Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Sept 9, 2003 9:02:39 GMT -5
The previous two parts having been locked, it would seem a new thread should be started for Angel spoilers rather than trailing down from Vlad's annunciatory thread.
So here is it. Let us begin.... [/color]
Last Edit: Dec 28, 2003 13:44:30 GMT -5 by Techno-bot
"I do not know that there is reason for hope; all I know is there's room for hope." --Julia
As Buffy ends, attention switches to its spin-off series, Angel. But how will the radical changes at the end of Season Four affect our heroes? And what about the new arrival?
The Story so far : Los Angeles, a city of angels and demons.
Into this ghetto of metaphorical scorpions and vipers comes Angel, a vampire cursed with a soul – cursed with the knowledge of his crimes against humanity.
Given the chance, by The Powers That Be, to atone for his sins, Angel begins an agency – its aim : to help the hopeless. To achieve this, he gathers around him a team of crack specialists; there’s Cordelia Chase, former Sunnydale prom queen and failed actress, who provides Angel with his vital link to both Humanity and The Powers. There’s ex-Watcher Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, a loyal and brilliant rogue demon hunter. There’s Charles Gunn, a brave fearless vampire killer. There’s Fred Burkle, a genius physicist who was once abandoned in a Medieval universe by a man she trusted. There’s Lorne, a karaoke-singing empathy demon with a weakness for cocktails and showbiz. And there’s Angel’s son, Connor, a feral teenage warrior, born of the union of two vampires, and raised to hate his father in a Hell dimension. The Angel Investigations team must do their work whilst fighting to overcome some demons of their own, searching for a path of redemption in the lonely city. And they have to achieve this whilst also keeping one eye trained on the sinister machinations of the evil law firm, Wofram & Hart. Then, having fought off the apocalyptic schemes of The Beast and its Godlike master, Jasmine, the gang discover that there is a price to pay for ending world peace.
The Best TV in Years
Angel’s been a bit good recently. If, as is likely, you’re one of the people not watching it, then that’s something you really need to remedy. The final episode of Season Four, Home, was a fabulous end to what had been, quite simply, one of the best seasons of popular television in years. A six-month critical summation of the many strengths that this cleverly multifaceted series has as its disposal. Dramatic, funny and cynical, the episode and, indeed, the season, reminded us that Angel is a show about choices and hope – just as its parent show, Buffy, always was.
For a while, however, as Season Four careered towards its dramatic conclusion, it appeared as though this may have been our final glimpse of the activities of Angel Investigations. The perilous nature of US network television is such that even if a show is regarded critically, if the ratings aren’t up to scratch then the series ain’t gonna last.
Following several months of speculation, however, the revamp proposed by the production team in Home paid off and the series was picked up in May by The WB for a fifth year. So, the future’s bright, as the crew’s skills combine to produce an underrated, under-appreciated, overlooked gem. Next year, if there’s any justice, Angel will finally get the wider recognition it deserves.
Homecoming
Season Five will be something of a homecoming for Joss Whedon, who is believed to be working close to full-time on Angel next year. However, the really big news surrounding next season came with the confirmation, in May, that James Marsters would be joining the regular cast, reprising his popular Buffy role as Spike, the (other) vampire with a soul. ‘We think Spike could add something to the show,’ writer/producer Tim Minear noted. ‘He’s great character and a great actor.’ Given Spike and Angel’s complex past – a touchy master/pupil relationship, tinged with mutual mistrusts, enlivened by both having, at one time or another, shared the bed of Buffy Summers – sparks are, somewhat inevitably, bound to fly. Rumours concerning what Spike is actually returning as – ghost, human or vampire – have done little to quell the anticipation of fans for a whole year of watching James Marsters and David Boreanaz acting together.
Biggest Challenge ?
What we do know about Season Five is that the Angel Investigations team is now running the LA branch of Wolfram & Hart. In this regard they will face their biggest challenge to date as they battle to maintain their integrity whilst being offered temptations of almost Biblical proportions. Whatever it was that happened to Gunn in The White Room in the final episode of last season will, no doubt, have a significant impact on his character’s development. Similarly, Wesley’s motivation in getting into Wolfram & Hart in the first place – to save the soul of his former lover., Lilah – has seemingly failed.
Likely, the forthcoming season will see the return of several old foes to haunt the heroes. One definite such return will be that of Vincent Kartheiser, who has been contracted for a t least one episode, suggesting that Connor’s story, seemingly wrapped up for good in Home, is actually far from over.
