My AtS Rewatch: Parting Gifts through To Shanshu in LA
Here is the continuation of my AtS rewatch.
Parting Gifts
The first time through, I was thrilled when Wesley joined the gang because he brough the tiniest bit of BtVS with him. This time, I was more sad to see Doyle go but still happy to see Wes show up. When he first appears, he's so over-doing the Rogue Demon Hunter bit, with the black leather from head to toe and the five o'clock shadow. He gives Angel such a death look, a little preview of the badass!Wesley to come.
Somnambulist
Give me flashbacks, and I'm a happy camper. I always liked the Penn storyline. Just think of Angelus's methods of teaching when Spike goes on about being made into a monster in S5. If he was guiding William the Bloody the same way as he guided Penn, then, yes, he created a monster. This raises a question, though. What type of vampires would Penn and Spike have been if they hadn't been taught by Angelus? Still evil, at least according to 'verse canon.
Expecting
This is one of the more heavy handed episodes of AtS. Yes, as they've told us so many times before, sex is bad, and if you have sex, you'll get pregnant and die. A redeeming moment: when Phantom Dennis comforts Cordelia.
She
I have to admit, I got bored about 20 minutes into this episode and starting doing chores. I think there was a feminist message somewhere in there?
I've Got You Under My Skin
This is AtS doing what it does best, taking a sci-fi/horror trope and twisting it just so. I did not see the soulless boy coming, though to be fair, I rarely see plot twists coming. The end is creepy. Even though he's in custody, you know the boy has a lifetime of harm left to do. One criticism - they turned the voice distortion on the boy up a bit too high, and his lines are very hard to understand.
The Prodigal
This probably ranks with my favorite AtS episodes. I'll tell you for sure when I finish my rewatch. First off - Darla! It is fabulous to have her back and to learn so much more about her. She plucked Liam out of that inn because she thought he was cute, not much else to it. She's also a tough Sire to have. She encourages Liam to kill his family and then mocks him when he's finished. I also love Kate's storyline. Like many fans, I initially viewed Kate's presence with some ambivalence, fearing that she'd be used as a replacement Buffy. Once it became clear that she and Angel weren't going to be together, I really, really wanted them to get together, at least until Angel could be with Buffy again. On that note, does anyone know of any good Angel/Kate fic?
The Ring
I did start to gain more respect for the make-up department in this episode. Great creatures. However, the plot's a little thin. I'm sure some people love all of the fight scenes, but I'm more into the talky bits. And we see Lilah for the first time. Always glad to have her onboard.
Eternity
I love this episode from soup to nuts. I love Cordelia's retched acting. I think the plotline with the actress who wants to stay young and beautiful forever carries well. And, the best part, Angelus! (even though it's only an illusion) They way-underutilized Angelus in this show. I guess you can't have it both ways. If he were around every other episode and kept getting defeated or put away, you would lose that sense of dread and danger.
Five by Five
The two Faith arcs are definitely amongst my most-watched AtS episodes. (see icon) There isn't anything bad I can say about this episode. Just give me more Faith. The scene in the alley in the rain, gets me every time.
Santuary
While I also love this episode, the Buffy/Angel scenes cause me physical pain. They've been so unhappy for so long, then there's the bright light of hope in IWRY, then they're back to being miserable again. They can't catch a break! As for the Angel-hitting-Buffy issue, I have to side with Angel on this one. She did hit him first, and she is stronger. However, I can see how confusing and painful it must have been for Buffy to run all of the way to LA just to find Faith in Angel's arms. I take it as consolation that the next time they see eachother, they're just happy to be together. This is a trivial moment, and it doesn't matter.
War Zone
Ah, the introduction of Gunn. I think I preferred gangsta Gunn to lawyer Gunn, even if the dialogue sounds like it was written by a bunch a white guys trying to talk street. He brings a different flavor to the show, and it really expands the universe. It turns out that there are demon hunters everywhere, in every walk of life. The bit with his sister was a bit predictable, though. It's a moment of "now the character has been given his motivation to do what must be done."
Blind Date
The B story in this episode, Lindsey's story, far out outshines the A story, the blind assassin. That latter part was very yawn-inducing. Or maybe Lindsey's story is the A story. Anyway, Gunn's speech in the lobby of W&H is priceless. Just think, he's going to be lawyer for them one day. I was totally taken in by Lindsey's quest for redemption and was very shocked when he decided to stay in the office. (see above where I admit that I never see plot twists coming) I think Lindsey's turn from the light really makes Angel hate him, instead of just viewing him as an opponent. Perhaps I now finally understand Angel's actions re: Lindsey in Not Fade Away.
To Shanshu in LA
This is the first time that there has been a direct threat to Angel's team since Doyle died, and that threat really kicks Angel in to high gear.
It's a serviceable season finale. The most important thing is that it gives us the Shanshu prophecy, which we the fans can obsess about forever and ever. Oh, and I'm very glad that they blew up Angel Investigations. The Hyperion is so much better.
