Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel - First Time Viewer

[tomalak301]

The Pack is another pretty good episode. It's interesting so far my least favorite episode was the 4th. The rest have been good to great so far. This episode was disturbing and a little creepy. Xander (Yes I know it wasn't him but still) calling Willow "Pasty-Faced" was like a punch to the gut.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

The Pack is another pretty good episode. It's interesting so far my least favorite episode was the 4th. The rest have been good to great so far. This episode was disturbing and a little creepy. Xander (Yes I know it wasn't him but still) calling Willow "Pasty-Faced" was like a punch to the gut.

You ain‘t seen nothin‘ yet

 

[tafkats]

Xander's characterization, especially in Season 1, has not aged well. Back in the late '90s, "Nice Guy Syndrome" was a thing to which we had not yet put a name. But I agree, in a modern context, his constant attempts to guilt-trip Buffy about why she doesn't want to go out with him are cringeworthy at best. (All the more so to those of us who remember doing that sort of thing ourselves when we were dumb and emotionally immature.)

And learning in "The Pack" that he is fully aware of Willow's crush on him makes some of his behavior toward her a lot more asshole-ish. He would be a lot easier to sympathize with if he were simply oblivious to her affection.

 

[JD]

I think his character does get a lot better as the show goes on though.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Not really.

 

[tafkats]

He matures more slowly than the others (and had further to go in the first place), but by Season 7 he's not the same guy.

 

[tomalak301]

I'm guessing "Angel" is a pretty pivitol episode in the series. Man did we learn so much about him, and it even addresses Episode 5 in Buffy trying to have a boyfriend while still being a Slayer of vampires. I think she's found the right guy, someone who knows her secret and is a total heartthrob. It's kind of amazing that Boreanez had a more prolific career than Geller, with the Angel spin off series (Which I think I have to see next, or see it with Buffy) and Bones. Really appreciated learning his backstory and I'm guessing Angel is a prequel series.

Not sure if I like the Kid being the anointed one though. I'm a little confused by that right now.

 

[Grendelsbayne]

I'm guessing "Angel" is a pretty pivitol episode in the series. Man did we learn so much about him, and it even addresses Episode 5 in Buffy trying to have a boyfriend while still being a Slayer of vampires. I think she's found the right guy, someone who knows her secret and is a total heartthrob. It's kind of amazing that Boreanez had a more prolific career than Geller, with the Angel spin off series (Which I think I have to see next, or see it with Buffy) and Bones. Really appreciated learning his backstory and I'm guessing Angel is a prequel series.

Not sure if I like the Kid being the anointed one though. I'm a little confused by that right now.

Angel is... not a prequel series. I'd try to say more, but really understanding what Angel really is would probably be considered a massive spoiler for a number of Buffy storylines you haven't gotten to yet. But you'll know when it's time to start watching it (and it's probably best to watch it concurrently with Buffy from that point).

The Anointed One is possibly the least memorable part of the Master's whole gang. Well, either him or Luke. But the story works out quite well regardless.

 

[tafkats]

I would say that although you can start bouncing back and forth between the two series from the point where they diverge, watching the entire Buffyverse in chronological order, you don't really need to. I did all seven seasons of Buffy followed by all five of Angel, and they aren't that much more closely linked than, say, all of the 24th-century Trek series. Occasional crossovers, but one isn't essential to following the other.

Don't be dissuaded by the Master and the Annoying One. They're by far the series' least interesting villains.

 

[Grendelsbayne]

I would say that although you can start bouncing back and forth between the two series from the point where they diverge, watching the entire Buffyverse in chronological order, you don't really need to. I did all seven seasons of Buffy followed by all five of Angel, and they aren't that much more closely linked than, say, all of the 24th-century Trek series. Occasional crossovers, but one isn't essential to following the other.

Don't be dissuaded by the Master and the Annoying One. They're by far the series' least interesting villains.

I agree you don't need to bounce between every episode. But the crossovers do kind of need it, I think, and the general development makes more sense if you understand where the other series is at the same general time frame.

And I wouldn't call the Master the least interesting villain at all. He doesn't get as much development for obvious reasons, but I think he's still pretty fun, even if his minions aren't so much.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

The anointed ultimate fate will be unexpected, though.

 

[tomalak301]

I would say that although you can start bouncing back and forth between the two series from the point where they diverge, watching the entire Buffyverse in chronological order, you don't really need to. I did all seven seasons of Buffy followed by all five of Angel, and they aren't that much more closely linked than, say, all of the 24th-century Trek series. Occasional crossovers, but one isn't essential to following the other.

Don't be dissuaded by the Master and the Annoying One. They're by far the series' least interesting villains.

That's good.

Remember when I said the Vampires look kind of corny after the first two episodes? I think the master is King of corny this season. Man if he's the villain, he's a lousy one.

 

[theenglish]

The first season was written to be a single arc without any expectation that the series would get renewed beyond that. The Master is really just meant to be a foil for Buffy. It is the only villain that really isn't fully developed in the series. I treat season one as an introduction to our main characters.

 

[Forbin]

He matures more slowly than the others (and had further to go in the first place), but by Season 7 he's not the same guy.

I think Xander's greatest, most mature moment is in S4 (trying to be non-spoilery) when he gave Buffy some amazing relationship advice, then went and put same into practice himself.

 

[Grendelsbayne]

I think Xander's greatest, most mature moment is in S4 (trying to be non-spoilery) when he gave Buffy some amazing relationship advice, then went and put same into practice himself.

There's some good stuff in season 7 in regards to the maturity of being the reliable guy in the background of everyone's drama.

 

[DigificWriter]

^ Personally, I think the way that Xander was used in Season 7 was a major disservice to the character, but "to each their own".

 

[Masiral]

I agree you don't need to bounce between every episode. But the crossovers do kind of need it, I think, and the general development makes more sense if you understand where the other series is at the same general time frame.

I think the crossovers are especially important to watch in order when regarding

Spoiler

Faith - her character arc really requires both shows to fully understand.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I watched it bouncing between every episode. It works in a few specific places the series cross over but mostly is not necessary.

It’s only a handful of places though. The crossover eps in season 4/1, the spoilery thing in 7/4 and the ending sequence of 7/4.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

I‘m pretty sure there are viewing guides out there that give recommendations on what to watch in which order for the best flow.
In any case, it won‘t be an issue for the OP for awhile.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

I personally find the season 4 villains the least interesting. A friend that me and his wife were trying to get into Buffy quit after hating season 4.