I completely understand why Wesley did not trust Angel with Connor, once he started uncovering the prophecy. Angel does, too.

Wasn't it interesting that Wesley defying (betraying?) Angel and smashing the Orion Window is what saves Angel in a way? Connor stopped Marcus from staking Angel and gave Angel time to figure out how to defeat him. But maybe more important is that by restoring Connor's memories he gave Angel back his son. Connor knows that Angel is his father and is OK with it. That his son is alive, well-adjusted, and able to take care of himself must be very comforting to Angel as a parent. But even better is that he can talk to his son as a son. That Wes gave Angel.

In giving Wesley this assignment, essentially Angel is saying, since you have failed to trust me, and betrayed me before, Vail suspects you'll do it again. Regardless of and because of the fact that you have failed to trust me—have betrayed me before, I have such faith in you, that I am trusting you to go to the one who could most help you betray me, and then justify my faith in you. I don't know if that makes any sense to anyone who isn't me. But it just brings me to tears, and Wesley's parting glance at Angel, reveals that Wes is fully cognizant of the depth of faith Angel has in him.

That makes total sense, Cindy, and I think it's awesome.

I dunno, maybe I'm more naive about how things are done in TV land. But calling the WB "a bad network" and specifically talking smack about what's-his-name Levin seem to me to be more Paulie Walnuts than Sun Tzu. Please note that I'm not saying that the guy isn't entitled to his opinion. All I'm saying is that he makes good TV, and I'd hate to see him shut out in the future. Also, building on my analogy above, I really do hope that HBO gives him a show. If they waste money on dreck like Arli$$, surely they could put some cash into a Whedon show.

OK, I'm going to stop flogging this dead horse. I think we understand each other.

I think we understand each other.

I'm having "Checkpoint" flashbacks.

Nah, I like y'all too much to fling the sword at anybody.

I completely agree, Narrator. That's sort of where I was trying to go with my piece. They did their best, and sometimes their best wasn't only wrong, it was evil, but...Well, if Spike is love's bitch, Angel is fate's bitch. Has anyone here mentioned how often Liam/Angel has met his destiny in an alleyway?

Yeah, be careful. If I recall correctly, she threw it at the Indian guy.

But maybe more important is that by restoring Connor's memories he gave Angel back his son.

Okay, that light just went on my head. Nice full circle of the Wes-Angel-Connor relationship. And the second betrayal mitigates the effects of the first. Nifty.

Spike is love's bitch, Angel is fate's bitch.

(lightbulb!) You know, this is why I just don't like Angel as a character. Be your own bitch, sure, fine, but don't be the bitch of The Writer Told Me To.

I think I could have liked the whole show better if it hadn't felt so arbitrarily fateful.

serial:

Well, if Spike is love's bitch, Angel is fate's bitch.

Amen, sister!

Has anyone here mentioned how often Liam/Angel has met his destiny in an alleyway?

I certainly thought it while watching, but I don't think I've said anything. Actual thought was something along the lines of "Ah, the alley. We always end up back in the alley sooner or later". Made me feel all warm and fuzzy.