Angel

David Boreanaz, James Marsters, Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, J.August Richards, Andy Hallett, Christian Kane, Sarah Thompson, Adam Baldwin, Juliet Landau, Julie Benz, Charisma Carpenter

All good things must come to an end - eventually - but in the case of the WB’s “Angel”, someone was still breathing when he was put in the box.

Prematurely axed - which the network later regretted, apparently - the “Buffy” spin-off really hit its stride in the last couple of years, with the final season showing more promise than a pinkie-swearing Godfather. OK, it was clear that the series did need a little jazzing up in places, but compared to a lot of other junk on TV - hello reality programmer! - it was still a beast with promise.

Skipping the background info and zapping straight into the final series synopsis, “Angel : Season 5” sees out favourite detectives (led by brooding, no-longer bloodsucking, soulful vamp Angel) changing gears and taking over the workplace of their one-time adversary, Wolfram and Hart. The gang see it as a chance to offer their help on a much grander scale, but once it becomes clear that the ‘senior partners’ have an ulterior motive in offering them free shelter, they’re stuck in a pretty fickle situation.

The biggest, and possibly best, addition to the series this season is the incorporation of former “Buffy” regular, Spike (James Marsters) - who makes a surprise appearance at the end of the first episode. Naturally, he and ol’ buddy Angel have a run-in’s, resulting in a good welcome chuckle. “Angel” isn’t without it’s gloom though, and things do take a slightly more staid turn towards the show’s final arc.

It may have been given the chop when it didn’t deserve it, but at least Fox is sending it off in style. There are seven superb commentaries on the disc - ranging from the technical to just plain amusing - as well as a bunch of varied featurettes, including funny outtakes, a piece on the stunts, a ‘best of Angel’ tribute and a bit on the “Smile Time” episode.

Long live “Angel”.