Season 5 divided into two

[Wesley Junior]

Would you feel if Season 5 was divided into two seasons?

 

[Taake]

How do you mean? To what end?
Would you please elaborate your meaning?

 

[Wesley Junior]

To the purpose of giving some of the storylines in that season like the Circle of Thorns, Wesley and Fred's relationship, Wesley and Illyria's relationship, and Angel's dark side act in Power Play more time to unfold than they have been given.

 

[Taake]

In that case I would have been open to it, I prefer a slow build up if it's done well and I feel like Angel had a lot more stories to tell and prematurely reached its finish line.

Also the way it was presented The Circle of the Black thorn at all always had the feeling of an "after thought" from the writers.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

I'm guessing you mean if it wasn't the last season?

Say there was another season, I'm still not sure I'd divide it. But I it did feel a little divided, like all of a sudden everything changed, stories were exchanged with other stories. I think because of the fact that they knew it was going to be the last season, they wanted to hurry up and put everything they wanted in, as much as they could. So maybe it was a little messy, and felt weird. But I don't think I'd want it divided, I like it when a lot happens in one frame of time.

 

[Nikita]

In that case I would have been open to it, I prefer a slow build up if it's done well and I feel like Angel had a lot more stories to tell and prematurely reached its finish line.

Also the way it was presented The Circle of the Black thorn at all always had the feeling of an "after thought" from the writers.

All of the members were introduced before the final 2 episodes, I think? I may be wrong on this one but I know the Senator was introduced with Gunn in the first part of the season and then I THINK that Izzy and Sebasis were introduced before the finale aswell. Vail was introduced in Origins, I think. It would've been even worse however had they introduced them all in the final 2 episodes...

I still REALLY hate the Circle arc, makes me angry.

 

[VisionGirl]

I still REALLY hate the Circle arc, makes me angry.

Why do you hate it?

I do feel like certain parts of s5 were rushed, but then again, they didn't know until Smile Time that they weren't renewed for s6. I think the writers just got busy trying to tie up lose ends before the finale (which is interesting now that I think about it, since Wesley says that about Angel in Power Play). Hey, at least they had a chance to do it: we all know a lot of shows that didn't get to tie up the story because they didn't know they were going to get dropped until that season ended!

 

[Nikita]

Why do you hate it?

I do feel like certain parts of s5 were rushed, but then again, they didn't know until Smile Time that they weren't renewed for s6. I think the writers just got busy trying to tie up lose ends before the finale (which is interesting now that I think about it, since Wesley says that about Angel in Power Play). Hey, at least they had a chance to do it: we all know a lot of shows that didn't get to tie up the story because they didn't know they were going to get dropped until that season ended!

I just hate them as a group. The characters aren't so annoying on their own but in a group setting they all just bother me.

 

[caitaintdead]

I love Season 5 but there was just so much that could have been explored. More spangel, they were electric together! More than just 5 minutes of happy Fresley. I think we deserved at least one episode. For the love of God, a female character introduced other than Eve or Harmony. Someone strong and talented and amazing rather than being kinda evil and kinda annoying.

So yes, I definitely think Season 5 should have been longer, or that there should have been a Season 6. I think it would have worked well to build up to the black thorn thing a bit slower. Give the audience a chance to let everything sink in!

 

[MRNewman]

I love Season 5 but there was just so much that could have been explored. More spangel, they were electric together! More than just 5 minutes of happy Fresley. I think we deserved at least one episode. For the love of God, a female character introduced other than Eve or Harmony. Someone strong and talented and amazing rather than being kinda evil and kinda annoying.

So yes, I definitely think Season 5 should have been longer, or that there should have been a Season 6. I think it would have worked well to build up to the black thorn thing a bit slower. Give the audience a chance to let everything sink in!

Agreed. Angel Season 5 is one of my favorites, despite it feeling rushed. I would love to have seen further development of everything that happened in Season 5 - stretched out into two seasons with a) longer Black Thorne story-arc / development; b) more Fresley than just what little we got; c) more of them adapting to the new situation at Wolfram & Hart. I think it could have been great as 2 seasons.

