowhere love interest between Fred and Wesley that seems like a plot device to add weight to the episode.
Joss Whedon has always been a champion of feminism and this episode is all about that. The three female characters (Cordy, Fred, and Lilah) take center stage in the plot. Cordy is no longer the helpless cheerleader she once was, she can get stuff done herself. Fred fends off her two coworkers with aplomb. Lilah gets revenge on the cause of her assault. All three women look tough and independent when all is said and done.
This episode focusing on misogyny in the modern world is still relevant 17 years later. With this whole incel subgroup of men coming to light recently, this episode felt all too unfortunately real. Wesley blaming Fred for teasing him, it gave me the heebie-jeebies. Seeing empowered women onscreen is always a welcomed sight.