View Full Version : Episode Battles. Explanation Style. Angel Edition.
Jenni Lou
07-07-07, 02:42 AM
This is like the thread in the Buffy section, only I wanted to bring it over to Angel because I was getting tired of only reviewing Buffy eps. :)
So this thread is much like the one in the game section where you take two episodes and the poster below you chooses which they like better.
However, the catch in this thread is that you must give at least a few sentences explaining why you feel the way you do. Posts do go toward your post count in here so there's no reason to spam. I think it will be a fun way to see how fellow members feel about certain kinds of eps.
So, to start:
Reprise vs. Epiphany
:D I'm glad you did this...I was going to suggest you did...:)
I'm going with Epiphany. I've never seen the big attraction to Reprise, the big reveal that earth is it's own hell...yeah, all ready got that. Plus, it was the episode that triggered my total dislike of Angel, so yeah, not going to vote for it. In Epiphany, Angel finally starts acting like himself again, which was a relief because I couldn't stand much more of him. Plus, it was Kate's last episode, which was also a plus...But I loved the trio of Cordy/Wes/Gunn in this ep...Gunn & Wes charging out to save the day.
Parting Gifts vs. Expecting
Jenni Lou
07-07-07, 04:14 AM
Wow. I :heart: Reprise. It gives me chills every time and I tink it was a great last epfor Kate. And I think Sam Anderson is wonderfully creepy. It was also a nice turning point for Angel. The scene on the elevator is just such a fantastic one. The first time I saw it I was like "yeah!" :D Anyway....
Parting Gifts. I loved seeing Cordy trying to pass the visions on to anyone she could. The auction was lame and all but Expecting is just so blah. :p I don't care for it much. I feel like the lot of Angel s1 was a bunch of filler MOTWs and I like the mythology eps so much more. :)
Yes, this is me typing under the influence. :drinking:
Dad vs. Peace Out
Dad. I never saw what every one hated about this episode. The action was good, Lorne being able to slip Angel that note was genius - even I thought Angel had Connor with him. Plus, I liked the ending when Angel named Connor. All around a pretty good eppy.
A Hole in the World vs. Shells
Jenni Lou
07-07-07, 06:54 AM
hmmm.. tough. I think I shall go with A Hole in the World. Any other mood and I might sway the other way. :D I enjoyed watching everyone cope with the aftermath of Fred's demise and Knox being found out. And I love Spike line regarding the ep title: "There's a hole int he world; Seems like we ought to have known."
She vs. That Gang of Mine
vampmogs
07-07-07, 09:26 AM
That Gang of Mine.
She has to be the most pointless and horrible episode of Ats' history, I utterly cannot stand it. It is episodes like these that threatened to put Ats in the same league as all those other horrible, boring and totally un-special Sci Fi shows that air during the day on the Sci Fi channel. I want the writer shot who wrote this episode! :D
I don't really get the hate many fans have for "That Old Gang of Mine." I'm in no way saying it was the best of Ats but IMO had one of my most favoured themes, and that is who is ok to kill in the Buffyverse. It touches on a lesson I think we as humans, and some fans, need to understand; humans aren't always superior or more worthy than other species. IMO it was great how it touched on the idea of Angel, a vampire, being better than a human. I've always had a problem with those who believe Angel's life, even with a soul, isn't worth as much as a human's life based on what he is unwillingly become. I think the episode definitely explored some great issues, and it's the last time we see Gunn's gang which is a big plus :)
Props also go to the guy that planned the annoying evil gang member. Out of every villain on Btvs and Ats he is the one I hated the most; props go to the actor for his wonderfully annoying portrayal of that character! I was so happy when he was decapitated! :D
Conviction Vs Deep Down
Jenni Lou
07-07-07, 05:28 PM
Deep Down. Angst, sexy Wes saving Angel. Cordelia stuck in ascension hell. :p Fred and Gunn trying to run the agency and parent Angel. Conviction....could have used something, I'm not sure what. It was just so different from the series before, although I knew I should have expected it after Home.
