After disappearing at the end of Season 3, Cordelia abruptly returns to the lobby of the Hyperion Hotel with a major complication: . She has no memory of her friends, her past as a "Higher Power," or the fact that the world is filled with demons—and that her best friend, Angel, is a vampire.
In an attempt to help, Lorne reads Cordelia’s future. Instead of clarity, he is traumatized by visions of an impending, horrific apocalypse involving Angel, which scares him so much he initially refuses to share what he saw.
Explain the impact of Charisma Carpenter's real-life pregnancy on this storyline. Angel_4x04
Terrified that the truth will scare her off, Angel and the team decide to hide their demon-hunting business and his vampirism. This backfires as Cordelia grows increasingly suspicious of their secretive behavior.
While isolated from the main group, Wesley continues his dark, complex relationship with Wolfram & Hart’s Lilah Morgan. A moment of intimacy is interrupted when Lilah learns of Cordelia’s return and rushes off, leaving Wesley to realize their "relationship" is built on mutual mistrust. Reviewer Insights After disappearing at the end of Season 3,
Critics and fans often view this episode as "all setup," establishing the dark themes of Season 4.
Some reviewers on IMDb have criticized the episode's "camcorder-like" cinematography and clunky execution of the amnesia trope. Instead of clarity, he is traumatized by visions
Let me know which you want to dive into next! Angel Season 4 Episode 4: Slouching Towards Bethlehem