Angel Season 5 questions - no spoilers plz

[chadandjody]

As someone who missed Angel when it was on TV, I've been watching the show from Season 1 to Season 5 on DVD. I'm only a few episodes into Season 5 but I feel like I've missed something somewhere.

**Spoilers here from Seasons 1 to Seasons 5**

Was there ever a formal breaking up of Fred and Gunn? In Season 4 the relationship was strained after Gunn killed the professor for Fred and caught Fred kissing Wesley. In the few episodes I've seen of Season 5, it's as if Fred and Gunn are just buddies and never dated at all. Wesley and Gunn even poke fun at how she likes one of the scientist in her department. Usually there's some dramatic break up moment in the Angel/Buffy series but I must have missed it.

[Nina]

It happens in the episode 'Calvary',

GUNN
What Angelus said about me—I didn't mean to hurt you. I would never do that.

FRED
I know. I just can't help but think (uncrosses her arms) if you didn't attack—

GUNN
Attack? That's how you see it? I attacked him! What do you call what he was doing in the office before I walked in?

FRED
(looks away, shakes her head) I don't know what—

GUNN
He was kissing you! (Fred looks at him) Don't lie to me. It's the one thing you're not good at.

FRED
It just happened.

GUNN
Because you let it. I've never felt so much for anyone. I would do anything for you, but it's not enough, is it?

FRED
Charles, I'm—

GUNN
I can't do this anymore, Fred. I'm tired of you looking everywhere but at me. (Wes walks through the front door, followed by Connor and Cordelia; Fred turns to look) Like that.

After that scene Fred says:
"We're not— We're not together anymore."


So, no dramatic break up for Gunn and Fred. But I think that this was the break up.

[chadandjody]

I do remember that scene well but I didn't realize that was the official breakup scene. I've got to say that seems a pretty weak way to tie up that love triangle.

[Nina]

I was actually very happy with this break up scene. It's not always the end of the world and they both knew that it couldn't go on like that. Fred was already in love with Wesley and Gunn slept with Gwen some episodes after the break up.

But I can see why somebody wants more drama, but Ats was never really dramatic with break ups. Wesley and Virginia, Cordy and Groo, Wesley and Lilah ... all very non-dramatic break ups when you compare it to the BtVS break ups.

[chadandjody]

I never thought of it that way, but that is true. Guess I was wanting an "end of the world" Buffy style breakup.

[kana]

I think some people get confused because they kissed post break up but Gunn pointedly walked away. He shuts down any attempt to re-establish the relationship.

[Thomas]

I think it was important for them to break-up the way they did because they had to remain friends. The Buffy style break-ups usually end up with someone leaving (Oz, Riley, Angel, etc.) So, it had to be convincing that the two could start over, but just as friends and remain on the show together angst free.

[Cinderela]

I think some people get confused because they kissed post break up but Gunn pointedly walked away. He shuts down any attempt to re-establish the relationship.

And how refreshing it is to see two people*acting* like the grown ups they are *supposed* to be! If it's not right, it's not right, no sense having an overly dramatic scene. Especially if you work together.

I wasn't a big Fred lover, but she handled this with class!