Shows to Get Hooked By

[jdotmi]

Once upon a time, I started compiling a list in my head of episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that one could show to an unsuspecting individual and probably hook them instantly. I would try to think of episodes that you don't really need a lot of context for because they either are fairly stand alone or they have such a great punch that context is sorta secondary to the greatness of the episode.

I've been trying to do the same thing with Angel lately and it's not quite so easy. You really really need context for the best episodes in that show. Heck, you really need to watch two and three at a time in some cases to really get the full impact of the show.

This is a tentative list. I don't know for sure on some of these, and there may be some I've missed. But I've been watching so much Angel lately that it's been coming to mind a lot. :-p This could be fodder for a "Best of Angel" marathon party at my place at some point.

Season 1
"Rm w/ a Vu"
"Somnambulist"
"I've Got You Under My Skin"
"Five by Five"
"To Shanshu in L.A."

Season 2
"Are You Now or Have You Ever Been"
"Dear Boy"
"Darla"
"Reprise" (context helps)
"Epiphany" (context helps)

Season 3
"Heartthrob"
"Fredless"
Everything else that's really really good this season really really needs context.

Season 4
"Supersymmetry"
"Apocalypse, Nowish" (context helps)
"Orpheus" (context helps)
"Peace Out" (context helps... a lot...)
"Home" (context helps... a lot...)

Season 5
"Damage" (context helps a little, you should know how "Chosen" ends on Buffy)
"You're Welcome"
"Smile Time"
"A Hole in the World"

Comments

[emerald-ibis.livejournal.com]

I think that these are rather universal. When I was trying to get a friend of mine hooked, I used...well, lots of these. "Hush" was the first one I showed her, I think. This was closely followed by "School Hard" (because everyone is powerless against the Spike) and "Fool for Love."

[jdotmi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think the introduction of Spike and Dru marked a major turning point for the direction of the series. These were villains you could, to a point, relate to. Makes it that much more intresting.