Season 5

Finally, the Spike season! First episode and he already gets second billing. Abbott to Angel's Costello, the two bicker and fight their way through the season. Cordelia only returns for one episode (yai!). Wesley keeps the rough look but stays good. Gunn gets an lawyer upload that also seems to erase his affections for Fred. Considering the intensity of their relationship last season, I find it strange there aren't even jealous looks now and then. Fred gets a turn at being the cool baddie when her body is taken over by the goddess Ilyria (complete with coloured hair and body-hugging metal suit for all those teenage fantasies). Even Harmony receives an eventual place in the opening credits.

Best episode was Smile Time. How cute was puppet Angel fighting with Spike!?!

As a conclusion of a series, the last few episodes were actually quite disappointing. The Circle of the Black Thorn read like the Stonecutters of the Simpsons, but with less surprises and introduced too late. There was no suspense surrounding their dealings nor preliminary confrontations. A better foe would have be the expansion of Lindsey and Eve, both of whom had already established connection and animosity to the good guys, allowing for a more satisfying defeat. Or perhaps a final showdown with the senior partners, whom have been mentioned all throughout the series, yet have never been personified.