Angel 4x12 "Calvary" Full Reaction
Added 2021-08-27 22:35:56 +0000 UTC
Comments
Yeah. The way we were introduced to Wesley's feelings for Fred first then built up to expect them getting together in Waiting in the Wings only for Gunn to emerge as an unexpected "obstacle" definitely felt like the show wanted us to root for a Wesley/Fred endgame. It reminds me of how pining storylines are handled on sitcoms, where it is never quite the right time because both characters may get into other relationships throughout the series to draw out the eventual "endgame" coupling. IMO the "obstacle" should never have been another series regular; it should have been a recurring guest star like how they presented Groo or Gwen. Because he was a core part of the show, they could not make Gunn incompatible with Fred in a way that would make us turn against his character entirely. This led to them over-estimating how much goodwill we had for Wesley and Fred and introducing the love triangle which made them look like gigantic asses instead. I honestly wished the Wesley/Fred element never happened. They are both good characters on their own who were enjoyable to watch, but this storyline somewhat soured me on them.
Judson
2021-08-29 01:11:28 +0000 UTCFor real. The way the other characters talk you'd think Gunn deliberately beat Fred. You expect Angelus to act like he does cause he's a little shit and just trying to get under their skin like he do. But everyone else giving him the cold shoulder like he's a wife beater is something I still to this day don't understand. It makes me wonder if they always planned for this (horribly executed) love triangle, or if they were originally planning for fred/gunn to be endgame but audiences didn't like it or something (I didn't watch when it aired so idk the feelings of it at the time) so they panicked and threw this clumsy plot together in an attempt to salvage something.
Nicole Iannone
2021-08-28 13:29:55 +0000 UTCWorlds best actor
Liam Catterson
2021-08-28 11:53:27 +0000 UTCHuge revelations aside, one of my favorite parts of this ep has always been when "Angel" says that he "needs to go save the world", and then stands there for a couple seconds before awkwardly running out the door. It always gets me and idk why.
Nicole Iannone
2021-08-28 11:26:04 +0000 UTCSomebody please clip Liam's face in reaction to that ending. I know we were all gleeful with anticipation when he breathed such a huge sigh of relief at seeing that it was "only Cordy" who grabbed Lilah. XD By the way Liam, go watch The Beast's only scene in this episode again (about mid-way through), where he speaks with his master. It might reveal more about his master. I legitimately thought the way Fred and Wesley treated Gunn in this episode was worse than anything Angelus said. Because Angelus was trying very hard to hurt them whereas Fred and Wesley actually thought they had some sort moral high ground to judge Gunn after the absolute selfish shits they've been for episodes now. Gunn only hit Fred by accident because of a fight that was 95% Wesley's fault and 5% Fred's fault. Fred lied to Gunn AGAIN to gaslight him for no reason here; thank goodness he called her on it and broke up with her. And Wesley also comes across as such a sanctimonious white knight in how he kissed up to Lilah right after Lorne reminded him of how she tortured and violated his mind, and Cordelia before him as well (That Vision Thing, season 3). It's shocking that Connor was the only one to treat Gunn with humanity this episode. (To be honest, those two had almost always gotten along and I wish they had more scenes together.)
Judson
2021-08-28 02:22:55 +0000 UTCi remember watching this when it aired and was all kinds of confused lol...this was 2003 and i was 14...this season is definitely dark... watching it now in my 30s and watching this show and buffy is quite interesting but never gets old
Devon Martin
2021-08-28 00:05:38 +0000 UTCIt's impressive how well Angelus can pretend to be Angel, just like Angel pretended to be Angelus in Buffy season 3.
SweetSummit
2021-08-27 23:38:34 +0000 UTC
