Angel 1x22 - "To Shanshu In L.A." Reaction (Season Finale)

[@undertakerpunk]

12:53 "Are you Family?" "YES!" that always warms my heart rewatching this episode!

[@victorsixtythree]

And Cordelia at 22:09 - "Don't be embarrassed. We're family!"

[@tsukigalleta]

And Cordy's "Don't be embarrassed, we're family" when she's giving him the blood.... The perfect connection to that moment

[@frakkintoasterluvva7920]

To Shanshu in LA = To Live and Die in LA

[@Aaron-fg3ww]

FrakkinToaster Luvva it was many years later that I finally put that together.

[@victorsixtythree]

I was thinking shouldn't it be "To Live and Shanshu in L.A."? until I got to the end of the episode.

[@lvis11tj7]

Fantastic information to pass along

[@KayEmCee92]

Ah I get it ;)

[@TheCrippledEgg]

Wow Didn't know that until now. Neat

[@tsukigalleta]

"I'm gonna get you back. I need you back". They've come a loooong way to reach this point. Did you ever imagine a scene like that one between these two characters when they were in Buffy? I just love both of them so much!

[@WillowfromBuffy]

"You can't make me love Wesley and then take him away." Joss giveth and Joss taketh away.

[@windowsVD]

Yup, I mean remember Doyle? Though I understand that was more due to on-set drama with the actor, but still.

[@williamkirkland2222]

cocaine is a hell of a drug

[@ahumanbeingfromtheearth1502]

@@windowsVD actually killing off doyle towards the end of season 1 was always the plan, the on set drama just caused them to do it earlier than planned

[@Tony-fq5bn]

There are two times in this show that WES DEF shoulda died but didn't. An explosion that big def shoulda killed Wes, the other time he DEF shoulda died comes in S3

[@antonbrakhage490]

I'm glad that they kept bringing Julie Benz (Darla) back. One of the best actors on the show, in my opinion, but I don't think that she really had a chance to show it on Buffy.

[@martelldave7169]

Captain Phoenix she’s a great actress

[@Xehanort10]

Darla died more than any other character in the show I think. She died as a human when the Master turned her, Angel killed her in Buffy Season 1, Drusilla turned her back into a vampire when Wolfram and Hart's plan to bring her back as a human to torment Angel and make him turn her into a vampire again so the syphilis she had as a prostitute didn't kill her and then finally she staked herself to give birth to Connor.

[@julia.sara1]

Please dont say “kept”, I understand you didnt mean to, but it kinda spoils it for me because “kept” means multiple times, and shes only been brought back once as of right now. Thanks!

[@Davidscomix]

@@julia.sara1 well it's too late now

[@julia.sara1]

@@Davidscomix I know

[@awarriorstill]

I loved the reaction to Wes ending up in the hospital. It's pretty amazing what half a season can do, cause when he first showed up you literally had to pause the show you were laughing so hard. And poor Cordy, it is always horrible seeing her like that. I also think there are some interesting similarities between what happened to Cordy and what happened to Buffy back in the episode Earshot, the one where she became telepathic. They both came in contact with an evil demon, the result of which was that they were forced to feel the pain and suffering of others, although Cordy's was obviously far worse, and they both came out of their ordeals with more empathy for people. I thought it was a neat little parallel.

[@markfudge5642]

Oh Darla, the queen of my dark heart.

[@NicoAngelus]

I forget how good this season finale is, maybe because it isn't as amazing as a typical Buffy finale, but it's such a good episode. Charisma Carpenter was really convincing, you really hurt for Cordy.

[@Tony-fq5bn]

The thing about Buffy finale's is that the whole season would be building to them. Angel was always going in weird directions. Like, the Season Finale's pretty much never end with a big face off against a Season long Big Bad. This season there really was no hint at a Big Bad other than Wolfram and Hart, but in S2, S3, and S4 there are multiple times where like, the story you expect to last through the Season, end very unexpectedly and the storyline progresses much differently than you expect.

[@anatoldenevers237]

@@Tony-fq5bn The only time Angel ends with a final battle against a Big Bad is season 5 I think

[@April7739]

Can’t wait to see you react to season 5 of Buffy and season 2 of Angel. I think both shows were top notch during these seasons.

[@mutantanemone]

YAAAASSS been waiting for this one! One of my favorite episodes in the entire series. Cordelia was so good, Angel telling Kate off was so good, Lindsay losing his hand was so good, the surprise at the end was so good... it's all so good!

