An excellent start to the pylea-arc, the season got a little light towards the end but in this case, it wasn't exactly a bad thing. What worked for this episode is that we got to see 'Lorne's hometown and best of all, Charisma Carpenter as a princess. I sure diged the outfit. We also meet two new characters, 'Fred' and 'Gavin Park'. Seeing 'Angel' in the sun was also interesting for change. Overall, great sets, lots of humor, great character interactions. What more is there to say? CORDELIA: I wanna go home. I wanna be in my bed. I wanna order some Thai food and read the latest issue of Marie Claire. I wanna be doing anything but shoveling demon horse poop!. (9.5 out of 10)
7 Reviews
Angel in the Sun
Quixii9 June 2015
I'm wondering if I should wait to review this episode until I've finished the season, so it'll make more sense in context. Regardless, here's my thoughts directly after finishing the episode itself.
Cordy's been transported to Pylea where they call humans cows and treat them as slaves and beasts of burden. This seems a little odd to me. We see a cow walking by later. Do the Pyleans actually think the humans are the same as cows, or do hey just decide to apply the name to both species? And are humans really so frequent an occurrence on Pylea that they have a vibrant slave base? We only know about Fred and Cordy so far, but they have these fancy shock collars and bartering system for them. And even though they miraculously all speak the same language, the humans get ignored and degraded anyway. I wonder how they justify that. I mean, I guess it's a heavy-handed allusion to slavery of Africans, but it just feels too contrived or something. Also they make this big deal about Cordy being cursed, but then they end up crowning her the Highness? I kind of thought we were leading there some how, and maybe next episode will explain it, but it just doesn't match at all what we've seen to this point.
I like the boys being so worried about Cordy, especially Angel. I like Lorne being so agonized about going back. It really is his personal hell, and I don't blame him for not wanting to go back. But he proves that he's truly not a coward, because he does go back. Good for you, Lorne! I like Gunn deciding to go with them. I wondered if the message Angel was leaving was for Buffy, though the tone didn't feel quite right for that. (And good thing, too, considering all Buffy has on her plate right now back in Sunnydale!) I like the fight; "I'll take the twenty on the right, you take the fifty on the left."
But I was tempted to give this episode 10 stars just for Angel being in the sun. He's so delighted and happy and chipper. We rarely get to see Angel like that, and I'm not sure there's anything I enjoy more. My favourite lines: "Can everybody just notice how much fire I'm not on?" and, while looking for branches, "Oh hey, look. There's some over in that patch of sun... I'll get 'em!" and his cute little prance off to get them.
Cordy's been transported to Pylea where they call humans cows and treat them as slaves and beasts of burden. This seems a little odd to me. We see a cow walking by later. Do the Pyleans actually think the humans are the same as cows, or do hey just decide to apply the name to both species? And are humans really so frequent an occurrence on Pylea that they have a vibrant slave base? We only know about Fred and Cordy so far, but they have these fancy shock collars and bartering system for them. And even though they miraculously all speak the same language, the humans get ignored and degraded anyway. I wonder how they justify that. I mean, I guess it's a heavy-handed allusion to slavery of Africans, but it just feels too contrived or something. Also they make this big deal about Cordy being cursed, but then they end up crowning her the Highness? I kind of thought we were leading there some how, and maybe next episode will explain it, but it just doesn't match at all what we've seen to this point.
I like the boys being so worried about Cordy, especially Angel. I like Lorne being so agonized about going back. It really is his personal hell, and I don't blame him for not wanting to go back. But he proves that he's truly not a coward, because he does go back. Good for you, Lorne! I like Gunn deciding to go with them. I wondered if the message Angel was leaving was for Buffy, though the tone didn't feel quite right for that. (And good thing, too, considering all Buffy has on her plate right now back in Sunnydale!) I like the fight; "I'll take the twenty on the right, you take the fifty on the left."
But I was tempted to give this episode 10 stars just for Angel being in the sun. He's so delighted and happy and chipper. We rarely get to see Angel like that, and I'm not sure there's anything I enjoy more. My favourite lines: "Can everybody just notice how much fire I'm not on?" and, while looking for branches, "Oh hey, look. There's some over in that patch of sun... I'll get 'em!" and his cute little prance off to get them.