And I agree about That Gang of Mine. :)
Waiting in the Wings vs. Reunion
little albatross
07-07-07, 06:55 PM
Reunion. I'm a total cheeseball and really love Waiting in the Wings, if not just because I liked the ballerinas :wub: But I have to give it to Reunion, because well frankly, I'm a sucker for Dru and Darla! I find their scenes together strangely adorable, like when they're shopping. :p And I really liked the scene at the end where the gang is telling Angel that leaving the girls in the room with the W & H lawyers was wrong...
Harm's Way vs. Smile Time
Jenni Lou
08-07-07, 12:33 AM
Harm's Way. Because Harmony is a riot and her and Fred being gal pals is super sweet. :p I also thought it was funny how she was trying to cover up the dead guy being in her bed and all. Harmony is great; I always liked eps with her and was glad she got to have a role an Angel. Smile Time is so odd; I like it well enough but it was so hyped--I think it might have killed it for me a little.
Billy vs. The Ring
Ehlwyen
08-07-07, 01:34 AM
The Ring
Most of all, I love the ending with all three walking away from the fight club. It's one of those rare simple moments that they are all friends open with each other and not all the guilt and secrets of later years. lol, and their praising themselves for freeing all the demons is quite ironic.
But seeing Wes and Cordy have to work together despite their differences is hilarious and woot woot to my pretty palomino Keanu that she lost to the IRS! :heart:
Plus we're intro'd to Lilah! How can it not be loved?!!
I didn't pick Billy because this was one of those episodes that I felt was the beginning of the end. Especially with how Wes is unfairly bestowed with such guilt and effectively loses any chance with Fred due to his actions and subsequent guilt. If Billy hadn't infected Wes, then maybe Wes wouldn't have become so distant and been able to feel comfortable to share his Angel/Connor prophecies findings. So yeah, I kinda blame Billy.
Lullaby v. Five by Five
I'm going with Five by Five. Great writing in this episode. To see Faith go so balistic, take it out on Wesley, and then break down at the end was unexpected. Very great acting, especially on the part of Eliza Dushku.
Lullaby was entertaining, but I was never a big fan of Darla, so 5x5 wins out for me...;)
I Will Remember You vs. Sanctuary
Jenni Lou
08-07-07, 02:34 AM
Sanctuary. It's the big Faith heads toward redemption ep. Seeing Buffy super pissed was fun as was watching Wesley dealing with his past as a watcher.
But that's just me. I prefer Faith over a Buffy/Angel weeper. :D IWRY is a good ep but I'm not big on all the B/A; that relationship was never an exciting one for me. :/
Belonging vs. Couplet
Cinderela
08-07-07, 07:19 AM
Belonging for me. I love Lorne centric episodes and we get some Lorne history to boot. Also, some fairly funny Lorne family weirdness.
Couplet, not so much - I wasn't ever really a Groo fan and it seemed to me that a relationship with Cordy wasn't really in the cards, so Angel taking it all so seriously and getting all jealous just didn't do it for me.
Orpheus VS Release
I'm going with Release. I really liked the action in this eppy, and faith drugging herself to fool Angelus was brilliant. I also like Wes filling the role of 'watcher' for her in this also...;) Orpheus was all right, but big pregnant evil Cordy really was a huge turnoff.
That Old Gang of Mine vs. Fredless
Alucard
09-07-07, 10:38 AM
I'm going to say Fredless for this one, First of all it was a Fred-centric episode which was great for me because shes probably my favourite character on Angel, Also it explored that emotions Fred felt about what happened and how if her parents never caught up with her she could deny the whole thing ever happened, Whilst the giant bug thing wasn't very good I thought the episode itself was, Roger and Trish (I think thats there names?) were quite funny too.
It was quite a hard decision between the two episodes, That Old Gang of Mine was a great episode too, I like the way it dealt with Gunn facing a part of his past and the way dealt with demons and how not all of them are murderous types and some just want to lead a relatively normal life. I hated that Gio guy.
Birthday vs You're Welcome
Veverka
09-07-07, 12:50 PM
That's a hard one. I'd lean towards Birthday, but only just- I do think You're Welcome is really beautiful but I can't quite escape from the fact it was CC's last ep and therefore the whole heart of the show was no more.
