lonelybrit | Initial reactions to Angel Finale (Reply)

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! :)