Gunn: It's no use. Thing's made out of some kind of magical alloy. Wesley: Really? How can you tell? Gunn: I can't. I'm just makin' myself feel better.
bombersflyup3 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Over the Rainbow is about Angel and Wesley finding a way to rescue Cordy.
Quite a drop off in quality from "Belonging," not much happens. Has weight before they get through the portal, Pylea pretty goofy though. Cordy's not in any real danger, licked by a demon hound and then has to do a bit of slave labour. I like how Angel doesn't care about the risk, whether they'll ever be able to return, but the mention of being merged into a freakish conjoined twin gives him pause, Angel: "Keep looking."
Quite a drop off in quality from "Belonging," not much happens. Has weight before they get through the portal, Pylea pretty goofy though. Cordy's not in any real danger, licked by a demon hound and then has to do a bit of slave labour. I like how Angel doesn't care about the risk, whether they'll ever be able to return, but the mention of being merged into a freakish conjoined twin gives him pause, Angel: "Keep looking."
Angel, Wes, Lorne and Gunn reach Pylea
katierose29526 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I really love the Pylea story line. It's really creative and fun, with great dialog and a fast moving plot. I don't think the show is ever funnier than it is over the next few episodes. And "Over the Rainbow" really reinforces the bonds of friendship and love that connect Team Angel. It's just a joy to watch. A lot happens in this episode and it's definitely worth a look if you're following the show on DVD.
"Over the Rainbow" picks up right where "Belonging" left off. Cordy has been swept into the alternate dimension of Pylea and Angel is desperate to get her back. He and Wes immediately try to open a portal and go after her, but there are some problems. Karitos' magical portal needs to recharge before it can be used again. Plus, there's no way to ensure that Team Angel will stay together as they jump through dimensions. They could wind up in different places. And even if they do get to Pylea as a group and save Cordy, they're not sure that they can ever get back to earth again. Angel and Wes don't care. But, Gunn and Lorne are more hesitant about the trip. Wes starts investigating how they can get to Cordy, while Angel asks Lorne about Pylea. Lorne insists that it's a hell dimension, with no music and a lot of things who don't like humans very much. Meanwhile, a new Wolfram and Hart lawyer shows up at the Hyperion to cause problems.
In Pylea, things aren't going well for Cordy. In that dimension, humans are "cows." Part slaves parts beasts of burden, they serve the demon creatures. Cordy is soon mucking out stables and hating Lorne's homeland. She meets up with Fred, the woman form LA who fell through a portal five years before. Fred is soon captured by the evil sheriff guy and is slated to be executed. When Cordy has a vision about one of the villagers, she's in trouble, too. The demons want to know if she really has visions. Soon Cordy's undergoing torturous trials and they demons are declaring her the "cursed one." Wes comes up with a plan to get to Pylea. He, Angel, Gunn and Lorne all pile into Angel's car and go through a portal using a magical book. Since Pylea is another dimension, Angel's vampire-ness reacts differently. He can be in the sun and he's just thrilled. Unfortunately, the magic book got left behind in LA, so they're still not sure how to get back to earth. They decide to find Cordy first and then worry about getting home. As they try to find her, though, they're arrested. Angel, Gunn, Lorne and Wes are scheduled to be executed and drug before the ruler of Pylea... Who just happens to be Cordelia, now.
There are some great parts to this episode. I love Angel playing in the sunlight. "Hey, does everybody notice how much fire I'm not on?" He's just so happy and cute. Also, I enjoy Cordy's frustration and disbelief over her servitude in Pylea. She's sold to some demon for "one measly pig" and spends the rest of the episode complaining. And who can blame her? Pylea isn't a great spot to be a human. When Fred shows up, half crazy and rambling off on strange tangents, you can't help but feel bad for her. Poor Fred has been stuck there for five years. Also, this episode introduces Gavin, the Wolfram and Hart Lawyer. He's so sleazy and underhanded that I can't help but like him. Finally, I end up smiling every time the demons use the word "cow" to describe someone. It's just so weird and silly.
On the down side, I think Gunn's old friends are a little hard on him. It's hardly his fault that the one guy got killed by vampires. He can't be responsible for everyone.
My favorite part of the episode: Angel depressed and upset that Cordy is swept into Pylea. "I just got her back."