Plus, Cordy-wise, Birthday is a beautiful ep to sum up the beauty of Cordelia's character inclusive of all the facets of her character.
Waiting in the Wings v. A Hole in the World
A Hole in the World hands down. Though WItW was entertaining, AHITW is one of my favorite Angel eps of all time...with the exception of Angel's cheesy 'winifred burkle' line, I love everything about this episode, while hating it at the same time, if that makes sense. That acting was incredible, but the outcome was so bittersweet. Great eppy!
Forgiving vs. Sleep Tight
Forgiving Because I just can't fogive Wesley for taking Connor in Sleep Tight. I know he thought he had no choice and that he was misled and all. But still, he should've trusted one of the gang members and not just take Connor, good reasons or not. Forgiving is utterly heavy, not one to watch too often, but it's really good.
To Shansu in L.A. vs Not Fade Away
Jenni Lou
09-07-07, 11:00 PM
hmmmm.....I'll go Not Fade Away because it had some awesome moments in it. It felt kind of rushed but I thought it was a pretty series closer. TSIL isn't my fave ep. I haven't watched it YEARS so I may not be giving it a fair shot. :p
That Vision Thing vs. Dead End
I'm going with Dead End. I like this episode...especially Lindsey in the board room with his 'evil hand issues' LOL! I also loved Angel putting the Cops Suck sign on the back of his truck at the end of the eppy! :lol: Good times!
Blind Date vs. Untouched
Cinderela
10-07-07, 06:06 AM
Blind Date by a hair because - well - !Lindsey! - and the saving the children part didn't hurt!
Never cared that much for Untouched - but Darla flirting with Lilah was fairly amusing!
I've Got You Under My Skin VS Somnambulist
I'm going with Somnabulist. I never could stand IGYUMS. Plus, in Somnabulist we get to see another glimpse into Angel's past. It's actually a very good story in this episode. Kate finds out about Angel and has a starkly different reaction to him than Buffy did. She doesn't give a squirt about any curse or that he's good now - just that he is a murderer. Plus it has one of my favorite Cordy/Wes interactions...when Wes confronts Cordy with the newspaper account of the killings, suspecting Angel, and Cordy tells him nothing would make her turn on her friend, then Angel comes out of the shadows and says 'he's right, Cordy' then Cordy without missing a beat says "You stake him, I'll cut off his head" :rotf: Classic!
Couplet vs. Ground State
KingofCretins
10-07-07, 10:45 PM
Gwen Raiden. 'Nuff said. "Ground State" over "Couplet" all the time. Yes, it was hokey that his heart was beating and even weirder that they made out over it, but Gwen was *by far* the most interesting peripheral character in the Angel side of things, despite her Rogue-ish backstory. "Couplet" bugged me because, well, Groo kinda bugged me.
"Five by Five" vs. "Release".
Um, I think I'm still going to go with 5x5 for all of the reasons I said a few posts back...I really liked this eppy, and ED turned in a fantastic performance...:)
First Impressions vs. The Thin Dead Line
Ehlwyen
12-07-07, 04:18 AM
Thin Dead Line
I lovelovelove Anne. I love the hilarious moment when Cordelia recognizes her shirt that Angel donated to the shelter. I absolutely adore Wesley and Gunn as buddies and this is such a great episode with that.
My first impression when I saw First Impressions was that I wasn't very impressed. But I've grown to really like Gunn and the Wes/Angel moments are great. But still I really love the Thin Dead Line where Wesley Gunn and Cordelia are doing the job without Angel.
Orpheus vs. Inside Out
Jenni Lou
12-07-07, 04:36 AM
Inside Out is one of my all time fave eps. I just think it's so awesome. I love Skip. And I love him explaining the deal about Cordelia. And the gang trying to stop Cordy and Connor is so exciting, as is seeing Darla talk to her son. Love it!! :D
A New World vs. The Girl in Question
eh, I'm going with The Girl in Question, though both episodes were just soso...at least w/THIQ we get some comedic interaction w/Angel & Spike & Andrew. Though, I think the episode would have been 200% better if SMG could have been in it...;)
Carpe Noctem vs. Belonging
Belonging definitely, a great start to a great arc! I loved Angel when he saw Cordy acting in her commercial and sticking up to the director. I loved Lorne's cousin and how Lorne reacted to him! Just a great episode, I love the last four episodes of season 2 so much :heart:
So on that note..
