Angel Fans, I Need Your Help

[racheltng]

I've watched all of Joss's work, and the show I have the hardest time with is Angel. I just find a lot of it boring and unengaging. I tried to do my first rewatch, and I couldn't make it because I was so bored. I enjoyed my Dollhouse rewatch more (ouch).

The thing is, as a good Whedonite, I really want to like AtS. If you're a fan of AtS, can you tell me what your favorite episodes are and why? The why is important - I want to rewatch your recommendations with your interpretations in mind. Maybe that will help me see the appeal.

What I do like - Darla's arcs, the second half of S5, the Pylea arc.

Thanks!

 

[NY State of Mind]

Really...i don't even know how to reply cause i did rewatch with no problem...did u enjoy it the first time?

 

[Tome]

I've watched all of Joss's work, and the show I have the hardest time with is Angel. I just find a lot of it boring and unengaging. I tried to do my first rewatch, and I couldn't make it because I was so bored. I enjoyed my Dollhouse rewatch more (ouch).

The thing is, as a good Whedonite, I really want to like AtS. If you're a fan of AtS, can you tell me what your favorite episodes are and why? The why is important - I want to rewatch your recommendations with your interpretations in mind. Maybe that will help me see the appeal.

What I do like - Darla's arcs, the second half of S5, the Pylea arc.

Thanks!

Well that might just be your tastes and what you like/don't like. I really loved the family vibe with the team, which wasn't the same in BtVS. When someone ask me what I think is better in Angel than Buffy, that's it. I liked that Angel was finally more than some brooding love interest. He was funny and cared for his 'family'. You could see much more sides to him than in BtVS. I also loved Cordelia's character, leaps ahead of how she was in BtVS too. The whole evil lawyers was something I also enjoyed. More original than a demon goddess or three nerds... Now you'll say i'm bashing BtVS, but i'm not haha! Just trying to point out things I liked more in Angel. I got two friends who I watched both shows with and both prefer Angel(and they are girls) and they both say it's because of the main group of characters, they're lovable.

My favorite episode is Smile Time, because it's just priceless to watch Angel as a puppet!! So many fun scenes in that episode.

Also Angel season 4 was the best season in the Buffyverse for me. It got me wanting more and more when I first watched it, too bad it had a sucky ending. Could have been even better.

 

[GrrArghx]

Angel rewatches are hard to get through for me too, I admit. But, when the show shines, it really shines. There are several episodes I adore, as well as several I have a hard time focusing on.

I always just try to find something about each episode I like, whether it's an entire scene, a small conversation, one quote, or even a little moment. It helps a lot, as does looking forward to the upcoming episodes that are a lot better.

 

[dan k]

I'am rewatching Angel at the moment having not seen the show since it aired. What i will say is that once i'am done with season 5 i can't see myself immediately going onto season 1. With Buffy however i can rewatch and rewatch, it isn't the same with Angel.

 

[ToShanshuInLA]

It's fine if you don't like it, especially since you've actually watched it and given it a chance.

I'll pick a couple of episodes from each season, though there are more I like:

Season 1: Sense and Sensitivity and To Shanshu in LA
Season 2: Darla and Reunion
Season 3: Lullaby and Sleep Tight
Season 4 (though I can't say I like all of it 😛): Spin the Bottle and Orpheus
Season 5: You're Welcome and Smile Time

 

[caitaintdead]

I have loved BtVS nearly all my life. I first starting watching it when I was 10 years old, and haven't been able to stop watching it ever since. That's 13 years of rewatching and rewatching BtVS. When Angel came out I was super excited to be able to add another show to my obsession. Unfortunately, it just didn't click with me. It wasn't because it was darker, or that I was to young to ‘get it’ as people have told me (I was heavily into Hitchcock, zombie movies and any type of horror).

There was just something about it I didn’t like. Every year or so I would catch half an episode, and try desperately to love the show – it never grabbed me though.

I joined the Buffy Boards about 3 years ago and of course was catching bits and pieces of the storyline here and there, never worrying about spoilers because I didn’t think I would ever watch it. It all sounded stupid to me – Angel and Cordy together? People think Wesley is cool? Angel has a son? A singing green demon? Of course that put me off even more. Then one day I came home to the Season 1 box set that my boyfriend had bought for me.

It sat around gathering dust for a little over 6 months before I was hungover enough, and lazy enough to just reach for the first thing I could find. I was GLUED to the entire of Season 1 and of course then wanted to watch the entire thing. It’s no BtVS, and I think that’s what you have to remember going in to it. It’s a different show, with different themes, and different characters really. (Angel, Cordy and Wes on AtS are miles apart from their BtVS counterparts)

I think Angel takes a lot more concentration to watch then Buffy, most episodes aren’t easy watching like a lot of episodes of BtVS are, and unless you’re talking about Smile Time or Spin the Bottle, it’s not the kind of thing you can put on for a pick-me-up.

