Supersymmetry

"Supersymmetry" is episode 5 of season 4 in the television show Angel. Co-written by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain and directed by Bill L. Norton, it was originally broadcast on November 3, 2002 on the WB network.

Plot

Fred's article on superstring theory is published in an academic journal, and she is asked to present it at a physics symposium by her old college professor Seidel. Her presentation takes a sudden turn when a dimensional portal opens and snake-like creatures emerge to kill her. Angel had spied Lilah during the speech and at first thinks she is behind it, but she was simply keeping an eye on Wesley. Gunn and Angel suspect another member of the audience, a comic book fanatic, but it turns out he's just following stories of strange disappearances, as well as reading about Angel on internet forums. Fred learns that Professor Seidel is the one responsible and the one who had sent Fred into the Pylea dimension six years earlier. He felt Fred as well as other missing colleagues were competing for his job. Against Angel and Gunn's advice, Fred pursues vengeance against her former mentor and asks for Wesley's help. Meanwhile, Cordelia is staying with Connor at his vast empty loft. He trains her to slay vampires while a possible romance between them blossoms. Angel confronts Seidel but is attacked by a demon, and then Fred's revenge goes awry when Gunn unexpectedly kills the man. The two keep it a secret from the rest. Cordelia asks Angel whether or not they were ever in love.

Acting

Main cast

• David Boreanaz as Angel
• Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase
• J. August Richards as Charles Gunn
• Amy Acker as Winifred Burkle
• Vincent Kartheiser as Connor
• Alexis Denisof as Wesley Wyndam-Pryce

Special guest star

• Andy Hallett as Lorne

Guest stars

• Stephanie Romanov as Lilah Morgan
• Randy Oglesby as Professor Oliver Seidel

Co-stars

• Jerry Trainor as Jared
• Jennifer Hipp as Laurie

Production details

Arc significance

This episode begins the breakup of Fred and Gunn's relationship, and indicates Connor's growing affection for Cordelia as the two share a kiss.

In addition, Wesley and Lilah's complicated relationship is further developed, with her bringing him a gift and jealously "stalking him".

Despite the story originally suggesting it was simply a coincidence that Fred came upon the book, it's revealed that Fred's college professor was responsible for her being sent to Pylea, as well as several other students.

Cultural references

• Dark Horse Comics: During the scene with a comic book reader wearing a Thwack! shirt, the comic book fan says, "we're kinda crushing the Dark Horses" when Gunn is pushing him up against the comic book rack, on which Dark Horse comics such as Usagi Yojimbo are visible. Angel is reading from a Ghost comic, which is published by Dark Horse. Dark Horse had published the first series of Angel comics and currently publishes the Buffy Season 8 series.

• The girl, the cat and the peanut butter: A reference to a well-known urban myth, although the myth usually involves a dog, not a cat.

• Chicago Cubs: Fred mentions former Cubs stars Sammy Sosa and Nomar Garciaparra, although when the episode originally aired, Garciaparra was still with the Boston Red Sox.

Translations

• German title: "Vertrauter Feind" ("Confidant enemy")
• Italian title: "Supersimmetria" ("Supersymmetry")
• French title: "L'ombre des génies" ("Geniuses Shadow")

Reception

UGO Networks calls this episode "one of the more interesting looks at murderous intent to come along in a while."^[1]

References

External links

• "Supersymmetry" at the Internet Movie Database

See also

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Angel#Supersymmetry