Angel

It’s a tough week here at Team TV Gal as the Buffyverse comes to a (let’s hope temporary) close. "Angel" says goodbye in an episode entitled "Not Fade Away" this Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on the WB. It was a risky move to take Cordelia and Angel out of Sunnydale and plop them into Los Angeles. It was even riskier to have them open a detective agency — the set up simply reeked of corniness. But creator Joss Whedon and his team of show runners and writers made the whole thing work, nicely blending razor-sharp humor (I still giggle every time I think of the term "rogue demon hunter") with ongoing tragedy. Sure sometimes I would get cranky with the series (Justine and Holtz were never my favorite), but I only get mad at the shows I love (if "Less Than Perfect" had a bad episode, you wouldn’t hear a peep out of me).

For "Angel," the real big bad was the fickle network which gave the show four time slots in five seasons (once even abandoning the show in the post "7th Heaven" time slot) and cancelled the series this season despite increased ratings. Over five seasons, David Boreanaz evolved into a dashing and funny leading man cursed to fight his eternal and internal demons while constantly seeking redemption. Boreanaz brought a rare combination of wit and constant pathos to his title character (my pick for Boreanaz’s next career move: headlining a sitcom). As time progressed, series stepped out of the shadow of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and finally came into its own. Smarter than "Smallville," darker than "Charmed," and more humorous than all The WB half-hour sitcoms combined, "Angel" may have been too clever for its own network.

We have the promise of the possibility of a spin-off series (Andrew? Spike? Illyria?) or a TV movie. But for now, as we say goodbye to the series, here are my favorite episodes:

1. "Lullaby (Nov. 19, 2001): There have been many television births, but delivery by staking has got to be a first. The good news for fans was that even though this was the second time Darla had died, the terrific Julie Benz kept reappearing on the series.

2. "I Will Remember You" (Nov. 23, 1999): Angel becomes human and he and Buffy spend the night together without the fear of pesky "perfect happiness" consequences. Then our hero makes the ultimate sacrifice to become a vampire again once he realizes Buffy will die if he stays human. This is probably the best episode of the Buffy/Angel romance and a real tearjerker. Especially when it becomes clear Buffy won’t remember their night together.

3. "Hero" (Nov. 30, 1999): Doyle sacrifices his life to save a group of half-breed demons. It was Glenn Quinn’s finest episode and a legacy of the superb actor that he was. This episode also featured one of my all time favorite lines. Before Doyle dies, he takes his demon form and says to Cordy, "Too bad we’ll never know if this is a face you could learn to love."

4. "Reunion" (Dec. 19, 2000): Demonstrating that Angel can go to a dark, sinister place even when he’s not Angelus, Angel lets the lawyers of "Wolfram & Hart" die at the hands of Darla and Drusilla.

5. "Billy" (Oct. 29, 2001): A terrific episode that allowed Alexis Denisof to shine as Wesley goes all "The Shining" on Fred.

6. "The Trial" (Nov. 28, 2000): Despite Angel’s heroic efforts to save a human and very ill Darla, she accepts her fate and is willing to die. But Drusilla floats in and revamps Darla kicking off one of the series’ most exciting arcs.

7. "Home" (May 7, 2003): Angel and his friends kept their enemies closer in the fourth season finale of "Angel." Back from a hell dimension, the thought-to-be-very-dead Lilah offered Angel Investigations the keys to Wolfram & Hart. The hour could have worked as the series finale. Thankfully, it didn’t.

8. "Destiny" (Nov. 19, 2003): Whedon series are full of surprises, but Lindsay returning after being gone for almost three seasons may have been the best surprise of them all.

9. "Epiphany" (Feb. 27,2001): After Angel sleeps with Darla, he doesn’t lose his soul (even though, as Darla points out, she was a professional) and this provides our hero with the wake-up call he desperately needed. As he tries to make amends with his friends, Cordy reminds him that he hurt her feelings and Kate leaves the series. Too bad for Elisabeth Rohm who was so much better here than she has ever been on "Law & Order."

10. "Calvary" (Feb. 12, 2003): Finally we understood why Cordelia slept with Connor (again, all together now, ewwww) when, in a terrifically creepy moment she stabs Lilah and says, "Why do you think I let him out you stupid bitch?"

11. "There’s No Place like Plrtz Glrb" (May 22, 2001): The second season finale brings Fred to Los Angeles and features the final shot of a plaintive Willow waiting at the hotel to tell Angel that Buffy has died.

12. "Forgiving" (April 15, 2002): After Wesley mistakenly believes a false prophecy, he kidnaps Connor and is left for dead after Justine slits his throat. In "Forgiving," the gang (even Fred) refuses to pardon Wesley for his betrayal.

