Favorite bit: Spike in 1950s Italy.

I want a whole episode of this. In black and white. Of nothing but Spike in his swinging best. Saying nothing but, "Ciao."

I really enjoyed it, but was also a bit confused. I was expecting some sort of follow up on what Angel's last line in the previous episode really meant. It seemed like a pretty big personality switch, then we got a comedy episode.

I finally watched the episode. I laughed. I laughed a lot. Holy shit did I laugh. The in-jokes from old Buffy and Angel episodes were the best. I must know the name of the CEO at the WR&H Italian branch. Someone please find out. She was one of the hottest women I have ever seen. Her breasts were delicious. Oh, and i actually think Sarah Michelle Gellar would've ruined the episode's mood. That is all.

I enjoyed this one as well. The Italian W&H lady was hot and funny at the same time---that doesn't happen real often.

I love how Amy Acker can switch between her two characters at a moments notice.

Lorne sure has been underused over the season.

It was enjoyable for what it was, a light episode.

I really preferred the "B" story regarding Fred and her parents. That type of continuity was refreshing when Fred's mom referred to running over that demon with the bus. Amy Acker was great in her ability to move from sweet Fred to Illyria with just a tilt of her head and lowering her voice...creepy.

Will be glad to see the series get back to the major arc next week.

I also think it was a waste

Nice lighthearted episode but with 3 eps left ever i expect a huge big run home with the final big bad

Just didn't fit in


Amy Acker was awesome

I laughed loud and hard, especially w/ Spike's Italy '50s flashback and Spike saying "Sonofabi***!" to Dru.
I also loved Fred/Illyria segments-but Wes is going to be insane if that continues. I wish this Illyria stuff happened sooner-it is by far the coolest thing this season.
Yes, Dru and Darla were wasted, but oh well. I second cleaning up Dru's storyline.
Personally, a lot of development went on. Angel and Spike finally learned to move on pass Buffy and that was the point. They all maybe her 'true loves' but love will happen when it happens and they didn't get that. They kept smothering Buffy to a point in where she decided to leave the US and not go to LA after the Hellmouth closed. Having her as a character this episode worked like that briefcase did in Pulp Fiction. Plus, it would've been a waste of a guest appearance, because ultimately, Buffy would give them a speech like Andrew did.
If the "Immortal" is this GREAT demon, how would you visualize him?
Some flaws though: Pacing seemed to be either too fast and fun or too slow and wordy.
Some info on the Scoobies would be great.
Many complain about this being the third to last ep, but it could've been placed earlier this season. True, but there could've been a grander concept, but other factors probably effected it, like no SMG, no knowledge of the cancelation, no other possible guest stars like Dawn or Giles.
One last comedy episode before the final two gut-wrentchers.

PS:
someone said Lorne has been uderused this season. Too true, but his character has been worthless since the end of S3.

I thought last nights was an ok episode. They needed to get back to the whole Buffy situation eventually, and the ep also showed how reliant Angel and Spike are on W&H's resources now.

I did find that the scenes in the italian W&H office dragged on a bit long, though.

One thing that's been bugging me is that they went to all that trouble to get Lindsey, and we haven't seen him since.

To me it seemed like Carole Davis - who appeared as Amilita Amalfi (an international partygirl) in "The Power of Female Sex" (episode 1.5) on Sex and the City. She sounds EXACTLY LIKE HER!

Speaking of fat (Angel with his shirt on?!?! WTF? James Marsters is 42 - Boreanaz is 33... who is in better shape? Sad... pair with yet ANOTHER encore of that horrible attempt at an Irish accent, even worse!

Did anyone else think thatTrish Burkle (Jennifer Griffin) looked pregnant?

I thought Andrew's latest appearance was crap. It seemed painfully obvious that they could get no one else to do the plot device - and that character just sucks. If Nicholas Brendon hadn't been in rehab when they shot this episode, I think this storyline could have been MUCH more poignant - after all he's been in love with Buffy almost as long as Angel!

Come again ?!?!?

No matter how much of a waste some people may consider this episode to be, I wouldn't have wanted the series to end without it. This was the gift to the die-hard fans, with all of the references to past episodes and conflicts, Darla and Dru, Andrew, flashbacks...it was like one big fun recap before we hit the heavy stuff over the next two weeks. It actually reminded me of the scene in "Chosen" (Buffy) where Buffy, Xander, Willow and Giles are all standing a circle talking about going to the mall the next day...it was just one last chance to have fun with these characters before we have to see them face horrifying events and, possibly, die.

What I liked specifically: the Illyria/Wes subplot. I don't know what "information" she was gathering was, or why the show continues to torture Wes, but watching Amy Acker flawlessly transition between characters was absolutely captivating. Plus, I'd really forgotten how much I enjoyed Fred's character...seeing her come back was like a kick in the stomach and it really makes me wonder how she will factor into things in the end.