And at the end of the day – if you don’t like it – don’t watch it!

Or – do what some friends of mine have done, and start by watching the cross over episodes so you have the familiarity of Buffy, Harmony, Spike, Willow or Oz.

 

[Marisa]

I always loved Angel from the moment I sat down with the DVD's to watch. I liked its vibe. If you don't like it though it is okay. 🙂
I will say some of my fav episodes

Season 1:
Sense and sensitivity this one was hilarious!
I will remember you I loved that one because Buffy came on.
Hero Doyle was amazing.
Five by Five introduction to faith on the show and those final moments are so emotional. To shanshu in L.A. left us with a bit of a cliffhanger but was a good first season finale.

Season 2:
Reunion Darla I loved and Drusilla. I pretty much think all their episodes are great on there in season 2.
Dead end because it was upsetting if you like Lindsey and it was funny to.
Guise will be guise Wesley is very funny in this episode and it had its moments.
I would also say through the looking glass and the last one loved the introduction of Fred.

Season 3:
Lullaby loved this one so much. The episode was great everyone did great and the last moments get me every time. It was done beautifully.
Sleep tight & forgiving. I feel like those are like one big episode at times. The end of forgiving always shocks me.

Season 4:
The house always wins because it was a good lorn centric episode.
Apocalypse nowish not for Connor and Cordy but for everything else. The beast really shocked me with how he turned out I did not think he would last that long.
Soulless I loved Angelus plain and simple.
Orpheus for Willow and Faith. Loved seeing the two of them and it was good to see inside Angel that way.

Season 5:
Life of the party that one made me laugh a lot and was pretty entertaining.
Destiny because Spike was finally corporal again.
I actually enjoyed Harm's way it was a cute harmony episode.
Your welcome it was one of the best.
A hole in the world Fred and Wesley were amazing.
Origin seeing Connor this way was good made me like him in a new light.
Not fade away this finale had moments that were heartbreaking yet beautiful to me. One of my favorite scenes in general is the Wesley/Fred Scene.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

I'd suggest the episode Damage, from season 5.
I like the interactions between Angel and Spike, the comments by Giles' top man.
I do like the music as Dana leaves the store.
And I get the giggles whenever I see the scene when Spike finds out what it is like to bounce on the road. Also, considering the following scene is at WR&H, why does Angel walk away from his car?
It could have been that a scene was cut from the episode, but even so. As Spike's head was facing where he had come from, why did Angel walk the wrong way?

If you do watch that episode, maybe you can come up with a reason.

 

[BuffyElevated]

I have loved BtVS nearly all my life. I first starting watching it when I was 10 years old, and haven't been able to stop watching it ever since. That's 13 years of rewatching and rewatching BtVS. When Angel came out I was super excited to be able to add another show to my obsession. Unfortunately, it just didn't click with me. It wasn't because it was darker, or that I was to young to "˜get it' as people have told me (I was heavily into Hitchcock, zombie movies and any type of horror).

There was just something about it I didn't like. Every year or so I would catch half an episode, and try desperately to love the show "“ it never grabbed me though.

I joined the Buffy Boards about 3 years ago and of course was catching bits and pieces of the storyline here and there, never worrying about spoilers because I didn't think I would ever watch it. It all sounded stupid to me "“ Angel and Cordy together? People think Wesley is cool? Angel has a son? A singing green demon? Of course that put me off even more. Then one day I came home to the Season 1 box set that my boyfriend had bought for me.

It sat around gathering dust for a little over 6 months before I was hungover enough, and lazy enough to just reach for the first thing I could find. I was GLUED to the entire of Season 1 and of course then wanted to watch the entire thing. It's no BtVS, and I think that's what you have to remember going in to it. It's a different show, with different themes, and different characters really. (Angel, Cordy and Wes on AtS are miles apart from their BtVS counterparts)

I think Angel takes a lot more concentration to watch then Buffy, most episodes aren't easy watching like a lot of episodes of BtVS are, and unless you're talking about Smile Time or Spin the Bottle, it's not the kind of thing you can put on for a pick-me-up.

And at the end of the day "“ if you don't like it "“ don't watch it!

Or "“ do what some friends of mine have done, and start by watching the cross over episodes so you have the familiarity of Buffy, Harmony, Spike, Willow or Oz.

I couldn't say it better than Cait did... It really boils down to this line:
And at the end of the day "“ if you don't like it "“ don't watch it!

 

[NY State of Mind]

I guess the show isn't for you then...thats ok atleast you gave it a chance