Initial reactions to Angel Finale

[lonelybrit]

Firstly, hats off to Joss, ME, the cast, the crew, everyone who had a hand in that final ep. I love this show. Thank you.

Next. Me being me, I'll say what I disliked first, and then move onto the many, many things that I loved in this episode.

So, concerning the first part of that plan... Mainly just one reaction. It comes from reading the reviews. If it plays out better on screen, I will be more than happy to eat my words...


Why, why, why, why *why, does it always have to be about Fred?

I like the girl, I do. I respect her for surviving what she did, for having brains, for facing her fate still trying to fight, etc etc.

I'm just not sure I like the message that Wes' life really wasn't worth living anymore because he had lost her. Yes, he loved her. But in the past, he also loved Lilah and Angel and Cordelia and Gunn and Connor... Some of them died. Others abandoned him. Others tried to kill him. And while he was gutted at the time, he did always in the end get back up and continue fighting. Something which has always been most admirable.

Looking at people's reactions to the episode, I'd say that killing off Wes was a good move. People are upset, they are crying, they do care about this character. It certainly helped the finale pack the emotional punch it should have. So kudos to the writers for not flinching away from doing what it takes. But I hope it was meant to be a tragedy, not some kind of Romeo and Juliet kind of 'we'll always be together' type of ending.

The real tragedy of Wes is not that he lost Fred. It is not a happy ending that he got to die and therefore escape this harsh life. The tragedy is that he died whilst feeling so low, before he got the chance to put himself back together. Which he would have done. He had already started in some ways.

Connor. I love this kid. Loved him coming back like that. His line about coffee and end of the world? LOL! Yeah, I wish we had more time to see these two get reaquainted. As it is, I love their last couple of lines. The SP's can't destroy Angel as long as Connor is safe. Angel may be dust in a short while, but as far as he's concerned, as long as he knows his kid is out there, he's already won. *sniff*

I don't get why Angel let Harmony go. She's evil. She should have been staked. Ah well. He always did have a soft spot for blondes. And I guess he was kinda busy at the time.

Oh, and another gripe. *sigh* Why did we have to have that wretched black poloneck back? Shirts are good. I like the shirts. Especially the blue ones. Yes I am that shallow :)

Spike. Poetry. I'll say no more. Brilliant.

Lorne. Give that guy respect. He's not a killer or fighter, and he knows it. He played his part, and then he walked away. Ouch.

Gunn. Ohhhh... I fell in love with this character this season. Flawed but with a very, very good heart. He goes out the way he should, true to form. Only ten minutes, at best. And he's damn well going to make those ten minutes mean something. If I could get away with saying 'He's the man', I would :)

Right. Crawling back into my bubble of denial now, and waiting for ats_nolimits to spin their way out of this Wes-less universe.

**cries**


ETA: Just thought I'd post this little quote from thebratqueen.

Wes was ready to die. He'd taken on a lot of damage over the years and I think he knew he didn't have that much more left to give to the battle. His final moments were fighitng for Angel, and getting affirmation that he'd managed to touch Illyria somehow. That's what mattered to him, so it was a good closure for him to get.

Which isn't to say he couldn't come back like pretty much everyone else who's died on the show ;)

**points at last line** That'll do me. Oh, and head over to justhuman's LJ, she's also done a little fanfic that I just adore :)

















eloise_bright and others. Stay unspoiled. It is so damn worth it! :)

Comments

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

So..... you're okay? With the Wes, being erm..... drinking margaritta's with Doyle, Darla, Anya, Joyce and Cordelia in that big bar in the sky?

[lonelybrit]

Hmm. You know how people say 'I cried when...' etc etc.

Read the reviews. I actually, for real, did start to seriously tear up.

And then I ran away, read archived Protocol, came back, finished reading.

Am... not okay. But I'll survive. This is where fanfic really comes into its own :)

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

Well, If it makes you feel better, Ive been tearing up at some of the reviews too, and I had a good cry when I read the summary, are you going to GP's for the British Finale? I need someone to pass me the kleenex....

