This is Gunn's first episode. He'll be a pretty big part of the show in the seasons to come and it's cool to see him introduced here. "War Zone" isn't that great an episode in and of itself, but if you're watching the show on DVD, you really need to see it. It explains Gunn's back story and sets up his character for more interesting adventures later on.
Basically, "War Zone" revolves around Angel stumbling across a young band of vampire hunters. He's on a job, trying to get some photos back for a client named David. (David's being blackmailed with some embarrassing shots of himself in a demon brothel.) Anyway, Angel's attacked by the kids, who don't realize that he's a good vampire. Angel tries to explain things to the groups leader, Charles Gunn. Angel doesn't think that the kids should be fighting vampires. He says that they're in over their heads. Gunn won't listen. When Gunn's sister, Alanna, is kidnapped by a band of vampires, he goes after her. But, it's too late. Alanna has been turned into a vampire and Gunn has to stake her. He's is heartbroken. The other vampires attack and Angel steps in to protect the kids. He and Gunn forge an alliance.
There are some good parts to this episode. I like Gunn (especailly in season five, where his character really comes into his own) so it's cool to see him introduced. The scene where Gunn has to stake his sister is heartbreaking. Poor Gunn. He loved and cared for Alanna all his life and now he has to be the one to "kill" her. It's a shame that he and Spike never got to discuss that in season five, since they sort of have that in common. Gunn staked his sister. Spike staked his mom. They could have had a really interesting conversation. Oh well... Also, the scene with Wes and Cordy in the car is pretty funny. She's trying to pretend that she's on a beach somewhere and not stuck in some icky alley way. So, she's got the whole big sunglasses and scarf over her hair, 1950s Hollywood look going. Wes is sort of amused by her theatrics. It's sweet. And I like David a lot. He's a really interesting character. The Angel Inc. gang should have let him join the team. In my book, you can never have too many billionaires wanting to befriend you.
On the down side, I wish that Alanna had been mentioned more in later episodes. Her death is a huge turning point for Gunn's character and she should have been brought up more often. Also, like I said, I adore David and I wish he'd been in more episodes. Neither of those things are technically "War Zones" fault, I guess, but still...
My favorite part of the episode: Angel having to punch his way out of the meat locker, because he forgot that he had a cell phone.
Basically, "War Zone" revolves around Angel stumbling across a young band of vampire hunters. He's on a job, trying to get some photos back for a client named David. (David's being blackmailed with some embarrassing shots of himself in a demon brothel.) Anyway, Angel's attacked by the kids, who don't realize that he's a good vampire. Angel tries to explain things to the groups leader, Charles Gunn. Angel doesn't think that the kids should be fighting vampires. He says that they're in over their heads. Gunn won't listen. When Gunn's sister, Alanna, is kidnapped by a band of vampires, he goes after her. But, it's too late. Alanna has been turned into a vampire and Gunn has to stake her. He's is heartbroken. The other vampires attack and Angel steps in to protect the kids. He and Gunn forge an alliance.
There are some good parts to this episode. I like Gunn (especailly in season five, where his character really comes into his own) so it's cool to see him introduced. The scene where Gunn has to stake his sister is heartbreaking. Poor Gunn. He loved and cared for Alanna all his life and now he has to be the one to "kill" her. It's a shame that he and Spike never got to discuss that in season five, since they sort of have that in common. Gunn staked his sister. Spike staked his mom. They could have had a really interesting conversation. Oh well... Also, the scene with Wes and Cordy in the car is pretty funny. She's trying to pretend that she's on a beach somewhere and not stuck in some icky alley way. So, she's got the whole big sunglasses and scarf over her hair, 1950s Hollywood look going. Wes is sort of amused by her theatrics. It's sweet. And I like David a lot. He's a really interesting character. The Angel Inc. gang should have let him join the team. In my book, you can never have too many billionaires wanting to befriend you.
On the down side, I wish that Alanna had been mentioned more in later episodes. Her death is a huge turning point for Gunn's character and she should have been brought up more often. Also, like I said, I adore David and I wish he'd been in more episodes. Neither of those things are technically "War Zones" fault, I guess, but still...
My favorite part of the episode: Angel having to punch his way out of the meat locker, because he forgot that he had a cell phone.
