Angel 2x2 REACTION | Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been

[@Crinbo]

217 is the room number in The Shining novel, it was changed to 237 for the Kubrick movie

[@METerrell]

The title of the episode is a reference to the line used by the McCarthy era hunt for communists in the US & in particular Hollywood in the 1950s, "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?"

[@kirstonemmm1423]

Judy's final scene with Angel always makes me cry, and I think the actress deserves a lot of credit.

[@killianlpc]

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been many fans rate as one of the best episodes of the series. It's is very similar in tone to the BTVS episode I Only Have Eyes For You. I think it is definitely one of the top ten episodes in the whole Buffyverse. A superb plot, this could have been a whole movie on its own, with the backdrop of the McCarthyite Communist witch hunts of the 1950s. Judy's story is heart breaking, superb from Tim Minear who was involved in many of the best Angel episodes, he also wrote for the X-Files as well. We see of course the group now move into the hotel, which becomes the great iconic base for operations. 'We're Moving In'.

[@rfresa]

The Red Cross started collecting blood donations for the military during WWII. After the war, they founded the first civilian blood donation center in 1948. This period would have been the first time in history that vampires could easily buy donated human blood. Angel must have had a lot of ups and downs over the years. Here he seems to be doing pretty well for himself, but in the 90s before meeting Buffy, he was living off rats. Angel was still apparently drinking donated human blood even in Buffy season 1, since he had some blood bags in his fridge. I think he must have stopped in season 2, after he and Buffy fought some vampires who had been stealing blood and she asked him to get the rest to the hospital.

[@Desibeatnik]

Yes there are a few nods to various films/books. Of course 217 is the room number in the book The Shining. The woman on the run with stolen money is referencing Psycho and using the Griffith Park Observatory location is referencing Rebel Without A Cause as Angel is wearing the same kind of jacket that James Dean wears in that movie. Anywho there's a few.

[@mparantha]

This is one of my favorite episodes of TV ever

[@montego2]

Very clever episode. I wasn't expecting the heart-tugging turn it took toward the end, also clever. And damn, you're right, Boreanaz looks great in that 50s attire...

[@gungho1284]

Not Angelus, but not yet socializing with humans. Of course, he was still not socializing with humans in S1E1. The camera crew really needed a bigger set for the show after being so cramped in season 1 and this really delivers above and beyond. The exterior is Los Altos Apartments on Wilshire Blvd. Just down the street from the tar pits.