I’m rewatching the “Angel” series as I trudge along on the treadmill. Thanks writers!
I loved “Angel” on Buffy because, well because I thought Boreanaz was hunky. But he does definitely grow as an actor, so much so that he can actually carry Angel as a leading man. I thought S.1 was very strong.
However. For the love of all that is, er, unholy, please skip the episode called “I Fall to Pieces.” It was an ambitious idea by David Greenwalt, which is so horrifically executed that it nearly made me give up on the series altogether.
[spoiler]A brilliant doctor discovers how to detach and, at will, reattach the same body part. Seamlessly! without the use of knives or stitches. (Yeah, I know.) The body parts inexplicably do not atrophy absent a heart to keep the blood moving, and they can also animate at the will of their owner. A detached hand can crawl across the room and somehow strangle a woman, all without benefit of arm muscles. That’s some superhuman grip!!
Also, not only can a detached eye see, but it can also, inexplicably, levitate.
I can accept monsters and ghouls and even zombies. But I can’t accept a hand crawling on its own.
I’m not sure which episode takes the prize as being the worst Whedon creation ever: “I Fall to Pieces” or “Go Fish” from Buffy.
[/spoiler]
Boreanaz definitely developed a gift for comedy in* Angel*. And he found a great comic partner in the last season–yet another reason to wish the show hadn’t been canceled.
About the “hated” Buffy episode mentioned in your spoiler–even the worst episode can have its bright moments. Like Young Nick Brennan in a Speedo!
(Another vote for watching Angel. For buying all the DVD’s, in fact.)
Angel’s worth watching, IMO, even though it doesn’t come close to being as good as Buffy. I really like the 5th season, but the seasons before that are pretty uneven and downright boring in places (especially the 1st season). They still have some good episodes/moments though, and you get to see the other side of some Buffy episodes.
