Angel finales are always so non-linear. It's like, the season was leading to something, and then the finale is something else. I would agree "Not Fade Away" is the best finale. But for second place? "Birth, death and rebirth in LA." It truly wiped the deck clean, gave us a dramatic fight against a formidable opponent, and surprise!, naked Girl in a box! It ended the season, and began the next one, whereas 2 was just so out of left field, 3 & 4 were about setting up next year over wrapping up last year.