What happened to Wesley?

POSTED BY: KMarie
UPDATED: Monday, August 30, 2004 09:36
VIEWED: 9425
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GROUNDED

Sunday, August 22, 2004 11:16 AM

After Kate and Lindsey left in quick succession I think the show lost a certain something. S3 was still largely great of course but I always liked the dynamic they established in the first two years - Angel has his team but he also has 'associates' like Kate and the Host that he can turn to when he needs to.

QUICKSAND

Sunday, August 22, 2004 9:53 PM

Yeah, I agree with you there... the ensemble cast but also the 'others' that reward us if we watch the show every week. Lindsay and Kate early on, then later the Host, and whatsername, the Electric Chick.

Unfortunately, other than Lindsay or Lorne (the Host), the others were vastly underused... if the show isn't going to bring them back, why have them in the first place?

GROUNDED

Monday, August 23, 2004 10:24 AM

Gwen ("the Electric Chick") was a pretty poor character IMO. The worst crime against a recurring character was the utterly, utterly pointless killing off of Merl.

QUICKSAND

Tuesday, August 24, 2004 5:33 AM

Merl was a pretty poor recurring character. If you're going to pick a character to recur, you can do a lot better.

Which is not to say I think all the recurring characters should wear tight leather pants and have lots of cleavage. But, y'know, that can be fun too.

Characters who exist for no reason other than to 'snivel' are a waste of time. See also Willie the Snitch on 'Buffy.' Yawn.

GROUNDED

Wednesday, August 25, 2004 9:51 AM

How can you think Merl is a poor character compared to the robotic Gwen? Dear oh dear ;)

QUICKSAND

Wednesday, August 25, 2004 10:00 PM

Because Gwen a) can throw a punch, and b) has an interesting backstory.

Merl is just a plot device in latex.

GROUNDED

Friday, August 27, 2004 11:34 AM

There's nothing interesting about Gwen's backstory - it's X-men by numbers. Perhaps if they'd given some reason as to why was electric then it might have been a bit more interesting but they basically said 'she's electric...just because'.

Merl was only a plot device because they made him a plot device. Even in his limited role he brought tons of character and humour to the show, which could easily have been expanded upon.

QUICKSAND

Sunday, August 29, 2004 11:59 PM

Valid.

Personally, though, I prefer the ass-kicker. It was during the DVD commentary on "The Train Job" where Joss comments about how he hates those shows where the hero is just so darn SUPER, where they can do everything and anything, a la Indiana Jones.

What he says is interesting, (as the first appearance of Badger plays out) is not THAT guy... but exploring the depths of a character. That is, finding what makes them heroic, but also just how far they can be pushed. How much crap they're willing to take.

Gwen only took so much crap, and would only follow Angel so far. In her limited screen time, it was intereting to ME, to see just how much good she would do, and just how far she would or would not work with Angel and his gang. Conversely, Merl would take crap from an 8-year-old with a lollipop. He's a coward "just because," to use your words.

But that's just me. I'm willing to admit I may have missed something.

GROUNDED

Monday, August 30, 2004 9:36 AM

Every character doesn't have to be heroic...

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