Angel S2-08: The Short Review

'The Shroud Of Rahmon'

Written by Jim Kouf

Directed by David Grossman

'The Shroud Of Rahmon' is ostensibly a standalone episode. It stands between two major arc episodes, and centres on a separate plot that is resolved in the course of the episode. However, the success of the episode is how well it ties into the rest of the season, both thematically and in terms of the implications these events have for the characters involved - specifically in terms of Angel's relationships with Gunn and Wesley.

Until now, Gunn has never questioned Angel's leadership. He has come to Angel Investigations when called, and done what was asked without complaint because he implicitly trusted Angel's judgement. Here - when it involves a person Gunn has a personal interest in protecting - we see that trust being shaken. Angel's brusque dismissal of Gunn ("Way too dangerous for you - I'll take it from here") rankles. Gunn doesn't like being ordered to do anything; he has a strong sense of pride. So, he ignores Angel, and tags along for the ride himself.

Kate, on the other hand, is well accustomed to questioning Angel's judgement. Ever since the death of her father, she's been struggling with the concept of 'non-evil evil things'; indeed, at the start of this episode she's all but abandoned the concept in favour of a simpler 'Angel is wrong' mentality. However, by the end of the episode she has been forced to question those assumptions. Angel saves her life by biting her, and drinking her blood. She has to consider the possibility that Angel is doing the best he can - the irony, of course, being that at this point he's closer to the edge than he's ever been.

As for Angel himself; well, it's hard to know where the shroud's effects stop and Angel begins. I certainly believe that his deteriorating mental state meant he was more susceptible to the shroud than he would normally have been; but in the end, he seems to have been in control when it counted. It would take much more serious circumstances than these to break that self-control completely. As a result, I take his comments to Kate ("you're the best cop ever!") and Gunn ("I'm getting a little tired of this vampires-killed-my-sister-so-now-I'm-all-entitled song") to be things that he would sometimes like to say, but would normally prevent himself from saying. There is a part of him that means them, but it's not the whole story.

And meanwhile, spare a thought for Cordelia and Wesley. Their well-meaning but overenthusiastic attempt to get Angel doing something, anything other than brooding about Darla has backfired spectacularly. They must feel that anything done to help Angel is somehow cursed; the Swami was dead, and the one mission they risk sending Angel on without research beforehand turns out to involve a shroud that sends people crazy. Sadly, somewhere between 'Darla' and here, Wesley also seems to have lost the ability to talk to Angel that he exercised so well then.

All of this character interaction is hung on a straightforward plot: The heist. There is nothing particularly new or original about any of the criminal protagonists. That said, there is a definite sense of tension and suspense throughout the episode; its subject matter is dark, against a dark background. There are a couple of great moments, notably the staking of Jay-Don, and it's always nice to see Angel's wicked side. It's also good to get some more insight into Gunn. So far this season, we've had a Gunn-and-Cordelia episode and a Gunn-and-Angel episode. Surely a Gunn-and-Wesley episode can't be far away? However, the episode never really shines. It's fun, and it's not without consequence, but in the end it doesn't have that extra little bit to make it truly memorable.