Angel 1x01 City Of... Full Reaction

I'm so glad I got to this point in your reactions! I love Angel as well, and I agree about the Batman vibes; it definitely suits him with his dark, brooding nature and that awesome long coat 😎

Melanie

Also, I just went back and read your posts about the watch order. As I just subscribed today, I was a little late for that discussion, but I’m fine with whatever you choose. I’ve watched a lot of Buffy and Angel reactors, so I’ve become quite accustomed to the SlayAlive watch order, but I think you alternating between the two will work out just fine. One thing I dislike about the SA order is when it lingers too long on one show, so I think you’ve made the right choice.

Britney

I’m so excited that you’ve gotten to Angel now as well! I’ll be honest, I greatly prefer Buffy as a show, but I still do like Angel the series. I don’t feel like this show ever reaches the level of greatness that Buffy achieved, but I will still be watching the episodes with you. I think this is a great series premiere, and as I’m sure you’ve noticed, it has a slightly different tone/vibe than Buffy does. However, it’s good that they went that route instead of just trying to make a carbon copy of Buffy. Also, so exciting that Cordelia has joined Angel. I loved her on Buffy, but I love her even more on this show. This is where she truly belongs. I like that you like the flashes. I like them too. Most reactors mention hating them though. The actress who played Tina, Tracy Middendorf, I also know from Wes Craven’s New Nightmare and as a guest roll on Beverly Hills, 90210 playing Laura Kingman.

Britney

Tina was nice, it sucks that Angel wasn't able to save her. But it's also good for the show - it indicates that the stakes are high. "Ooh Cordelia, next victim!" You were a bit too happy at that prospect, Juliette :-D

zerofk

Yay, new show. Hope you enjoy it, and the watchorder stuff isn't too offputting. Whilst I do think it takes a few episodes for it to quite find it's footing, I love the show - especially some of the later seasons. Lots of storylines in season 1 too that I can't wait to see your reaction to! This show aired at 22:55 in my country, which was past my bedtime at the time, so I remember sneaking up to watch. Or trying to get our dumb vcr to record, which didn't always work, so my first watch had quite a few holes in it :) I think the amount of effort I had to go through to watch the show made me appreciate it more hehe As a sidenote, i didn't know there was a widescreen version of season 1, thought it was all 4:3 that existed until season 2. Then again, I'd never seen the widescreen version of Buffy s1-3 until watching along now.

Asmo0

Angel calling Joyce's landline: "Hi Joyce, can you give me Buffy's number at the dorm?"

Ross43

In the DVD commentary on Episode 1 of Angel, Joss Whedon said the vampire face prosthetics looked like kabuki masks. As for when or who made the first complaints, it appears to have been internal criticism since the effects were much toned down in Episode 2 and quickly changed back over the next few episodes.

David Schmidt

The thing is that we weren't supposed to like Willow and Xander's cheating on Oz and Cordy. The writers were trying to provoke that reaction. But instead of asking, 'Where is this leading?', some reactors throw verbal tantrums during the reaction or threaten to stop watching. In this case, the infidelity led to Oz showing what an understanding guy he can be and for Cordelia it led to "The Wish" and beyond. Similarly, your feelings about Angelus during Season 2 about whether he should have his soul restored and what to do about it were the entire point of that story arc. And it took the first half of Season 3 to attempt a resolution to that dilemma. And you gave the show the leeway to show how our characters cope with these issues. I admire your willingness to allow these uncomfortable issues to play out. The majority of the time we are not disappointed.

David Schmidt

HEHE! Yes, that would be the perfect name for him! That moment when he spun out of his seat and his coat flowed behind him?! BEAUTIFUL!

Juliette Gaming

Now that is what I want to hear!! I've got no complaints so far. It's awesome!!

Juliette Gaming

That is SO good to hear!! It's really good so far and different to Buffy but with our beloved Angel and Cordelia! I love it 💜

Juliette Gaming

What did some other reactors complain about? I don't know... I guess it's a bit of a waste of time to complain about something that happened 20 years ago. Just sit back and enjoy it for what it is! I mean, there are things I don't like that happened in Buffy, like the Willow and Xander thing, and I got NO pleasure out of it but it is what it is 😅 Personally, I think Angel is going really well so far! He's a "detective", trying to help people which is cool as we get to see lots of little stories whilst hopefully incorporating a bigger plot arch (which I don't know what it is yet haha) I find it interesting that the vampire style makeup is just in one episode. Did they get immediate feedback and change it? I have to wonder what their reasons were to change it back!

Juliette Gaming

Yeah, I was always going to start with Buffy first as that's the order it was released! Loved that moment so much 💜

Juliette Gaming

The makeup was apparently Joss trying to make the vampires look more monstrous, because according to James Marsters, Whedon was annoyed that Spike's character was so well-liked (especially by female fans) and treated as a "good guy", when it's established that he's a serial killer, and worse. So this was his trial in changing the vampire makeup, in an attempt to dispel these notions. But as you said, everyone thought it looked odd, and he dropped the idea.

Will Sofer

Brace yourself Jules. Angel is a journey all it's own, but watching occasional little lines and connections go back and forth along the Buffyverse is a gleeful experience.

Mark Coyne

I'm glad you watched the Buffy episode first. In my opinion, it makes sense to first wonder who's calling Buffy before seeing Angel make the call. Yes, it's a tiny detail, and in this instance it wouldn't have been dramatically different, but I have to repeat how these things at least _can_ matter. :)

Patrick Armbruster

Great reaction, Jules. I love that you are willing to accept the show as presented by the writers unlike some reactors who whine that the show isn't unfolding how they want it to. Sort of like someone reading War and Peace and complaining, "No, I don't want Napleon to invade Russia." BTW, this is the one and only episode we will see that particular style of vampire make-up which no one seemed to like. (See, now I am complaining about show choices, I must be evil, too.)

David Schmidt

That moment when he gets up in the bar and spins around and his coat twirls and he is just SO COOL I need to calm down a bit 🤣

Juliette Gaming

It's actually awesome 🥰 Who needs Batman when we have Angel?!

Juliette Gaming

Fantastic reaction Juliette! Angel really is a great show. I am not sure if i prefer Buffy or Angel more, they are both fantastic shows.

Michael Short

Great reaction! Really looking forward to seeing you dive into this series! It has some of my favorite stories and characters from all the buffyverse!!

Trey Moore

Angel definitely gives off Batman vibes. A more lovably awkward Batman with a craving for blood and redemption.

Lime Pie

I think you'll really enjoy this show if you're already enjoying the Batman vibes hehe. Angel's superhero name should be Broody Boy

x_Rhi_x

That's pretty spoilery since Jules said in her outro that she doesn't know how long cordelia will be around in Angel

x_Rhi_x

Matthew Bailey

It's a pretty good pilot. There's a lot of good episodes. But theres a couple of seasons of Angel that are just top tier TV seasons ever.

Jonathan Hall

Yay! Let's start a new adventure together, Jules. Can't wait to watch.

SweetSummit