So-Called Angels

The first test I give a Christmas movie or tv show: Would it be entertaining in July?

It would.

Written by Winnie and Jason, directed by Scott Winant, this is a sweet episode with minimal plot and with Xmas spirit that doesn't erase the So-Called spirit.

It begins without the regular theme and the kind of panorama as before. Rickie is bleeding and crying, the angel watches and strums out Silent Night. Fade into Angela playing the same on the piano and getting interrupted by typical family squabbling. It's a normal night at the Chase's. Danielle keeps score of what Angela received, while Patty keeps score of who sent cards.

When Rayanne and Angela see Rickie, Rayanne tells Angela "Rickie has this tendency to, like, get beaten up." Later she dismisses his absence saying he's probably at a Sal Mineo film festival.

There's a break because of the long opening segment. While "Home for the Holidays" plays, Jordan befriends Rickie. "You need a ride or something."

Sharon is steeped in the volunteering spirit, acting extra perky. Brian planned on studying for the PSATs, but is depressed, though it's almost funny. When Sharon tells Rayanne that Brian didn't come through and Rayanne comments on it, Sharon asks if she knows Brian. "We slept together once." She's kidding, but it's true. [‘Halloween’]

There are little ironic touches like the angel telling Angela of her song, "I'll probably be working on it forever." And Jordan offers to bring Angela to Rickie, as opposed to the earlier incident where he didn't offer to help her find Rayanne [‘Self-Esteem’].

Brian helps Graham with the tree. There's the lovely sequence where Angela finds the angel (and Rickie) following the song. Rickie says to leave him alone, but Angela does a selfless deed (Sharon would be proud), leaving her boots for the angel. Do angels actually get cold feet? Makes one long for a warmer destination.

Act III begins with Angela coming back late. "We saved you the angel." When Patty drags Graham to the police station to report on the makeshift homeless warehouse, there could be a long, self-righteous spiel about homelessness. The policeman points out that there are runaways and "throwaways." (Is Jordan one?) As the policeman speaks, the camera pans posters of missing children, including the angel.

Angela wants to bring Rickie and the angel back for dinner, but Patty says no, just like a real parent.

To add some lightheartedness to what is becoming depressing, Brian (Steve) phones Rayanne (Jade) on the help line. Help line? It's more like the hot line. Brian says "I better get off," and catches his Freudian slip. Sharon doesn't know what to think.

In tracking down Angela, Patty meets the angel and is reminded of how fortunate she is. When she asks "How did you die?" it's a great leap for Patty. For once, she seems in tune with cosmic events. And the scene brings a tear to most everyone.

Rather than end on this bittersweet note, they go to church, which was Patty's wish anyway. The choir is great. "Lord I feel like going home," which is the theme of the episode. Everyone smiles at Brian, which makes him feel good for a change. Angela smiles at Danielle, who turns away and obviously is thrilled at this rare display of love from her big sister.

The closing montage shows Sharon and Rayanne hitting it off and having a great time with each other without boys to distract them. Jordan is spending the time alone, apparently. No doubt he is thinking about how much he wants Angela. ("You need me.")

No Hallie, No Katimsky, but a richly woven episode that does show family and friends and the holidays. Some persons don't like glimpsing the angel's wings near the end, but that's just a little touch. It's never hammered in and, like, maybe it's possible. Whatever.

MIDPOINT ANNOUNCEMENT - RICKIE