What were they thinking?

[jessesopher]

Season 5 of Angel is currently airing on TNT and I've been watching some of the episodes in the mornings. They aired Damage and You're Welcome today.

My question: what the heck was The WB thinking canceling the show. Season 5 has some of the best episodes of the series: Hell-Bound, Destiny, Harm's Way (some people hate it, I love it), Damage, YOU'RE WELCOME(!), A Hole in the World, Shells, Origin, Time Box, and then of course Power Play and Not Fade Away.

In my opinion, it was the strongest season of Angel (not necessarily my favorite season, but story-wise it was incredibly strong... and episode-wise. There are relatively few 'unliked' episodes in this season. There are only two that I can't stand: Smile Time and Cautionary Tale). I simply can't understand why the WB canceled the show. As far as I know, the ratings were higher than they have ever been, they were starting this awesome storyline where the gang was prepping to literally fight W&H - the enemy they have been indirectly battling for the entire season. The stakes were upped tremendously in this season.... and they just ended it.

I love the comics more than life, but come on, it was just a dumb move on the part of the network to cancel the show.

[henzINNIT]

The WB didn't want too many "veteran" shows, so they canned it.
I wonder how many shows that started after and because of Angel's demise were good... and I wonder if any still exist... somehow I think the answer to both is "No".

Angel 5 is probably about as consistantly great as a Jossverse show has ever been in my opinion.

[Emmie]

Dec 23, 2008 8:15:35 GMT -5 henzINNIT said:

Angel 5 is probably about as consistantly great as a Jossverse show has ever been in my opinion.

Agreed. At least they went out on a high note.

[Wyndam]

The Angel cancellation will always be my most sour TV memory. It still hurts to think about how it went down. *sigh*

The WB/CW cancelled two of my favorite shows way too early (Angel and Everwood), and now the network has turned into one that values shows about emaciated teens over quality (90210 and I am sure the Melrose Place reboot will follow suit). Supernatural and Smallville (occasionally) are the only good shows the network has nowadays. Gossip Girl may have extremely high production values for a show geared towards teens, but it doesn't come anywhere close to the high quality of the WB/CW's landmark programs.

[Without Passion]

Yea, still doesn't make any sense to me. I was just getting over "Buffy" being over and had found some comfort in "Angel"...and then BAM! It's cancelled! That hurt a lot. Painful memories...haha. I still don't understand why.

[zoelee]

i dont think they should have cancelled the show. but i also think (not to sure) is that with out buffy on air any more whats the point of having angel still. its not what i think they should have done. now we have david boreanaz in bones, which is gr8.