I like how "Angel" always lurks in the gray areas. The show is willing to show demons as good and humans as bad, something that BTVS rarely does. "That Old Gang of Mine" is probably the show most clear cut example of "evil" humans v. "good" demon. But, even it stays in the gray areas. Some of the "good" demons are killers and one of the "evil" humans is Gunn. "That Old Gang of Mine" has some really interesting things to say. Unfortunately, it seems to hold back, shying away from the deeper statement it could have made and making the end a little too simple. If it took it's ideas further, I think it really could have been a cool episode about the nature of good and evil, right and wrong, demons and humans, etc... Instead it wraps everything up by having the "bad" human eaten by a "bad" demon and then forgetting the larger issues. It's a shame. "That Old Gang of Mine" is one of the better Gunn episodes, showing his inner conflicts and his growing distance with his old life. But, really, if you're watching the show on DVD, you could probably skip this episode and not miss much.
"That Old Gang of Mine" revolves around Gunn's old friends. They've started a crusade to wipe out every demon they can find. Some of the demon's they're killing are harmless, and when they murder Merle, Team Angel starts investigating. Gunn is frustrated with the idea of helping to solve demon crimes. And he feels torn when he discovers that his old friends are behind the killings and hides the evidence against them. A new guy named Gio has joined the gang. Gio is violent and incredibly jealous of Gunn's reputation. He's leading the gang on the demon hunting parties, and his new target is Karitos.
When they attack Karitos, Wes, Fred, Cordy and Gunn are all there with Lorne. Gunn's friends are furious to see him hanging out with demons. Gunn tries to defend himself against their accusations. But the gang sends Cordy to get Angel, saying that Gunn will have to kill Angel is he wants to prove himself. Angel heads to Karitos, while Cordy goes to get the protection spell lifted. Gunn won't kill Angel. Fred says that she will, then she turns the crossbow on Gio. Angel won't let her take a life and makes her put the crossbow down. The protection spell is lifted and Team Angel fights off the humans. One of the demons bites Gio in half and the humans kill it. After the battle, Wes tells Gunn that he'll fire him if he ever again endangers the group by hiding evidence. Gunn explains to Angel that he'll never really be Angel's friend because he's a vampire, but that he wants to continue fighting evil with him.
There are some good parts to this episode. I like the three women who run Karitos' protection spell. "Mmmmmm, Angel..." It's really cool how their dialog crosses over each other. And the beginning of the episode's pretty funny with Angel reading his apology to Merle off of cue cards. "What? I made a few notes." Then he goads Merle into hitting him, activating the protection spell and sending Merle flying backwards. Angel just smirks. Angel's really cute when he's being childish. Also, I like Wes investigating the demon murders. He's spent years hunting demons, but he still sees the difference between good and evil. Wes really is one of the interesting characters in the whole Buffyverse. He always does what he thinks is right even if nobody else agrees with him. And I like Cordy explaining to Fred that Angel thinks she should leave the hotel for an evening. "Angel wants you to get out." Fred thinks that Angel's kicking her out of the hotel, but really they're just headed to Karitos. Where poor Fred attacked right in the middle of her song. Then she pulls a crossbow on Gio, which is great. I really wasn't expecting her to do that the first time I saw this episode. Finally, I laugh every time Angel sees his name on Merle's enemies list. He's also cute when he's outraged.
On the down side, what the h*ll is Gunn's problem in this episode? What does he mean that he can't ever be Angel's friend because Angel's a vampire? Since when is does he not trust Angel? What kind of crazy bigoted crap is that? And why does Gunn kill that one child eating demon for just standing there? Why does he care what that creep Gio has to say? Why does he STILL not see the gray areas between humans and demons? I usually like Gunn, but this episode makes him pretty unlikable. Maybe I would be more accepting of his attitude in "That Old Gang for Mine" if the show carried this idea further. If Gunn had had to shoot Gio, for instance, then he would have to come to grips with the fact that he'd killed a human to protect demons. That would be interesting. Or if there had been more fall out from Gunn's old friends for him continuing to work with Angel. Or if later episodes had addressed Alanna's death some more. Or if Gunn finally apologized to Angel and admitted that he was wrong. Then I might enjoy this episode more. It could be that beginning of a really cool story line, where Gunn has to see that he's been close minded and confront his old stereotypes. But, it just never comes off. I don't think Gunn really learns anything from "That Old Gang of Mine." He apparently still doesn't change his preconceived notions about good and evil. And I just don't understand why.
