What I loved about this season of Angel was that it justified Conners existence, not because of the explanation Jasmine gave for him existing in the first place, but because the true depths of his character were fleshed out and explored. His speech to Cordelia really spoke volumes to me because I could relate to it. He always saw Jasmine as she really was. He simply didn't consider her to be particularly horrifying because of her outward deformities. But, it wasn't even that: he always knew she was a lie. Jasmine offered world peace at the expense of a dozen sacrifices a day and free will. The free will thing was the lie, but Conner was willing to overlook that if it meant he could finally feel something.

But, he couldn't, and this was always his issue. He never felt the peace that Jasmine promised any more than he could feel love as a positive emotion. He was brought up to hate Angel by Holtz who, if he ever did love Conner, it was twisted by his desire to make Conner into a weapon against Angel.

Conner thought that sinking Angel to the bottom of the sea would give him closure, but it didn't work. He thought he found love in Cordelia, but he was just being manipulated. He thought he found peace in Jasmine, but he never could actually feel it.

So, in the end, the only way to save Conner was to literally change the entire world (including him) so that he would have a different past, and the illusion of a normal life. It is still a lie, but it is one that he now can accept because he doesn't know it is a lie.

Season 5 of Angel is worth a looksee. It's not consistent, and there are some weak episodes, but there are some good ones as well.

Thanks for letting me reminisce with you on this one.