Another will be the welcome reappearance of Mercedes McNab as Harmony Kendall, the wilfully narcissistic vampires whose past relationship with Spike is sure to cause a few complications to an already complicated backstory. Perhaps we’ll be seeing some other old faces too : Angel’s former nemesis Lindsey McDonald, Wesley’s would-be assassin Justine Cooper and Spike’s sire, Drusilla, are all rumoured to be potential visitors to Wolfram & Hart’s plush Wilshire Boulevard offices. There will be a new character for the team to interact with, Eve, a Wolfram & Hart liaison whose agenda may not be all that it, initially, seems.
However, as several new doors open, another important one closes. The news that Charisma Carpenter would not be returning as a regular for season five was greeted with disappointment and surprise by many fans.
‘We felt like we had taken that story about as far as it could go,’ Whedon said, adding that the Angel/Cordelia romance had ‘not been popular with fans’, a claim that has been disputed by many within the Angel fan-community. Additionally, it does seem rather strange for Whedon to suggest that this move was designed to appease fans when, just a year earlier, he had told many of those same fans, outraged at the death of Tara in Buffy, that it was his job to give them what they needed, not what they wanted. ‘I’m hoping that we’ll get Charisma to do some episodes sometime during the year,’ continued Joss.
Asked if the parting had been on good terms, Whedon’s reply was enigmatic : ‘That’s between us and not stuff that I would talk about in an interview.’
New Captain
Running Angel’s fifth season will be former X-Files writer Jeff Bell, who made such a good job of the previous year, and in such difficult circumstances. Tim Minear’s involvement in the show is likely to diminish as his work of Fox’s mid-season series, Wonderfalls, increases. Having, in effect, provided the pilot for the future of Angel with Home, Minear feels that the new direction will ‘allow Angel to break out of its cannibalising soap-opera-ness. It’s not feeding on itself any more.’ Series co-creator David Greenwalt, who will continue to act as a consulting producer, believes that Angel could ultimately match Buffy’s record and run for seven years. But, he notes, the new set-up will enable the characters to face new dilemmas and, perhaps inevitably, new temptations. ‘Obviously (Wolfram & Hart) will wish to corrupt our people and some of them will be quite happy to be corrupted,’ Greenwalt noted. ‘Gunn is going to be the coolest. Lorne is in heaven because he gets to talk to Michael Jackson. Meanwhile they can use Wolfram & Hart to help people.’
Greenwalt also says that he hopes Sarah Michelle Gellar may find the time in her rapidly expanding movie career to make an appearance on Angel. ‘I’d bet you’ll see her,’ he noted. ‘David’s done a lot for her. When we launched the show, she showed up on the set in downtown LA in the middle of the night with a cake. She’s quite capable of the big, lovely gesture.’
Summing up Angel’s new direction, Greenwalt notes that it will be an inventive mixture of elements from several stylistically fascinating non-genre shows like The West Wing and LA Law. ‘It’s not going to be dreary and dark. It’s like a brand new show.’
Angel, like Buffy before it, seemingly knows the value of creating characters with whom the audience can empathise and identify. What the future has in store for them, we’ll find out soon!
Even if Buffy doesn't love Spike anymore or JW gets it into his head that Buffy NEVER loved Spike at all, it would be nice if Buffy acknowledged his heroism in CHOSEN and THANKED the guy who stood by her as her champion and died for it.
Gail
I could not agree more that Spike deserves acknowledgement and thanks. JW has said that Buffy and Spike's relationship was, in the end, LOVE. I can't imagine JW or Buffy treating Spike like just another guy. That thought is just too painful. Perhaps Spike will still be incorporeal when Buffy comes to town. It would hurt, but not as much than if Buffy just let Spike down easy, or some stupid thing. This would also lame up most of S7, and I don't think JW wants to do that.
Even if Buffy doesn't love Spike anymore or JW gets it into his head that Buffy NEVER loved Spike at all, it would be nice if Buffy acknowledged his heroism in CHOSEN and THANKED the guy who stood by her as her champion and died for it.
Gail
I could not agree more that Spike deserves acknowledgement and thanks. JW has said that Buffy and Spike's relationship was, in the end, LOVE. I can't imagine JW or Buffy treating Spike like just another guy. That thought is just too painful. Perhaps Spike will still be incorporeal when Buffy comes to town. It would hurt, but not as much than if Buffy just let Spike down easy, or some stupid thing. This would also lame up most of S7, and I don't think JW wants to do that.
This just in from spikeonangel:
First can I say I thought DB look so adorable and very yummy in that clip. Thanks for posting the link Lady Di. I just love it when he smiles. Lights up his entire face.
No for waht he said, he sounds excited and happy with the coming season.