[@LoungingPotato]

Ah, yes--the episode I started shipping Angel and Cordelia. I love the writers for giving Cordelia the visions; it *really* provides a lot more development for her as a person.

[@norasmith2474]

I remember legitimately screaming when the building blew, when Angel cut off Lindsey's hand and when Darla was revealed when this first aired. I was a dramatic teenager

[@Tony-fq5bn]

"dramatic teenager" thats redundant lol

[@goeltrolden]

"Way to disarm him..." 😂😂👌🏻👌🏻 perfection. And so quick!

[@echalone]

that was really good, I looked for that comment just because I knew it had to be there xD

[@elizabethdicewielder7689]

“Don’t believe everything you’re foretold.” Yeah, Wesley. Don’t.

[@mayadargeon2172]

What do you mean ?

[@elizabethdicewielder7689]

@@mayadargeon2172 “The father will kill the son” led to major shenanigans in season 3 because Wesley believed it and it was totally fake

[@mayadargeon2172]

@@elizabethdicewielder7689 oooooh, yeah, right !

[@spangelicious837]

Oh Wesley: You think you know who you are, what's to come. You haven't even begun.

[@razycrandomgirl]

20:38 "way to disarm him." LMAO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, I love watching these reactions. I think I cry most every time you do.

[@CarlosHuiskens]

Can't wait for you to react to Buffy S5 and Angel S2. Its going to get wicked.

[@JaymaFan]

AAaaaaahh!!!! Season 2 is my favourite!! I can't wait for you to see it!

[@frakkintoasterluvva7920]

kristiina It is my favourite season, too.

[@StalKalle]

Mine too, except what happens to Angel.

[@corystanish]

"Disarm him" LOL good one

[@mrvlgrl]

can you even believe how much you care about Cordy and Wesley now?

[@danwiesdamageinc]

You love Wesley since he's changed? Darla is back.... hold on to your seat. Season 2's story-line with Darla is my favorite part of the series until season 5.

[@blankbitofpaper]

Alexis denisof is actually Thanos minion that is killed by Ronan in Guardians 1 too.

[@victorsixtythree]

I forgot about Bernard from Lost!

[@tedkord1968]

I envy you watching this and Buffy for the first time. Such great shows.

[@TheTitanList]

2 fun facts: dude who plays as Lindsay, originally auditioned for the role of Riley on Buffy. though, they said he was too "dark" for the role. fact #2: the cast's of Buffy and Angel said that when they were on set with the actress for Darla, she was so talented, it was like being back in acting school.

[@yosrab95]

The Titan List i read that too, he was unconvincing as Riley + no chemistry with Sarah Michelle Gellar, so they offered him the role of Lindsey on Angel

[@frakkintoasterluvva7920]

They rejected him for not having chemistry with SMG, but then they cast Marc Blucas?! LOL LOL LOL

[@TheTitanList]

after watching him in The Librarians (good show btw!), i think they didn't give him a fair chance

[@terpcj]

It sort of betrays my age (yeah, like I don't on my own) that I always read this title as To Live and Die [aka Shanshu] in L.A. -- it was a movie in the 80s and a really good title.

[@flee4342]

Did no one else notice everyone just stepping over Cordy while she was screaming?

[@yannas1242]

Thats people for ya. Heartless

[@dancingjoy0788]

Ah the return of Darla....things are about to get VERY interesting.

[@Tony-fq5bn]

The stroyline that kicks off with Darla's return is probably toe most epic yet tragic storyline I've seen played out on TV like that. To me, seasons 2,3 and 4 all feel like one long amazing crazy season

[@rachelespiritu4215]

I think the best part of this is that... Angel doesn't win. I mean sure, he kills Vocah, but he's just another random flunky in the grand scheme. At the end of every season of Buffy, she beats the Big Bad. The Master, Angelus, Mayor Wilkins, Adam, Buffy always saved the day. But in To Shanshu in LA, W&H succeeds in killing the oracles, the succeed in raising the beast, and they even destroyed Angel Investigations to boot. Team Angel barely breaks even, narrowly escaping with their lives, and W&H keeps right on going.

[@antonbrakhage490]

Vocah lost, obviously, because he's dead, and failed to completely sever Angel from the Powers That Be. Wolfram and Hart arguably won, because they achieved their primary objective (raising Darla) at relatively low cost. Not an absolute victory, but they're in a stronger position against Angel than they were at the start of the season, or the start of the episode.

