Angel: Fredless (3.5)

I had initially assumed Fredless was the first Angel script from a new writer. There's an artificiality to a lot of the dialogue, most of the ensemble feels out-of-character, and there's an over-reliance on making everything cutesy. At the same time, the script is filled with annoying recounting of Buffyverse mythology, like the newbie writer is determined to prove their Whedon cred. What surprised me is that Fredless in fact isn't the work of a first-time writer, but it's the work of Mere Smith, who wrote some wonderful episodes last season. So much of Fredless feels jarring and irritating, and I seriously fail to understand why it's so beloved by fans.

Sure, Fred is adorable. And away from several moments of unbearable 'wackiness' from the girl, the story allows her to become far more grounded and confident in her new Los Angeles home. But that didn't save the episode for me. To move away from over-slamming the show, I'll concentrate on the positive: that scene between Fred and Angel in her room is really wonderfully written, Fred getting some self-awareness and realizing how she's only duplicated her Pylea cave for another graffiti-scrawled cage at the Hyperion. I also adored that little moment where she describes each member of the Angel Investigations team, before realizing that she herself doesn't have a place there just yet.

Similarly, Fred's parents are great. The initial fake-out, in which its implied that the Burkles are crazy and evil, would have been horrible. Thankfully, they turn out to be caring and sympathetic, and aren't over-protective enough to stop Fred from staying in LA. Gary Grubbs and Jennifer Griffin were perfectly cast, and had a ton of chemistry with Amy Acker.

But outside of a couple of scenes, I disliked Fredless. It's annoyingly cutesy, with a story that feels thin long before Fred figures out about the crystals and saves the day. Therefore, we have mind-numbingly tedious scenes with Angel and his team talking about 'wonderful Fred' like she's the second coming. Gah. I know I'm at a party of one with this opinion, but it just didn't work for me. D+

Credits
Guest stars Andy Hallett (Lorne); Gary Grubbs (Roger Burkle); Jennifer Griffin (Trish Burkle)
Writer Mere Smith Director Marita Grabiak