Can I just get season 5 of Angel? (mild spoilers)

POSTED BY: chrisisall
UPDATED: Friday, May 12, 2006 00:27
VIEWED: 5994
PAGE 1 of 1

CHRISISALL

Wednesday, May 3, 2006 7:14 PM

I'm currently watching Season 7 of Buffy, and Spike just keeps getting more interesting as he goes along. I've seen the first two seasons of Angel, and I have to say that the Pylea thing caused me to hit the brakes on the idea of getting season 3 (although I found S1 to be quite excellent).
Question is, can I get season 5 and enjoy it for Spike, without knowing the backstory from 3 and 4 (the idea of Connor is terrible to me, he's not IN 5, is he?), or will it all be nonsense without having wittnessed the previous events of the other seasons?

And...is season 5 as good as 1?

Angelus Chrisisall

STORYMARK

Wednesday, May 3, 2006 7:55 PM

You could just get 5, that's all I have (due to lack of funds, not 'cause I dislike the others). But there will be a few things that won't make sense - mostly dealing with Connor and his storyline's effect on surrounding characters (most specificly Wes and Cordelia).

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

AMYEL

Wednesday, May 3, 2006 7:59 PM

Connor is in the end of s5, but he's different (in a good way).

You can probably watch s5 without s3 & 4. It was kind of developed that way anyways. Everyone (except Angel) had their memories erased of Connor. So the other characters are kind of sent back to their default personalities before all the Connor stuff happened.

All you really have to know beforehand is that Connor existed, Cordelia was possessed by Gina Torres and is currently in a coma, and Angel treats Wesley weird because of Connor (but since Wesley doesn't remember, he's perplexed by Angel's behavior). In seasons 3 & 4, Wesley became increasingly gruff, traumatized, and moody. That's the way he 'should' be, and keeping that in mind will be of some help as the season progresses.

The Spike in s5 isn't quite the same as in Buffy. Instead of following Buffy around, Spike sort of revolves around Angel-- but keep in mind that they spent a lot of evil-having time together in the 19th century. They both have souls now, but they still have lots and lots of memories of the other one doing very horrible things. It causes issues, which mostly manifests into immature bickering.

But anyways, yeah, if you want to avoid the supernatural incest soap operas you can manage s5 okay. I think they sort of go over a lot of it anyways so you shouldn't be too lost.

CHRISISALL

Wednesday, May 3, 2006 8:18 PM

Thanks Amyel, for a most well thought out explanation. I aim to buy season one and five, seen two, so I might netflix three and four at some desperate future moment.

Chrisisall, of the Anti-Pylean galaxy

AMYEL

Wednesday, May 3, 2006 8:24 PM

Pylea was literally a last-minute thing they came up with. Julie Benz (Darla) was contracted to do a movie that she couldn't get out of, therefore she was unavailable for the rest of the season. The writers were left with 4 episodes they had to fill with something, so that's where Pylea came from.

If you do want to watch any of seasons 3/4 I recommend season 3 from the beginning up to Billy. There's some good stuff there, and then a bit of a glimpse into Wes's dark side. And then later on, there's Waiting in the Wings (Summer Glau!) For season 4, watch anything with Faith in it since she's awesome.

GROUNDED

Wednesday, May 3, 2006 8:27 PM

Considering that you're enjoying S6 and S7 of Buffy, I'd say you should give AtS a whirl in the correct order. You never know...

Personally I really enjoyed S3, despite some hiccups, hated S4, then really enjoyed S5.

PERSEPHONE736

Thursday, May 4, 2006 1:19 AM

I definitely think that you can watch season five and be just fine. There are a few details already mentioned above that you should know, but that's about it. I personally did not like season three and can't really remember season four that well. I really did not like Conner and while there were a few really good episodes mixed in there, I avoid Conner when I can! Spike and Angel have some great moments in season five so I say go for it. I just finished rewatching it tonight (haven't seen it since it originally aired) and was pleasantly surprised cause I remember it as being not a very good season. Turns out, it's one of my favorites- some really good stuff in there. Okay, I've rambled enough, sorry. So in closing, season five is awesome you should definitely see it!

