Angel is so good

[RoJoHen]

As some of you may remember, my friend and I have been working our way through Buffy and Angel from start to finish. They're his favorite shows, but I've never seen them before.

We're just starting the final season of Buffy and Season 4 (I think) of Angel, watching both shows simultaneously in the order they were aired.

After struggling through Buffy Season 6, I have all but lost interest in that show. It just feels so mediocre compared to what my friend calls "The Oz Years." But Angel...holy crap! This show just continues to be amazing, with new story arcs that weave in and out of each other and much more compelling characters.

The first couple episodes of Angel Season 4 were a little "meh," especially because Cordelia seems to be playing the part of Daniel Jackson after he ascended. Higher plane of existence...interfering with lower planes...comes back with no memory of anything...blah blah blah.... Not to mention Conner is an annoying little twit.

But aside from the little missteps, these characters are still so compelling! The last episode I watched was the one where Lorne tries to return Cordelia's memory and everybody reverts to their teenage personalities (I wish I knew how old Cordelia was supposed to be, because you would think she'd be at least somewhat aware of paranormal things like vampires since she dealt with it in high school). The way the episode ended just broke my heart:

Angel: "Were we in love?"
Cordelia: "We were."

Joss Whedon makes my soul want to explode. Asshole.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Amgel became and still is my favourite of the two shows...there was an ability to go deeper and darker that Joss had in Los Angeles that maybe he didn't feel was neccessary in Buffy. Angel of course was about redemption ultimately...while Buffy was about adolencances and big responsiblity, growing up.

 

[RoJoHen]

I think Cordelia is easily one of my favorite characters from all of TV. From where she started to who she has become (so far), I just love her all around.

 

[Hermiod]

^Sadly, things went a bit wrong with Cordelia towards the end and didn't get corrected until her final appearance.

 

[DBR]

I can't remember how Cordy's story ended--and I don't want anything to be spoiled for the OP--but did she make an appearance in the last season?

 

[RoJoHen]

^Sadly, things went a bit wrong with Cordelia towards the end and didn't get corrected until her final appearance.

Tell me nothing.

 

[Captaindemotion]

Angel was a great series. Shame it ended only after 5, rather than 7 seasons, but, without giving anything away, what an ending. The first few episodes of season 7 are a bit wobbly, but once the writers knew the show wouldn't be renewed, they began to throw everything in and it really went out on a high.

I know there are the comics but I really would love to see these characters and this universe revisited onscreen.

BTW, Salt Truck, although season 6 of Buffy was pretty grim and depressing (apart from Once More With Feeling), season 7 is very good and should renew your faith in that show. Keep watching!

 

[RoJoHen]

BTW, Salt Truck, although season 6 of Buffy was pretty grim and depressing (apart from Once More With Feeling), season 7 is very good and should renew your faith in that show. Keep watching!

Yeah, I can tell from the first few episodes already that it seems a lot more focused, and I really like that the high school and Hellmouth are back as major players.

I never thought Season 6 was depressing. I thought it was BORING. And making Warren, Jonathon, and the other one the bad guys...horrifically lame.

 

[Magisterfrodo]

I too hated Buffy Season 6, with the exception of a couple of really good episodes (Once More With Feeling, of course). I have mixed feelings about Season 4. There were a few great episodes, but I really didn't care for where they went with the story and what they did with a couple of the characters. Season 5 of Angel was a little better than season 4. Season 7 of Buffy, while not quite up to seasons 2-4, was a big improvement over season 6 in my opinion.

 

[RoJoHen]

I didn't really like Buffy Season 4 too much. The whole "Initiative" story seemed really ridiculous.

Season 5 was better, I thought, if only because I really liked Glory. Dawn was annoying, but I liked the idea of The Key.

My biggest character issues were Willow and Tara. They're lesbians. I get it. But does every single one of their scenes together have to scream, "We're gay and we love each other!" It was like that was all they were doing the entire time, staring into each others' eyes, petting each others' hair, calling each other "baby." It got old, and I don't find either of them attractive enough for it turn me on.

 

[Lindley]

Spoiler: Cordelia post-ascension

I find it much easier to watch the first part of season 4 assuming that Cordelia never de-ascended, and her body was merely hijacked. She's just *so* out of character for much of it.

 

[Magisterfrodo]

Well, since you're at season 7, you know that's over. You have to remember "female empowerment" is a if not THE major theme of Buffy, so I guess Joss felt like he needed to make that type of relationship front and center. I wasn't too keen on it either, though.

I actually liked the Initiative story, partly because it was so out-of-left field, but in a clever sort of way. I didn't, however, buy that the the lady in charge (I forget her name) would actually create something like Adam. She seemed far too smart for that.

 

[Nociod]

Haven't seen season 4 in years, but I remember feeling frustrated at how it all plays out.

There's going to be moments where you literally YELL at the characters and scream WTF ARE YOU DOING?, but don't worry, there's a meaning behind their actions.

oh, and look forward to season 5, a shame it was their last

 

[Ethros]

Season 4 would be my favourite season of Angel, and if you're only up to "Spin The Bottle" you have plenty of good times ahead in the coming episodes


I think most agree Buffy season 6 is a bit slacking, but Season 7 seems to be like marmite on this board; you either love it or hate it.
The last time I watched it was about a year ago now in a DVD marathon and I really enjoyed it myself.


As for no Angel seasons 6 & 7, as Captaindemotion mentioned there are the comics. Angel: After The Fall is currently 14 issues into its 17 issue run, and soon to be followed by Angel: Aftermath
And its awesome

 

[davejames]

And making Warren, Jonathon, and the other one the bad guys...horrifically lame.

I really liked those guys myself. Without those little moments of levity (and all their geeky pop culture shout-outs ), that season would have been COMPLETELY intolerable for me.

 

[OdoWanKenobi]

The James Bond argument is one for the ages (and sounds pretty much word for word like the ones I've had with my friends)

 

[Hermiod]

^Sadly, things went a bit wrong with Cordelia towards the end and didn't get corrected until her final appearance.

Tell me nothing.

I won't, I swear!

 

[Michael Chris]

Angel is indeed awesome.

 

[amdmiami]

While Buffy will always be my favorite show, Angel runs in close second. I love that the show brought up story lines all the way in the first season, and played them out all the way to the very last episode. It's one big epic story with awesome characters and great action. Enjoy the rest of the 4th season and the uber awesome 5th season .

 

[rafterman1701]

I love both series, but Angel just blows Buffy away in the later seasons. I envy anyone who is experiencing this for the first time now.