Seeking advice: How to watch Buffy/Angel DVD's?

POSTED BY: Succatash
UPDATED: Saturday, September 11, 2004 05:40
VIEWED: 10923
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SUCCATASH

Sunday, March 21, 2004 2:46 AM

What's the best way to watch the Buffy and Angel DVD's?

I did a fair amount of searching without luck. I have a question.

Let's say a person bought the Buffy seasons 1-4 DVD box set, and also the Angel DVD's seasons 1-3.

At what point should I start switching between the two shows? So far, I'm just starting to watch Buffy season 3.

I understand that for a while, Angel aired right after Buffy on WB. I'd like to follow the continuity that the shows were aired on tv. I want to watch the entire story the way it was presented.

So I must ask, what's the best way to watch Buffy & Angel on DVD?

Thanks! To anyone who can answer.

PHLEBOTININ

Sunday, March 21, 2004 3:26 AM

Succatash,

You're in for a real treat with Buffy/Angel. It's a fabulous universe....And there is a definite order you should follow:

A. Watch Buffy seasons 1-3 first. (Angel hasn't aired at that point; indeed, Angel is a character in Buffy the show for Buffy seasons 1-3.)

B. Beginning with Buffy season 4, start watching Angel season 1. The best way is to watch an episode of Buffy, then Angel, then Buffy, etc. That's the way they were aired. You'll note lots of crossover references and actual crossovers between the two shows during Buffy seasons 4-5 and Angel seasons 1-2. After that, Buffy went off to UPN to do seasons 6 and 7, and Angel stayed with the WB.

Have fun.

LINDLEY

Sunday, March 21, 2004 3:28 AM

Angel season 1 is concurrent with Buffy season 4.

To get it absolutely in continuity, alternate between the shows, with Buffy 4x01 before Angel 1x01.

However, that will only be beneficial during the first year of overlap. Starting with Angel season 2/ Buffy season 5, there's very little shared ground between the shows.

PHLEBOTININ

Sunday, March 21, 2004 3:33 AM

Heh, Lindley said what I did in far fewer words. However, I'd add one thing to Lindley's advice: even though Buffy and Angel as shows start to diverge widely beginning with Buffy season 5 and Angel season 2, there are still slim threads of continuity that run through. Continuing to progress through the shows concurrently, while not necessary, can be satisfying. Many of the people who worked on Buffy also worked on Angel and thematically the shows sometimes specifically echoed each other or contrasted interestingly with each other.

SUCCATASH

Sunday, March 21, 2004 3:47 AM

Hey, that's exactly the answer I was looking for.

THANKS a lot!

-------------------

I must say it's not easy for a grown man to admit he's a huge Buffy fan. I used to scoff at the show, way before Firefly, before I knew about Joss.

My friend liked it because his girlfriend made him watch it. I used to laugh at him. He talked me into watching an episode, and my first experience with Buffy was seeing some foam Shark Head guy out in a cemetary. I laughed and said, "Man, this show is for kids!"

My friend tried to tell me that I hadn't exactly watched the best scene in Buffy. He told me I need to watch a little more.

I didn't listen. I occasionly glimpsed parts of Buffy, along with Xena, Hercules and Stargate as I skimmed the TV channels on bored Saturdays. I knew who Buffy was, but I didn't care.

Then Firefly came along, and I learned all about Joss Whedon. I gave Buffy and Angel another try and I realized very quickly that both shows are excellent. No matter your age or gender.

I've become very addicted to the "Buffyverse."

I... think I need help.

SUCCATASH

Sunday, March 21, 2004 4:02 AM

I've already seen most of Buffy season 7 and I was very interested in Caleb and the ending.

I caught Gina Torres in Angel but I didn't understand enough. Since then, I've been extremely hooked on this season of Angel.

It's been really fun to see Buffy, Angel and Spike all meet, in the "good ol' days." Also, I think Miss Calendar is sexy.

Even though I know how Buffy ends, it's fun to see how everybody got there.

PHLEBOTININ

Sunday, March 21, 2004 4:08 AM

Succatash, don't be embarrassed about being addicted to the Buffy/Angelverse! If anyone gives you grief, just point to the astounding number of serious academic books, articles and conferences that have been written and still are being written about Buffy in particular.

Academic love for Buffy (and Angel) is a fascinating phenomenon. It's different from the usual pop culture analysis stuff because the analysis is less about why people are watching these shows and gives more than usual serious thought to the shows themselves -- their deep philosophical themes and layers upon complex layers of metaphor and character development. And intelligence. Yes, intelligence in supposedly "teen fluff" shows.

Of course, the shows are damn fun to watch and can be appreciated on a purely superficial level. But even if the academic stuff doesn't interest you, I'll say this: they stand up to repeated viewings more than pretty much everything I've ever seen. You'll be watching a season six episode of Buffy and suddenly it'll dawn on you, oh, that's what was being hinted at so very subtly during that one scene in that episode of season two. There are many, many examples of this in both Buffy and Angel. Too bad Firefly wasn't allowed to develop as Buffy and Angel have. Damnit. But maybe if the we luck out with Serenity.....

Okay, maybe I need help, too. But all of us who are addicted to the Buffy/Angel 'verse are in excellent company, let me tell you.

LINDLEY

Sunday, March 21, 2004 4:37 AM

I'm actually in the same situation. I used to have zero interest in B/A.

After FF, I tried Angel. Wasn't exactly hooked, but liked it well enough.

So I tried Buffy. Seen the first two seasons so far. Pretty close to complete hookage now.....

For the record, Stargate is also a great show that's well worth seeing. (The DVD sets are phenomenally cheap at Amazon.ca.)

I've only caught little bits of Herc/Xena, but my impression was of shows that, while possibly entertaining, aren't terribly deep.

SUCCATASH

Sunday, March 21, 2004 4:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by phlebotinin:
Of course, the shows are damn fun to watch and can be appreciated on a purely superficial level. But even if the academic stuff doesn't interest you...

I have to admit so far I've been enjoying it for the dialogue and relationships and superhero action. And plot twists. I look forward to what happens next.

I haven't seen it enough to say, "Hey, that's the same vase of roses that appeared in ep. 2!" But I'm sure the audio commentaries will help.

Maybe Universal will offer Joss a Buffyverse movie contract as part of the deal for doing Firefly sequels too.

11THHOUR

Sunday, March 21, 2004 5:02 AM

How to watch Buffy/Angel DVD's...

All lights off,
naked,
slathered with Vaseline,
brand new tub of Red Vines at your side.

Enjoy!

11thHour

__________________________________________________________

"But she was naked... and all articulate." - Malcolm Reynolds

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