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EVILDINOSAUR

Thursday, May 4, 2006 1:29 AM

You'd understand most of it I think

"Haha, mine is an evil laugh."

CHRISISALL

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:38 AM

Wow, thanks to you all for the awsome response! I figgered three or four replys from the usual suspects, but this is cool!

I will at least get Ats S5!

Convinced Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Grounded:

Personally I really enjoyed S3, despite some hiccups, hated S4, then really enjoyed S5.

Is Connor in S3, then?

Hell, I'll end up seeing it all, probably. Just maybe not in order...

Pylean Chrisisall

AMYEL

Thursday, May 4, 2006 3:18 AM

Connor the baby is born in s3, in Lullaby. A while later he goes away (oh... Wes you poor bastard) then eventually comes back as his uhh... pleasant well-adjusted adolescent self. And then he's in the entirety of s4. Still, uh, as pleasant and well-adjusted as ever.

EMBERS

Thursday, May 4, 2006 2:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Quote:
Originally posted by Grounded:

Personally I really enjoyed S3, despite some hiccups, hated S4, then really enjoyed S5.
Is Connor in S3, then?

Hell, I'll end up seeing it all, probably. Just maybe not in order...

Pylean Chrisisall

it is a little confusing even in order....

anyway I think you are getting good advice: S4 was the lowest point (you thought Pylea was a mess? Waitly you see what Charisma Carpenter's pregnancy produces!)
LOL
but Gina Torres is in the final episodes, so really...it does become a must see for that reason.

But S5 was wonderful, much tighter with some really interesting and many really funny episodes...
and in additon to Spike we have Harmony!

Did you see Harmony's first Angel episode entitled Disharmony? Man that was one of my all time favorites...really classic (was that first season?)

I think I have to get Ats on netflix and rewatch them all

GROOSALUGG

Thursday, May 4, 2006 5:48 PM

S5 is the best season of Angel, but for me, S3 comes darn close. You could skip straight to 5, but it sounds like you're wavering toward eventually watching 3 and 4 as well, anyway, so I'd recommend watching 'em in order.

Since you're apparently enjoying S6 and 7 of Buffy, I'll put it this way: S3 of Angel is better than S6 of Buffy (and like you, I'm one who actually likes BtVS6), and Ats S4 is no worse than BtVS S7. I don't find Connor unlikeable at all during S3 (the teenaged version's only in 3 or 4 eps, anyway), and while he and Cordy are just about unwatchable in S4, everything else that year maintains a high level of quality... until the end of the season, that is. Not that it's bad, just that it doesn't connect with the early-season events very well (or, at all, really).

For what that's worth...

STORYMARK

Thursday, May 4, 2006 5:59 PM

For what it's worth, I kinda liked Connor, and the stories that surrounded him. Well, I didn't "like" Connor - the same as I didn't "like" Holtz, though I thought he was cool villain. Connor was a bit of a petulent ass, but the story justified his disposition, so I thought it worked.

Yeah, there were some stumbles (mostly surrounding Cordy's pregnancy), but I still enjoyed it for the most part.

But, I'm a sucker for long serialized stories, and the 2 year Connor arc filled that desire for me.

Plus, you get Faith and Angelus (directed by Samwise Gamgee no less - geek convergence!), and I can't get enough of our 5 by 5 girl.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

CAPTAINCDC

Thursday, May 4, 2006 6:31 PM

Don't get just S5. You will miss out on too much. Seasons 3 & 4 are the best seasons of the series in my book.

---------------------------------------

The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason!

CHRISISALL

Friday, May 5, 2006 5:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:

Did you see Harmony's first Angel episode entitled Disharmony? Man that was one of my all time favorites...really classic (was that first season?)