3 weeks from tomorrow and we have the new season. ;D
Ditto my thanks for the link. I've rewatched it several times. David did look adorable and you're right, he should smile more often. He seems excited about the season too and I for one, am happy about the shorter arcs. He mentioned love and romance. I do hope it's not for him already! I liked his little beard/goatee. Thankfully I just got my season 2 DVD so I can get my fix before the season begins!
Wednesday, October 01 2003 Season 9:00 - 10:00 PM ET
SPIKE JOINS THE CAST OF "ANGEL" – Taking over the Los Angeles offices of the supernatural law firm Wolfram and Hart proves to be more challenging than expected for Angel (David Boreanaz) and the gang, especially when their first case involves representing an evil client (guest star Rod Rowland) who threatens to destroy the city. As the gang settles into their new careers at the law firm, they meet new and familiar faces, including the mysterious Eve (guest star Sarah Thompson, "Boston Public"), who will act as Angel's liaison to Wolfram and Hart's senior partners, and the bubbly vampire Harmony (guest star Mercedes McNab) who is Angel's new assistant. Most surprising of all is the arrival of Angel's old nemesis and fellow vampire-with-a-soul, Spike (James Marsters, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), who makes a miraculous appearance. The episode was written & directed by Joss Whedon
Wesley’s Father To Pay a Visit on Episode 5.07 of “Angel” Written 09-12-2003 by ChrisFaile
According to FilmJerk.com sources, producers for the WB’s “Angel” are looking to cast the role of Wesley’s father, Roger Wyndham-Pryce, for the untitled seventh episode of the season. The elder Wyndham-Pryce, listed as being in his late 50s or early 60s, is described as being “incredibly well-educated and articulate, albeit with a rather stern disposition.” The actor who is given the guest-starring role will film his scenes over 10 days in Los Angeles, beginning October 1.
According to our source, Roger is there to evaluate Wesley (played by Alexis Denisof) for possible reacceptance to the Watcher's Council. The visit is strictly business, as years of distance and unresolved issues make for a great deal tension between the two. Roger also strongly disapproves of Wesley's new workplace (he calls it "a haven of Hell") and the company he keeps, including Angel and Gunn.
According to another source, producers are also trying to cast a central role for the sixth episode, entitled "Night of the Luchadors". Written and directed by Jeffrey Bell, this episode begins shooting on September 19. The role they are seeking to fill is that of “Number 5,” a Latin man in his 70s. As a young man in 1950s Los Angeles, he and his five brothers were known as the "Hermanos Numeros", the greatest Mexican wrestlers who ever lived. More than just Luchadors, they were heroes who protected their community - men of honor who defended the weak against underworld vampires and demons. In their final battle, a mystical Aztec warrior destroyed all the brothers leaving only Number 5 alive. He has become a bit gruff in his solitary life, but ultimately he's sympathetic. Nothing more is known about the episode’s storyline at this time, and how “Number 5” plays a part in it.
The Scorecard Executive Producer: Joss Whedon Co-Executive Producer: Jeffrey Bell Producer: Kelly A. Manners Casting Directors: Barbara Stordahl & Angela Terry Location: Los Angeles Production Companies: Mutant Enemy/20th Century Fox Television Network: The WB
Wesley’s Father To Pay a Visit on Episode 5.07 of “Angel” Written 09-12-2003 by ChrisFaile
<snip> According to our source, Roger is there to evaluate Wesley (played by Alexis Denisof) for possible reacceptance to the Watcher's Council. The visit is strictly business, as years of distance and unresolved issues make for a great deal tension between the two. Roger also strongly disapproves of Wesley's new workplace (he calls it "a haven of Hell") and the company he keeps, including Angel and Gunn.
<snip>
Re-acceptance into the Council? By whom? They're all dead except for Giles and Wesley! Unless, of course, Giles either didn't know all the facts, or didn't really have a chance to track down any Watchers who may have survived by virtue of not having been at headquarters (for whatever reason).
If this is a "true" spoiler, it'll be interesting to hear just what Roger's "excuse" was for not having been at the Council building when it blew.
Laura
Preghiamo che questo libro e’ mai letto piu’. . .
Che il demonio Molocco e’ mai lasciato piu’ fuori nel mondo.
Wesley’s Father To Pay a Visit on Episode 5.07 of “Angel” Written 09-12-2003 by ChrisFaile
According to FilmJerk.com sources, producers for the WB’s “Angel” are looking to cast the role of Wesley’s father, Roger Wyndham-Pryce, for the untitled seventh episode of the season. The elder Wyndham-Pryce, listed as being in his late 50s or early 60s, is described as being “incredibly well-educated and articulate, albeit with a rather stern disposition.” The actor who is given the guest-starring role will film his scenes over 10 days in Los Angeles, beginning October 1.
