That would be amazing! Can we make this the missed opportunties thread? Because I've always wondered by no Vampire ever tried to Sire a slayer. Wouldn't a slayer vampire be extra strong? Plus their vamp-psychology would be pretty interesting.

6) Yeah, I generally agree with Noel for the most part, but on this point I feel like he's way off. The scene works as an important reminder that Spike is still atoning for his past, despite how cocky he can be at times. In that moment, I think those two really see the value in having each other around, since there's…

In 6 minutes you will have seen one of his best, though it is ideally viewed in a movie theatre: http://www.youtube.com/watc…

@LurkyMcLurkerson:disqus  Just to throw a wrench in your theory, I have a pretty bad relationship with my mother, and Joyce has always been one of my dream moms (along with Laurelai Gilmore and now Patricia Clarkson in Easy A. My mom is more of an Emily Gilmore, but without all the money).

But I'm pretty sure Welcome to Hellmouth and The Harvest were originally aired together as a 2 hour pilot.

Well, going about ensouling Vampires opens up a whole can of ethical worms, since you're basically creating a new species. A Vampire with a soul is NOT human. It is immortal save for a few ways to kill them, and will crave human blood for the rest of their days. Angel, Spike (and now Harmony) fight their urges, but…

Actually, I'm pretty sure Noel is referring to "Smile Time", as he pointed out some forshadowing to it last week as well (Angel referring to himself as a puppet or something).

@avclub-5fdbaa11bd42c308322756f60f43785f:disqus  It does make some kind of sense that she would go from working with the homeless to working at a thrift store.

@avclub-cfe912f5cb3aa572bd1c9ae2a9b82207:disqus Any chance you can post a link to your previous remarks on Allen/Polanski? I'm weirdly sympathetic to those to, and it sounds like you might be too.

Why does no one like, Kinsey again? I'm sure he said a few assinine things, but no more than any other male character on this show. I remember being charmed by his Orson Wellesiness.

yeah, except I've met a few people with degrees who are petty, self-absorbed, and uninsightful. I don't have trouble believing Betty could memorize facts and write a decent paper once in a while.

Gene Parmesan on the other hand….

In this case, no, but that's because it seems that most people here in Canada don't seem to remember this show. I should've had more faith in my beloved avclub to know what's up.

There was a Canadian CBC single camera sitcom called The Newsroom. It was pretty decent, and seemed kinda ahead of it's time with the deadpan documentary style format (I'm sure there were shows like this before The Office, Arrested Development, etc, but I'm straining to come up with some)
http://www.youtube.com/watc…

To your second point, I agree. I think the Shanshu prophecy is a nice little allegory for the Christian belief in Heaven, and the idea that good deeds in this life will be rewarded in the next. As discussed many times here, Angel's philosophy is much more existential humanist.  That good deeds are their own reward…

Yeah, I'll agree from a story perspective, it was definitely right that Spike won. It's a good character builder for Angel, and really feeds into his conflicting feelings about Wolfram & Hart, and whether he's on the right path.

So am I the only one still rooting for Angel?
It's not that I don't like to watch Spike. He's hilarious. But I just have trouble taking him seriously. I just don't see him as a hero for the reasons described in the episode. He did it all to win a girl. I have this feeling like ensouled Spike would just as easily act im…

@persia2:disqus Yes, yes it does. It's a nice little nod to continuity actually.

Yeah, I'm torn on this too. I think he had the perfect exit, and although he wasn't exactly redeemed, he existed in this wonderful grey area that Angel is so good at. I'm watching along with the reviews right now, and it's been so long I don't exactly remember how it all plays out, but Lindsey seems more straight-up…

I like this reading. It's been a long time since I've watched season 9, but I remember thinking distinctly that George was suddenly "out of it".