There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb vs. Tomorrow :)
ShinyFirefly
09-08-07, 01:21 PM
There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb because Pylea was so fun to watch. Queen!Cordelia, Fred!, Lorne-y goodness!, etc. Plus, I never cared much for Tomorrow.
Salvage vs Sanctuary
hmmmm....both are fantastic, but I'm going to go with Sanctuary...I loved this episode, finally getting resolution to the Faith problem from S's 3 & 4 of Btvs...I felt bad for Buffy when Angel stood up for Faith, especially after what Faith put Buffy through in WAY? And I thought Angel was kind of a jerk to Buffy at the end of this, but in a way he was right - just like Buffy told him in TYF. I liked Wes in this episode....cautiously supportive - even after the torture...great acting all around in this episode. One of the best of the season. :)
Speaking of Wesley...
Lineage vs. Guise Will Be Guise
Cinderela
24-08-07, 12:06 AM
Well, neither episode ranks among my favorites.....and I love Wesley. In Guise, Wes pretending to be Angel just doesn't do it for me.
So, I guess it's Lineage, because it shows how far Wes has come that he would be willing to kill his own father (or so he thought) when Fred was threatened.
Hellbound vs Damage
For me it's got to be Damage. He has so much more for both vampires. Dana and how she relates to both the vampires (Slayer, Spike's thing, who was sadistically tortured, that Angelus' thing) is genious.
Hellbound isn't bad but it's nothing special. I find myself caring for Spike but nothing else really. Hollistically, it's just a little bit ep of the week.
Ok onto Lindsay...
Dead End vs Blind Date
It would be Dead End for me. Blind Date is one of my least favorite eps ever, and I can't even say why, it just never appealed to me. Dead End on the other hand is one of my favorite underdog episodes. I love the 'evil hand issues' speech in the board room - and Angel tacking that 'cops suck' sign on the back of Lindsay's truck at the end just cracks me up every time. :lol:
Fredless vs. That Old Gang of Mine
vampmogs
26-08-07, 12:52 PM
I'm going to go with Fredless. That episode actually really touched me when she was leaving, I was moved by how all the characters reacted to her 'apparent' leaving, especially Cordy. The bugs were lame but the emotional parts of that episode made it stand out for me. I actually like the themes and ideas explored in That Old Gang of Mine, but the gang leader annoyed me so much that I had to choose Fredless instead.
Benediction Vs Home
The_Narrator
27-08-07, 06:45 PM
Holtz's betrayal was interesting in 'Benediction', as you get a deep sense of unease when he gives up Connor to Angel, and you can tell he has something planned. Watching Connor with Holtz's body was painful to watch. I liked Cordy's 'soul rub' or whatever it was too. He's a messed up kid, Connor, and it's nice to see him have a moment of happiness or two. Hence the coming season of pain, then.
Home was brilliant, due to Lilah. Her dialogue and presence were sorely missed post-death, and getting some closure on Wilah was nice. And as good as a bit of doubt, and discussion of human weakness was, I feel that it was spoiled in a way. The intensity of S4 was halted due to the slowness of this ep, and a few characters felt a little out of place. I can't believe that Gunn still had his insecurity/only-the-muscle problems (which they dig up again in S5 - felt a bit of place to me, but then I didn't sympathise with Gunn's accidental killing of Fred via signing of papers strongly, so biased judgement here). And Angel choosing to go into W+H, without consulting the gang? What happened to small evil Angel? What happened to Season 2, can't change the big things, so "the smallest act of kindness is the greatest thing in the world" Angel? And considering how opposed he was to Jasmine's taking away of freedom, a bit hypocritical to give Connor new memories?
