Spoiler Slayer

I know it's been quiet for a while, but I do have a bit of info on 'Smile Time' that I can pass along. It's certainly shaping up to be an interesting episode.

According to reports, as expected, the puppets will play an integral part of the show. This is causing a lot of work on the sets, as they have to be modified to fit both regular actors, the puppeteers, and the puppets. The actual puppets could almost be called 'muppets', as it appears that the work will have a connection to Henson's Production company. My own speculation is that the work may be done by Henson's Creature Shop, which worked on series like 'Farscape'.

Not a great deal more info on the plot, but a source also mentions that at some point Angel will be turned into a puppet. As a puppet, he may be actually be torn apart, and have to be 'put back' together again back at Wolfram and Hart.

As for episode 15, just more confirmation that Joss will be both writing and directing the episode. It's possible that more info may break next week, but it's going to be hard to tell (I have a feeling Joss is going to work hard on blocking info on this episode)

Which may tie in with some info posted by SpoilerFix.com yesterday. They are reporting that one of the characters in the episode will be named Scott. He will be young, 17-19 years old, and appears in a club-scene with a bouncer and other young adults. This has led to 'speculation' (and I stress speculation), that Scott could be Connor. To be honest, I have absolutely no information that would indicate that Connor would be returning in this episode. I don't doubt the report itself that a character that fits this description will be in the episode, but it's still to early to know anything for certain.

Update: I just want to clarify a few points as there seems to be a bit of confusion.

First, is it not my speculation that the Scott character is a sly way for Joss to sneak Connor into the script unnoticed. (like they did with the character Sean - who was a cover for Lindsey). I have seen this discussed on various boards, where people are speculating that this could be a possibility. More on this in a bit...

As of right now, it's my perception that Ben Edlund is doing 'Smile Time', based on comments made at the Los Angeles Comic Convention about writing musical numbers for his episode (which there will be in 'Smile Time'). At the same panel, Joss said he would be writing and directing the episode after that, which should be Episode 15. Which seems to be confirmed by one of my sources. Still, nothing is 100% at this time. But it does make sense that Joss would likely do the final episode of February Sweeps (rather than episode 16 or 17).

As mentioned earlier, this episode will deal with a 'setback for Fred'. What that entails has yet to be revealed, but it does make it seem a bit more unlikely that if it is a Fred-centric episode, that Connor would be returning in this one. Joss also commented at the above panel, about the similarities between River (Firefly) and Fred, and the fact that he still has more to say on the subject. It's my speculation that there is a strong chance that most of 15 may in fact end up being derived from a concept or script that was originally planned for 'Firefly'. No facts to base this on, but it would make sense. But if it is true, again, it would make it seem doubtful that this episode will involve Connor.

So just some things to keep in mind, it should be interesting to see what Joss has planned, and hopefully we should know more in a week or so.