I want to get into Buffy/Angel....help!

[ngower]

I watched it when I was a kid, but I don't remember much other than Willow becoming a lezzy. Obviously the best place to start would be Buffy Season 1 and go on from there, but that's a LOT of money. Do I need the Buffy backstory to get into Angel? Help me guys :(

[jasonb]

The buffy backstory only bascially says Angel existed, he did buffy, he has a soul, and now lives in LA. He does occasionally show up back on buffy for the endgame of the series. But Angel sorta just works all on its own.

[masherscf]

You shouldn't buy the Buffy/Angel disks. They're available on Netflix and you can probably rent them.

Alternatively, Both these shows play on Cable. You can watch the Cable listings until the series recycle. Then you can DVR them from the beginning...for free. It'll be pretty slow that way...did I meantion free.

[rokov]

Random full episodes of Buffy are available for free here:
http://www.fancast.com/tv/Buffy%2C-the-Vampire-Slayer/88780/watch-videos
and here:
http://openhulu.com/shows.php?show=Buffy+the+Vampire+Slayer&showid=23

[diane]

I know FX plays Buffy early in the morning on Sat and Sun. And Angel gets played daily on TNT, like 3 eps too, two back to back and another in the afternoon. As much as I love my box set, unless you are obessive, there is no point in buying it for them. Now granted, after watching them you feel the desire, then it is well worth it.

[hepcat]

.....Netflix?

[jasonb]

why yes hepcat.....netflix. With billions of movies already dileivered and 75 thousand titles in tehir collcetion including HDDVD and BluRay. Plans start from only 4.99 and up. Ques to help you see what you want and what your getting. Free shipping centers, just sent the movies back in their pre paid envelopes; Or use their play now feature and get your movie downloaded to your computer in less then 30 minutes. Go to www.netflix.com/TRS to start getting all the movies you want with no late fees.

Actually after writing that can we get Steve to transpond that to a teleprompter for Dan for when he reads Netflix as a sponsor.

But seriously yes netflix has all the seasons of Angel. And the comic series "After the Fall" is shaping up to be great.

[hydrocoptic]

As far as Buffy goes. Season 1 is sort of the Monster of the week type of show. Just establishes the charcters but isn't all that important. I would defiantly watch Buffy casue it is really good. But you may wanna start with Season 2. You can skip on to Angel with out Buffy but Buffy in my opinion is well worth you time.

As far as Angel goes i really liked the first 3 Seasons but if i remember right i hated Season 4. However that being said. Season 5 of Angel might be some of the best TV i have ever seen in my life. The show really comes together once Spike is in the mix. And i really like what they did with Fred in the last few episodes of the series. But i won't spoil it.

[dignan17]

I'm sorry I'm late to the party, so my apologies for responding to an old post.

If you're really looking to shorten your viewing time, then I guess you could follow these guidelines:

Skip Buffy seasons 1 and 4 (but watch "Hush" in season 4). You can also skip most of season two up until "Surprise" and "Innocence" (watch those).

Like the previous poster said, skip Angel season 4.

There are plenty of episodes in the other seasons that can be skipped, but I think I just eliminated 3.5 out of 12 seasons, so I think you're set there.

Of course, I'd recommend watching the whole thing. I think I've hit three times through on both now.

[aerodash84]

I remember seeing part of Angel when I was in high school and didn't really get into it. Somehow I got sucked into it after I bought season 1 on DVD. Now I own the entire series, and I think they're worth it. And I've seen the series probably 2 or 3 times.

Buffy is a great show, but I think it went on a bit too long. I guess there's a way to watch some of the Buffy and Angel seasons together so some story crossovers make sense.

Firefly has now become one of my all time favorites if you haven't seen it I highly recommend it.

[dignan17]

Buffy is a great show, but I think it went on a bit too long. I guess there's a way to watch some of the Buffy and Angel seasons together so some story crossovers make sense.
Yeah, but it isn't easy. It's mainly seasons four and five of Buffy that do it, which corresponds to Angel seasons one and two. The Buffy episodes come first. So if you watched Buffy, Angel, Buffy, Angel, etc, you'd catch the four or five crossover stories. It's impressive that it's not really necessary to do this in order to enjoy either show. That's good TV making.