 

[TheVoid68]

Now that I think about it, S5 in two parts could have been really good. I'm just thinking about what an incredible season finale "A Hole in the World" would have been. That cliffhanger on the end of a season would've blown our minds.

I also agree with caitaintdead that a new female character should be introduced in this scenario. The second half of the season really suffered from having no significant female presence. It made the show feel a little like a boy's club.

 

[Wesley Junior]

How about this?

SEASON 5: Wesley's romantic relationship with Fred is given more room to grow. The season ends with Fred’s death and the rise of Illyria.

SEASON 6: The season opens with the events of “Shells.” Wesley tries to deal with Illyria in his life and make attempts to educate her about the ways of the mortal world. Angel plots for a way to get under Wolfram and Hart’s thumb since Fred’s death and Gunn’s indirect role in it has made him realize the cost of them working in the firm with the delusional belief that they can change things from within. The firm gets a new liaison who will be keeping a much closer eye on things than Eve has ever done and make sure that business goes back to usual after the events of the S5 finale. The liaison will be a female version of Hamilton with a Lilah-like charm (imagine Lucy Lawless playing the role🙂). More signs of Illyria developing romantic feelings for Welsey are shown. At some point, Angel starts hearing whispers of a secret society called the Circle of Black Thorns and tries to find everything he could on them. When Angel learns about the society’s importance to the Senior Partners and what it takes to become a member, Angel starts doing his share of shady and terrible things to do it over the course of several episodes. Factions are slowly formed among the Fang Gang in opposition to Angel as his behavior causes them to become distrustful of his leadership and judgment. The season eventually builds up to the events of “Not Fade Away.”

 

[zobothehobo]

If five wasn't the last season and there was a 6th season... this is what I would have preferred... and I a lot of people are going to think I'm nuts but whatever.

So to me 5 had basically no real focus until the end. No big plot, no big bad, just awkwardness of transitioning into W&H. I think all of season 5 should have been this. Awkward murky no real plot, no real direction, just trying to get used to W&H.

6 should have been gradually working into Angel getting darker and the gang getting worried and then the whole ending of Angel season 5 would be extended and more elaborate. It felt and looked rushed... because it was. A sixth and finale season would have solved this problem.

 

[Zeppo]

No. I would've given up on the show, which says a lot about how much I don't like the idea.

 

[VisionGirl]

No. I would've given up on the show, which says a lot about how much I don't like the idea.

Really, why? Elaborate please! 🙂

 

[Zeppo]

I felt season 5 was a total (for lack of a better term) spit in the face of everything that had been built up for the last 4 years. I felt it took the show 2 full years to finally find itself and they insulted all of it by what they did in season 5. I didn't like it; there was no Cordy (sorry, you can't take the heart out of a mix and expect it to thrive), Eve, Spike was there to take over that show now too and there was no true arc. The dynamic of the show that worked for it so well - setting, people, story - was abolished. If that had lasted for 2 years as opposed to one I'd fade away from the show. Fascinating idea, poor execution. I respect it now but one year at W&H was more than enough, I got the idea.

 

[MRNewman]

I adore Season 5. It may very well be one of my favorite seasons - that said, if it were spread into 2 seasons it would have more time to flourish and elaborate on some of the stories which did feel a little rushed.

 

[dmkrew]

I agree with Zeppo hardcore man. After destroying Cord in the 4th season Joss had dug his own grave. I liked Illyria but she wasn't a good enough replacement for Cordy and thats what they were trying to do, replace 2 women with one god like creature. But alas, not executed properly. Joss should've known he was screwing himself when he hacked away at Cordelia in the writers' room...

 

[dmkrew]

Fred came into play in like the 2nd season what are you talking about?

 

[caitaintdead]

Just wanted to add on the Season 5 hate - I think that the only 'female' that was allowed to join the gang was actually male inside... Seemed like Joss was sending a message there - the only way a female can be a real part of things is by actually being male.