I also loved the banter between Angel and Spike...as a big fan of both characters, I can never get enough of their competitive remarks and nudges...the moped chase, the "I saved the world" conversation, and the cookie dough speech were especially entertaining.

And I have to say...I don't think that just because they have a "special guest star" that they should overuse them. I personally can't take too much of Darla or Dru at one time, and I thought that their scene was well-done and to the point. I didn't need any more than that...they got the job done and it would have just been overkill to have them talk about how amazing The Immortal is any more.

Also: great additional characters. The Wolfram & Hart CEO, the demon who stole the head, I even really enjoyed Andrew's part in this. Nice touches.

What I didn't like...no Gunn? No Lorne? These guys have had a serious lack of screen time lately. Also, the slow-motion "Buffy" dancing. I would have rather not seen her at all than see some blonde stand-in shake her hair from side to side in bad slow-mo.

Other than that, I really enjoyed the episode for what it was...a stand-alone throwback to both Buffy and Angel and their fans. Putting off the final arc has also only made me more and more excited for what's to come...I've been avoiding the spoilers, and honestly, I haven't the slightest idea of what's going to happen. This season has been absolutely classy, and I have faith that the series' end will be just as strong. I can't wait to see what happens.

I'm on the side of the folks who loved this episode. It was funny as hell and, yes, as someone said, nothing was really resolved with Angel/Spike/Buffy but doing the resolution would have meant no hope of ever reopening the Buffyverse after this series ends. There's gotta be something to do in the Angel TV movies or the Buffy bigscreen release. Right?

"Concurrently?" I hope so.

Nice episode. I loved the scene where Spike gets upset that Dru also slept with The Immortal. Although my favorite line was the whine from Angel when he finds out The Immortal did both at the same time.

"You never let us do that"

Angel wants a threesome :)

What was up with Andrew going out with women?

It would have been better to have a Spike lookalike at the door.

Strong agreement.

Loved it. Probally my second favorite this season next to Damage.

These are the two things I enjoyed the most. The banter between Angel/Spike was pretty funny. But the Fred/Illyria story was painful. I felt the frustration of Wes. I didn't know they didn't even tell her folks what had happened. It was really sad. :(

Laughed a lot. Loved it.

Angel getting on the back of that scooter behind Spike reminds me of the time he had to take the pink motorcycle helmet because Wes got the only black one.

Zee's right - this one was for the hardcore fans. Lots of inside jokes. I don't mind at all that they didn't show the Immortal - it's more fun that he kept us guessing. Kind of like in "Pulp Fiction". Didn't matter cause it wasn't important to the storyline. Plus, we don't know that they're done with the Immortal. There are two episodes left - what or who is the Big Bad?

Loved the Italian W&H Boss - "No graci, prego, kiss kiss?" "More like graci, prego, kaboom."

Angel in the Italian sports jacket was hilarious too.

Illyria's transformation back into Fred was kind of disturbing (but very well done). Which is her voice in real life??

Closer to Illyria, although Amy not surprisingly sounds a little more human when she speaks. If you have the season three DVDs, she's interviewed in there. I believe she's on both the "Season Three Overview" and "Page to Screen", but she's definitely at least in the former.

Damn, I miss Fred.

I suppose that Angel and Spike could each take an end of Andrew and... well... the less said, the better.

Me too. I miss that perky Fred! She lived 5 years in hell and still is so cheerful. Illyria is just too serious.

This is the storyline I'm interested in most going into the end of the series. Amy & Alexis are just so damn good together.

The ep itself was so very fun. I almost busted a gut at Angels "I signaled her with my eyes". I do wish that Darla & Dru's "good bye" to the series could have been a little more substantial, but their scene was nice so I won't complain too much.

The only thing I'm not happy about is the lack of Gunn in things. It's cool to see him back with the bald & shiny dome, rocking the street clothes, but he should get some more face time. I really hope we get a nice reflective scene with the nuclear Angel family (if only Cordy & Fred could be there :( ).

This was a clunker. The humor seemed forced to me and except for the Illeria/Wesley/Fred stuff, this reminded me of the first half of the season which was more miss than hit.
Why was Darla or Dru even in the episode? Why did we need Andrew? Why even show Buffy's hair?
And we are suppose to believe that Andrew leaves with two woman? I dont buy it.
The last half of the season has been stellar but this was a big dissapointment.
I think Angel can blend Drama and humor successfully (Happy Time) but this wasnt an example of one of those times.

Now see I think Smile Time was a low point. Not as bad as the WWII ep but close.

yeah for some reason the bartender chick was listed for her role on the ep on tvguide.com etc but not Carole Raphaelle Davis as the CEO of the Italian branch..

Eh.. oh well.. at least now you know who it is that played Ilona Costa Bianchi, CEO at the WR&H Italian branch :)

No way! I LOVE it when Whedon takes risks like this (like BTVS's "Hush", and "Once More With Feeling"). Muppet Angel had me rolling on the ground. Plus, Nina was in that episode. You gotta love any episode with Nina!