Angel (TV Series) The Girl in Question (2004) User Reviews

An unexpected comedy tinged with sorrow

[dilleysb-255-355610 · 9/10 · 27 April 2012]

No, this isn't the usual episode of Angel; there are too many laughs in it. No, that isn't Buffy, although she's certainly one focus of the plot. However, it was a chance for Boreanaz, Marsters and the writers to show Angel and Spike as Hope and Crosby. Like Bob and Bing, they fuss, connive, joke all while trying to best the bad guys and get the girl with similar success. If you enjoyed those old movies you are going to like this one.

Of course, comedy is only well-balanced against a serious story and there's one concerning Fred's parents, Illyria and a grief-stricken Wesley. It serves as a nice counter-point and presents some moving scenes but it's strictly there for counter-point. Mainly this is our unwilling team of en-souled vamps taking on Rome and an undead who seems to out-cool the pair of them. Throw in Dru, Darla and Andrew for extra giggles. Pair this one up with your copy of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for an evening and have fun.

This is a civilized country. We do these things all the time. Somebody gets kidnapped, somebody pays the money. Everybody goes home happy

[SleepTight666 · 9/10 · 28 August 2007]

This is one of those episodes that grows on you after repeatedly rewatching it. I was one of those people who hated it the first time. Mostly because it didn't carry on the storyline. But it's actually much better than you'd think, the dialog is great, it has some downright hilarious scenes. My favorites are 'Angel' and 'Spike' riding that motorcycle, the fight scene at the bar and of course that flashback with 'Spike' and 'Drusilla' in Italy. I also liked the woman who ran Italy's W&H - The Gypsies are filthy people PTUEY And we shall speak of them no more!. Another storyline that worked was 'Illyria's changing into 'Fred', once again the blue-bird proved to be the most interesting character this season. Great episode all around, you just need to 'get it'. ANGEL: I stopped Acathla. That saved the world. CONNOR: Buffy ran you through with a sword! ANGEL: Yeah, but I made her do it. I signaled her with my eyes. (9.0 out of 10)

A problem of tone

[nightwishouge · 7/10 · 10 January 2016]

Joss Whedon's work, generally speaking, is known for expertly combining tragedy and humor: the tragedy complements the humor, the humor enhances the tragedy. This is a thin line to walk and both Angel and Buffy typically manage to thread the needle pretty well, in some instances better than others. In "The Girl in Question" I don't think it quite works. The story of the Burkles coming to visit their daughter is so heartrending that the sharp cut from it to the wacky Italian adventure of Spike and Angel is jarring. Plus, nobody from WR&H thought to contact the Burkles in the weeks, possibly months, since Fred's death to inform them? What was their long-term plan on that? While the notion of Illyria assuming Fred's visage and personality is an interesting one, I don't know if this particular story line was the best way to introduce it.

However, the stuff in Italy is great. I love the flashbacks. Angelus is typically so in control, so the architect of his own fate, that seeing him consistently flummoxed by the Immortal is hilarious. Angelus tends to solve his problems by murderous rampage, but he apparently never even lays eyes on the Immortal. His rage is completely impotent.

I was relieved to find (via the trivia section) that Buffy is not actually dating the Immortal; it's just a joke on Spike and Angel by Andrew. I know Buffy tends to fall for men who are less than morally upright, but I don't believe for a second she would love a man who apparently had the power to kill Angelus and end his reign of terror but chose instead merely to sadistically toy with and humiliate him. Plus the double/decoy in the club doesn't look at all like Sarah Michelle Gellar, even when only seeing the back of her head from a distance. It would have been great to see Buffy in the 'verse one last time, though.

The trivia section also notes that in the original draft, Andrew was to be escorted by a man and a woman, but when it came time to shoot this was changed to two women. Was this because the writers wished to avoid referencing Andrew's homosexual tendencies? Personally I think the joke works better and has more "punch" with two women. It better suits the cliché of the hedonistic, well-dressed playboy with a beautiful woman on each arm. The absurdity of Andrew as we know him being the furthest thing from that increases the impact of the disconnect required for a punchline. Having a man and a woman show up would perhaps be a more interesting character beat but would lack the immediacy the joke requires.

Spike referencing his time in Italy in the '50s is brilliant. He and Drusilla are dressed very mod and the cutaway is shot in black and white, obviously a Fellini reference. Would have loved to see a whole episode done like that, but for those who have no taste for art-house cinema I admit it would have gotten tiresome.

Our last glimpse of Buffy

[Joxerlives · 26 April 2012]

The Good; Personally I think it's worth it just to see 50s Spike and Dru in their chic Fellini phase. Also stunning to see Amy Acker switch from Fred to Illyria and back in the blink of an eye. Love the slow-motion fight in the nightclub.

Best line; Ilona; "The gypsies are a filthy people and we shall talk of them no more!" (the line that stays with you from this ep)

Notches on Fang Gang bedpost: Angel describes himself as 'Seeing Nina' but denies she's his girlfriend. The Immortal of course is an eternal being who may or may not be evil, just as Buffy likes them. Spike says he knows he hasn't a shot with Buffy but still loves her. The bartender comments that the Immortal's girlfriends come and go. So this makes Buffy's track record; Buffy: 4 confirmed; Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike. 4 possible, Dracula+RJ+Shadowmen's demon and The Immortal(?) almost certain that Buffy and the Immortal have sex but we've never see it so unconfirmed, all we're told is that they snuggle. But then she's done that with Scott Hope, Owen and Jeffery.

Kinky dinky: Spike tells Angel to 'Wank off!' The Immortal seems to have enjoyed a threesome with Darla and Dru which the pair are reluctant to do with Spike and Angelus. The Immortal didn't hurt Darla until she asked him to and describes him as insatiable and their sex as really great fornication. Dru refers to playing 'Pony'. Angelus once again declares that nuns are 'his thing'. The bartender describes Buffy as a 'girl gone wild'. Spike thinks that sex makes a relationship if you do it enough (good thing he never tells Angel about him and Buffy getting to fifth base on the balcony at the Bronze!). Trish Burkle seems very fond of Wes. WR&H Rome CEO is a knockout. Literally, I think her amazing breasts would knock you out if you got too close (but what a way to be rendered unconscious!). She also seems like a past amour of The Immortal and considers their dealings 'most satisfactory'. Angel refers to The Immortal eating Buffy's cookie dough. Andrew appears to be going on a date with a pair of beautiful Italian girls, has he become a Casanova or.....?

Captain Subtext; ....are they his 'fag hags' to quote Will and Grace? Loads of Spike and Angel bonding despite Angel commenting it's not 'About us' and referring to themselves as 'Partners'. Angelus' threat to shove the henchmen's arrows 'slowly up their arses' is rife with not so subtle gay innuendo as is the use of the phrase 'had us tossed'. Dru and Darla enjoy a threesome with the Immortal and then like to bathe together. Dru likes Darla to hold her underwater? Spike calls the Immortal a ponce. When they're on the scooter Spike tells Angel not to hold so tight. The male demon admits he's in love with the Immortal.

What the fanficcers thought; . Lot's of fic where the Immortal saves everyone from every possible fate that has befallen them. Lot's more slashfic when we see him with Spike and Angelus and sometimes both at once. Also a lovely one where Dawn has The Talk with The Immortal just as Joyce had with Angel, telling him that if he loves Buffy he must let her go.

Missing scenes; Rumour has it that SMG was willing to appear in this ep but Joss declined as he thought that the ep should be about the Angel characters alone and she would steal the show. Also rumoured that the Immortal would be played by Freddie Prinze aka Mr SMG or Christian Slater meaning that Buffy had fulfilled her ambitions in the movie of graduate, go to Europe, marry Christain Slater and die. Then again maybe the Immortal is more of a Hugh Hefner/Errol Flynn sort of character and Buffy is just his latest Girl of the Immortal's Mansion? (RJ aside she always did have a thing for older men)

Questions and observations; We never see Gunn in his suit again. Lorne seems to be drinking a lot, we hardly ever see him now without a glass in his hand. Did Wes never tell Fred's family what happened to her? So is this really Buffy? According to the comics this is actually a decoy she set up because she's actually in Scotland but maybe that's AFTER this episode? Surely Spike and Angel would be able to tell her by her scent alone? Sadly the last time we'll see Darla, Dru and Andrew. What does 'Ragazza' mean? The chase scene may be a homage to The Pink Panther. Spike refers to 'shemps' from the 3 stooges. Illyria appears to be developing human feelings. Personally I agree with Wes, as long as Illyria can always keep up the pretence it's kinder to the Burkles to have them think that Fred is still alive.

In a sense our last glimpse of Buffy, how nice that we see her happy, dancing and enjoying life as a young woman should. Cool in-joke on Kristine Sutherland who took most of season 4 off to house sit in Italy and let her daughter go to school there and learn Italian. Now Joyce's daughters do the same.

I think a lot of people dislike this ep as we see our cool heroes humiliated by the much cooler Immortal but I think it's great. Andrew says that Buffy loves both Angel and Spike which the comics bear out. Personally I think Buffy/human Angel with resouled/human Dru as the girl for Spike, Spike in all honesty knowing he's not the guy. You must remember that the Immortal is not the long term guy as he doesn't age and Buffy does, as the bartender and Andrew point out they can't be together for long.

Marks out of 10; 8/10

The One Where Angel And Spike Go To Italy...

[taylorkingston · 10/10 · 27 February 2015]

I really love this episode. It's a good start to the end of the series, which made me very sad to watch, I might add. I love that we get to see Buffy, sort of, but at least her being mentioned throughout the entire episode. She's the main reason for the episode.

In this episode, Spike and Angel are sent on a mission to help resurrect a demon gang leader, in Italy. And this is made so much more complicated when they find out that their love of their lives is living in Italy. Yes, that's right, Buffy is back. But not really. They think she's being controlled by The Immortal, so Angel and Spike go to see her and end up seeing Andrew instead. Andrew spills the beans about how she's dating The Immortal, which is very shocking. You never see Buffy's face, only her long, blonde hair dancing around. And the two have to admit that they must let her go. I did love seeing Andrew again, he was part of the reason why I loved Season 7 of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, so much. And I love that they can have a crossover, even when one of the shows is finished.

Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10.

Funny but...

[queen_of_naboo88 · 6/10 · 14 March 2011]

I love the banter between Spike and Angel, as I'm a huge fan of the 'later' Spike as he already appears in Buffy. As a silly little adventure this episode works really well, but it kind of destroys the stories between Buffy and Angel and between Buffy and Spike. Those story lines should have ended in a more dignified way. I know the episode would have been quite different, had SMG been in it. Personally I think it's a shame that she didn't take the time to appear in the last season.

On the other hand, I love the B-story and I think it works quite well, although it is very different in tone to the A-story. I give Amy Acker 10/10 for being so convincing both as Fred and as Ilyria! The way she changes with ease between the two characters is remarkable.

Feh

[limetalhead · 5/10 · 10 September 2008]

This episode sucked. Going to Italy for that demon head was just stupid. The storyline of Buffy ending up with The Immortal was lame and childish. In my mind this will always make Buffy forever look like a total skank. The W&H Italian CEO was one of the lamest characters in the history of the Angel/Buffy verse. To add insult to injury, we see that little weenie Andrew end up leaving with 2 unbelievably hot women. The only part of this episode I liked was seeing Illryia morph herself into and pretend to be Fred for her parents. It may have seemed immoral but I don't care. Wesley's reaction to her rouse was to be expected. What she said about wanting to explore the physical side of human emotions with him was quite a shock. It showed that even though she hated being in human form, her feelings for Wes were growing and she was overly curious. Fred dying was by far the saddest part of the season. While she may look hot as Illryia, Fred was so cute & pretty and "seeing" her again made me very happy.

A Strange Episode to Include So Late in the Series

[Samuel-Shovel · 5/10 · 11 June 2019]

In "The Girl in Question", the death of a mafioso demon will lead to a power vacuum in the LA demon gangland unless Spike and Angel travel to Rome to retrieve the demon's head in time for it to be resurrected as a new body via magic. They also plan on visiting Buffy in Rome when they find out she's there and dating An old enemy of theirs named The Immortal. Meanwhile back at Wolfram & Hart, Fred's parents drop by for a visit and Illyria pretends to be Fred to the chagrin of Wes.

I know some people really like this episode but it feels like mostly filler to me. It's a lot more comedic in tone than most of the Angel series as a whole. The whole Italian adventure is cartoonish in nature, down to the WR&H Rome branch boss and the mafia-style ransom scenes.

Illyria's stint at Fred for the parents was an interesting twist. She seems to want to learn about humanity and the emotions of the people around her. I say this in every review but she reminds me a lot of Anya in this way. Wes seems still unable to cope with Fred's death. After pining after her for so long, he briefly had her in his life romantically, only for her to slip away immediately after. I have a feeling Illyria and his bond will continue through the duration of the series and into the comics I won't read.

Worst Episode in The Entire run of Angel

[cmof1 · 1/10 · 14 March 2007]

This was an absolutely terrible episode in what for me was the best season of Angel! I don't know what happened here, I guess they wanted to do an episode that had old Buffy characters in it (maybe even Buffy herself) and relied only on that to make the episode. In the end they 'pretend' Buffy in it which is lame and so Andrew is the familiar face.

The story is terrible and the racial stereotypes really bugged me. The Italian law firm boss is a lazy caricature you just don't tend to see in this age of political correctness (and thats a good thing).

Without doubt this is by far the worst episode in the 5 seasons of Angel...and worse than any episode in Buffy either. Its a shame that this was so bad that I remember this episode better than the others!

The most idiotic episode of the entire series

[Blackphoenix_x · 1/10 · 16 August 2020]

This episode has to be the most pointless and idiotic episode of the entire series. It's plainly filler and with the exception of revealing that Illyria can morph back into Fred and assume her personality it has nothing of value to add to the season. The plot it flimsy. The stereotypical Italian characters are cliché. Angel and Spike go on and on about the immortal and you never even see him and they go chasing after Buffy but never actually met up with her (although if you read the season 8 comic it's not actually Buffy but rather a decoy). There are a few moments that gave me a chuckle but on the whole it's a terrible episode that ruins the flow of the series.

Worst episode of the whole series

[fiocinelli · 1/10 · 20 December 2020]

Makes the episode with puppet Angel look serious. Italians are frivolous stereotypes with laughable accents; "Rome" looks a lot like a recicled Paris set I've seen in various other movies and it probably is; seeing "Buffy " dance reminded me of post mortem clones of Bruce Lee in those cheap Hong Kong productions; the plot is forgettable and not in tone with the series' atmosphere. Seriously, what were they thinking? Fortunately just a faux pas in an overall very good series.

accents

[adrianstrange · 1/10 · 26 May 2020]

Anyone want to kill every badly acting Italian person, there accents with terrible