Angel "Judgment" 2x1 Reaction

you're right about the 7th episode of season four and the reveal of the initiative. Hell, that's the title of the episode. haha

Ryan Wilson

Oh please fuck off. I have read every comment on here and the only one being problematic is you. FUCK OFF!!!

Crystal vior

Both Buffy and Angel aren’t known for their premieres. Joss doesn’t like to set up season long arcs in the first episodes. He sort of likes to redefine the main character and their mission. And wrap up the season before. Season 2 premiere of Buffy deals with PTSD over the master. Spike shows up in episode 3 of the season. Season 3 of Buffy she’s in LA the whole time and doesn’t decide to return to Sunnydale until the end of the episode. Faith shows up in episode 3 and the mayor doesn’t show up until a couple episodes later. Season 4 of Buffy is Buffy feeling out of place in college. We don’t get the initiative reveal until episode 7 I believe. This premiere of Angel fits that mold. The point of the beginning of the episode where they go to the gym and save the day is to show that Angel was getting a big head and maybe too full of himself. Killing a “good demon” shook him to his core and was a speed bump that made him realize that the road to redemption isn’t always smooth sailing (the conversation with faith at the end highlights that). Both Angel and Faith are trying to find that redemption and peace of mind. I didn’t especially love this episode the first time I saw it either but I’ve come to really appreciate the message of it. It redefines the mission of Angel going forward. It’s not just kicking ass and taking names. The Darla appearance is a tease as well. But keep in mind going forward that most season premieres on the Whedon shows aren’t going to set up the season arc as much as they will concentrate on their protagonists state of mind.

Ray D

You will come back to this episode and appreciate it for what it's worth after finishing season 2. This season is definitely a full circle sort of season. Every episode no matter how slow it may seem has a rhyme and reason. This episode built off of the last episode with the shanshu prophecy in a rush to Angel getting his reward he made a mistake. I do admit the pregnant woman storyline could have been stronger. Also the scene with Faith was awesome and not just thrown in there. It was a reminder of what this show is about which is redemption.

Crystal vior

AtS is always questioning the soul, and what it means to have one (BtVS tends to assume soul=orientation towards good). In many episodes of S1, we saw humans who chose to do evil for personal gain. In “Judgment,” we see Angel get distracted by the idea of doing good not for the sake of it or even redemption, but for a reward, the Shanshu. When he removes the whiteboard at the end, Wesley understands why, “Of course. Get back to basics: saving one soul at a time.” I think this reminds Angel of Faith, arguably his greatest achievement in saving a soul. Angel and Faith just get each other, and I love the subtle indication that Angel has been visiting Faith when he asks her if the food has gotten better. It’s a scene I never expected, and I appreciate it. Also, Wesley got his own background in the title sequence! Prior to this, his background was Doyle’s (you can even see Doyle’s silhouette). Each character has a background that is supposedly associated with them. Wesley’s background is now images from his books. Love Justina Machado. Hate that they only refer to her as “the pregnant woman” in the episode (she is named Jo in the script). And I guess we don’t care about what happens to her or daughter later? Okay. I guess the mission was getting Angel back on the mission (and not snapping to quick judgment, which Gunn’s side of the episode was also about). I just wish they didn’t have to use an unnamed pregnant woman as a disposable damsel for it.

Rachael

Same.

Rachael

People are explaining their score for the most part to be fair, not giving grief. In the end we don't all hold the same ideas on scoring, I really like the episode and it has nothing to do with any knowledge of the series in the slightest. I prefer these kinds of introductions in series openers for a start. I don't mind the big crazy, hyped up opening episodes sometimes, but they will inevitably just be an instant peak leading to an immediate dip down to normal which is not great. And I like the story in this, and the way things are set up without giving anything away (I thought that originally as well). I always got a real sense of this is the start of something from the very first time. A very high eight would be the lowest I would go personally, but a solid nine is my score unrelated to future knowledge.

MichaelB

Faith, Gunn, and the green guy!

Ryan Pulliam

Which I find is the case for both Angel and Buffy. Joss does his premieres differently than some other show where he deals with what happened in the finale and starts to set up the theme for the season which you often don't know until about you've seen a good portion of the season. I think the key for reactors is just to accept certain things and trust that most of what is included outside of the "main episode plot" foreshadows what is to come.

Quantoto

I was initially shocked with your score, but I had to remind myself that obviously you don't know what's to come and wouldn't be able to understand the set up in this episode. So, I get it. I love this episode. Not my fave this season, but definitely a favorite. I like the story. Gunn is a main character in the credits now. Seeing Faith was excellent. I enjoy the jousting scene and its juxtaposition on the LA streets. We're actually introduced to a lot here, that I think you'll appreciate more after you've seen the season. I personally give this episode a 9. I can't wait for more. :D

Katherine Thoreson

100% agree, Angel and Faith's connection at the end brings a tear to my eye

Daniel R

The Faith stuff at the end gave me legit goosebumps, love how Angel handles all its characters and there's so much more to come. Low-key agree without having any future knowledge about your score, but it does play out in the end. I won't be one of the fans that'll ream you for the low score but there is a lot of subtle set-up for a grander story. Angel is more about long-term storytelling at this point.