[@Tony-fq5bn]

I don't think a single one of the finales have a truly happy ending. Spoilers S2-Comes closest with the silly Pylea arc, But they come back to the real world and BAM Buffy's dead. S3 Connor sinks Angel to the bottom of the sea S4 they DO defeat Jasmine, but in doing so they make everyone really depressed and unhappy including Conor who Angel basically has no choice but to "kill" S5 they end on a suicide mission lol

[@anatoldenevers237]

@@Tony-fq5bn So close in season 2 with Pylea and Fred's introduction, but no, Joss had to end it like that. Of course

[@blacktronlego]

I so wanted to give you a hug when you were worried about Wesley, your face is almost as expressive as Alyson Hannigan's!

[@talynstarburst2l2l2l]

“They can’t make me like Wesley and then take him away” Your concern for Wes is so adorable here.. he is such a fine character that grows on you 😊

[@daghettoghost5539]

Well that makes perfect sense Jeremy Renner Sean Gunn and it’s a Joss Weeden show who years later ended up directing two avengers movies

[@AngelusNZ]

@22:20 cracked up when the Boom Mic drops into scene.

[@frogurtcremebrulee5252]

Doctor: “Are you family?” Angel: “YES!”

[@mrspidey80]

Cold? It's almost 30 degrees here! Oh right, there's that bit where Earth is round and tilted...

[@apulrang]

Fantastic reaction as always. It was fun to rewatch too. So many great Angel moments packed into one episode. And then ... Darla! As soon as I saw the box, I remembered!

[@trollingmermaids]

Honestly feel like Angel season 1 is so strong overall & season 2 is even better, can't wait! :)

[@staceyjess8712]

The microphone dropping into shot at 22:22 cracked me up for some reason.

[@nodiggity4283]

I mean I guess I can see Dr Doom but I always got a Phantom of the Opera vibe with the cloak and stuff. I actually like that Lindsey went back to Wolfram and Hart and is still one of them. I think we got a lot of people at Angel investigations atm. But if Angel investigations ever needs a "hand" then maybe Lindsey can offer one :D

[@StalKalle]

I saw Death myself, especially with the scythe.

[@littlefox7694]

6:50 i say that exact phrase with that exact tone to my parents every time we watch Angel! 😂

[@Tekkarath]

LOL They said 'we did a CAT scan' yeah right, with her flailing around like that? I'm dying here.

[@lkw7482]

Wow. I knew the total, sudden shock of the building exploding was coming - and THAT was one hell of a reaction. But how worried you were for Wesley I didn't quite see coming. (It maybe surprised you, too?) And poor Cordelia.... For an episode which starts out quietly, this turns out to be quite huge. And it is heartwarming to see the three of them back together by the end, worse for the wear but understanding just how close they are. Great reaction, episode and season, ASR!

[@WoncoTheSane]

More Buffy and Angel reactions! Faster faster. Unbind! Unbind! Unbind! (kidding) Great job on season one. Thanks for all your hard work. (and on a tempermental computer to boot)

[@beth7456]

And joss whedon directed avengers assemble and age of ultron!!

[@frakkintoasterluvva7920]

Beth ! And wrote them, too.

[@nightwhelmed]

No, Wes needed to read the whole passage for it to work. The word Unbind wasn't enough on its own ^^

[@timolee]

yasssss darla!!!!! omfg she did not deserve to die season 1 of buffy and seeing her interact with dru/spike in season 2 would have been everything but especially would have loved an interaction with angelus

[@jjpe306]

Buffy herself is heavily influenced by Kitty Pryde.

[@KayEmCee92]

Welcome darla Let the mind fucking commence.

[@prisonerofcapitalism]

Okay, "Don't steal that... That's not yours," might be the cutest reaction ever.

[@victorsixtythree]

3:08 - that's not Doctor Doom. That's the Phantom of the Opera.

[@1nelsondj]

So nice of Lindsey to lend Angel a hand.

[@bethod5191]

Another awesome reaction! :) This unfortunatly, or fortunatly depending on your world wiew, is not the last Angel episode wich tryes to get us to cry :D

[@12chapin]

I love your reaction to the building exploding.

[@BNILES41]

Yeah. This finale was pretty much a redefinition for Angel as far as him knowing he has an endgame if he fullfills his prophecy, Cordelia has basically grown from her situation to where she cares for more than herself. To be honest, putting her on Angel has bettered her. And Wesley has even become more awesome. But Darla will pretty much be one of many game changers next season. And yes, Joss Whedon did have a fair share of references to comics before directing Avengers. Also Alexis Denisof(Wesley) also appears in both Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy as The Other.