According to our source, Roger is there to evaluate Wesley (played by Alexis Denisof) for possible reacceptance to the Watcher's Council. The visit is strictly business, as years of distance and unresolved issues make for a great deal tension between the two. Roger also strongly disapproves of Wesley's new workplace (he calls it "a haven of Hell") and the company he keeps, including Angel and Gunn.
I don't have a clue who would be good in this role. My son likes Gary Oldman. I think he would be too over the top.
According to another source, producers are also trying to cast a central role for the sixth episode, entitled "Night of the Luchadors". Written and directed by Jeffrey Bell, this episode begins shooting on September 19. The role they are seeking to fill is that of “Number 5,” a Latin man in his 70s.
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They definitely need to recruit Ricardo Montalban for this part. Or is he too old? Is he even alive? He was the best in Star Trek as Khan in both the TV show and the Star Trek II movie - the best Star Trek movie they made.
Jenny/The First: Hmm. You think you can fight me? I'm not a demon, little girl. I am something that you can't even conceive. The First Evil. Beyond sin, beyond death. I am the thing the darkness fears. You'll never see me, but I am everywhere. Every being, every thought, every drop of hate.
BUFFY: (loses her patience) Alright, I get it. You're evil. Do we have to chat about it all day?
Not sure if this is a spoiler pic or not, but to be safe I decided to post it here until this episode airs. Have to say, Angel looks quite yummy in this color of a shirt. Also has quite the fancy office I'd say. Looks like he's wearing his hair a bit longer and slicked back. Much better than the real short hair he had by the end of last season.
Re-acceptance into the Council? By whom? They're all dead except for Giles and Wesley! Unless, of course, Giles either didn't know all the facts, or didn't really have a chance to track down any Watchers who may have survived by virtue of not having been at headquarters (for whatever reason).
If this is a "true" spoiler, it'll be interesting to hear just what Roger's "excuse" was for not having been at the Council building when it blew.
Perhaps the writers are taking the tack that the surviving Watchers are trying to reassemble a Council and need every experienced Watcher/demon-fighter that they can get. Hence Roger Wesley's appearance to recruit his sone. You'll notice no one tried to bring Wesley back into the fold while the original Council was extant.
Perhaps the writers are taking the tack that the surviving Watchers are trying to reassemble a Council and need every experienced Watcher/demon-fighter that they can get. Hence Roger Wesley's appearance to recruit his sone. You'll notice no one tried to bring Wesley back into the fold while the original Council was extant.
[shadow=brown,left,300]Gail [/shadow]
Hmmm. Well, unless it's something in which Giles and the others are participants, I'd be very wary of any re-constituted Council. Especially if it's one in which there would be any question of whether Wesley would be entitled to be a member. Otherwise, I'd think there'd be too much room to question their motives in re-forming the Council.
But here's an interesting question. What if the reason there's hesitation on the part of the surviving Council members to have Wesley back on board isn't because they're "evil" (well, maybe not evil, just archaic and sadistic), but because they're afraid Wes is? That might seem to make sense, against the spoiler information.
Interesting. Can't wait to see how it plays out.
Laura
Preghiamo che questo libro e’ mai letto piu’. . .
Che il demonio Molocco e’ mai lasciato piu’ fuori nel mondo.
Post by S'ewing S'cubie on Sept 15, 2003 6:30:12 GMT -5
Laura said:
Re-acceptance into the Council? By whom? They're all dead except for Giles and Wesley! Unless, of course, Giles either didn't know all the facts, or didn't really have a chance to track down any Watchers who may have survived by virtue of not having been at headquarters (for whatever reason).
If this is a "true" spoiler, it'll be interesting to hear just what Roger's "excuse" was for not having been at the Council building when it blew.
We know (because Giles tells us in "Faith, Hope & Trick) that the Watcher's Council has a reatreat in the Cotswolds. We may assume that not ALL the world's Watchers were in the headquarters building at the moment it exploded, since no organization has 100% attendance at any time.
Since there were people who made it through the far more terrible WTC disaster on 9/11 (yes, I know about the difference between this real and horrible disaster and the fictitious one we saw on Buffy) we may also presume the possibility that the comparitively lesser explosion in the headquarters building may have left a few survivors.
Therefore, it isn't too much of a reach to believe that the Council still exists, although perhaps in a badly damaged, weakened form. If the elder Wyndom-Price was one of the survivors, he'd be part of the effort to rebuild the Council, and would be looking for recruits. Wesley, with his education, the fact that he was raised specifically to be a Watcher and the experience he'd gained working for AI, would certainly rank as a distinct possibility, even if he WAS fired.
I think he would be too over the top.
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