"Over the Rainbow" picks up right where "Belonging" left off. Cordy has been swept into the alternate dimension of Pylea and Angel is desperate to get her back. He and Wes immediately try to open a portal and go after her, but there are some problems. Karitos' magical portal needs to recharge before it can be used again. Plus, there's no way to ensure that Team Angel will stay together as they jump through dimensions. They could wind up in different places. And even if they do get to Pylea as a group and save Cordy, they're not sure that they can ever get back to earth again. Angel and Wes don't care. But, Gunn and Lorne are more hesitant about the trip. Wes starts investigating how they can get to Cordy, while Angel asks Lorne about Pylea. Lorne insists that it's a hell dimension, with no music and a lot of things who don't like humans very much. Meanwhile, a new Wolfram and Hart lawyer shows up at the Hyperion to cause problems.
In Pylea, things aren't going well for Cordy. In that dimension, humans are "cows." Part slaves parts beasts of burden, they serve the demon creatures. Cordy is soon mucking out stables and hating Lorne's homeland. She meets up with Fred, the woman form LA who fell through a portal five years before. Fred is soon captured by the evil sheriff guy and is slated to be executed. When Cordy has a vision about one of the villagers, she's in trouble, too. The demons want to know if she really has visions. Soon Cordy's undergoing torturous trials and they demons are declaring her the "cursed one." Wes comes up with a plan to get to Pylea. He, Angel, Gunn and Lorne all pile into Angel's car and go through a portal using a magical book. Since Pylea is another dimension, Angel's vampire-ness reacts differently. He can be in the sun and he's just thrilled. Unfortunately, the magic book got left behind in LA, so they're still not sure how to get back to earth. They decide to find Cordy first and then worry about getting home. As they try to find her, though, they're arrested. Angel, Gunn, Lorne and Wes are scheduled to be executed and drug before the ruler of Pylea... Who just happens to be Cordelia, now.
There are some great parts to this episode. I love Angel playing in the sunlight. "Hey, does everybody notice how much fire I'm not on?" He's just so happy and cute. Also, I enjoy Cordy's frustration and disbelief over her servitude in Pylea. She's sold to some demon for "one measly pig" and spends the rest of the episode complaining. And who can blame her? Pylea isn't a great spot to be a human. When Fred shows up, half crazy and rambling off on strange tangents, you can't help but feel bad for her. Poor Fred has been stuck there for five years. Also, this episode introduces Gavin, the Wolfram and Hart Lawyer. He's so sleazy and underhanded that I can't help but like him. Finally, I end up smiling every time the demons use the word "cow" to describe someone. It's just so weird and silly.
On the down side, I think Gunn's old friends are a little hard on him. It's hardly his fault that the one guy got killed by vampires. He can't be responsible for everyone.
My favorite part of the episode: Angel depressed and upset that Cordy is swept into Pylea. "I just got her back."
The One Where Cordelia Is Sold As A Cow...
taylorkingston6 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I love this episode. Seeing another world/reality/planet/universe, what ever you want to call it, is pretty cool. I love Pylea. It's an interesting world in which humans are the weaker species and are sold as slaves.
In this episode, after Cordelia had been sucked through a portal that took her to Lorne's home world, Pylea, everyone is trying to find out how to get there and how to save her. Meanwhile, in Pylea, Cordelia figures out what happens and tries to find help. But as soon as she sees her first Pylean, as I call them, she is captured and sold as a slave. In Pylea, humans are the weaker species, and are called "cows". Which I think is really mean and degrading. Cordelia refuses to do any of her slave work, and is shocked by her obedient collar. And is told by another slave that if she tries to take it off, her head will explode. Nice. It turns out that the slave who gave her this information, is Fred. The girl who they were trying to find. Eventually, Cordelia has a vision and something you won't believe happens. They think she's a God-like creature. But you'll have to wait until the next episode to find out what happens.
Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10.
In this episode, after Cordelia had been sucked through a portal that took her to Lorne's home world, Pylea, everyone is trying to find out how to get there and how to save her. Meanwhile, in Pylea, Cordelia figures out what happens and tries to find help. But as soon as she sees her first Pylean, as I call them, she is captured and sold as a slave. In Pylea, humans are the weaker species, and are called "cows". Which I think is really mean and degrading. Cordelia refuses to do any of her slave work, and is shocked by her obedient collar. And is told by another slave that if she tries to take it off, her head will explode. Nice. It turns out that the slave who gave her this information, is Fred. The girl who they were trying to find. Eventually, Cordelia has a vision and something you won't believe happens. They think she's a God-like creature. But you'll have to wait until the next episode to find out what happens.
