Lorraine: This was a lot of fun to put together. I feel much better about this list than I do my worst of list. Not much to add here except...
Things got a little bit away from me.
Last night, after watching Sweeney's great video, I became a lean, mean, ranking machine. I ranked story arcs and characters and episodes, and also what's here in the video below. I tried to squeeze in my bottom 10 episodes as well, but there was just no way that was going to happen time-wise, which is why the video ends kind of abruptly.
Also cut for time, an explanation about how there was more of a debate during my Buffy rankings about what was the best, quality wise, and what was the best to me.
Last night, after watching Sweeney's great video, I became a lean, mean, ranking machine. I ranked story arcs and characters and episodes, and also what's here in the video below. I tried to squeeze in my bottom 10 episodes as well, but there was just no way that was going to happen time-wise, which is why the video ends kind of abruptly.
Also cut for time, an explanation about how there was more of a debate during my Buffy rankings about what was the best, quality wise, and what was the best to me.
More finale flaily fun times! Let's celebrate with more gifs from She:
Anyway, that being said, there is something strange and surreal about this. It's weird to imagine this blog without the Buffyverse and it's over this week. Or, as Lorraine put it in her Buffy "Best Of" video - "this is the end, except for the part where it's not" because we will undoubtedly continue to pick it back up here and there. It also, of course, colors everything else we do here, so there's that.
We've made no secret of the fact that we find this the weaker of the two shows. That said, I think I probably enjoyed it the most of the three of us and actually can see myself rewatching some of this. One day. In the future.
Anyway, that being said, there is something strange and surreal about this. It's weird to imagine this blog without the Buffyverse and it's over this week. Or, as Lorraine put it in her Buffy "Best Of" video - "this is the end, except for the part where it's not" because we will undoubtedly continue to pick it back up here and there. It also, of course, colors everything else we do here, so there's that.
We've made no secret of the fact that we find this the weaker of the two shows. That said, I think I probably enjoyed it the most of the three of us and actually can see myself rewatching some of this. One day. In the future.
WE FINISHED ANOTHER THING! Sorry, this being the third wrap up post in a week, it's hard to keep selling that enthusiasm, but we're still pretty excited about it all the same. Is this us starting to get cocky about finishing things? This post is late, so that's probably a bad idea. JUST KIDDING, IT'S STILL SUPER EXCITING TO FINISH THINGS AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN ENOUGH! There. All better.
That weird ass intro is kind of accidentally appropriate as we wrap up a weird ass season of Angel. You lot seem to be suggesting to us that shit's just going to keep getting weirder, and I'm not even sure what to make of that.
That weird ass intro is kind of accidentally appropriate as we wrap up a weird ass season of Angel. You lot seem to be suggesting to us that shit's just going to keep getting weirder, and I'm not even sure what to make of that.
We pick up where we left off - with Cordy crying over Lorne's severed head. She apologises and says that it wasn't his fault, and that she wants to go home. "Oh honey. I'm right there with you," says Lorne's severed head. Cordy screams and collapses on the floor. Roll electric cellos.
After the credits, we learn that Charisma Carpenter has an impressive lung capacity because Cordy screams for like 30 seconds straight without drawing breath. (S: We already knew that! Back in the early days of Buffy, we had a running joke about a scream clause in her contract!) (K: True. How forgetful of me!)
After the credits, we learn that Charisma Carpenter has an impressive lung capacity because Cordy screams for like 30 seconds straight without drawing breath. (S: We already knew that! Back in the early days of Buffy, we had a running joke about a scream clause in her contract!) (K: True. How forgetful of me!)
We pick up exactly where we left off last time. The guys stare at Showgirl Costume Cordy in confusion, and she says Pylea's not that bad although her throne could use more cushions. Wes says that it's great because now she can set them all free. Gunn makes puppy dog eyes at her as he shows off his manacles. She says that there should be extended grovelling first, and Angel rolls his eyes. So she says "Off with their heads!" The guards all pull their swords and the guys look shocked. "Just kidding!" she adds. Roll electric cellos.
Sweeney: Girl, this is not really the audience for joking about members of the Fang Gang getting beheaded.
Sweeney: Girl, this is not really the audience for joking about members of the Fang Gang getting beheaded.
We join Cordy just after she's been dumped into this other dimension. She screams, before realizing that's a sure fire way to attract all kinds of unwanted, hellbeast attention. She clicks her heels together, Dorothy style, and I take a moment to admire her lovely, fitted denim jumpsuit. I took to Google search to prove to myself that Jennifer Lopez rocked something like this in the early 2000's, and all I found was that denim jumpsuits and denim overalls are making a comeback. So, that's a thing.
K: Let's go ahead and file them all under "things Kirsti will never understand" because why the hell would you want to strip down to your bra and knickers just to go to the loo? That said, the Dorothy heel click was adorable.
K: Let's go ahead and file them all under "things Kirsti will never understand" because why the hell would you want to strip down to your bra and knickers just to go to the loo? That said, the Dorothy heel click was adorable.
The episode begins with the gang eating a fancy dinner to celebrate Cordelia getting a job on a national commercial. Angel's being really awkward about all the "being out in public" and also the cost of the food. "I'm not cheap, I'm just old." LOL.
Kirsti: I'm gonna go ahead and start using that excuse when people drag me into stores where a t-shirt costs $100.
Sweeney: Cordelia feels guilty about ditching them mid-case. Wesley and Gunn discuss how they'll have no problems being manly men killing the demon thing to death and they fist bump. Angel jumps in for a repeat fist bump and it's cute.
Kirsti: I'm gonna go ahead and start using that excuse when people drag me into stores where a t-shirt costs $100.
