On The Cancellation of Angel

[coalescent]

No cards in the postbox on Saturday, but that didn't matter because I'd already planned to spend this weekend with my one true love: Books. In fact with one particular book, The Knight, a book that I felt I had to set aside a clear 48-hour run for because it's by an author, Gene Wolfe, who is right up there with Bulgakov on the makes-my-head-hurt-ometer. We spent a romantic afternoon in Puccino's just enjoying each other's company. To me, that's what Valentine's day is all about; yes, ideally we should be romantic all year around, but it's all too easy to let things slip, to not spare the time or the money, and it's good to have this excuse to spend quality time with those you care about. The Knight didn't disappoint me, either, since it managed to more-or-less single-handedly reclaim quest fantasy from the hordes of Tolkienesque tomes crowding the bookshelves by providing a spectacularly subtle adventure story and much debate about what gives a thing its reality. Now, that's what I call a committed partner.

But also over the weekend, the news broke that Angel has been cancelled, or more accurately that it will not be renewed at the end of this season. Much as it pains me to say it, I think the decision has come at the right time. Season five is working only in fits and starts, and never spectacularly; ending it now, I have some confidence that they'll pull themselves together for a big finish, and overall these five seasons give the show a kind of internal symmetry (one of vamp detective, three of myth-arc, one of [spoiler]) that I appreciate. Still, it's a weird feeling; another show down, another one bites the dust, and come May it's going to be a big part of my life that suddenly ups and dies. I think, if I can be organised, a series finale party might be indicated.

Comments

[fba.livejournal.com]

To me, that's what Valentine's day is all about; yes, ideally we should be romantic all year around, but it's all too easy to let things slip, to not spare the time or the money, and it's good to have this excuse to spend quality time with those you care about.

Word.

It's nice to see something other than the usual Valentine's Day cynicism.

As for Angel - I mostly agree. I think there are more stories to tell (more so than with Buffy - I'm not at all convinced that S6/7 added anything new) - but it always depends on the team making it and there is a case to be made for saying that the Angel-verse is running out of steam. I still maintain that a period piece following the misadventures of Angelus, Darla, Dru and Spike would be magnificant - but I can't see US TV ever having a show where the protagonists are evil......

[tizzle-b.livejournal.com]

No, no, no.

I'd much rather have swapped Buffy S7 for Angel S6.

Or even Buffy S6 for Dad!Angel spin-off series; "Angel takes on his greatest challenge yet - running a daycare centre full of his own sprogs".

Re:

[coalescent.livejournal.com]

I'd much rather have swapped Buffy S7 for Angel S6.

To be honest, the way things are going I think they'd have been much of a muchness. :-/

Can we start a petition?

[nuttyxander.livejournal.com]

...to support the cancellation of Angel?

I mean I don't mind the situation they've forced the characters into, but they need to have some form of compelling story to make it hang. It feels too much like someone elses toy in the hands of an amateur than the passion of a dedicated few.

Right there with you on the valentines front, my mum acted genuinely surprised when I told her I didn't get a card, which was the most touching event of the weekend.

Though nothing can compare to a Gene Hackman double bill for passion...

Reverend Frank Scott: Please GOD NOT this woman.
Ah, the Poseidon Adventure, Irwin Allen's finest, not to mention the pleasure of the subway scene in The French Connection.

What time in May? I might just be in the area... bike adventures dependent.