Overall, I give this episode a 10 out of 10.
A long way from home
Joxerlives13 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
OVER THE RAINBOW
The Good; A fun romp veering unpredictably from the ridiculous to the sublime, not so much the series changing direction as looping the loop and throwing in a barrel roll for good measure. Must be so nice for DB to be able to work in the sun for once.
The Bad; Even the most imaginative set dressing can't hide the cheapness of some of the production qualities. The bit where Lorne goes to see his psychic friend is also blatantly filler (although I love her name, Persia White, sounds like a film noir heroine?)
Best line: Another Xena reference (see also Disharmony and Halloween on Buffy) Gunn; (on being told that Pylea is rife with xenophobia) "Why are they afraid of Xena? I think she's kinda fly"
Jeez, how did they get away with that? A lot of the Pylea stuff especially the hellbeast dissecting the guy. We thankfully never see the AI group as a freakishly hybridised Siamese twin, as Gunn observes, horrified "That was a risk!!!?"
Apocalypses: 5
Angel Clichés
Inverting the Hollywood cliché; The guys take on the villagers and for once they lose.
In disguise; 8
DB get's his shirt off; 12
Cordy's tattoo; 6,
Cheap Angel; 7
Fang Gang in bondage: Cordyx2 but the rest of the guys as well Cordy: 7 Angel: 10 Wes: 5 Gunn; 2 Lorne; 1
Fang gang knocked out: Cordy: 10 Angel: 12 Wes: 5 Doyle; 1 Gunn; 1 Lorne; 1
Kills: Cordy: 5 vamps, 1 demons Angel; 26 vamps, 33 and 1/2 demons, 3 humans Doyle; 1 vamp Wes; 3 demons Kate; 3 vamps Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans. Gunn; 7 vamps+ 2 demons.
Fang Gang go evil: Cordy: 2 Angel: 2
Alternate Fang Gang: Cordy: 2 Angel: 6
Characters killed: 37
Recurring characters killed; 6;
Total number of Angel Investigations: 4, Angel, Cordy, Wes and Gunn
Angel Investigations shot: Angel: 11 Wes; 1
Packing heat; Wes; 3 Doyle; 1 Angel; 1
Notches on Fang Gang bedpost: Cordy: 2 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast Angel: 2; Buffy and Darla Wes; 2; Virginia and the bleached blonde
Kinky dinky: Cordy as a slave for the second time. If you enjoy seeing beautiful women enslaved, enchained and degraded this is the ep for you. Of course if you enjoy that you should be in deep, deep therapy rather than reading my reviews! Wes has handcuffs or at least knows someone who does (Mistress Spanksalot?). Once again, here's where they miss Kate who could have lent them some.
Captain Subtext; Gunn likes Xena. Now this could either be classed as kinky dinky, he just likes hot dominant women in leather,(well who doesn't?) or it could have some deeper significance? Pylea strikes you as just the sort of place that Xena and Gabby would clean up.
Know the face, different character; 2
Parking garages; 5,
Buffy characters on Angel; 16 Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, Master, Anne, Willow and Harmony
Questions and observations; Angel was in the Tower of London at some stage. First real appearance for Fred and Amy Acker does a great job of portraying her impending madness. Also Gavin Parks oozes his Gucci clad self into the show. The scene where Angel leaves the tape for Gunn is very reminiscent of Kurt Russell in The Thing. Angel delighted in the daylight, his joy is lovely to behold.
Marks out of 10; 6/10, not great in itself but again, promising much
The Good; A fun romp veering unpredictably from the ridiculous to the sublime, not so much the series changing direction as looping the loop and throwing in a barrel roll for good measure. Must be so nice for DB to be able to work in the sun for once.
The Bad; Even the most imaginative set dressing can't hide the cheapness of some of the production qualities. The bit where Lorne goes to see his psychic friend is also blatantly filler (although I love her name, Persia White, sounds like a film noir heroine?)