Sweeney: Cordelia feels guilty about ditching them mid-case. Wesley and Gunn discuss how they'll have no problems being manly men killing the demon thing to death and they fist bump. Angel jumps in for a repeat fist bump and it's cute.
We open at Lindsey's apartment. His alarm clock goes off, and he stares at it for a minute before turning it off with his stump. He shaves and gets dressed before putting on his prosthetic hand. He opens the cupboard to get a pre-tied tie, and stares sadly at his guitar. I know Lindsey's the evil lawyer guy and all, but this is kind of giving me feels, you guys. Lindsey needs a hug or something. Although to be fair, it's possible that I'm being manipulated by the Oboe of Sad Times...
Lorraine: It's totally the Oboe. I mean, not having a hand is sympathy-inducing, but also, Lindsey lost it because he was being an evil douche nozzle, so, yeah.
Lorraine: It's totally the Oboe. I mean, not having a hand is sympathy-inducing, but also, Lindsey lost it because he was being an evil douche nozzle, so, yeah.
We open at the Brooding Hotel, where Angel sits behind a desk, while Wesley lectures him about engaging with his co-workers and being sensitive to their feelings. Angel is wearing a gray shirt that might almost be described as light gray.
Wesley pauses the lecture and points out that this must be torture for Angel. Why, yes it is. "Good," Wesley answers. They are done for now, though. Angel says he'll sit around and absorb it, but not in the office, because it is now Wesley's office. Good thing, just outside the doors, Cordelia and Gunn are preparing a little bitch-work area for Angel. Also, they want coffee. Punny Angel (remember him?!) says, "Man. Atonement's a bitch," and that takes us into the credits.
Wesley pauses the lecture and points out that this must be torture for Angel. Why, yes it is. "Good," Wesley answers. They are done for now, though. Angel says he'll sit around and absorb it, but not in the office, because it is now Wesley's office. Good thing, just outside the doors, Cordelia and Gunn are preparing a little bitch-work area for Angel. Also, they want coffee. Punny Angel (remember him?!) says, "Man. Atonement's a bitch," and that takes us into the credits.
We sometimes talk about people watching Buffy but not Angel, which I imagine is a lot more common than the other way around. HOW COULD YOU WATCH THIS SHOW AND NOT WATCH THE FIRST THREE SEASONS OF BUFFY? Granted, Buffy knowledge is occasionally troublesome for watching this show because this show contradicts that at turns, but seriously seriously, I don't understand those people. I bring this up now because this episode begins with Angel's sit-up-and-gasp from the previous episode and moves into him running out into the rain. This time, though, the potential Tragic Magic Vagina belongs to Darla, who follows him outside and tells him not to fight it. Roll electric cellos.
After the credits, Darla's talking about how getting rid of the soul leaves a bitterness.
After the credits, Darla's talking about how getting rid of the soul leaves a bitterness.
Kirsti: We open in an abandoned looking place full of corridors and the camera promptly zooms in on a shopping trolley with a creepy doll sitting in it. But not a Drusilla creepy doll. More like a Chucky creepy doll. Thanks, Zoomy Cameraman, for weirding me out like 10 seconds into the episode.
Angel appears in the background. He heads past the creepy doll and opens a door. He heads into the room, closes the door behind him, then turns on the light. The room is filled with goats. Angel looks as confused as I do.
Sweeney: His confusion is excellent.
Angel appears in the background. He heads past the creepy doll and opens a door. He heads into the room, closes the door behind him, then turns on the light. The room is filled with goats. Angel looks as confused as I do.
Sweeney: His confusion is excellent.
Another instant round of the Feelsy Soundtrack starts us off this episode, as Angel broods around the empty and dark Brooding Hotel. Someone get this man a puppy.
K: Except that not, on account of Angelus likes to play with puppies a little too much...
Lor: Someone get this man a Tamagatchi.
We head over to the Fangless Gang headquarters, where things are decidedly less soul crushing, but also, business is slow.
K: Except that not, on account of Angelus likes to play with puppies a little too much...
Lor: Someone get this man a Tamagatchi.
We head over to the Fangless Gang headquarters, where things are decidedly less soul crushing, but also, business is slow.
Sweeney: We kick off the episode upstairs at Brooding Hotel. Angel looks out the window as the tinkly pianos of feels play. We're starting with the pianos of feels? I have no idea what's about to happen, but as I'm not actually recovered from Buffy, I am upset about this.
Lorraine: I trust the Piano pretty implicitly too, so I'm upset about being upset and not yet knowing why I'm so upset. Way to go, episode.
Lorraine: I trust the Piano pretty implicitly too, so I'm upset about being upset and not yet knowing why I'm so upset. Way to go, episode.
After the previouslies, we’re at Cordy’s apartment. Gunn and Wes are in a stare down. This leads into some very hard core “I’mma beat you” talk, which culminates in Gunn beating Wes at Risk. Gunn gloats and does a little happy dance, and it’s pretty fantastic.
Cordy appears in her dressing gown, and is all “Wow, it’s super late, you guys should go.” Wes is all “Uhhhhh, it’s half seven, weirdo,” and she tells them to get out. Apparently the office is now based in her apartment, and she’s sick of them both. The trio mope a little about how Angel’s never going to call, and then Wes makes a decision that the first thing to go will be the stupid business cards.
Cordy appears in her dressing gown, and is all “Wow, it’s super late, you guys should go.” Wes is all “Uhhhhh, it’s half seven, weirdo,” and she tells them to get out. Apparently the office is now based in her apartment, and she’s sick of them both. The trio mope a little about how Angel’s never going to call, and then Wes makes a decision that the first thing to go will be the stupid business cards.