13. "Damage" (Jan. 28, 2004): You know Andrew is one of my all-time favorite secondary characters of the Buffyverse. And he’s never been more funny or more manly (by 82%) than in this episode.

14. "You’re Welcome" (Feb. 4, 2004): Charisma Carpenter returned and Cordy was back to her deliciously snarky self for the series 100th episode.

15. "Origin" (April 21, 2004): I never thought Vincent Kartheiser had it in him, but he was darn near perfect when Connor comes back to Wolfram & Hart.

What were your favorite episodes of "Angel"? Talk about it on the TV Gal message board.

Quotes of the Week

"This is pretty comfortable. I would have been okay with this." Martin sitting in Frasier leather chair after Frasier finally got rid of Martin’s beloved lounge chair on the series finale of "Frasier."

"We’re glad you’re here, and good luck getting into the after party," Jeff Probst to Johnny Fairplay on "Survivor: America’s Tribal Council."

Question of the Week

If you voted for Big Tom, I would like a short essay explaining why. I’m not judging you (considering my devotion to Boston Rob, how could I?), I just want to understand.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Bill Macy was the dying patient who Abby helped on "ER." He’s probably most familiar because he played Maude’s husband Walter on "Maude."

Eddie Kaye Thomas was the electrical engineer orchestrating the roulette scam on "C.S.I." He is best known for his love of Stifler’s mom in the "American Pie" movies and also stared on The WB’s "Off Centre."

Mark Derwin, Bonnie Hunt’s husband on "Life with Bonnie," was Sam Braun’s lawyer on "C.S.I."

TV Gal reader Shirley was the first to remind me that Tina Majorino, the little girl from movies like "Waterworld," "When a Man Loves a Woman" and "Corrina, Corrina," was Serene, the teenager who believed she had been kidnapped as a child on "Without a Trace." MacKenzie Phillips, Julie on "One Day at a Time," was the woman who claimed to be her birth mother. Arye Gross, Adam on "Ellen," was the adoption agent.

TV Gal reader Jen let me know that Alicia Goranson, who we saw on the series finale of "Sex and the City" and the original Becky on "Roseanne," was the mother wrongly accused and sent to prison for ten years on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"

TV Gal reader Doris recognized Arleen Sorkin, the nurse who helped deliver Daphne and Niles baby on "Frasier," was Calliope Jones Bradford on "Days of Our Lives."

And TV Gal reader Michelle recognized Steve Rhoades, Marcy’s husband David on "Married with Children," as the fake modeling agent on "Everybody Loves Raymond."

Gilmore Girls

Since I have been so critical of my Girls this season (really it was the Rory finds a study tree episode that did me in), I thought I would tell you why my love affair with the show is back:

1. Luke has never been sexier. I love the idea that something clicked in him and he’s finally had his "aha" moment about his feelings for Lorelai. 2. Rory and Dean’s dangerous friendship. This story line is so not safe. To let perennial good-girl Rory pursue an extra-marital affair is a precarious and risky move for the show. This story line is poised to go in a completely unpredictable direction. It takes a brave show to allow its lead character to make questionable decisions and regrettable mistakes. The best kind of protagonists are the ones who do things the audience doesn’t always agree with. 3. The series continues to create fabulous secondary characters. How terrific are Lane’s roommates Zach and Brian? 4. Last week I complained that the show had not developed a viable love interest for Rory this season. Many of you pointed out that this is fairly realistic. Upon reflection, I have to say I agree. Having Rory experience her freshman year sans boyfriend prevented the show from succumbing to the trite conventions of teen dramas. 5. Richard and Emily marital problems. This story line works on so many levels — especially because we are in the dark just like Lorelai and Rory. Raise your hand if you felt betrayed by Richard.

How are you feeling about the "Gilmore Girls" these days?

Highlights of the Week Ahead All times listed are Eastern Time for May 17 to 20

Do you ever think, "Gee, I really wish television had a crime drama that took place in New York City"? Or, "if only there were another TV franchise like ’Law & Order.’"

Well, CBS has answered your pleas. On "CSI: Miami" (Monday, CBS, 10 p.m.), Detective Horatio Caine pays a visit to the city that never sleeps and Detective Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) and Detective Stella Bonesera (Melina Kanakaredes). Horatio’s murder investigation happens to have a Big Apple connection (what a coincidence) and his visit will set up next season’s spin-off of a spin-off "CSI: New York."

Donna’s life hangs in the balance on "The West Wing" (Wednesday, NBC, 9 p.m.).

That’s all for today. But I’ll be back on Thursday with my thoughts on "American Idol," "West Wing," "Joan of Arcadia," and lessons learned from the 2003-04 television season (premarital sex = instant pregnancy). Also coming in May, my picks for the best and worst season finales (which category do you think "ER" falls into?). Have question, seen a familiar face, have an inside scoop or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com by clicking on my byline at the top of my column.