[@frakkintoasterluvva7920]

Joss was always a big comics fan. He's mentioned Kitty Pryde as one of the inspirations behind Buffy. Before writing and directing The Avengers, also wrote a few volumes of Astonishing X-Men (one of his best works overall, IMO) and Runaways.

[@louishindle6620]

FrakkinToaster Luvva huh. I forgot Joss worked on Runaways

[@zemoxian]

Ah, the Marvel connections. “Avengers, let’s get with the assembly!” - Xander Joss Whedon also writes comic books. Buffy’s name is Summers. There’s also an X-Men character known as Scott Summer’s. Joss almost added a scene to a comic book where Cyclopes says he has a cousin in a mental institution named Buffy. Maybe that was too meta or something?

[@Dave-sk9mn]

Oh yes! there's that look "oh fuck oh fuck!" that's the shock we wanted to see lol

[@Logan_Baron]

Your eyes got so big when it revealed that Angel will become human. Then when they showed Darla, your eyes nearly popped out of your head.

[@jimmy2k4o]

I love this title…. When we learn what shanshu means it becomes such a clever joke.

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

Cordelia calling the scroll "that shoeshine thing" makes me laugh every time. She's so the heart of this show. Without her "Cordy-isms" this show would have been way too heavy. Oh, and I was seriously 'shipping "Cangel" from the beginning. ... BTW, the baddie with the cloak and mask makes me wish they'd called this "Eyes Wide Shanshu".

[@superfred2172]

Bringing Darla back was genius... she was never used to her full potential in Buffy.

[@chrisrj9871]

Earshot from Buffy and this episode both have that moment where a/the heroine discovers all about the troubles of the world. Buffy with her mind-reading, and Cordelia with her visions.

[@lionlyons]

Wow, people are jerks! Cordy collapses in a crowded public space, screaming her lungs out and ONE person decides to stop and help...?

[@lvis11tj7]

That is how you end a season. This only gets better

[@GreatGarloo]

Angel Season 2 is wild! WILD! Hold onto your butt!

[@Idanuboy]

great episode and a great reaction. one of your best.

[@holi117]

Yay for Darla!!!

[@tsukigalleta]

The Fanged Four all alive (sort of) again!

[@holi117]

tsukigalleta sooon!! I would have loved to see the 4 of them together in the modern day, would of been hilarious and messed up!

[@jjpe306]

I love season 1. It has a few dud plots, but the character work is great. Doyle's story arc was a self-contained heart-breaker. The Angel/Doyle/Cordy trio was good in terms of chemistry, and the Angel/Cordy/Wes trio even better. Each of the main characters has been believably and radically transformed from where they were on Season 3 of Buffy. That's not even getting into side characters like Lindsey, Lilah, Kate, David, and Gunn. That being said, it's unbelievable how much this show improved in Season 2 and afterward. Can't wait!

[@Tony-fq5bn]

I always hear people saying S1 was kinda weak. On rewatch, I really don't think it was at all. Imo the weakest Season is def S5. I feel like people gush about it because of a certain character and the last 2/3's of the season ARE great, but imo the first 7 or 8 eps are pretty weak. I thought that might be the case with S1, but I actually really enjoyed those first few monster of the week episodes we got before Angel really gets rolling with Hero.

[@zenithquasar9623]

It's funny to hear you say you want best for Johnathan!

[@herobreaker9011]

"Dr. Doom?" lol

[@LOTR_BTTF]

I've always had a little fan theory that the Shanshu prophecy was actually referring to when Angel became human in I will Remember You earlier in this season (but he gave it up) and by the time they are reading it here it's already too late. Since no one remembers that day but Angel, who's to say it wasn't?

[@jimmy2k4o]

If you like David Nabit You should check out “office space” a cult comedy with him as one of the stars. He’s hilarious in it!

[@christianmosqueira1985]

Blue's clues!!!🤣

[@izzy3110]

Anyone else find it interesting that her last words before she enters this vision coma are "your welcome" the exact same thing that end up being her last words??

[@nightwhelmed]

this is the episode where I truly started to ship Angel/Cordelia

[@myeckwaters]

Don't know if you've already mentioned it but Wesley's in the MCU also.

[@nataliej54]

thank you for reacting soo soon. season 2 is gonna be amazing. I wont say anything. but lots of stuff happens. darla being back is still shocking. I won't say anymore.

