Buffy / Angel Discussion (Including Reviews)

[Disney-Fan]

Only in to episode 6, and oh my Willow. How could she use a spell on her own girlfriend? That scene alone almost had me in tears. And Buffy too. Stripped away from Heaven and peace. This is a dark, dark year for the Scooby gang.

[Disney-Fan]

You need to answer this in the appropriate thread but... hows the season six viewing going?

Hey Netty! My season viewing is done. I am now rewatching a few episodes and then I'll give my final thoughts on the season. There seems to be a lot to swollow this time around.

[Disney-Fan]

Here we go... Lots to write, opinions still being formulated. I'll head straight to my favorite episodes then move on to critiqueing in general.

Bargaining - Despite my disappointment in having Buffy being resurrected by magic, I found this episode absoloutely riveting from start to finish. Seeing Buffy's reaction to earth, in retrospect, makes complete sence. She was torn from Heaven, and to her this probably seemed like she skipped earth and went straight to hell. Meanwhile, Willow's spiraling begins ( ). 10/10

After Life - Buffy copes, the gang copes and revelations are made. Buffy's scene with Spike is now one of my favorite moments of the show. Seeing her whisper her secret "in a dead man's ear" (to quote the song "Let Me RIP") is heartbreaking. Who would've thought that this whole time she was floating on Cloud 9? 9/10

Once More, With Feeling - Took a while to grow on me (I still think it is by far inferior to Xena's The Bitter Suite). I LOVE this episode, despite some dodgy songs (namely Spike's little tune and parts of the climax). The opening song almost reaches Disney-standard emotions, which is saying somethin'. 9.5/10

Tabula-Rasa - Incredible. Simply that. From pain to laughter to pain again, this episode really does pack the punch. 8.5/10

Smashed / Wrecked - Heartbreaking. Simply that. Willow's and Buffy's descent begins in these episodes. Buffy caves in to a moment of (rough and a not-so-reperable ) passion with Spike, and Willow takes a turn for the worst with her overuse of magic. 9/10

Gone and Far Away - Don't know why. Dawn is a whining little idiot that deserves to be treated like a child, but I still loved this episode. 8/10

Seeing Red - Best. Buffy. Episode. EVER. Everything happens and is done so splendidly. Spike and Buffy's final scene for the season is incredibly painful to watch, just because it's just so, well, real. Poor poor Buffy. And Tara... Oh Tara. I will miss her. The show just won't be the same without her. 11/10 -- Yes, that good. Haha...

Grave - Coming full circle. Buffy crawls from under the ground again, only this time with willingness to live in the world and show Dawn what it's all about. Xander and Willow's scene near the end is just so touching and it goes to show that they really can face anything so long as they're together. And boy, what a cliffhanger! Eiick!

Ya know, despite my dislike for Evil!Willow (I'm scared for the consequences of her actions), I was pointed out to something kinda nice and romantic. All this power and ability came about out of her love for Tara. It really goes to say something about Willow and Tara's relationship. 9/10

Random rants and thoughts:
* What a contrived way of breaking up Xander and Anya and having her reform to demonhood. Pathetic and unneccessary. Xander really started shining with her, and now he's back to being a whiny dork. Great. Just great.

* Dawn is just so incredibly annoying. Put a yap in it already! Yes, you were a mystical force for evil last year and I feel your pain for that, but jeez, you don't always need to call attention to yourself. Keep on stealing little girl, cause no one cares. I don't anyway...

* I wonder if Spike's going to be a tortured puppy like Angel now. Should be interesting to watch. He deserves a soul though. For better or worse, he's truly earned it. Bring on tortured Spike!

* Willow... No Tara, now a murderer, tried to eliminate the world. I hope she manages to go through year 7 without too much pain. Still love her as if she were still that computer nerd from Sophomore year.

* More crossovers, PLEASE. I know the whole move to UPN made that a pain in the behind, but those little moments of get-togethers are sorely missed.

* Season 7 (and 3 of Angel) are on the way. I just couldn't wait. Any "preview reviews" are more than welcome...

* Oh, and Joss now owes me 2 new Slayers. I don't care what fans claim, in episode 6/20 Buffy dies momentarily. I want Slayers, and I want 'em now!

* The Trio - Why? Good god, why?


Thoughts, questions, comments?