Daniel R

As a "Mandy" in real life.... I always appreciate Angel singing "my" song in this episode ;) Earns him a bonus point in my episode scoring haha

Amanda S

The Faith Story Arc

o

I understand why he does the reactions in the order he does, but my question is for the people that are telling him to do it that way. Looking back on season 1 (to avoid potential spoilers), what exactly would he have been spoiled on if he had just done Buffy-Angel-Buffy-Angel? The shows originally aired in that order and and if it is to avoid any issues later, why not just encourage to use the complicated guide when necessary?

Calvin Allen

I think this is probably an episode you'll appreciate more later, after you've watched a few more eps and mull over it a bit. There was definitely set up. Regarding the Faith scene at the end, I think it was a demonstration of Angel's desire to connect with her a little more after all that happened this episode since she is someone else who's struggling to make up for the things that she's done. He kind of sees them as being in the same position and he realizes that he, like Faith, has a potentially long road to redemption.

Stephanie Bedworth

It always hurts to see the vile side of the fandom poisoning the well for everybody else, I'm just happy with whatever Steven puts out.

Daniel R

So just popped in to catch up on your ATS episodes. Wow 3 in one week! Don't know if it's a good thing after watching them, what's up with the trying to rush back to btvs? Didn't you watch a whole bunch this last month? Idk I left to focus on some other reactors tell you got back to ATS but you seem to have lost interest in these three episodes. I hope your able to get back in to it. I don't really watch your btvs reacting but it sounds like from you comments while reacting that the fans over there are pushing you to just watch BTVS? I'm confused and hope I'm wrong. ATS is a great show, but yeah not for everyone.

Misty

If he doesn't like it now, yikes. Kinda like a certain episode in early Supernatural that foreshadowed the entire playing field. If you didn't like THAT episode... :X I haven't seen the reaction yet but from what I gather he didn't particularly like it?

Daniel R

I feel like you missed so much in this episode! There is a lot of set up in this....it's not going to give you everything at once! The karaoke bar being introduced could come into play down the road, the scene with Darla though brief reminds you she is going to become a factor later, and Gunn in the credits suggests more of an expanded role for him as part of the group. I usually understand where you are coming from but not in this case.

Melissa Murphy

Angel tends to have fewer big bads than Buffy. It's still serialized but in a different way. A lot of people prefer it, I still think Buffy is a better show. But this episode is how Angel is going to feel a lot.

Oh wow yeah you're right i knew i had seen her somewhere before, she was Rico's wife right? Can't believe i didn't put that together.

Cameron Rayburn

I think part of this is him feeling rushed through this process, right now, he is trying to get through these two episodes so he can get to Buffy and quite the complaints there. I think this is one when revisited he will differently about, but for now, from what he is seeing, you can't say he is wrong. II could be wrong, just my opinion.

o

Wild! I always considered this premiere sets things up and establishes things really well. Even if you're new and don't know what's coming yet.

SpikesEcho

It was a "Medieval Talisman", a joust of combat is how they settled disputes in Medieval Times. If the talisman were a modern day one (which I would have liked as well, because you could have brought in Wolfram and Hart", that way) it would have been in a courtroom.

o

This episode could have been entitled "Hubris". Twice now, Angel has not listened to Cordy and Wesley and it has been a mistake (The Season finale. when they both told him to go see the Oracles and it cost lives and when he was told to go sing and refused and he killed Angel Jr.) I get your rating, I gave it an 8, from your point of view, but a 10 from my point of view. Remember that the last thing Whedon did was Season 4x22 of Buffy "Restless". Great reaction.

o

That was an actual conversation that David playing Angel had with the horse, it had been a while since he had ridden one.

o

40:00 "The Green Singing Demon" is an "Empath Demon". Like the guy who tried to steal Cordy's new powers in season 1. He doesn't read your mind, he reads your potential of action, he is like google map, he can't tell you if you get there, but what might be the best path to get there

o

aw there's a cute scene over the credits with outtakes of David Boreanaz singing Mandy and u missed it. Check it out!

Rafael Lemus

You have hit a nexus point in several shows, were you are in what is their sweet spot. This is one of them (Buffy/Doctor Who/The Office/Heroes/I think Supernatural/Psych as well, I don't watch those so, someone who does would know better then me), if you continue to stress/rush/panic getting these out, you will miss out on the joy of seeing them/this for the first time. Like everything on the internet, someone is always going to find something that goes against their personal likes. You only have 3 seasons of Buffy left to go through, stop rushing. At some point and time, you are going to be done and then what? This is one of those times were you trying to make everyone happy is going to make you miserable. So do what you got to do, too get people what you think will make them happy, so you can go back to being the Reactor We (I) came to see (you are, I just want you to enjoy, because again, you have rocked this and are not getting enough credit). Ask "AfterShow Reacts" how she felt about being rushed, because she was in the center of doing this and it was unfair to her. Sorry again for it being so long

o

I’m so glad you love the host 🤗 I honestly can’t say this is a notable episode for me in terms of any other thing besides character interaction and introduction. But those parts were excellent. 🥰

Alexis Cardarella

Jo is played by Justina Machado and she played in Six Feet Under and One Day at a Time. Love her

Alexis Cardarella

There is quite a bit of set up in this episode, it just isn't obvious at the moment. I would give the episode a solid 7.

TheyCallMeJeff