Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedWhich Joss Whedon TV series was better: Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel?
Results so far:
| Buffy | 68% | 460 votes | Total: 674 votes | |
| Angel | 32% | 214 votes |
Buffy
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesWhich series is better? Really? Being a lifelong lover of Science Fiction anything, I was immediately skeptical of when I heard rumblings of a Buffy the Vampire Slayer television show. First off, I was in high school, so I was already skeptical of most things and secondly, the movie was horrible. Not even Dylan McKay could have saved that one. And if you get that joke, you watched another one of favorite series. But I digress...
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is only the slightly superior series when considered against the other Joss Whedon created series, Angel. That being said, there are solid reasons as to why this is so.
1. Angel is a spin-off. The original series sets up the universe of characters, ideas and writing style that will be executed throughout the series. This also holds truth for any spin-offs, baring some liberties in character progression. And although some cases can make a stake for the spin-off or sequel over shadowing the original, in this case that is not true. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Angel (most Buffy fans are), but Angel himself was at his best when at Buffy's side and that only existed truly on Buffy, the original.
2. Cordelia. Brought on as a thorn in Buffy's side orginally, she morphed into a more well-rounded character with feelings and relatable emotions. Then she was drafted to Angel. Her interaction with Angel was slight and brief at most on the original series and she really didn't fit in Angel's universe. Even after the chracter was written to have more humility, she just never fit with Angel like Buffy did. And as the love interest, we all saw it coming and we really ended up regretting it after the Connor debacle.
3. Plot Development. Buffy had season arcs that whether the viewer knew it or not, a story was being told, leading up to something. Each season left you wanting a little more yet still wrapping up the story at hand. Angel...started this way but faded. The writing was just more thought out and superior on Buffy. Angel had stellar episodes that were provocative and amazing but Buffy had those same great episodes, just more of them. Buffy dealt with the angst of adolescence into adulthood. Angel dealt with just the different stages of adulthood.
Either way you look at this debate, there are compelling reasons as to why either series is more superior. I just believe in the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer world that was created and all the characters that live in it are enough for me.
Learn more about this author, Stacey A. Smith.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Angel
Two great shows from one talented man. Buffy and Angel are two of the greatest characters ever created in modern television. Yet which show is best?
I would have to pick Angel. For several reasons. Firstly it is a more adult show. It takes the original premise of Buffy, a quick witted, excellently scripted show and moves it on to another level. The humor is darker and more risque at times but still sticks to what made the original show great - the characters. Each character has a role to play yet each is easily expendable within the show itself.
The great thing about Angel is it's ability to shock. The deaths of many of it's main cast - Cordelia, Doyle and Fred to name a few, are used to stir up emotion in the audience. it makes the show seem more realistic, which is no mean feat considering it is a show primarily about vampires and demons.
Buffy is essentially a normal girl...who is a vampire slayer. We get to see her deal with everyday tasks such as school, boyfriends and college. Then in another side we see her tackle demons and vampires. This is entertaining but can appear shallow at times.
In Angel we see a man who is also a vampire. We see the constant torture of his soul and his ongoing battle with temptation. In short...Buffy is the chosen one. She has no choice in her battle. With Angel, he struggles everyday to control his demon state. He has a say in which side he fights for. Which makes it all the more appealing, as he deals with prejudice everyday and is in a thankless job.
Buffy was a great show. There is no denying it, in my opinion. It did the job it was supposed to do. Yet once it reached it's finale, I had no real desire to see what happened next. Perhaps this was down to the character. In Angel however, I became more absorbed. It wasn't all to do with slaying vampires. It was to do with the neverending battle with good and evil. Which side would we choose? Is redemption possible? My one problem with the show was the ending. Not Joss Whedon's fault admittedly but it did leave too many questions unanswered.
In conclusion, Angel is a rarity. A spin-off which is better than the original.
Learn more about this author, Tony Magee.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
- TV Show Reviews
- TV show reviews: Will Glee become a smash hit or a bust?
- Sopranos season finale: Brilliant or bland?
- Which is better: The original High School Musical or the sequel?
- Is America's Next Top Model the best reality show on television?
- Celebrity rehab on TV: Can celebrities recover from addictions while the camera watches?
