(S01E12) Angel: (sees Cordelia drinking blood) I don't think I've ever realized just how disgusting that was.

I have got to say that this episode of Angel creeped me out a bit. And, it wasn't for what was shown, but what wasn't. I'm talking in particular about the seven (perhaps more) demon spawn that were living in Cordelia's womb for a good portion of the episode. It was never shown what they looked like, but for some reason it just didn't make me feel right. And, that's what makes a good supernatural drama: theater of the mind.

That's fine, because the whole demon pregnancy was the only thing that kept this fairly flat episode afloat.

It had promise in the beginning. We see Cordelia finally staring to enjoy her life in Los Angeles. She seems to have gotten past Doyle's death and has settled into a comfortable relationship with Angel and new arrival Wesley (that's Rouge Rogue Demon Hunter Wesley, if your you're nasty). She's dating again and may have found a man that she really likes; something that hasn't happened since her days with Xander back in Sunnydale.

She's even showing a greater sense of maturity. A good portion of the spoiled, little rich girl is now gone from Cordelia's persona. What is taking its place is a young adult who isn't ashamed to show she has a weakness or two. This is visible when she and her date are talking about their lives, and when she invites him to her apartment. Unfortunately, he takes advantage of Cordelia's feelings to impregnate her with demon spawn. Yes, men ARE scum.

After that interesting beginning the episode became a bit drab. Sure, there was action, and a big demon, and the rescue of Cordelia and all of the other impregnated women. But, it was just all . . . I don't know . . . blah. It didn't seem to have any emotion to it. While the actors all did a fine job (especially Alexis Denisof as Wesley, who was a hoot in these early episodes) it just seemed like the heart went out of the episode.

Maybe it was just me. After watching these episodes all summer I may have gotten a small case of burnout. Other than the Buffy episode, I have felt that each episode was extremely strong on its own, and as part of the entire Angel mythos as a whole. Other than watching Cordelia show a bit more maturity at the beginning of the episode, and the over-reacting of Wesley, I felt a bit empty as the credit ran. Hopefully, this is a tiny bump in the road to a greater season.