Apocalypse Nowish vs. Peace Out
Peace Out, simply for the philosophical goodness. Connor killing 'God' was a powerful and raw scene and it really destroys the convention of "Yeah we killed the bad guy".
It's a difficult one because AN for that scene where they are fighting the Beast is just great.
Destiny vs Power Play
Destiny. Power Play was just not my cup of tea, a bit too rushed at the end of S5, understandably due to the surprise cancellation, but still too rushed. Destiny had Spike FINALLY beating Angel at something, and it was about damn time. It just supported IMO my own personal opinion that soulful!Spike was better than soulful!Angel because Spike sought out his soul and didn't have one shoved down his throat. Plus, it really was a great choreographed fight scene, and the comedy and unexpectedness of Mountain Dew was hysterical! :roll:
Spin the Bottle vs. Life of the Party
Jenni Lou
01-09-07, 09:03 AM
Spin the Bottle. Even though I am a huge Lorne fan, Spin the Bottle is just too much fun. We get to see that shallow Sunnydale side of Cordelis again, the pathetic Wesley, the stoner Fred...good stuff. I don't even care that it is basically the equivalent of Tabula Rasa. :lol:
:thumbup:
Reprise vs. Epiphany
Epiphany for me. I see them as somewhat of a two parter but I like Angel's positive existential stance in the second part.
Players vs Underneath
Jenni Lou
01-09-07, 08:38 PM
I am one of those folks who like Players. I enjoyed the Gwen/Gunn chemistry and the break from the supernatural s4 saga and to see Gunn really go out with the desire to really save someone. I also thought it was interesting device to use...to see Gwen be so manipulative but for a desperate cause: to get her life back and be normal.
A New Tomorrow vs. Origin
Oh, most definitely Origin. It's like my second favorite episode of all time! :heart: Everything comes full circle in this episode - Wes's betrayl, him once again not trusting Angel, Connor's back, everyone remembering the past the way it was. One of my favorite parts is at the end when Illyria is asking about the 2 sets of memories and Wes tells her to focus on the fabricated ones because they were created for a reason...my heart totally bleeds for him in that scene. I also loved the ending scene between Angel and Connor where it's left up in the air as to whether or not Connor remembers Angel. This episode finally had me liking the character of Connor, and that was a long time coming...:p Plus, I don't think there's an episode titled 'A New Tomorrow'...There's 'Tomorrow' and there's 'A New World' but in either case, Origin wins hands down. :xd
Darla vs. Somnabulist
ciderdrinker
13-09-07, 03:08 PM
VERY difficult choice, as both real faves of mine, but Darla edges just in front due to it's fleshing out of the history of all of the fanged four rather than just Angel - and the magnificent continuity with Fool For Love over on Buffy. Both episodes are very deep and meaningful character-wise for Angel, and both are extremely entertaining, but Darla is the more sumptuous episode (like belgian chocolate mousse (Darla) over bread and butter pudding(Sonambulist))
My episodes are all about choices and whether they're good or bad:-
Reunion Vs Sleep Tight
Cinderela
15-09-07, 11:01 PM
Most definitely Reunion, because, well, DARLA! I always was a Darla/Dru lover and I loved that whole Reunion arc.
I never liked that Wes could kidnap Connor without even discussing the problem he saw with anyone else in the gang.
Epiphany VS Birthday
Jenni Lou
23-09-07, 03:48 PM
OH MAN! Two of my top ten fave Angel eps!!! Oh wow. Tough. I don't know. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Birthday but I dunno....Epiphany is so wonderful. Oh geez. I feel like I can't choose! At he moment I think I will go with Epiphany because there's so much goodness there. And the ending with Angel and Kate and that haunting exchange of dialogue they share is one of my favorite scenes in any television series ever. I find it so very perfect. :heart:
Shiny Happy People vs. Belonging
Shiny Happy People. Easy, Belonging seems kinda like a filler episode, it's not bad but it's not good. Shiny Happy People is really funny, makes fun of the characters and is somewhat light hearted compared to the surrounding episodes. I love that part of Angel season 4.
I Will Remember You v The Girl in Question
sherrilina
26-09-07, 08:39 PM
Man, how did I miss this here?! I would always much rather rank ATS epps than BTVS ones!