[@ssayne76]

In case you haven't been told by now, Wesley is also from the Marvel movies. He was the leader of the alien force from Avengers, that answered to Thanos.

[@baozibang9369]

Season 2 is one of my favorite Seasons

[@TheTurbanator123]

Love how he cuts Lindeys hand off so messed up.

[@shadowphoenix1696]

yeah Darla's back your going to love it.

[@antonbrakhage490]

A couple things I just recalled from this episode which might be call-backs to Buffy season 2: First of all, when Angel knocks Vocah's mask off, his face looks like its made of maggots. Could he be related to the bug-man assassin in "What's My Line"? Also, we see in this episode a resurrection spell to bring back a staked vampire. Though the details are different, its reminiscent of the attempt to raise the Master in "When She Was Bad".

[@rayjulien4739]

I think everyone was like...Darla!?. Darla equals EPIC!

[@russellward4624]

I had no idea Blues Clues was that old.

[@wobaguk]

Not to mention Gunn who is Deathlok!

[@leilanyx]

honestly, i only watched season one recently, because obviously i only recently finished buffy before moving on to angel (i didn't realise he had a show, okay, don't @ me) and i'm on season 3 atm, but i still have to hold back a scream when the building blows up. even though i know everything that happens, i still get a pang of fear in my heart for wesley.

[@mando8469]

Great reaction as always :)

[@stardustvideo]

22:21 The mic lololol

[@paulasubiron1664]

Omg! I didnt notice in 22:21 there was these microphones just a little part black up in the scene

[@spangelicious837]

I wonder if it's just because it's a different region, so the picture's shot differently? I need to pull out my dvd set now and check!

[@larrycopes506]

David Boreanaz has showed an interest in playing Captain America.

[@Buffy8Fan]

I saw David Nebbit on this episode and remembered that the writers at one point were trying to make him part of the group. I am personally grateful it never happened. Joss is a comic book fan where all those characters and character designs originated. I am still a little surprised you didn't notice Joss favorite movie The Matrix in BtVS 4X21 in Adam's death scene. Kate was an interesting character, but her attitude due to the death of her father always made me more angry with her attitude than understanding and it was easy to cheer Angel for telling her off here. I always thought it would have been more emotionally powerful to have a tracking shot of Angel walking between Wesley and Cordelia's rooms in the hospital yet still leave in the look the nurse gives Angel. My guess is there would not have been enough money to do so though. I loved the look when the mask came off. Personally it took me a moment when I saw it. I'm still not convinced that his one episode stint with Buffy as a human wasn't considered his Shanshu. Let's welcome back Darla.

[@jzchillin]

Suuuuuch a great finale ep to Angel's solid first season! I agree how can really see just how much growth the writers made with Cordelia's and Wesley's characters... I really loved the twist of raising Darla, and the prospect of what could mean for Angel..... Loved your analysis of the similarities/tie ins of the show to the cartoonverse, don't forget your "Spider Angel" reference earlier, and the most obvious that the show creator, Joss Whedon directed Avengers, and Age of Ultron...... great reaction and am looking forward to your thoughts vid

[@frakkintoasterluvva7920]

He also wrote for X-Men and Runaways (the comics).

[@jacobesparza116]

Amazing reaction as always

[@thewolframhart6777]

"The vampire with a soul, once he fulfills his destiny, will shanshu; become human. It's his reward". The scene where Wesley correctly translate the prophecy is my favorite scene from Angel S1. On Buffy, seasons end when Buffy kills the big bad and wins; but on Angel, the season's big bad, Wolfram&Hart seems too powerful to be defeated (but Angel Investigations still fights them) Wesley translating 'shanshu' lets the team end the season on a high note. Really enjoyed your reactions and I am looking forward to your Season 2 reactions.

[@Milleniumlance]

cant wait for you to get to season 2 and 3 soo good

[@davidramirez4570]

22:22 with special guest "mike" Ok, he save him from the fire but Angel was right next to wesley's bed and he didn't even fix his pillow. below this there are pointers NOT spoilers but handle with caution if you have not finished Angel By the way people who already have seen the series pay attention to the things Wesley said that Angel has to overcome.

[@helltioeverygames]

10:48 gun sister rght?

[@godzillaprime]

Yess.... sully Angel with that franchise were people run and playfight in front of a green screen Thanksssd

[@jacobthompson5580]

I hated the fact that Angel and Cordelia couldn't be together at all because they would of made a great couple.

[@albertcornett7408]

Yea more reactions to Angel. Can hardly wait for more Buffy.

[@rozyberger6068]