I’m excited about the entire season because I’ve seen the first two episodes and something…odd…happened. I didn’t want to scream at the tv “DIE ANGEL DIE” during the first episode, and by the end of the second episode, I actually, kinda, sorta, [sub]liked him[/sub]
ahem
It’s disconcerting.
The assumptions arise in part because the last two seasons of “Buffy” were very Spike-centric, and people viewed those seasons (with some justification) as creatively weaker than the five that preceded them. There’s a Salon article that addresses this issue, comparing Spike to the Fonz on “Happy Days.”
I agree that it’s premature to judge, but the people making the judgments aren’t entirely unjustified in their fear. I think the fact that Marti Noxon, AFAIK, has no involvement whatsoever in “Angel” is a big help. Plus, “Angel” is David Boreanaz (and, to a lesser extent, Alexis Denisof’s) show now. I do worry that with Spike joining the cast, Denisof, who, IMHO, gave the strongest performance of any of the actors on either show for the last two years, will be marginalized in favor of Spike, and we’ll see even less of the potentially interesting but chronically underused Gunn.
I couldn’t get to that WB link.
Someone told me that the first four episodes of this season’s Angel are repeats of the last four eps of last season.
So that’s not true? New shows, right off the bat? (Oooh, a pun.)
I need to figure out where it’s gonna be, because we have DirecTV now, and there’s no UPN or The WB in the channel listings. And we signed up for the whole schmear. Wonder where the hell it’s at.
Glad that the premier is this week. The only other show I watch these days is Survivor. Am also reticent about Marsters joining the cast and causing an imbalance in the show. Too many chiefs and no indians sort of thing.
Looking forward to dynamics with Angel/Spike/Buffy during sweeps time. 
I’m looking forward to it, but I only found out for sure about 3 weeks ago that Cordy isn’t going to be in it any more. (geez, no Cordy, no Lilah, no detective Lockheart…they need more strong female characters asap!) I’m bummed about that, since she was the main reason I started watching the show in the first place, and still one of my favorite characters when I started watching it again last summer. Oh well… at least I’ll see her weekdays as I catch up on the rest of season 2 and most of season three on TNT.
What was up with that cryptic TV Guide article in which Joss sort of implied he still has more ideas for Cordy and Connor? Possible cameos?
I for one am looking forward to seeing both Spike and Harmony. I’m wondering if Harmony will try to, um, rekindle their relationship. That would be hilarious. I’m also hoping to see a Spike/Fred romance (if I can’t have Spillow, I’ll settle for Spinnifred.)
I don’t think it’s going to become All. About. Spike, but I do think that somewhere around midseason, there will need to be a 3-4 episode Spike centered story arc. You can’t bring a character back from the dead and just push him off into a corner.
I got hooked on the show last season, and I too am hoping it won’t turn into an MOTW series. I think several interlaced 3-4 ep arcs would work, with one arc picking up while another is winding down to keep the suspense going, plus the occasional knockout stand-alone.
And please, please, please Joss, don’t bring the First into the show. Ever.
dancing Shanshu! Shanshu for Spike!
It will be interesting to see how Shanshu will change Spike, and how Angel will react to Spike, of all people, attaining Shanshu before he had the chance to.
I strongly recommend against dancing in shanshoes, you’ll scuff the hell out of the floor.
More Harmony? Why? Why?
The only interesting thing that they could do with Harmony is have her realize her limitations. She gives up on the idea of having minions or being a dark power. Instead, she settles into the role of undead bottle blonde.
Is it definite that Spike has become human again as opposed to Spike the cockney ghost?
Is it true that the mysterious panther from last season’s finale claimed Gunn’s soul in exchange for air conditioning?
I’m not too worried about Spike joining the cast. Every ex-Buffy cast member on the show has been markedly improved by the Angel writers. Now unless they’re under an edict for more Spike, I don’t see that track record faltering.
I’m a bit worried about Harm, but Wesley was just as one-noted on Buffy, and look at him now. Maybe the demon inhabiting the body finally found a way to get rid of the human Harmony influences.
God, I hope so.
I have high hopes for Spike’s handling on this show as opposed to Buffy, mainly based on how well the writers managed Willow’s character during her brief appearance. This creative team has a good record of taking characters that were not intended to be primary protagonists and making them worth caring about.
This might be delving a little more into actual plot, but another reason I’m excited is that to me Wolfram & Hart seems to have endless Big Bad potential.
I also hold out hope Gavin can make a cameo. Somehow. Somewhere.
That and basic cable.
Ironically, no SpikeTV channel.
Just a quick note re: Harmony. I just watched the workprint and you guys can curb your fears. It actually works.
If Pepperlandgirl doesn’t beat me to it, I’ll start a new thread tomorrow. I just have to watch e4pisode 2 first, and then it’s sack time. It’s really looking good so far.
Well, then they wouldn’t exactly be the first four episodes of this season, would they? 
I think what your friend meant was that, before the premiere of the new season, they’ve been re-running the last four episodes from last season.