ABOUT
"The House Always Wins" is episode 4.3 and takes our gang on a little trek to Las Vegas to look up their old pal, Lorne, not only to find out what he's been up to, but to perhaps have Angel's future read since he's sort of at a loss now that he knows Cordy is up on a higher plane.

The episode starts off with an air of whimsy as Angel, Gunn, and Fred arrive in Las Vegas and see Lorne's very green and very demony face up in bright lights, and as they are trying to determine how that is possible in a world full of humans, Angel is busy reminiscing about the old days of Las Vegas and we're treated to many references to Bugsy, Frank, and Sammy. Seeing Angel a bit goofy and whimsical is always a good thing! As the gang checks out Lorne's show, they try to get his attention but to no avail. Even trying to see him backstage doesn't pay off, as Lorne acts like he doesn't know who they are. Its soon apparent that not all is as it seems, and Lorne is being held hostage by the casino owner who uses Lorne's power to steal people's great destinies and sell them on the black market. Angel stick his nose in and oops, his destiny is up for grabs too. All the while Cordy is watching from up above and seemingly gives him a little aid which might be the reason she ends up falling back to earth (still hasn't been made clear).

This site is named "Spin to Win" since that was the name of the game that people played and their lost their destinies.

Originally Written October 27, 2002 by Jenah and used with permission.

Episode 4.3 "The House Always Wins" RATING: 4/5

First let me comment that so far we haven't had any lapse in the writing high from last year and I continue to hope that is the case. I'm just tickled with the story writers that they have on Angel and even though some people might not agree with me (this isn't their site is it?), I know I’m right *g*. That being said - what the heck is up with giving Cordy amnesia?!!!!! I knew it was coming since I am a spoiler-type of gal - but come on! She's gonna be all "oh, come and save me from the big bad monsters…" again? My head is about to explode. I do hope they continue to write her as insightful and blunt - that is my girl - but I also hope she isn't the damsel-in-distress for long, I'll get extremely ticked and might decide to take it out on my cats. They are fat and if I get mad enough at my fave shows going awry I just might decide to stop feeding them - are you hearing me Joss & CO?! [I must remind you that in my opening disclaimer on this site I do state that no animals were harmed in the making of this site, so I'm bluffing really - but perhaps Joss & CO never read my disclaimer..]

Ok - so on to the good stuff (that doesn't include Cordy having amnesia). Lorne, Lorne, Lorne, Las Vegas, Fred all dolled up (and green), Clayton Rohner (bad ass casino owner), Angel still coming to Fred and Gunn's aid even under the "greed/zombie" spell, and Angel watching over his son and coaching him from atop the roofs (not to mention a little vampire-running-away-from-the-kill delay by a nicely tossed piece of cement) - he's such a great dad. *grin* Oh, and what is up with the control-freak Wes and the phone sex? Interesting, but I guess he's got Lilah's number and is working whatever plan he's got - and apparently its working. That girl is falling for him like a ton of bricks, you mark my words. I only hope that it isn't reciprocal. Not that I mind seeing Wes shirtless, no sir - I don't mind that at ALL.

So, we go to Las Vegas so that Angel can get read and get a bigger handle on what's in store for him now that his "muse" (formerly vision girl, now amnesia girl, Cordy) is gone - how will he get his messages from TPTB? We learn that Angel has had contact with some very famous folks - I loved the references actually - I love seeing Angel express some whimsy. He's quite comical. They head to the hotel where Lorne is headlining and get dissed during Lorne's act (I knew he'd dissed them on purpose to spare them), and head backstage to see what's what. I also knew that Lorne was reading the people he did involve with his sing-along, but I wasn’t sure why. (Nope hadn't read any spoilage about that) Lorne still pretends to not see them or acknowledge their existence and we get the scoop the minute his oversized dressing room door shuts. He's being held hostage! (Ok THAT I'd known..but that was all) I loved Clayton Rohner - I've loved him ever since that very silly movie "Just One Of The Guys" in the mid-late 1980's, so I was in hog-heaven every second he was onscreen even as he was hurting my lovely green friend. We just don’t see enough of Clayton. But I digress. Seems that Lorne is being forced to read folks' destinies so that his boss can sell them on the black market, and the poor innocents then get stuck sitting in the smoke-filled casino halls endlessly putting quarters into machines that are rigged (naturally) to NEVER win. I've been there, I'm a quarter poker junkie and never win, but I just love those games…so I could relate to the mindlessness that is gambling. Man its fun..oh well!

Gunn and Fred continue to delight me as a couple and manage to come up with a very good plan to find out what is going on with Lorne. Fred looks so very cute all green and manages to get access into Lorne's room only to find Lorne distraught that it took them so long to come and rescue him. He had, afterall, been SO clear that he was in trouble by using the universal code for help - by referring to Fred's nonexistent dog Fluffy. Um - I didn't know it was universal code, but I'll remember it from now on! Needless to say they make quick like with the skedaddling and end up running through the streets of Las Vegas (the same ones in the U2 video I wonder for "The Streets Have No Name"? hmm) and we get to see the true range of Lorne's vocal talents - pretty cute~! Natch, they get caught in the end - but that is where our champion comes in..

Angel still tries to get in to see Lorne, which lands him outside the casino, being mauled by some fairly cute (but dumb) security guys who promptly get their butts kicked. Angel follows one of the unlucky victims into this special gaming room and promptly gets sucked into the spell, forgets his mission, and starts gambling. I have to admit that Cordy kind of talking to Angel from up above was bugging me since they didn't give her much of anything good to say, BUT - I loved how she helped Angel break the system and actually win. Probably why she's all amnesia girl now - but that was lovely to see! Nice to see her stop asking for Angel to find a way to help her get out of her boring new home - and actually HELP him. Yep it was. Ironically, Angel is still under the zombie spell, but he draws the attention once again of Clayton (*sigh*) who has trapped Gunn, the deliciously green Fred, and Lorne as they attempted to escape. Luckily Angel's love for his "family" temporarily overrides the spell and he saves them and in turn, Lorne is able to save him from the spell AND get his destiny back. (Another fine use of the word "duck"!) Never mind that all of the victims got their destinies back - Angel has his back - which is all important *g*.

The gang all arrive back in Los Angeles, all happy to be home, but Angel is still musing over how he could have ever beaten the casino and won. Duh…oh and look, there is the lovely Cordy all in her ugly gauzy dress/pant thinggie from when she was hijacked - and she doesn't know them. Even as I knew it was coming, I still cringed and screamed. I do get a bit melodramatic - its true! So, what is next? Will Angel totally abandon his love for Cordy - or will he do it "proper" this time? We know he loves the woman she had grown into - will he love this new gal? Will she just be too awful to take - or will she be a new and improved model? Food for thought! I really enjoyed the ep, but gave it a 4/5 due to the icky Cordy writing - sad, but true!