That Old Gang of Mine

[LittleMissLikesToFight]

ARGH. I just watched this episode and it makes me so ANGRY, esp when the gang raid Lorne's club. Its so senseless and horrible. It seriously upset me seeing them shoot up all those demons. I understand the metaphor behind the entire show and i think overall i mean it was done so well. Well enough to envoke such a strong emotional reaction from me.

What about you guys? how do you feel about this episode?

[The Chosen]

I only watch the show on TNT in the mornings and still I don't have a chance to see full eps, but from what I saw I think how Gunn's gang acted was uncool. Plus, they killed INNOCENT demons, right? I can't really have an opinion on the overall ep because I only saw about ten or so minutes of it.

[LittleMissLikesToFight]

yeah they are all innocent. and Cordelia brought Fred there because she promised her a night out and promised she'd be safe, and she gets stuck in this hostage situation which was sad. and then there's this one demon that keeps saying "oh god...they are going to kill us all..." and its really messed up. and then they get to Gunn and he actually shoots a demon in rage... its all really crazy. It's a powerful episode, i think.

[Kana]

Great ep. Not only is it a tremendous character development for Gunn but it's thinly vailed parable on prejudice. Demons are being hunted much like vampires hunt humans.

What I liked was Gunn choosing the mission. At first we are lead to believe that Gunn was running away from his past because of what happened to Alonna. He certainly felt conflicted but he was never really unloyal in my eyes which was part of the problem. Gunn wants to be loyal to his gang but he believes in the mission he has with Angel. He admits that Angel isn't his friend but he sticks with him regardless because his friends are following a different mission: killing demons for sport rather than protecting people.

What's up with Lorne? While Gunn's old gang was killing innocent demons, there were also vampires, baby eating monsters. Gunn certainly was no more wrong than Buffy, Angel et al, for killing a baby eating monster so why let creatures like that into you club? Lorne claims not to judge but as shown in subsequent episodes, he does. It's actually kind of shrewd in a way. If humans, and different demons are in Caritas, they are not out on the street killing each other. It's not a perfect plan but it's one way of limiting casulties if only for a limited time. Considering these demons seek sanctuary, maybe that says something.

[littlewilly]

Geo was such a little idiot

[Vampmogs]

The writers have actually stated in the commentary for a later episode how much they don't like this episode. And I'm not sure why, I think it was a great episode as well. It made things all the more grey. I especially loved they didn't just try and paint the humans black and the demons good either, one of those demons was threatening to kill babies as well. It's all so complicated and that's why it's great.

[LittleMissLikesToFight]

Which commentary did they say that, if you remember? ill have to make sure i listen. because i really like it too, so far one of my favs.

[littlewilly]

One of the best on s3, ever notice that all the gunn episodes are amongst the best in angel, like war zone and first impressions too.

[LittleMissLikesToFight]

i actually just heard the commentary, its on Lullaby. Whoever the woman was that was commenting with Tim Minear (forgive me for forgetting, but she was obnoxious, all she did was laugh hysterically at Tim but didnt have much input herself), she brought up That Old Gang of Mine and Tim goes "can people stop bringing up that crappy episode?"

I wonder if he realizes how many fans love it.

[littlewilly]

When that demon bit off Geo's head that was too good a death for him, it should have been slow and painful.
The way he spoke to Gunn pissed me off. When Fred had the crossbow at his neck i was hoping her trigger finger would shlip.
Loved the way Lorne stood up to him though.
Ever wonder why Angel (and others) didnt get a protection spell? would have saved alot of hassle

[Jaded Wolf]

When that demon bit off Geo's head that was too good a death for him, it should have been slow and painful.
The way he spoke to Gunn pissed me off. When Fred had the crossbow at his neck i was hoping her trigger finger would shlip.
Loved the way Lorne stood up to him though.
Ever wonder why Angel (and others) didnt get a protection spell? would have saved alot of hassle


Would have been bad for business though... Bad joke... Anyways, I got annoyed at Geo's character because of his obnoxious, disrespecting attitude. What I really loved about this episode was once again the progression of Wesley. Wesley just evolved in season 3 to a much darker and more active character than the bookworm persona. When he told Gunn that the next he would get fired that was just a striking moment.

The undertones of this episode showing the metaphor between our own racial prejudice was nicely done as well. A good episode even though once again Geo was annoying...