EDIT: My season ranking as of now:
1. Season 5 - Glory + Dawn - Still holds some smart analogies to real life situations and the best season arc, bar none.
2. Season 6 - An emotional rollercoaster. Just lacks a bit of focus, and focues on the three stooges way too much.
3. Season 3 - Great arc, great additions to the Buffyverse (specifically Faith and Anya)
4. Season 2 - Great season in the grand scheme of things, but lacks an arc and some filler episodes are poor.
5. Season 4 - Wasted potential. The Adam sub-plot just screamed 'meh'!
6. Season 1 - Great pilot, great finale. Not much inbetween. Also, not a huge fan of The Master.

[nordic]

Season 6 wasn't exactly my favorite. I thought it started rather good (with OMWF being the highlight), but the ending and the trio didn't do it for me. And although I really wanted to believe Evil Willow, I thought some parts of that storyline felt forced.

* Oh, and Joss now owes me 2 new Slayers. I don't care what fans claim, in episode 6/20 Buffy dies momentarily. I want Slayers, and I want 'em now!
.

Buffy's replacement already came with Faith. Now Faith has to die in order for a new slayer to be called, since Buffy technically should be dead by now (several times), and thus not longer a slayer. =p

[2099net]

Well, I'm surprised you like Season 6 so much (yet, dislike Angel S2 ) But we're all different.

I just feel too many characters in S6 were out of character. From Willow, to Buffy, to Dawn... even to the Trio. Until S6, you'd never see Warren (and especially Jonathan) as "evil". Buffy, despite having good reason was too dark and self-destructive, Willow... they took too far, and as you say the method of creating conflict with Xander and Anya was too contrieved (and with all the other conflicts, was more needed?). Even Giles was, to me, out of character when he came back all "magic" and trash-talk.

So, no, to me S6 is the worst Buffy season.

[Nandor]

Season six had some fun episodes (and one great one, the famous OMWF), but as a whole, it didn't seem right. I think I'd rate it higher than season four, but not much. The Trio just weren't good enemies. Nor was life itself... Buffy seemed too dark, Dawn kept whining (after having the fate of the world on your shoulders, you'd think she'd be happy with a bit of rest), Tara died (réally upset about that one)...
I hate to say it, but they should have stopped at season five (which had a great ending. That would have meant the loss of some great episodes, though...).

[2099net]

Just a quick reminder. Joss' season 8 Buffy comics start this week. Issue 1 is available from your local comic store.

[xxhplinkxx]

So I searched all topics and decided to post this in here since it's seems to be more of a general Buffy topic than just a "Season 6 Review"... (can that be changed, btw?)

Anywho, I just wanted to say that today I finished the 7th and Final Season of Buffy. Something that I've been working towards for the past 6 months when I started Season 1 back in October. I can now easily say that Buffy: The Vampire Slayer has earned it's way onto my list of favorite TV Shows.

I had seen a couple of episodes back when it aired on the WB (later on UPN). I never watched religiously or anything; I think I probably only watched anywhere from 5-10 Buffy episodes while on-air and I remember them being alright, but watching them now, straight through, I have to say, I am amazed.

I think the show has a great blend of drama, fantasy, romance, and comedy. I've loved watching all these characters grow and develop throughout the series, going from just a bunch of naive highschool students to mature adults that just happen to have a greater purpose in life than the rest of us.

While the show is no longer on air, I can look forward to going back to the Buffyverse in the comics, which I can't wait for! I also look forward to adding both this and Angel to my collection; I've borrowed the DVD's from a friend to whom I owe a world of thanks.

I would say my favorite season(s) of Buffy are 1 and 2... they kinda go hand in hand lol. I'm a total sucker for the love story with Angel. I can't get enough of those two together. Season 3 was also really strong (I love Fatih!). Season 4... eehhh... not so much lol. I think the only good thing that came out of season 4 was Hush and Anya joining the cast permanently. I didn't care too much for The Initiative or Adam. Things picked back up in Season 5 even though it took some time to get used to Dawn. I have mixed feelings on Season 6. It had it's good moments (Once More With Feeling!) and it's bad (The Trio). And Season 7 brought it all back home and ended things rather nicely.

I guess I just wanted to post my thoughts on the show somewhere on the board, and to encourage those who have not seen the show and don't really know too much about it to DEFINITELY check it out (along with Angel!)

Oh... and for anyone wanting to discuss Buffy, let's go!

(I'm looking at you, Siren! )

[PeterPanfan]

Like Disney-Fan, I wanted to post my reviews of the seasons as I watch them.