Best line: Another Xena reference (see also Disharmony and Halloween on Buffy) Gunn; (on being told that Pylea is rife with xenophobia) "Why are they afraid of Xena? I think she's kinda fly"
Jeez, how did they get away with that? A lot of the Pylea stuff especially the hellbeast dissecting the guy. We thankfully never see the AI group as a freakishly hybridised Siamese twin, as Gunn observes, horrified "That was a risk!!!?"
Apocalypses: 5
Angel Clichés
Inverting the Hollywood cliché; The guys take on the villagers and for once they lose.
In disguise; 8
DB get's his shirt off; 12
Cordy's tattoo; 6,
Cheap Angel; 7
Fang Gang in bondage: Cordyx2 but the rest of the guys as well Cordy: 7 Angel: 10 Wes: 5 Gunn; 2 Lorne; 1
Fang gang knocked out: Cordy: 10 Angel: 12 Wes: 5 Doyle; 1 Gunn; 1 Lorne; 1
Kills: Cordy: 5 vamps, 1 demons Angel; 26 vamps, 33 and 1/2 demons, 3 humans Doyle; 1 vamp Wes; 3 demons Kate; 3 vamps Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans. Gunn; 7 vamps+ 2 demons.
Fang Gang go evil: Cordy: 2 Angel: 2
Alternate Fang Gang: Cordy: 2 Angel: 6
Characters killed: 37
Recurring characters killed; 6;
Total number of Angel Investigations: 4, Angel, Cordy, Wes and Gunn
Angel Investigations shot: Angel: 11 Wes; 1
Packing heat; Wes; 3 Doyle; 1 Angel; 1
Notches on Fang Gang bedpost: Cordy: 2 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast Angel: 2; Buffy and Darla Wes; 2; Virginia and the bleached blonde
Kinky dinky: Cordy as a slave for the second time. If you enjoy seeing beautiful women enslaved, enchained and degraded this is the ep for you. Of course if you enjoy that you should be in deep, deep therapy rather than reading my reviews! Wes has handcuffs or at least knows someone who does (Mistress Spanksalot?). Once again, here's where they miss Kate who could have lent them some.
Captain Subtext; Gunn likes Xena. Now this could either be classed as kinky dinky, he just likes hot dominant women in leather,(well who doesn't?) or it could have some deeper significance? Pylea strikes you as just the sort of place that Xena and Gabby would clean up.
Know the face, different character; 2
Parking garages; 5,
Buffy characters on Angel; 16 Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, Master, Anne, Willow and Harmony
Questions and observations; Angel was in the Tower of London at some stage. First real appearance for Fred and Amy Acker does a great job of portraying her impending madness. Also Gavin Parks oozes his Gucci clad self into the show. The scene where Angel leaves the tape for Gunn is very reminiscent of Kurt Russell in The Thing. Angel delighted in the daylight, his joy is lovely to behold.
Marks out of 10; 6/10, not great in itself but again, promising much
A Whole New World
Samuel-Shovel26 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
"Over the Rainbow" picks up where last episode last off, as we find Cordelia has been transferred to another dimension, Lorne's old dimension. The gang, with the help of Lorne and an old tome, must figure out how to make a portal to arrive in Pylea and rescue Cordy. Once they arrive however, things don't go according to plan.
It seems odd that in the Buffy-verse we often mention all these alternate dimensions but never really explore them or spend time in them. That all changes with this arc of episodes in Pylea. Human looking creatures are treated as "cows" here and this power dynamic accounts for the conflict of this episode. The final scene of Cordy sitting on the throne (while great) was something I expected to see.
I enjoy Lorne in these episodes. We kind of get to see him when he's not playing his karaoke bar character. He's nervous, he's vulnerable, he's three dimensional.
We built up to this thing where Gunn had to decide between his two responsibilities but he makes his decision to go with them so quickly that the emotional payoff is slight. Overall, an okay episode.
It seems odd that in the Buffy-verse we often mention all these alternate dimensions but never really explore them or spend time in them. That all changes with this arc of episodes in Pylea. Human looking creatures are treated as "cows" here and this power dynamic accounts for the conflict of this episode. The final scene of Cordy sitting on the throne (while great) was something I expected to see.
I enjoy Lorne in these episodes. We kind of get to see him when he's not playing his karaoke bar character. He's nervous, he's vulnerable, he's three dimensional.
We built up to this thing where Gunn had to decide between his two responsibilities but he makes his decision to go with them so quickly that the emotional payoff is slight. Overall, an okay episode.
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