I think if they'd kept up the same quality storytelling and character development in S3 & S4 as they did in S1-2 and (I'd argue, anyway) much of S5, then yeah, Angel would be a stellar show, and I'd never argue that Buffy was better quality. I'd still probably prefer Buffy for reasons of personal taste, but that's a different matter. The group dynamic in those first two seasons (and early in S3) is so fantastic. It kind of breaks my heart that it so thoroughly falls apart.
I also think that Wesley is one of the best developed characters I've seen on television*, and I think Angel was pretty well-developed. Cordy's arc in S1-early S3 was great, as was Gunn's S5 arc, which I ADORE. But then Fred and Lorne had very little development throughout the series, and were mostly used to propel other characters' stories, as were Cordy and Gunn in S3 & S4. So, taken as a whole, the show has real problems with characterization, but there are some great individual arcs. Which is basically what you already said. Sorry
BTW, was it unbearably hot in NZ in January as well? Or was that just Australia?
*Except for his actions in "Sleep Tight" -- I still find it a little hard to believe he wouldn't talk to anyone before doing something so extreme. What do you think?
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momijizukamori
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Date: 2013-02-14 10:50 pm (UTC)I think if they'd kept up the same quality storytelling and character development in S3 & S4 as they did in S1-2 and (I'd argue, anyway) much of S5, then yeah, Angel would be a stellar show, and I'd never argue that Buffy was better quality. I'd still probably prefer Buffy for reasons of personal taste, but that's a different matter. The group dynamic in those first two seasons (and early in S3) is so fantastic. It kind of breaks my heart that it so thoroughly falls apart.
I also think that Wesley is one of the best developed characters I've seen on television*, and I think Angel was pretty well-developed. Cordy's arc in S1-early S3 was great, as was Gunn's S5 arc, which I ADORE. But then Fred and Lorne had very little development throughout the series, and were mostly used to propel other characters' stories, as were Cordy and Gunn in S3 & S4. So, taken as a whole, the show has real problems with characterization, but there are some great individual arcs. Which is basically what you already said. Sorry
BTW, was it unbearably hot in NZ in January as well? Or was that just Australia?
*Except for his actions in "Sleep Tight" -- I still find it a little hard to believe he wouldn't talk to anyone before doing something so extreme. What do you think?