I just finished Season Two last night. SPOILERS:

I loved it! It was milestones ahead of Season One, and even thought there were some pretty bad episodes, most of them really shined. My favorite character is Willow, and I LOVED how she had this sudden bolt of courage, and has been outspokoen ever since. She no longer hides in the corner, waiting for Buffy to save her, but can fight her own fights, and help Buffy defeat demons and vampires. Buffy is my second favorite character. The struggle she was put through showed tons of emotions, especially when she killed Angel and left Sunnydale. Xander and Cordelia probably tie for my third favorite character. Xander, because I love his humor (as annoying as it may be at times), and Cordelia, because like Willow, her character's has had a ton of development. She went from being the bitchy, rude, popular girl, to the semi-bitchy, ...sometimes rude, popular girl who dated nerdy guys. Spike and Drusilla come next, because I absoultely LOVED their characters and watching them interact. Angel annoyed me this season, but that's to be expected, as he was evil for most of it.

My favorite episodes were:

Passion
Becoming Part 1
Becoming Part 2
Innocence
What's My Line Part 1
What's My Line Part 2

I'm already three episodes into Season Three, and will post my thoughts when I'm done with it.

[Chernabog_Rocks]

Spike and Drusilla come next, because I absoultely LOVED their characters and watching them interact

Yay another Spike/Dru fan I love Drusilla a tad more, I think in some ways she evolves a bit more than Spike this season. Considering when she starts the season she had nearly died and is rather sickly, then she evovles to this character who can hold her own in a fight and even takes down Kendra. I actually rather have mixed feelings on Kendra, I kinda liked her but I didn't find her death all that sad at least not on the same level as Buffy at the end of S1. Perhaps if her character had been explored a tad more.

Cordelia is easily one of my favorites, I place her on even with Willow for second favorite character.

Oz was imo underused this season he seemed out of place in the episodes he showed up in aside from the werewolf one. It would have been nice seeing more interaction with him and the Scooby gang, he didn't need to be fighting demons and vampires with them but just being there. When he was there it was sort of like "oh there's Oz, where has he been since last time?" I dunno I would have liked seeing him more instead of on and off.

[xxhplinkxx]

Cordelia is easily one of my favorites

YEEEES!

:pink::pink:

I'll comment more on this and Oz tomorrow. But now, I sleep!

[xxhplinkxx]

Ok, so I'm back. I just wanted agree on how much I love Cordelia Chase as a character. To watch her character develop was one of my most gratifying things for me as a viewer (up to a certain point) and one of the reasons I loved Angel so much.

I came across this essay today about the character of Cordelia that I recommend reading.

Except you, Dan, cause you haven't finished Angel yet!

http://www.jennycrusie.com/essays/cordeliachase.php

As for Oz, eh. I do remember reading though that he would have returned if Angel had had a 6th season. Sadly, it didn't.

[PeterPanfan]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Four SPOILERS!!

I know this season is generally disliked, but I loved it! Where the Wild Things are and Beer Bad are the exceptions, though.

Favorite episodes: (In chronological order)

Fear, Itself - I loved the haunted house and generally love all Buffy!Halloween episodes.

Pangs - I loved Spike being there for Thanksgiving, and Angel coming back to Sunnydale.

Something Blue - Spuffy = HOT AND BETTER THAN BANGEL, CHRIS! WAY BETTER!!

Hush - The Gentlemen were CREEPY, and Tara was introduced!!

This Year's Girl/Who are You - Mainly because Faith is my second favorite character, after Willow.

New Moon Rising - Willow's coming out to Buffy made me very happy, though I kept wondering if anyone else knew.

Primeval

As I said before, Willow is my favorite character. Her becoming a lesbian really just goes to show how much she comes out of her shell and comfort zone. Faith is still my second favorite, especially with her redemption (More on that in my Angel S1 review.) After Faith would most likely be Buffy, because I love her humor, and her one-liners tend to crack me up. After that would be Anya, because she speaks whats on her mind. Then Tara, because she is the sweetest person ever, and was willing to let Willow leave her for Oz. After that is Spike, because he's the best vampire ever. Harmony was cool, too. I didn't really like Riley, and definitley hated Parker. Xander and Giles usually don't do much for me, anyway, so...

Overall a 6/10.

[PeterPanfan]

Angel: Season One SPOILERS!!

Favorite episodes:

City of - I loved Cordelia's introduction!

Room With a View - Cordelia's "The bitch is back!" line was the best of Angel so far.

I Will Remember You - It was so sweet and I really wish Buffy would have remembered, even though I don't really support Buffy/Angel.