Anyway, ugh, what a battle of the bad! I really dislike both epps (I just find IWRY so annoying and pointless, the way it doesn't move the series forward at all and is just gooey stuff, and Buffy and Angel really annoyed me in this epp), but I think I'll go with The Girl In Question, since the Italy stuff was pretty funny (esp. the flashbacks!), and Andrew was in it (yay!), and some cute Spangel-y moments, lol! ;)
You're Welcome vs. Waiting in the Wings
EndersWrath
27-09-07, 04:25 AM
You are very much evil.
I guess I'm gonna go with You're Welcome, because as hot as WitW is, that is all it is. It shows how great the chemistry between DB and CC is but it doesn't give us much for the relationship or story. YW is just Cangel fans' big ol HA! to all of the disbelievers. I feel that these two have had a harder time with their relationship than Bangel ever did and it really shows it here. Plus damn, we finally see Cordy in Season 5! So yeah my vote is for You're Welcome.
Disharmony vs Harm's Way.
DisharmonyPossibly the funniest Angel episode I can think of (besides Expecting or Smile Time). I don't really like Harmony, but she's entertaining, and I love the moment when the gang has the walking power shot, then Harmony is there :p Owh and when Wesley goes to stake her, owh and Willow!
Home v Origin
sherrilina
28-09-07, 03:28 AM
You are very much evil.
Lol, I'm just glad a fellow Cangel got to answer that one, who could appreciate the difficulty of the choice! ;)
Definitely Origin, Home was okay--loved Lilah being back, the scene between her and Wes int he basement, and Angel partly choosing the WH job to save Cordy--but that's pretty much it--overall a VERY anticlimactic finale! Whereas Origin was very exciting and interesting, with the whole "Angel's son, but no one else knows!" thing, and I love the montage when they all get their memories back--so cool! One of the better epps in that weak season....and yay for an adult Connor who isn't irritating! :p
Speaking of Connor:
Lullaby vs. A New World (Connor's birth and return)
Jenni Lou
03-10-07, 08:26 AM
Lullaby. I love how the gang is racing to get away from Holtz and how Holtz confronts Angel at the Hyperion, only to let him go. And the birth scene in the alley is great. One of Darla's finest moments. I just love how the whole gang was there and involved. SO much goodness! I don't remember A New World very well. Is that the one with the head guy from W&H and Angel kidnapping him and all that good stuff? If so, I might actually vote for that! I need to freshen up on my Angel eps. It's been awhile! Buffy too for that matter!
Dead End vs. Soul Purpose
Owh Soul Purpose for sure. This episode is so full of fun and touching stuff, I like it a lot. You have Spike being Angel in the alley, and Angel watching Spike become human and then he walks away as the I Will Remember You music plays :( It's beautiful, and sad.. really gets you thinking that Angel does deserve more. Dead End is alright, only bit I love is where Lindsay sings.
To Shanshu in LA v Destiny
bellylove
03-10-07, 04:04 PM
A great one :lol:
They are tie for me. But i go fo Shanshu in L.A, because i prefer the idea that Angel is the one and only who is concerned by the prophecy.
The fight between Angel & Spike in "Destiny"" was magnificent, but sorry Spike for me Angel has to be the one who should be "shanshued".
Battles of vampires revenge on Angel:
"Hearthrob vs Why we fight"
Cinderela
07-10-07, 07:35 PM
Oh, jeez! I love, love, love Heartthrob - for the Cangel goodness, for Angel realizing he could live without Buffy, for the Darla surprise.
But, I think "Why We Fight" is a very underrated S5 episode. I love historical flashbacks and the ones in this ep were more contemporary than a lot of them we've seen. Spike is particularly good in these flashbacks.
But, I guess I just have to go with Heartthrob as my all around choice - but it is very, very close!