My favorite part of the episode: Fred singing "Crazy." Wes stares at her, Gunn sort of grins and Cordy just shakes her head. "I swear to God, she chose that song herself."
"That Old Gang of Mine" revolves around Gunn's old friends. They've started a crusade to wipe out every demon they can find. Some of the demon's they're killing are harmless, and when they murder Merle, Team Angel starts investigating. Gunn is frustrated with the idea of helping to solve demon crimes. And he feels torn when he discovers that his old friends are behind the killings and hides the evidence against them. A new guy named Gio has joined the gang. Gio is violent and incredibly jealous of Gunn's reputation. He's leading the gang on the demon hunting parties, and his new target is Karitos.
When they attack Karitos, Wes, Fred, Cordy and Gunn are all there with Lorne. Gunn's friends are furious to see him hanging out with demons. Gunn tries to defend himself against their accusations. But the gang sends Cordy to get Angel, saying that Gunn will have to kill Angel is he wants to prove himself. Angel heads to Karitos, while Cordy goes to get the protection spell lifted. Gunn won't kill Angel. Fred says that she will, then she turns the crossbow on Gio. Angel won't let her take a life and makes her put the crossbow down. The protection spell is lifted and Team Angel fights off the humans. One of the demons bites Gio in half and the humans kill it. After the battle, Wes tells Gunn that he'll fire him if he ever again endangers the group by hiding evidence. Gunn explains to Angel that he'll never really be Angel's friend because he's a vampire, but that he wants to continue fighting evil with him.
There are some good parts to this episode. I like the three women who run Karitos' protection spell. "Mmmmmm, Angel..." It's really cool how their dialog crosses over each other. And the beginning of the episode's pretty funny with Angel reading his apology to Merle off of cue cards. "What? I made a few notes." Then he goads Merle into hitting him, activating the protection spell and sending Merle flying backwards. Angel just smirks. Angel's really cute when he's being childish. Also, I like Wes investigating the demon murders. He's spent years hunting demons, but he still sees the difference between good and evil. Wes really is one of the interesting characters in the whole Buffyverse. He always does what he thinks is right even if nobody else agrees with him. And I like Cordy explaining to Fred that Angel thinks she should leave the hotel for an evening. "Angel wants you to get out." Fred thinks that Angel's kicking her out of the hotel, but really they're just headed to Karitos. Where poor Fred attacked right in the middle of her song. Then she pulls a crossbow on Gio, which is great. I really wasn't expecting her to do that the first time I saw this episode. Finally, I laugh every time Angel sees his name on Merle's enemies list. He's also cute when he's outraged.
On the down side, what the h*ll is Gunn's problem in this episode? What does he mean that he can't ever be Angel's friend because Angel's a vampire? Since when is does he not trust Angel? What kind of crazy bigoted crap is that? And why does Gunn kill that one child eating demon for just standing there? Why does he care what that creep Gio has to say? Why does he STILL not see the gray areas between humans and demons? I usually like Gunn, but this episode makes him pretty unlikable. Maybe I would be more accepting of his attitude in "That Old Gang for Mine" if the show carried this idea further. If Gunn had had to shoot Gio, for instance, then he would have to come to grips with the fact that he'd killed a human to protect demons. That would be interesting. Or if there had been more fall out from Gunn's old friends for him continuing to work with Angel. Or if later episodes had addressed Alanna's death some more. Or if Gunn finally apologized to Angel and admitted that he was wrong. Then I might enjoy this episode more. It could be that beginning of a really cool story line, where Gunn has to see that he's been close minded and confront his old stereotypes. But, it just never comes off. I don't think Gunn really learns anything from "That Old Gang of Mine." He apparently still doesn't change his preconceived notions about good and evil. And I just don't understand why.
My favorite part of the episode: Fred singing "Crazy." Wes stares at her, Gunn sort of grins and Cordy just shakes her head. "I swear to God, she chose that song herself."
