Angel, Series 4 Part 2 [2000]

I love it.

With this Season Angel truly became a programme for grown-ups. The story lines are complex and we see the characters go to places - emotionally and physically - that are new and unexpected. Relationships between some of the main characters continue to be strained with the introduction of a Cordy/Angel/Connor triangle, Wes' reintegration into the crew and the disintegration of Fred and Gunn's romance. In some ways these relationships are every bit as important as the season baddies, although the writers have made some great choices there. The ending is surprising and promises another totally original season to come.

To pull off the season story arc the performances from the main players had to be top notch and the actors do a great job - my admiration for Alexis Denisof grows with every season.

From the beginning of Season 2, Angel the Series has pushed it's format, made brave moves and refused to patronise it's audience by serving up monster of the week stories with a happy ending. Season 4 continues this tradition and is a fabulous piece of storytelling. I hope you buy it and give it a try.


Dire   February 9, 2004
57 out of 66 found this review helpful

Boring. Shoddy. Pathetic. Words I never though I'd describe when thinking of the previously dependable Angel. The first half of the season was promising, but I watched in shock as it deteriorated into near parody.

The Jasmine arc is diabolical, with some of the worst dialogue I've ever heard on television; how the actors kept a straight face when working on it is beyond me. As for the "plot" itself, suffice to say that there was so much padding and so many cringeworthy moments, it was an effort to see it through to the end.

And what an ending! Apparently, the writers just totally lost it, concluding the series with an effective pilot for a "new version" of Angel, with the main event being something that would just never happen.

For the very first time, I'm not remotely looking forward to the next season of this previously exciting, intelligent and solid show. I'm sure die-hard fans will continue to heap praise on these videos, but from a more objective standpoint, it's clear that something is very, very wrong with Angel.


Spectacular   November 23, 2003
Apocalypse (Hampshire, England)
6 out of 25 found this review helpful

Wow! This is some season. As you know this is part two of Season Four which is the best Angel Season so far! The Return of Angelus really helps this season, David Boreanaz is amazingly evil, and the death of one of the best and most complex characters leads to the viewer having absoloutly no idea what to expect. However we are priveliged - that really is the only word - to have Eliza Dushku a.k.a Faith back in the fray, if only for three episodes. She injects some much needed ass-kicking into the series and her showdown with Angelus is spectacular. We get even luckier when Alyson Hannigan a.k.a Willow, makes her 3rd appearence in the world of Angel, in order to repeat what she did before, restore Angels soul....
The best episodes include CALVARY, ORPHEUS, INSIDE OUT - the standout episode of the season - and the season finale, HOME which takes the whole series into a new direction and leaves us only anticipating for season five and Angel's 100th episode
The acting is superb - why no Emmys? - especially David Boreanaz as Angelus, Alexis Denisof as Wesley, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia, Amy Acker as Fred and Eliza Dushku as Faith.
Over all a spectacular season, greatly improving on the last with truly awe inspiring storylines and special effects. However if you do plan to buy this I suggest buying Season Four Part One as you are just planted right in the middle of an epic storyline.
All I can say is roll on Season Five....


Amazingly dark, outstandingly good   October 20, 2003
No_Poet (UK)
8 out of 19 found this review helpful

I'm still in shock! This series of Angel is absolutely fantastic! Virtually every episode is a masterpiece, thanks to some really clever twists, a brilliant script and masterful performances from David Boreanaz, Alexis Denisoff and Eliza Dushku. Unusually for an American show, the characters undergo a great deal of change as the episodes progress; the situation becomes ever darker as the horrors Angel Investigations face become more overwhelming. Wesley in particular sets the benchmark for deep, compelling characterisation, as he is the most affected by events.

I have always thought "Angel" was a better series than "Buffy," with much darker subject material and fewer whiny little boyfriend-beating blondes, but Angel series 4 will leave believers and skeptics alike in no doubt that man power has finally triumphed over girl power.


Could this finally put Buffy in the shade? (spoilers)   October 13, 2003
5 out of 47 found this review helpful

I am totally blown away. I couldn't believe what was happening -Connor sleeping with Cordelia and then her getting pregnant! Cordelia turning into a murderer! This is the darker and tougher side of the Angel series that fans have been waiting for, and we have been rewarded for our patience. We saw the re-emergence of Angelus and a welcome visit from a Sunnydale resident. I liked how everything that had happened in previous seasons was explained in this one - Skip having been brought back to this dimension and telling Angel and friends that Cordelia had been made a Higher Being for a specific purpose and that various events had to have been set in motion for that to happen; Fred being sent to Quoratoth, The Host(Lorne) being sent here, Cordelia getting the visions from Doyle and Connor being born......all to bring about a God that would bring about world peace. Wow! The ending was excellent and a great opener for Season 5......I can't wait!