The Prodigal - I loved the Angelus/Darla flashbacks!

Eternity - I really liked this episode. Nothing more to really say...

Five By Five/Sanctuary - I LOVED when Buffy came and helped Faith escape the roof. And her fight with Angel at the end. /

To Shanshu in L.A. - Mainly because DARLA IS BACK!!!!!!!

Cordelia was my favorite character, especially with her character growth and development. After that is probably Kate, because I really liked her and hope she and Angel become friends (or more...?) in Season Two. Wesley follows Kate because I find him to be a much better supporting character than Doyle was (But poor Glenn Quinn .) As was with Buffy, I don't really like Angel...

Overall, a 7/10.

[xxhplinkxx]

Spuffy = HOT AND BETTER THAN BANGEL, CHRIS! WAY BETTER!! ... After that is Spike, because he's the best vampire ever.

*sigh*

City of - I loved Cordelia's introduction!

Room With a View - Cordelia's "The bitch is back!" line was the best of Angel so far.

Cordelia was my favorite character, especially with her character growth and development.

You ain't seen nothing yet.


Cordy's the poo, so take a big whiff.

I Will Remember You - It was so sweet and I really wish Buffy would have remembered

The Prodigal - I loved the Angelus/Darla flashbacks!

Five By Five/Sanctuary - I LOVED when Buffy came and helped Faith escape the roof. And her fight with Angel at the end. /

To Shanshu in L.A. - Mainly because DARLA IS BACK!!!!!!!

All excellent moments in Angel Season 1

[PeterPanfan]

Overall, I still like Buffy a lot more than Angel (Both character and show-wise.)

Is Angel Season Two (And onward) better than the first season?

And are Buffy Season 5, 6, and 7 better than the mediocre Season four? Because some reviewers say 5, 6, and 7 are the best of the show, while others tend to shove it into mediocricy with Season 4.

[Disney-Fan]

Is Angel Season Two (And onward) better than the first season?

Leagues ahead of Season 1. Season 3 and 4 in my opinion rank as good as Buffy's finest years, and that's really saying something.

And are Buffy Season 5, 6, and 7 better than the mediocre Season four? Because some reviewers say 5, 6, and 7 are the best of the show, while others tend to shove it into mediocricy with Season 4.

That's how it usually is with fan response regarding those seasons, and this fan right here will tell you those are my favorite Buffy years. Seasons 2 and 3 seem to appeal more to the nostalgic crowd. For me, years 5-7 really shine and bring in a more serialised, adult way of storytelling. You're gonna love it.

[PeterPanfan]

SPOILERS GALORE! DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE SPOILED!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season Five - Well, another season has come and gone. I felt this season went by EXTREMELY fast. It only took me about five or six days to watch it. A lot of the episodes melded together, and there were a lot of "To be continued..." moments. I didn't find Dawn as annoying as I thought I would have, especially towards the end. She was willing to die for Buffy and her friends. Joyce's death made me cry, and it was also depressing when Glory sucked Tara's brain. Speaking of Glory, she's my favorite Buffyverse villain so far. She brings a sense of reality into the character, unlike The Master, Adam, The Mayor, or Angelus. You actually see her thoughts, and finally Ben starts to come through and attempt to help Dawn and Buffy, but he ultimately joins with Glory. I'm glad Giles killed him, though. I thought the Buffybot was hilarious, as was Harmony, as usual. I never liked Riley, so I'm glad he left.

Favorite episodes:

Family - Great introspect into Tara's past, since we really hadn't gotten any. And Amy Adams! <3

Fool for Love - As with Family, there was a great look at Spike/William the Bloody's past. And we finally get our first glimpse into Spuffy. (Well, sans Something Blue.)

The Body - Wow. This was the most depressing episode of Buffy so far, and the way Joss had no background music just goes to show how amazing a writer/director he is.

Intervention - "You are my best friend. You are recentley gay."

Tough Love - We get our first look at Dark Willow in this season, who I really liked. Like I said before, Tara getting her brain sucked out by Glory was really sad.

The Gift - I was glad Glory/Ben, and Doc(?) were finally killed. Buffy's gravestone made me tear up a bit, though.

Overall, it's either my favorite or second favorite season so far.

Easily a 10/10.

[xxhplinkxx]

Spoiler Warnings much?

Doc

Gotta love that Joel Gray!

[PeterPanfan]

Considering Disneyfan (the creator of this thread) said we could discuss Buffy after she finished watching it, there didn't need to be a spoiler warning.