I watched a random episode of Angel season 5 once. I changed my mind about the shows, which I thought were silly, and proceeded to watch all of Buffy and Angel in about two weeks.

And yeah, Firefly is amazing. I think it's even better at character interactions than either of the other two shows.

[tokenuser]

No love for the original Buffy movie?

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTg2NjQ4MTM1M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwNDU1MDg4._V1._ SY400_SX600_.jpg

... if only for her original watcher ...

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjAxMTIzNzE4MV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwMTM3MDY3._V1._ SY400_SX600_.jpg

[dcolanduno]

I haven't looked yet, but I KNOW that Firefly is on Hulu, that is free and the it is the BEST example of how TV and other media should do advertising from now on in this new media world.

So, you might be able to find Buffy and Angel there, I watched all the Firefily series again, just for kicks over the weekend. I so much loved Firefly!

[dannyt]

Dude, just watch buffy from the beginning-- its way better than angel-- I can't imagine LIKING angel and not liking buffy...

[decepticon]

Yea, true say...watch Buffy from the beginning and go all the way through to the end of Angel...watch it all! So worth it!

The best television has to offer, or ever has IMO.

After that, give Firefly a go...pretty much the next best thing TV has to offer ;)

[bradschl]

Yeah, Hulu.com definitely has the first 2 seasons of Buffy it looks like. A very good way to get started.

I'm up to episode 4 of season 1, and enjoying it. It's taken a bit of getting used to, what with it being set in a 90s high school.

Also, while it's quite funny, there's been a few jokes where I feel the characters must have comedy writers in their back pockets you know? Though that's starting to even out.

Few questions though... how many seasons did Buffy end up with. And did it have a satisfying conclusion? I'd hate to commit so much time to catching up with an old show only to find out it just peters out at the end.

[aerodash84]

Yeah, Hulu.com definitely has the first 2 seasons of Buffy it looks like. A very good way to get started.

I'm up to episode 4 of season 1, and enjoying it. It's taken a bit of getting used to, what with it being set in a 90s high school.

Also, while it's quite funny, there's been a few jokes where I feel the characters must have comedy writers in their back pockets you know? Though that's starting to even out.

Few questions though... how many seasons did Buffy end up with. And did it have a satisfying conclusion? I'd hate to commit so much time to catching up with an old show only to find out it just peters out at the end.

There were 7 seasons not including the comic version of a season 8. I enjoyed the ending it was definitely a Whedon ending, if that makes sense. I think once you get to season 2 it definitely picks up with quality in every sense up. I'd just say watch it at your own pace, because sometimes I caught myself watching long marathons and not realize it.

[stubadub]

Buy all of Buffy and Angel, watch and repeat. One of the few tv series that I think warrants a purchase. The only things I've bought and watched more are Arrested Development and Twin Peaks.

[applie]

Yeah, Hulu.com definitely has the first 2 seasons of Buffy it looks like. A very good way to get started.

I'm up to episode 4 of season 1, and enjoying it. It's taken a bit of getting used to, what with it being set in a 90s high school.

Also, while it's quite funny, there's been a few jokes where I feel the characters must have comedy writers in their back pockets you know? Though that's starting to even out.

Few questions though... how many seasons did Buffy end up with. And did it have a satisfying conclusion? I'd hate to commit so much time to catching up with an old show only to find out it just peters out at the end.

If you mean does it have an intended ending (i.e. the writers knew they weren't coming back) the answer is a definite 'yes'. As for the quality of said ending, that's a matter of opinion. Mine, for what it's worth, is that seasons 6 & 7 aren't quite as good as 2-5, but still much better than most television out there.

I would also disagree with posters who say just jump straight into Angel. You'll spoil a lot of season 2 & 3 stuff if you do (the climax to season 2, wesley & faith storylines from season 3). And you'll understand the characters better, and ultimately enjoy the show more if you watch Buffy seasons 1-3 first.

Other than that, enjoy the show. It's the wittiest, saddest, raddest show there's ever been!

[gobo]

Dude, just watch buffy from the beginning-- its way better than angel
Man I couldn't disagree more.

[jks15]

I agree with dannyt, just watch Buffy from the beginning. It's a pretty good series and if you have the time why not! Sure, some seasons are better than others, but I still enjoyed them all.

