Angel - 2x06 “Guise Will Be Guise” FULL REACTION

This is the episode that really pulls Angel's character together for me. It's the first major time that the Angel on Buffy and the Angel on Angel really click and make sense as a single person. His whole dramatic broody vibe can be difficult to work with, writing-wise, beyond the superficial comedic perspective they like to go for. But this ep offers an explanation for his extremely affected aesthetic, and it's something I mega relate to. Using material objects to protect yourself emotionally is such a specific characteristic to have, and I love it. Angel's a very visual person in general. Also the insight into perhaps part of why Angel was so damn drawn to Buffy was interesting, despite being dressed up in a bad joke. Darla dressed up as a school girl in Buffy s1, mocking Angel's crush on this teenage girl. But then the fake swami unintentionally suggests that Buffy represented (at least before he got to know her) Angel's continued preoccupation with Darla even after getting his soul back.

KT

AD and DB are the same height, and granted they have extremely different builds, but Angel’s coat would not almost touch the floor when Wesley’s wearing it. It looks even more oversized than Spike’s duster, but it’s a hilarious visual, as is Angel being so petty about it. But Angel’s pettiness is sometimes an endearing flaw. I also appreciated using the same Angel musical cue and pan up from the shoes that they used for Gunn in "War Zone" twice in this episode when Wesley is appropriating Angel's identity. Love those thoughtful touches and callbacks.

Rachael

The YouTube copy doesn't have the audio cut outs. I went over there to watch the end.

UTU49

"What's going on? Were you in Virginia?" "... that's besides the point." Cracks me up every damn time. I feel like Guise is one of those gems I always forget about, but adore whenever I remember it. Whenever I'm thinking about great Buffyverse episodes, it's usually the epic showdowns like Becoming or Graduation Day, or the experimental episodes like Hush or Restless. Even when it comes to comedic ones, it's episodes with a conceptual twist like Doppelgangland or The Zeppo that leap to mind before Guise. But on rewatch, Guise is hilarious and really solid all the way through!

escalator_dropdown

Loved your delighted reaction. I really like this episode, although it sags a tiny bit here and there (mostly the Virginia/Wesley scenes), but the concept of exploring both Angel and Wesley’s characters almost via a Freaky Friday trope with Wesley impersonating Angel and a wiseguy type impersonating Angel’s “swami” is pretty brilliant. It’s a relief to have a light episode (thank you, Jane Espenson), but it still picks up on the question left hanging in “Dear Boy”: who is Angel? Is he Angelus, as Darla insists? Or is he Angel, the heroic ensouled vampire on a redemption path, as Angel & Co. insist? Or is he denying his true self while also enjoying the power that comes with his reputation and image of Angelus, as the fake T’ish Magev insists? Alexis Denisof is exceptional, as always. He goes through an entire mini-arc in one episode. Everything he does is comic genius, and I always rewind to catch some of his moves (the panicked face he gives to Cordy; the vampire invitation thing; the touch to the forehead — is that really an Angel tic?). AD is a gift for whom I am eternally grateful.

Rachael

Cordy’s hair was driving me crazy in this episode. CC’s extensions have been getting out of control lately (they’ve been looking so heavy and frizzy), but in the Cordy/Wesley rescue scene, Cordy has completely different hair. They must have had to do a reshoot but didn’t bother to match her hair and makeup.

Rachael

And what would the ship name be? Wes-Virginia! (I am soooo entertained right now!! hahahahaha)

UTU49

The audio cuts out a few times during your thoughts at the end, otherwise it's a great reaction!

Raq Miller

OMG.....Virginia = Virgin! NEVER picked up on that before!

Dark Wesgel! haha. love it

Holi117

You had it right the first time: T'ish Magev. Art LaFleur (what a great name) is so good playing the fake swami, although Angel should have clued in when the show did the bad (imo) Buffy/Darla joke. But I guess if he's a villain then maybe the joke is okay? I dunno, I also really did not like Wesley having sex with Virginia without telling her the truth. Jeez, even Xander wouldn't do that.

Rachael

This is my go-to comedy episode of Angel. I love it so much

Inseriousity

This IS quite good and has a lot to recommend it. The T’ish Magev (and I’m probably getting the apostrophes all wrong), who wasn’t REALLY the Tish Ma’gev (let’s try that) was so good that I wish he HAD been the Tish Magev. Wesley as impostor Angel is hilarious and also heroic. “Were you in Virginia?” “That’s beside the point.” Oyoyoy! But Liam had a great line of his own about Angel finally getting to have sex, and he's Wesley. I legitimately laughed at that one. I also really like the whole world of wizards and sorcerers vying for power in the modern world. It’s such cool material to me. Anyway, it was all great, except for the sound repeatedly cutting out. Was that just my iPhone or was that happening to everyone? Well whatever. I am feeling enthusiastic for further reactions, as is my custom. 👌🏻

Koz

I really don't know what's causing the problem. I'm sorry 😨

Your videos are getting harder and harder to watch. It’s good for about the first 10-20 minutes then it plays for 10 seconds then stops. Then plays for 10 seconds then stops and continues until you get frustrated and restart the video. Then you get a few minutes of steady watching then it starts over again.

Collector of Stuff

Underrated episode! It's just so fun.

Arianne Kay

This episode is eh I'll take it cause of Wesley lol I mean Dark Wesgel

Juan Sanchez