Orpheus VS Destiny (love those flashbacks!)
sherrilina
08-10-07, 07:28 PM
Lullaby. I love how the gang is racing to get away from Holtz and how Holtz confronts Angel at the Hyperion, only to let him go. And the birth scene in the alley is great. One of Darla's finest moments. I just love how the whole gang was there and involved. SO much goodness! I don't remember A New World very well. Is that the one with the head guy from W&H and Angel kidnapping him and all that good stuff? If so, I might actually vote for that! I need to freshen up on my Angel eps. It's been awhile! Buffy too for that matter!
No, that's Forgiving, lol--A New World is the epp in which Connor comes back and wanders around homeless while everyone looks for him. *snore*
DEFINITELY Orpheus--by a million! Sooo much better and stronger an epp, exemplery of how season 4 was a much better and stronger season than season 5! Destiny was okay, but kind of annoying with all the bitching and fighting (though the flashbacks were good, and I felt so bad for poor Spike when he says Dru is his destiny!), while Orpheus was all good, especially since it had both Angel and my beloved Angelus--two for the price of one! Sooo funny ("Dude, you just saved a puppy!" "Yeah, like those Mannilow concerts!" "Does anyone else notice a an epic fight with your alter ego here?" "I feel like I did mushrooms and got eaten by a bear"), yet also exciting and emotional at the same time, and well executed (like with Connor in slow mo going to kill Angelus with the creepy music and Evil J-C's "You're special, Connor" VO in the backround, the memories in general....just an OUTSTANDING epp overall! :D
Expecting vs. Players (Cordy pregnant with evil demonspawn)
ShinyFirefly
10-10-07, 04:16 AM
I like both of these episodes quite a bit.
I have to go with Expecting because it never gets any love. It's not so much my 'guilty pleasure' Angel ep, as it is my 'episode I really, really like that rarely gets any credit' (for Buffy it's Where the Wild Things Are). It's funny and has some great moments with Wes and Cordy.
In the Dark vs Just Rewards
Battle of the bad Spike eps. ;) ...to me anyway.
Cinderela
10-10-07, 06:21 AM
No doubt, Just Rewards - I loved, loved, loved the interaction between Spike and Angel during most of S5, but some of the funniest lines were here in this ep - Angel whining that Spike only spent "a few weeks moaning in a basement and you were fine" - And Spike gloating that he could drive Angel insane until the end of time and he "couldn't do a sodding thing about it"! Funny, funny stuff.
In The Dark was not a bad ep, just not up to the standard of Just Rewards.
Dead End VS To Shanshu in LA (a little Lindsey love!)
hmm to Shanshu in LA. I like Dead End for the singing, and that scene with Angel and Lindsay arguing, they have great chemistry. But overall Shanshu is a better episode for me, was good to bring everyone together, and make Cordy a little more considerate, but still being Cordy. Kinda cool fight scenes also... wanna watch this now.
how about...
Spin the Bottle v Smile Time
Smile time. Creepy and funny. Seeing everyones reaction to puppet Angel, and the fight with Spike and Lorne calling for a Geppetto after Nina tries to eat puppet Angel. It had me laughing.
Spin the bottle was just plain boring. I was waiting for Cordy to get her memory back but didn't really care about how any of the characters were as teenagers. Fred lightened it up a bit - still not enough to save it.
Five by Five vs Damage
ShinyFirefly
02-11-07, 01:22 PM
Damage. First of all, while 5x5 is good, I prefer the 2nd of that two-parter (Sanctuary) to it. Plus I like more little things about Damage than 5x5 - all the BtvS references were nice and the slayers standing up to Angel Inc was cool, so was the end with Angel and Spike debating about whether Dana was more victim than villain or vice-versa and comparing her with themselves.
Soul Purpose vs Awakening
BlasterBoy
12-11-07, 06:55 AM
Neither are among favs, but Soul Purpose because I loved the dream sequences, even if it was trying to rip off Restless. My favorite dream sequence was Fred's operation which was HILARIOUS! :lol: :roll: "Here you go, Mr. Bear." :lol: I loved it! But, all of them were great. The one where Spike was a "real boy" and Angel lying in the sun, all good. But, Spike's story got kinda slow. With that said, his "Walking home with those shoes!?" was hysterical. I hate Eve, so that also brought it down. It was a good episode, but not great.