[bradschl]

I'm almost done with Season 1 of Buffy, and it's alright but not blowing my mind yet... though that's not surprising.

So what is it about Buffy / Angel that gets you hardcore fans worked up? I mean, the characters are alright so far but nothing spectacular, the comedy is good but doesn't carry the show, the action scenes are mediocre at best...

The best thing I've noticed so far is that even when they're following these somewhat standard sci-fi / magical plots, they'll sometimes put an unusual twist on them ("Witch", "The Puppet Show").

Now I know I'm not near far enough in to "get it", but what does this show do for you to inspire such devotion?

[stubadub]

Now I know I'm not near far enough in to "get it", but what does this show do for you to inspire such devotion?

More than anything it's the characters and the writing, and when I say characters I mean everyone except Buffy. Buffy isn't bad, but it's the Scooby gang around her that is so special. Xander is one of my favorite characters in TV history, but Giles and Willow aren't far behind.

The memorable storylines from this show are extremely memorable. You'll get lots of people telling you about Hush from the fourth season, or the musical episode, etc. That's only the tip of the iceberg. There are so many episodes that my friends and I will talk about when we get into our Buffy discussions. Everyone has their favorites, but everyone else can agree those favorites are at least great episodes ("John Ritter's best role ever!")

The show gets much better over the second and third seasons. The witty dialogue gets even more witty over the next few seasons, the soap opera-ness of the show gets more entertaining, the plot lines get more clever, even the action gets better as the budget increases. The big bads are way better after the first season. You haven't even met Spike yet.

If I had only watched the first season I wouldn't be fanatical, but fortunately my wife was addicted and I was buying the seasons for her. It wasn't long into the second season where I was a little more interested in watching the next one than she was, and by the third season I was really buying it for myself.

[rokov]

More than anything it's the characters and the writing, and when I say characters I mean everyone except Buffy. Buffy isn't bad, but it's the Scooby gang around her that is so special. Xander is one of my favorite characters in TV history, but Giles and Willow aren't far behind.

And it's not just the heroes, even most of the big bads are very likable (Adam and Warren excepted) and you almost want to root for them more than Buffy.

[bradschl]

Just finished the end of season 1, and I'm starting to see some of my concerns addressed already. The comedy is definitely more character driven, rather than the zingers at the beginning of the show.

What sold me though was a few lines given by Willow about halfway through. Talking about seeing the aftermath of a vampire attack at the school. Just some excellent writing.

"I'm not OK... I knew those guys, I go to that room everyday. And when I walked in there, it wasn't our world anymore. They made it theirs, and they had fun..."

[rokov]

"I'm not OK... I knew those guys, I go to that room everyday. And when I walked in there, it wasn't our world anymore. They made it theirs, and they had fun..."

I love that part, the beginning of Willow losing her innocence. Just wait til you see where it leads to by season 6. :D

[endoftheline]

Just finished the end of season 1, and I'm starting to see some of my concerns addressed already. The comedy is definitely more character driven, rather than the zingers at the beginning of the show.

What sold me though was a few lines given by Willow about halfway through. Talking about seeing the aftermath of a vampire attack at the school. Just some excellent writing.

"I'm not OK... I knew those guys, I go to that room everyday. And when I walked in there, it wasn't our world anymore. They made it theirs, and they had fun..."


oh just wait it gets even better... I just recently started to re-watch Buffy (and Angel) again as well. I'm in mid-season 3 right now and I'm just burning through episodes. I'm so surprised at how soon things happen, compared to what I remember.

I haven't watched it really since it was aired and I had forgotten how good it was. It's funny as a teen watching it back in the 90's I remember not really taking to some of the characters that now as an adult I absolutely love. Like Cordelia, as a teen I really disliked her. What with her being the prep cheerleader who was obnoxious as hell. This time around she's one of my favorite characters. She's totally the Jayne of the series. Just a solid constant character, who every once in a while surprises, and says imo some of the funniest stuff in the show.

The humor is as always great, and I couldn't help but laugh at all the lessons to teens with demonic twists. shit.. realized most of this is from Season 2, don't read it till you get there...




Slight season 2 spoilers below...

Things like the dangers of internet predators, frat boys with date rape drugs, and after you give it up your sweet and caring boyfriend he suddenly morphs into a totally asshole...ahh very important life lessons that everyone should learn from Buffy.