Angel - 1x22 "To Shanshu in L.A." FULL REACTION

Just thought I'd answer a question you addressed about the mark the demon left on Cordy's hand, about the people at the hospital not noticing it. To anyone who didn't know what it meant and didn't know her, it would look like a regular tattoo that she could have gotten anywhere. There's nothing about it that looks threatening or unnatural unless you know what it means. So the people at the hospital wouldn't think anything of it. Love this episode, and great reaction.

Raven Dark

I loved btvs but never watched angel when i was young cause i was sad and angry about angel leaving (sad i know) and i regret it now because its just as good as buffy even better at times

Sarah McKinlay

The title is based on a movie of that era: To Live and Die in LA

Richard Lucas

I loved this exchange between Angel and Gunn: "These people are very important to me." "I'm gettin' that." It's such a weighty thing to be communicated so fully from one person to another. Angel is opening up, and Gunn is fully listening. In a way, it's a very little exchange, but it makes me tear up when I think about what Angel and Gunn might be thinking and feeling in this moment.

UTU49

I love the way this finale wraps around to the pilot by showing how far Angel has come. The three main themes of choice, redemption, and connections are all addressed, but the chosen family theme is what hits me the hardest. Seeing how concerned Wesley and Cordelia are for Angel is touching, but we've seen that. Seeing how fiercely Angel cares for them is impressive. There are elements of "The Yoko Factor" and "Restless" with Angel's enemy trying to separate him from his connections, but the ending is more hopeful and downright wholesome, except for that... Darla thing. That was... unexpected. Seriously, I did not know what to make of that the first time I watched this.

Rachael

Good ending, right? Looking forward to season 2!

UTU49

I live upstairs from you-hoo Yes, I think you've seen me before.

UTU49

I'm psyyyyched! I swear I've been looking forward to this one since you started S1 of Buffy, haha.

Arianne Kay

Great observations, I had always wondered about their presence as well, but that makes a lot of sense. I think their inclusion could have been made a little more than just thematically relevant, like if Gunn had been with them in the hospital near the end and seen how much Angel cares about his own tiny community. And maybe using Kate to be the representative of isolation rather than David would have been better, since she's purposefully rejecting the little connection she has left and is obviously not having a good time.

KT

ahhh course it Is, I recognise the hair now 🤣

It's Simon from Shadowhunters but I'm taking that as a huge compliment so thank you 😂

Is that you on your t-shirt? 😂 I'm just glad it wasn't your xox shirt as that gives me a headache 🤣🤣🤣

Just a couple of quotes to highlight Cordelia's character development in season 1: Cordelia in episode 1: "I really should be talking to people that are somebody." Cordelia in episode 22: "We're family!"

Steve Quast

I think that David was there in the beginning to serve as a parallel to Angel, in that they both have so much of something (David has money, Angel has his mission for redemption) yet neither has a life beyond that, which is something they both desperately want but don't know how to achieve. This ties in with the Shanshu prophecy at the end of the episode, as Angel realises that he can, one day, actually have a life.

Aside from the entertainment value, those brief interactions Angel has with David Nabbit and Charles Gunn are there for a reason. Nabbitt has everything most people think they would want, but he's no more connected to the world than Angel. Gunn has little in the way of possessions but seems much more connected for some reason. Having a reason seems to be important. Also, smart people can be angry and irrational. Mostly because they are people.

Bruce Trogdon

I was also worried starting Angel because I loved Buffy so much, and wasn't really a fan of Angel on Buffy but he really comes into his own on his own show whereas on Buffy he was just Buffy's boyfriend. I even think as shows I like Angel more than Buffy, I love the darker feel and more of the themes they explore on Angel. Season 1 of Angel is solid but Season 2 is amazing!!!

Dannielle

Yeah, I Will Remember You takes away the impact of the prophecy for me. The first time I saw this episode, I remember thinking, what if Angel already got his shanshu, and he gave it back? But beside that, I think this was a really wonderful season finale. Great writing, spectacular acting (particularly by Charisma), and a killer reveal at the end.

peggin

His name was Vocah. He lived on the second floor. (Sorry; no one may get or like that joke but I like it too much.) Anyway, I think that episode is a really good season ender and I obviously credit the surprise appearance of Darla as a top-quality shock, but my favorite part of this episode is the feel of these three people, the Angel Investigations crew, struggling mightily against the big evil machine of Wolfram and Hart. I know that’s not exclusive to THIS episode, but it really feels prominent here. And the little family being together at the episode’s end is a great vibe. Cordelia putters. Really in gear for next season with Buffy and Angel in full swing.

Koz

Great episode, as a finale, I wish it had been a 2 parter though so they could have stretched the story out a bit more but I loved the story starting with Angel not wanting anything and ending with him realising that he needs his family and as much as I love the "Angel becoming human" prophecy, I kind of wish we hadn't seen him as a human recently as it takes the excitement away a little but I adore the bond that has formed between these 3 this season and Darla... great cliffhanger ! So excited for S2!

Donna

It was Cordy's apartment they were in at the end.

BHillzebub