Angel Review – “The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco”

Minor spoilers in this review. Short version: 34 out of 42,
watch it if you’re a fan of the series.

Cast and Crew

David
Boreanez
as
Angel

Alexis
Denisof
as
Wesley Wyndham-Pryce

J.
August Richards

as Charles Gunn

Amy
Acker
as Fred
Burkle

Andy
Hallett
as
Lorne

James
Marsters
as
Spike

Written and directed by Jeffrey Bell.

Original Airdate

The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco
originally aired on
Wednesday, November 5, 2003.

Synopsis

A heart-eating Aztec warrior targets heroes.

High Point

The pointers to revealing Angel’s secret. Wesley knows
about the
relevant prophecy now, and Gunn has access to mystic
deals. It’s only
a matter of time…

Low Point

The sense of impending doom is greatly reduced when the
demon stands
around not attacking while heroes have discussions in the
middle of
the apocalyptic final confrontation.

The Review

This episode had a plot and feel that was unlike anything
I’ve seen on
Angel or Buffy. We’ve seen
frustrated heroes, but
not disillusioned ones. I give the originality 5
out of 6.

The effects were well done, even if they were
limited to
effects they’ve used before. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story was nicely written, incorporating a
slightly comic
extra and turning that character into something relevant. A
very
nice, very Whedon-esque touch there. I give it 5 out of 6.

The acting was almost entirely up to David
Boreanaz, who
never impresses me when he’s not playing evil. He gets
the job done,
but not in any really special fashion. I give it 4 out of 6.

The emotional response this produced
included a lot of
laughter, and some hooks to really get me into the rest of
the
season. The episodic nature of the season may
eventually make way for
the kind of season structure Whedon is known for, and I
like that. I
give it 5 out of 6.

The production is the Mutant Enemy high.
This team has been
on Buffy and Angel for eight years
now, and they
seem to have worked out the kinks fairly effectively. I give
it 5 out
of 6.

Overall, the episode was entertaining in its
own right, and
may be the cornerstone for the changing relationship
dynamics this
season. Fans of the show are not permitted to miss it. I
give it 5
out of 6.

In total, The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco
receives 34 out
of 42.

6 replies on “Angel Review – “The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco””

  1. Spin-Off Of The Spin-Off?
    BBC needs to get “The Watcher” in production, and now Telemundo should get with Joss and Mutant Enemy about “Los Hermanos Numeros.” I want to see the battle with The Devil’s Robot! Sure, I’d need to learn Spanish but this would finally make it worthwhile for me. :)

  2. Man that was good!
    Oh boy, it was like a high-point orgy!

    Masked mexican wrestlers, midgets, allusions to the Robotico Diabolico,
    the shotgun joke, the oh-so subtle Firefly reference (“If wishes were
    horses…”), etc.

    So, there are STILL good things on TV! : )

    • Re: Man that was good!

      Oh boy, it was like a high-point orgy!

      Masked mexican wrestlers, midgets, allusions to the Robotico Diabolico,
      the shotgun joke, the oh-so subtle Firefly reference (“If wishes were
      horses…”), etc.

      So, there are STILL good things on TV! : )

      Damn Skippy – this episode was muy bueno!

      I’m curious though – have there been other allusions to the Robotico Diabolico in the Whedon-verse, or is that new from this episode? Los Hermanos Numericos were pretty damn cool, so I’d hate to see them be a single episode throw-away thing.

      • Re: Man that was good!

        Oh boy, it was like a high-point orgy!

        Masked mexican wrestlers, midgets, allusions to the Robotico Diabolico,
        the shotgun joke, the oh-so subtle Firefly reference (“If wishes were
        horses…”), etc.

        So, there are STILL good things on TV! : )

        Damn Skippy – this episode was muy bueno!

        I’m curious though – have there been other allusions to the Robotico Diabolico in the Whedon-verse, or is that new from this episode? Los Hermanos Numericos were pretty damn cool, so I’d hate to see them be a single episode throw-away thing.

        They’ll Probably Get A Mention Here And There, Maybe A Guest Spot On something Taking Place In The Afterlife. They all Wore Masks, So They can get Anyone To Play Them At Any Point, And They Only Have To Worry About Getting 5’s Actor If They Plan On Having Him Speak.

        Besides, You Remember How Skip Was Originally A Side Character, And They Worked him Into The Overall Plot. I’m Sure We’ll At Least See A Refrence To It.

  3. One of the best…
    I have to admit, I was very skeptical when I saw the preview for this one, but after watching, I found this to be one of the better Angel’s I’ve seen (and I’ve been with this series since episode 1).

    I love the elements at work here — the loss of hope and passion and it’s transendence — all illustrated beautifully through Los Hermanos Numeros. Angel gets the opportunity to learn again what it is to be a champion.

Comments are closed.