To Shanshu in LA

[VisionGirl]

OK, so the entire episode, weren't you screaming (either literally or in your mind) "What's in the box?! What's in the box?!"? I know I was, well at least the first time I saw it, I obviously already knew this time. I think this was a fabulous season finale, esp for a first season. I love how Angel learns the hard way what his connection to the world is: his friends. Maybe some can say Cordy specifically, I'm just not seeing that yet (well, except for being VisionGirl and everything).

Interesting trivia:

Producer David Greenwalt says they decided to blow up the Angel Investigations at the end of this episode because the sets were uncomfortably cramped when filming
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Shanshu_in_L.A.

I am loving this random Tim Minear quote (taken from his website):

"Just because I killed Darla... twice. Did in Doyle, made Kate fatherless, had Angel eat his own father on camera, slice his sister off camera, munch on momma on camera, don't mean you can't trust me."

Heh-heh. Takes after Joss I guess!

 

[xfivebyfive]

I love that finale its so good. I love the way Angel is so scared of losing Cordy once shes in the hospital.

Doctor: Are you family?
Angel: Yes!

Awwww!! It really makes him realize how much he cares for them, and yes specifically Cordy hehe 😛 The smile on his face when they gets her back, shows it.

 

[Tome]

Yes I was really curious... And I ended up being pretty much disappointed. It was ONLY Darla?? *ducks away from the tomatoes*

---------- Post added at 01:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 AM ----------

Connor Holtz agrees: Drops a ten ton nuclear tomato on you a**

LMAO!

VisionGirl agrees: I agree with Connor Holtz! Only Darla? Epic fail!

Yes, only Darla! A measily vampire... Also at the time all I had seen of her was in BtVS s1 and hum... she was lame and... the school girl outfit, a big no-no. Right Bee?

 

[VisionGirl]

Oh, but you turned out to be incredibly mistaken about her, didn't you? 😉

 

[Marisa]

I was shocked to see who it was. I tried to not read to many spoilers at that time so I was pleased. I wanted to know what was going on so bad, then I got distracted as Angel cut off Lindsey's hand which I will say is still one of my favorite moments in a odd way.

 

[Tome]

Oh, but you turned out to be incredibly mistaken about her, didn't you? 😉

Not until much further along the way... 😉😛

 

[GrrArghx]

I had the same "uh, Darla?" reaction, lol. I mean, I loved Darla on BtVS (I'm such a sucker for characters who make hardly any appearances!) but I didn't see why she would be considered so horrible 😛

 

[Marisa]

I had the same "uh, Darla?" reaction, lol. I mean, I loved Darla on BtVS (I'm such a sucker for characters who make hardly any appearances!) but I didn't see why she would be considered so horrible 😛

I always looked at it like she was the only one who could get to Angel in the way she did.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

Well, I didn't really like Darla on Buffy. Don't know why, but she was just not interesting to me (which I'm sure she would have been if she wasn't killed so early). So I wasn't too pleased to see her coming back. I didn't see the point, because on Buffy she was pretty much annoying. And I hated her bangs too (not that it matters or has anything to do with is...).

However, they got her so developed on Angel, and made her into an interesting and deep character that has feelings, pain, suffer. They made her human. And I don't mean just the human creature she was, I mean she had depth of a human. Because in many, most cased, vampires on the show are not as deep as humans. They're pure evil, pure for the kill, live for blood, don't have many of the human characterism. So in the end, I saw depth in Darla, which made me not hate her. She deseved the spot on Angel, deserved to come back and finally have a respectful death (that I didn't find in her first death, it was made like she was just another vampire although she was a very important part in Angel's past).

 

[VisionGirl]

Well, I didn't really like Darla on Buffy. Don't know why, but she was just not interesting to me (which I'm sure she would have been if she wasn't killed so early). So I wasn't too pleased to see her coming back. I didn't see the point, because on Buffy she was pretty much annoying. And I hated her bangs too (not that it matters or has anything to do with is...).

However, they got her so developed on Angel, and made her into an interesting and deep character that has feelings, pain, suffer. They made her human. And I don't mean just the human creature she was, I mean she had depth of a human. Because in many, most cased, vampires on the show are not as deep as humans. They're pure evil, pure for the kill, live for blood, don't have many of the human characterism. So in the end, I saw depth in Darla, which made me not hate her. She deseved the spot on Angel, deserved to come back and finally have a respectful death (that I didn't find in her first death, it was made like she was just another vampire although she was a very important part in Angel's past).

I completely agree, even the part about the bangs LOL! I didn't like her in Buffy either, kind of annoying. Her character in Angel is waaay more interesting!

 

[Taake]

OK, so the entire episode, weren't you screaming (either literally or in your mind) "What's in the box?! What's in the box?!"

Yeah I was! When I saw it was Darla I was more screaming - Julie Benz! Julie Bens! Julie Benz! 🙂

I really liked her as Darla on BtVs and felt excited at the thought of seeing more of her (partly because I loved the character and partly because of my love for Julie Benz)

 

[Lilah]

Amazing episode, what a great season finale. I can't remember what my reaction was first time round when discovering it was Darla in the box. It may of been 'ok, who is that?' HAHA.

 

[Bungle Jerry]

Well S1 was like the last season I saw, so my reaction was "so that's how Darla gets to LA!"

 

[GrrArghx]

I always looked at it like she was the only one who could get to Angel in the way she did.

I get that now, but I didn't on my first watch.

I've never liked the Angel going dark arc (mainly because I don't like seeing him do bad things with a soul), but I do have a soft spot for Darla.

 

[Bluebird]

I thought this was a great season finale, and to be honest, since it was the first season and just finding its feet and all, I didn't expect too much. But there was exploding offices, a hand chopped off, big maggot face guy and a vampire in a box. What more could you ask for?

Also thought it was a great ep for Cordelia's character. You really see her beginning to accept her job she's been given, that was pretty cool.

 

[Summerlilly]

I thought this was a great season finale, and to be honest, since it was the first season and just finding its feet and all, I didn't expect too much. But there was exploding offices, a hand chopped off, big maggot face guy and a vampire in a box. What more could you ask for?

Also thought it was a great ep for Cordelia's character. You really see her beginning to accept her job she's been given, that was pretty cool.

Great finale! True about it being a first season trying to find its way....I think it was very smart to end it like they did. They needed to establish that the three of them were really in it together and cared for one another. It was nice to see Angel's loving side again...and it really was the first spark of Cangel in a way. It was the first time Angel really decided that he wanted and needed Cordelia around. In some ways Cordy is the only one who really understands what Angel is going through. She felt the pain and suffering of all the helpless just like Angel does everyday....and so in the end their bond was only strengthened and Cordelia was given the catalyst to evolve as a character. I'm a hardcore Bangel but I do have an appreciation for Cangel and why they would love each other.

I also really liked how they ended on a positive note. Angel finally found hope in something....one day he may be able to become human. That along with the confirmation that he needs and loves Cordy and Wesley is a great way to end the season! Plus, explosions are always awesome!!