[lonelybrit]

When is the date for the British Finale?

I've I'm here, then hell yes. I'd love to come.

Although... seriously. You guys will be needing to hold me by the end! Have you seen the screencaps over at wisteria_'s LJ? Yeah, it is the hated black poloneck. But still... my sweet boy...

**sniffle**

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

Its the 8th Of June, as its the week of the convention, Im going to stay with her on the Wednesday too before heading up to your's on the Thursday, we're thinking slumber party for the finale.... ABM's going too.

It'll be the first time I see it, so I'll be all *sob* especially when Wes, well, you know, and Angel tells Connor as long as he's okay, they cant beat him, and Spike's 8 mile moment, gah, im tearing up again!

[lonelybrit]

Right. I'll twist a few arms, see what I can do. I should be able to make it.

Connor and Angel made me cry. But in a good way. It was kinda beautiful, real father and son stuff.

Wesley... just heartbreaking...

*cries*

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

I had a look at the screen caps, and yay! Connor has David Cassidy hair again! A sure sign he's edging back to his crazy ass self! :)

Right, need to go do some work, talk to you later.

[theferretgirl.livejournal.com]

I have d/l-ed the ep, and shall now watch it.




Please hold my hand?

[lonelybrit]

**clings to you like a limpet**

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

[theferretgirl.livejournal.com]

*Soooooob*

*Throws tantrum*

Okay, I'm okay now.

......

*SOB!*

[dodyskin.livejournal.com]

Why, why, why, why *why, does it always have to be about Fred?

I don't think it is about Fred at all. I think it's all about Wes. He 'loved her before he even met her' and that. When she died, really, he did. All the rest of it bent him but she was the straw that broke the watchers back. Or something.

::wails::

::sobs::

::scares the living snot out of her SO::

::wails louder::

[lonelybrit]

Aw. **hugs you**

When I say 'Why does it have to be about Fred', I meant 'For Wesley, why does everything have to revolve around Fred'. Though actually, I kinda like the 'straw that broke the Watcher's back' analogy. That works surprisingly well for me.

Personally, the big love in Wesley's life was Angel. He literally gave his life for that man-pire. Might not be the kind of head-over-heels, roses-and-chocolate love that he had for Fred, but it was pretty damn powerful.

God I need a drink.

**wails**

[dodyskin.livejournal.com]

Personally, the big love in Wesley's life was Ange
Oh yeah, that I'm not denying. In fact it kind of supports this theory, Wesley loved Angel, not an ideal of him ( although he did go through the fanboy bit), that was true love. Fred was love of an ideal, an object, a goal. Fred was his ambition, Angel was his love. You can't blame overachieving Wesley for getting the two confused.

[dodyskin.livejournal.com]

::cracks open a Stella::
::passes you the cider::

Let's get dirty drunk and inappropriately erotic.

[lonelybrit]

Very true. Wesley has seen Angel at his worse, and vice virce. And yet they still found their way back together and despite everything, were still friends when they went into battle. That speaks of a very, very deep friendship. A rare thing.

I feel sorry for Fred. Wesley loved the ideal of her, what he thought she represented. He didn't realise, although she in the end did, that he didn't love her for being just Fred.
'Would you have loved me in the end?'
Ouch.

**takes a swig of cider**

I like the way you think :)

[dodyskin.livejournal.com]

Word

::skips straight to the maudlin segment of tonight's binge::

Wesleeeeeeeeeeeeeey

[lonelybrit]

Season 2, Couplet.
WESLEY:
Angel, - you're the reason we've all come together. It's your mission which animates us. We each contribute, it's true, but you - you're unique.

**weeps and raises cider glass**

You were unique too, dear Wes. So very, very unique...

[gingerpig.livejournal.com]

'tis in the post, winging it's way to you as I type xxx

[lonelybrit]

Oh God.

*deep breath*

I can do this...

**hugs** Thank you! :)

[gingerpig.livejournal.com]

pm for you at caritas xx

[lonelybrit]

**kisses you**