Forgiving vs. Reunion
ShinyFirefly
13-11-07, 12:30 AM
Both are really good, particularly for how they end - WOW. I think I have to go with Reunion because I love the build-up to the 'dark Angel' arc and the first time I saw this episode I was in complete shock about what he had done. If I remember correctly, back when I wasn't giving Angel a chance I had Reunion on in the background and it was the first episode to really grab my attention. Forgiving is awesome too, one of the best of season 3 but I prefer the season 2 arc to the season 3 Holtz one.
Smile Time vs Harm's Way (random funny eps)
BlasterBoy
13-11-07, 12:36 AM
I agree with you fully :D
I'm going with the latter, Harm's Way. I love Harmony. On Buffy, she was pretty annoying, imo, but in Angel, she was hysterical! I adored that this episode was all centered around her and her silly little mystery! The way her killed Bitch!Vamp settled the deal was awesome, and her beating up everyone to keep her cover was soooooo funny! :lol: I just loved every piece of it :D
Dad vs. Shinny Happy People (two not-so-good ones)
ShinyFirefly
14-11-07, 12:16 AM
Shiny Happy People. Dad was...just ok, but I actually enjoyed SHP unlike a lot of people. The first time I saw it I was just getting into Ats season 4 (spoiler free) and was fascinated because I had no idea what was going on with this 'Jasmine' person and why she made everyone so brainlessly happy. Then Fred saw Maggot Face for who she really was which led to the kick ass The Magic Bullet. Plus, I like the end where Fred is in the diner and Jasmine comes on TV. As she's walking away and the camera pans back we see a guy looking through the window outside and then suddenly kneel - which I always find funny for some reason.
You're Welcome vs A Hole in the World (well, you get the theme)
Nostalgia
14-11-07, 01:27 AM
A Hole In The World is just such a depressing beautiful episode. Everything about it is completely sad. I loved how Joss painted his backgrounds with a dark atmosphere, and pretty much the whole episode was shot in darkness. I love the Angel and Spike scene when seeking an answer.
Waiting In The Wings vs Orpheus
um, I'm going with Waiting in the Wings...I loved the Fresley & Frunn storylines in this...though the Cangel is so cringe-worthy. Plus, I've never been neurotic about Orpheus like some...:p
Parting Gifts vs. Shells
Shells. The Hole in the World/Shells couplet is so powerful, lovely as Wesley's first appearance may be. [Pauses to say 'love Wesley'!!!]
Sanctuary vs. I Will Remember You.
selenspuffy
28-11-07, 10:10 PM
I will Remember You. It was a very different episode! I love both, really but I'll remember you has a different place in my heart, you know, all the forgetting everything,being human etc stuff..I love it!
Hero Vs. In The Dark
sherrilina
28-11-07, 10:15 PM
um, I'm going with Waiting in the Wings...I loved the Fresley & Frunn storylines in this...though the Cangel is so cringe-worthy. Plus, I've never been neurotic about Orpheus like some...:p
What's this I see?! :shocked2: LRae voting for WITW?! And liking the Frunn storyline too? Color me stunned....:p
Def. Hero--In the Dark is decent, LOVE Spike's hilarious monologue mocking Angel in the beginning, one of funniest scenes of the show, and Spike's interaction with Cordy, and Oz....but Hero is just better and stronger overall, esp. the end. Sooo sad and dramatic and incredible--and them watching the video at the end always makes me want to cry--so well done....def. one of the highlights/top five epps of the season...
selenspuffy
30-11-07, 02:42 PM
Hey, you've forgotten to type the episodes that we'll compare:)
BlasterBoy
23-12-07, 06:59 AM
Um, since Katharine STILL hasn't given us episodes, I'll post some. I hope this isn't spam, because we need this to move the game along.
Forgiving vs. Reunion
Let the game go on!
Cinderela
25-01-08, 01:43 AM
Reunion for me! :heart: Much Darla/Dru love! The interaction between Darla & Dru's character's is just so simple & funny. IMHO, Dru is one of the most under used characters in the Jossverse.
Ground State vs Long Day's Journey (a little Gwen love!)
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