Man, they make me water up, too. "Am I a thing worth saving, huh? Am I righteous man?" Boreanaz = my heart.

I really, really wish they had done something with the newly-empowered slayers instead of just having Angel and his team growing increasingly isolated from Buffy & Co. I mean, I understand it as a dramatic device, and maybe if there'd been a sixth season - but, god, that hurt like crazy.

I try to be mature about Cordelia! I loved that she and Angel were friends, but I never really bought into a romantic relationship between them, except for how I describe it in the essay - loneliness. Which is sad. I hate that Angel lost a friend - that all the hurt he experienced in season four was at the hands of someone wearing his best friend's skin, and that he didn't know it until the damage had been done. Oh, my poor boy.

Yikes! I can only imagine what the Spike/Other 'shippers went through during season six. I feel your pain :o)

I'm glad you liked the essay, and even happier it prodded your inner B/A fangirl!