Buffy and Angel Rewatch part 46

B6.14 Older And Far Away
This isn't a classic episode but I really like it. The action primarily all happens in one place and all the main characters are involved making it an interesting story. There were a few non-Scoobs as well which I liked as it showed the Scoobies could actually make friends outside of their group. Dawn's tantrums are annoying, but she was less so when she actually sat down with Buffy and told her what was wrong. Bringing in Halfrek in after her appearance in the previous episode was a nice touch, though personally I thought the group worked out what had happened very quickly based on the few things Dawn told them. The party scenes were fun and the idea of the demon in the sword was a good one, plus this episode contains one of my favourite Xander scenes when he is hurt but comforts Anya first and foremost- very sweet. (8.5/10)

B6.15 As Your Were
I've never been a huge fan of this episode but on this watching I kinda loved it. It was great to finally get some conclusion with Riley and after the way Buffy treated him, it was nice that he was happy, even if Sam, his wife, was annoyingly perfect.
Its still a hard episode to watch at times as Buffy is at a low point in her life and whilst seeing an ex is never easy, it was definitely hard for her. The end of her relationship with Spike is a simple and dignified one, but its powerful all the same. I didn't really like the plot point that Spike was the demon egg dealer, but it acted as a good trigger for Buffy. I'm quite sad to see them break up as I liked Buffy and Spike together up till this point, but its something that had to happen I guess. (9/10)

A3.13 Waiting In The Wings
A beautiful and tragic episode. I really hurt for Wes and Angel when they see the women they love, in love with other men. Its worse of course for Wesley, not only does Alexis Denisof portray that hurt so much better and subtly, but Gunn was his friend and at least Angel had Buffy.
Going to the ballet was a beautiful idea, it was nice to see the gang dressed up and happy and actually having a life. The ballet aspect of the story was enjoyable, very much a mystical Phantom of the Opera. It was a genius idea to have Angel and Cordy taken over by spirits here; the aspect is very similar to what happened to Angel and Buffy in season 2 of Buffy, but as a reminder of the marked difference between Angel and Buffy, what Angel and Cordy shared was decidedly more adult in nature, whereas Buffy and Angel's was a lot more chaste. (10/10)

A3.14 Couplet
This episode was a lot better than I remembered it. Both Angel's and Wes' jealousy comes to the surface as they deal with the new couples in the office. Angel's jealousy is a little more petty and allows David Boreanaz's comedic side to shine through. Also as Angel's realises, he has Connor to look after so losing Cordy to the Groosalugg is not as hard as it could've been.
For Wes, his loss of Fred is a lot greater since he is expected not only to deal with Angel's jealousy, whilst containing his own, but also now has to confront that chilling prophecy. Gunn's a bit of a douche in this episode, he realises that Wes has feelings for Fred but makes very little effort to console or at least make it less worse for him.
As for the rest of the episode there were some nice silly stories to play as a backdrop for the teams romantic entanglements in the form of a demon brothel and a cyber tree demon, which is very reminiscent of Sunnydale exploits and demons of the past. (7.5/10)