The Angel Chronicles: season 5 vices.
So here's what I didn't like.
Fred/Wesley
Although I love the ship, I hate how it was written. The transition from Fred only seeing him as a friend to suddenly being in love with him was way too quick, wasn't written well, and honestly was just a massive let down considering how long this ship had been drawn out. Yeah, maybe it was in the subtle glances blahblah, but honestly this ship deserved a much better climax. It was obviously rushed to make Fred's transformation into Illyria all the more tragic. I love Wes/Fred and wanted to see more of a story about it in S5. Most of all, there SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MOMENT WHERE FRED REALISED SHE LOVED HIM. Like, him saving her, or some other eureka moment when you can see her realise "wow, i really love this guy". But we don't get that. So yeah. That frustrated me.
Nina/Angel
Now, normally I'm the one that loves the hated characters. And I do like Nina - she's a great character that's well realised in the show. But wtf is the relationship with Angel?! First Cordy's completely forgotten, then he loves her, then he likes Nina, then he's running around after Buffy (although I love that ep), then he's with Nina again... So wtf?! No explanation or anything. I mean, I maybe wouldn't have minded this ship if Angel had been shown to be fighting his attraction to Nina, feeling guilty about Cordelia. Or if it had been shown that Nina was right for him, that the relationship could help him. But no. Like with Wood/Faith, random ship is random.
Cordelia
ISN'T MENTIONED. I mean, sure there's the passing reference, but other than that it's like she never existed. Personally, I think this is in some way part of Whedon's vendetta against Charisma, but it might be just so the fans didn't get angry that she wasn't there - if she wasn't mentioned, perhaps they'd forget she's gone sort of thing. And also, what happened to the epic love story between her and Angel? I don't mind that he's still pining after Buffy in S5 - it's right because Spike's there, which reminds him of her and what they had, and he'll always love Buffy. I'm ok with that. But he seems to completely forget Cordelia and jump straight to Nina. It's so OOC.
Lindsey
ARGH WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS THAT IN NOT FADE AWAY??!!!! Endless rage for this. ENDLESS. They bring him back just to kill him?! He wasn't written properly through the season, they just used his character as a foil, and then just when I'm squeeing about him being part of the team at the end they go and kill him. AND MAKE LORNE DO IT. OOC for Angel to have Lindsey killed, and have Lorne be the killer. I will never EVER be persuaded to accept this. In my personal canon, I'm ignoring it. Somehow I'm going to have to make a way for it not to be Lindsey or something. Ugh.
Harmony's betrayal
What. Even. Was. This. She progresses throughout the season just to betray Angel at the end? OOC plot foil. Grrr...
The Circle of the Black Thorn
Can't like this plot. I mean, they try and make it work, and ok it kinda does but still. No. The finale deserved a way bigger build up, something they'd been fighting all the way through. I'm still a bit on the fence about this because, ok, it's W/H and ok the plot was quite good but still. Something didn't click for me with Not Fade Away. Might have been the fact that I was drugged up with codeine when I watched it, but still. I mean, I could have liked it if we'd got to see season 6 (thanks, Joss, for forcing a decision out of the network so they cancelled it). At first I was glad that S6 didn't happen, but after the end of S5 I desperately want to SEE the plot that happpened next - LA going to Hell and all. NOT IN COMIC BOOKS I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY. Sigh.
But overall I enjoyed the season. Definitely second fave after S2, which was epic. I'd say S5's virtues outwiegh it's vices. And S4, although it was one of the most exciting to watch and I did enjoy it, will never be one of my faves because of the lack of Cordelia. Again, I'd like it if she returned at the end (even if she fell back into her coma), but no. It's just such a terrible and undeserved end for an excellent character and I hate seeing her controlled by Jasmine. Because YOU DON'T DO THAT TO CORDY. This is something that's stressed from day one, even in Buffy. And that's how her plot ends? Without any repercussions? Without Queen C reclaiming her will and taking revenge? No. Bad Joss.
But I digest.
(And yes, I realise the error, it's a quote from Family Guy: Blue Harvest.)
All in all, enjoyable season. :D
~Lili
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