Thanks for reading! I'll see you again when I get through a significant chunk of S2!
Parting Gifts
The first time through, I was thrilled when Wesley joined the gang because he brough the tiniest bit of BtVS with him. This time, I was more sad to see Doyle go but still happy to see Wes show up. When he first appears, he's so over-doing the Rogue Demon Hunter bit, with the black leather from head to toe and the five o'clock shadow. He gives Angel such a death look, a little preview of the badass!Wesley to come.
Somnambulist
Give me flashbacks, and I'm a happy camper. I always liked the Penn storyline. Just think of Angelus's methods of teaching when Spike goes on about being made into a monster in S5. If he was guiding William the Bloody the same way as he guided Penn, then, yes, he created a monster. This raises a question, though. What type of vampires would Penn and Spike have been if they hadn't been taught by Angelus? Still evil, at least according to 'verse canon.
Expecting
This is one of the more heavy handed episodes of AtS. Yes, as they've told us so many times before, sex is bad, and if you have sex, you'll get pregnant and die. A redeeming moment: when Phantom Dennis comforts Cordelia.
She
I have to admit, I got bored about 20 minutes into this episode and starting doing chores. I think there was a feminist message somewhere in there?
I've Got You Under My Skin
This is AtS doing what it does best, taking a sci-fi/horror trope and twisting it just so. I did not see the soulless boy coming, though to be fair, I rarely see plot twists coming. The end is creepy. Even though he's in custody, you know the boy has a lifetime of harm left to do. One criticism - they turned the voice distortion on the boy up a bit too high, and his lines are very hard to understand.
The Prodigal
This probably ranks with my favorite AtS episodes. I'll tell you for sure when I finish my rewatch. First off - Darla! It is fabulous to have her back and to learn so much more about her. She plucked Liam out of that inn because she thought he was cute, not much else to it. She's also a tough Sire to have. She encourages Liam to kill his family and then mocks him when he's finished. I also love Kate's storyline. Like many fans, I initially viewed Kate's presence with some ambivalence, fearing that she'd be used as a replacement Buffy. Once it became clear that she and Angel weren't going to be together, I really, really wanted them to get together, at least until Angel could be with Buffy again. On that note, does anyone know of any good Angel/Kate fic?
The Ring
I did start to gain more respect for the make-up department in this episode. Great creatures. However, the plot's a little thin. I'm sure some people love all of the fight scenes, but I'm more into the talky bits. And we see Lilah for the first time. Always glad to have her onboard.
Eternity
I love this episode from soup to nuts. I love Cordelia's retched acting. I think the plotline with the actress who wants to stay young and beautiful forever carries well. And, the best part, Angelus! (even though it's only an illusion) They way-underutilized Angelus in this show. I guess you can't have it both ways. If he were around every other episode and kept getting defeated or put away, you would lose that sense of dread and danger.
Five by Five
The two Faith arcs are definitely amongst my most-watched AtS episodes. (see icon) There isn't anything bad I can say about this episode. Just give me more Faith. The scene in the alley in the rain, gets me every time.
Santuary
While I also love this episode, the Buffy/Angel scenes cause me physical pain. They've been so unhappy for so long, then there's the bright light of hope in IWRY, then they're back to being miserable again. They can't catch a break! As for the Angel-hitting-Buffy issue, I have to side with Angel on this one. She did hit him first, and she is stronger. However, I can see how confusing and painful it must have been for Buffy to run all of the way to LA just to find Faith in Angel's arms. I take it as consolation that the next time they see eachother, they're just happy to be together. This is a trivial moment, and it doesn't matter.
War Zone
Ah, the introduction of Gunn. I think I preferred gangsta Gunn to lawyer Gunn, even if the dialogue sounds like it was written by a bunch a white guys trying to talk street. He brings a different flavor to the show, and it really expands the universe. It turns out that there are demon hunters everywhere, in every walk of life. The bit with his sister was a bit predictable, though. It's a moment of "now the character has been given his motivation to do what must be done."
Blind Date
The B story in this episode, Lindsey's story, far out outshines the A story, the blind assassin. That latter part was very yawn-inducing. Or maybe Lindsey's story is the A story. Anyway, Gunn's speech in the lobby of W&H is priceless. Just think, he's going to be lawyer for them one day. I was totally taken in by Lindsey's quest for redemption and was very shocked when he decided to stay in the office. (see above where I admit that I never see plot twists coming) I think Lindsey's turn from the light really makes Angel hate him, instead of just viewing him as an opponent. Perhaps I now finally understand Angel's actions re: Lindsey in Not Fade Away.
To Shanshu in LA
This is the first time that there has been a direct threat to Angel's team since Doyle died, and that threat really kicks Angel in to high gear.
It's a serviceable season finale. The most important thing is that it gives us the Shanshu prophecy, which we the fans can obsess about forever and ever. Oh, and I'm very glad that they blew up Angel Investigations. The Hyperion is so much better.
Thanks for reading! I'll see you again when I get through a significant chunk of S2!