2nd season, it was. A good ep, too.
I liked a lot of the Wolfram and Hart stuff, but didn't like Gunn, or Cordy's hair. The demon lounge singer was okay in small doses, but Pylea really set me off!!

Pylea-traumatized Chrisisall

EMBERS

Friday, May 5, 2006 6:01 PM

Cordy's hair is WAY worse in season 4...
but in thinking about it again today (I'm borrowing all the disks, one by one, from netflix because I realized I never got to hear the commentaries on Angel!) I remembered one of my very favorite things about season four on Ats:

Faith!
and Willow visits
how cool is that!?!!?

no, the thing w/Joss' shows: even the worst episodes still have some nummy goodness and a lot of fun.
I hope he comes back to TV again someday.

CHRISISALL

Friday, May 5, 2006 6:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:

Faith!
and Willow visits
how cool is that!?!!?

I've done a lot of research, and those three episodes can't justify my coin for the whole season, I must netflix. But I will buy S5.
Coming up on Faith in Buffy S7, though. Just saw Showtime. Pretty cool.
I wish I could just sit for 10 hours straight and finish it now!!!...

Home stretch Chrisisall

WHISPER

Sunday, May 7, 2006 3:50 PM

I really like the pylea episodes, but i remember hating them when they first aired. I think looking back on the series you'll find that those eps are a welcome breath of fresh air especially for as dark as Angel gets in later seasons. Watch the pylea eps again once you're done with the series, you might find you like them.

As for the other discussion- You could get by with just getting season 5- but i think the nuances (sp?) might be lost on you. S5 was so much fun partly because of the journey to get there. S4 is alot of the time unbearable to watch, but that was how the writers wanted it. They wanted you to be as uncomfortable as possible that season, and it worked well. I think the Gina Torres story arc was one of the best of the series, however.

Season 3 i quite enjoyed. It had great story arcs and some outstanding individual episodes. Also, this season is where Fred's character really blossoms from being incredibly annoying in the beginning to one of my absolute favorite characters- which makes her arc in season 5 that much more hard hitting.

Start with season 5 if you must but i do recommend the other two seasons.

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AURAPTOR

Monday, May 8, 2006 3:39 AM

While I had planned to do so anyways, this thread reminded me that it was past time. I ordered Season 5 , via Amazon. Should get it some time next week.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

CHRISISALL

Monday, May 8, 2006 4:05 AM

AURaptor, we all have different sides to ourselves, and outside of the dreaded RWED, I've always found you to be quite agreeable, for what it's worth.
(Still wished you threw a few punches at me on my 'Virtual Fight' thread, it might have been fun...)

Ats S5 virgin Chrisisall

EMBERS

Monday, May 8, 2006 1:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
I must netflix.

don't get me wrong...I'm netflixing myownself,
I own all the Buffy's (unfortunately I bought each as they came out on DVD instead of waiting for the big 'Chosen' complete Buffy set)
and I own Season 5 of Angel...

but I do think the first four seasons of Angel are all worth watching, and in fact I've just loaded Angel's Season 1 onto my netflix queue so I can go through, watch my favorites and finally see the commentaries and special features that I never had the chance to see before!
(I love commentaries!)

CHRISISALL

Monday, May 8, 2006 7:23 PM

You know me, I'll buy S5, then two months later sell more comics to buy S1, then....

Chrisisall, Joss' bitch

AURAPTOR

Monday, May 8, 2006 10:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
AURaptor, we all have different sides to ourselves, and outside of the dreaded RWED, I've always found you to be quite agreeable, for what it's worth.
(Still wished you threw a few punches at me on my 'Virtual Fight' thread, it might have been fun...)

Ats S5 virgin Chrisisall

What can I say? When it comes to things Whedon, we're on the same page.

Kind words back at ya.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

AURAPTOR

Friday, May 12, 2006 12:27 AM

My S-5 DVDs showed up in the mail!

Nice way to start the weekend early!

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "