Clothes of the Vampire

I more and more strongly suspect Joss Whedon had the crew watch Vertigo at the start of Angel season two. After an episode in which Darla pretends to be a random human to make Angel look crazy comes "Guise will be Guise" by Jane Espenson. From the clever title onward, this episode builds wonderfully on some of Vertigo's themes, including deceptive appearances, a virtuous instinct inevitably being entangled with baser instinct, and a supernatural ruse.

In this case, it's Wesley (Alexis Denisof) who pretends to be a vampire when Angel (David Boreanaz) is out of town. It's his presentation as a dark defender, a role he's initially forced to take in order to protect Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), that attracts the woman he's hired to escort, Virginia (Brigid Brannagh).

A character who's introduced on her bed, everything in juvenile pastels, emphasising a sexual innocence that proves in the end to be another significant illusion. Meanwhile, Angel is off getting advice from someone he thinks is a powerful psychic (Art LaFleur).

I love how the episode cuts between the Angel plot and the Wesley plot, having each play off each other. When the psychic calls Angel on his habit of wearing dark clothes and commenting on how he chooses to portray himself, the scene cuts to Wesley talking tough wearing Angel's overcoat. The psychic says Angel does have a reflection, it's what we see in the impressions other people have of him.

And in another brilliant move, the psychic turns out to be fake, forcing Angel and the rest of us to evaluate his insights on their own terms.

It's amazing to think Espenson used to be one of my least favourite Buffyverse writers, now I think she's one of my favourites.

Angel is available on Amazon Prime and Disney+ in many countries.

Twitter Sonnet #1469

A second stage resembled carts and cabs.
With careful sticks the wooden house expands.
Complete the box inserting proper tabs.
A boss denies the words that push demands.
The cheapest printer still can cycle ink.
A noodle cake awaits the thirsty foot.
We chased a phantom down below the sink.
A changing movie ran beneath the soot.
Collected hours summon scrolls of text.
A helpful thought was turned to tuck the wing.
A turtle left the island sore perplexed.
The early kettle's well prepared to sing.
A spiral system closed the distant space.
A distant science builds a dreamy ace.