Spoiler-Free Review of “Vampire Academy” on Peacock: A Better Adaptation This Time Around

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“The spark of revolution can come from anywhere…”

Vampire Academy released on Peacock on September 15th 2022. The YA vampire series (based on the novels of the same name) will have ten episodes in total. Four of them are available to stream now. It stars Daniela Nieves, Sisi Stringer, Kieron Moore, and J. August Richards.

The series follows the friendship between Rose and Lissa, who live in an elite vampire society where guardians and royals aren’t supposed to be so close with new threats emerging.

Here is the trailer:

Vampire Academy takes another stab at adapting this popular series onto the screen with the team behind The Vampire Diaries, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Gets things right this time around…

I’ve read the series and while I enjoyed the film, I wanted a lot more from it. I think fans of the book series will be pleased with this version, which already feels like a much more satisfying adaptation.

There is believable chemistry and a solid friendship between Rose and Lissa, making the audience immediately want to root for them.

Plus, J. August Richards from Angel is in this series so that’s an automatic bonus!

Nails the moody/romantic TVD vibe…

This should really come as no surprise since the series is brought to us from the same team, but I felt vibes from the earlier seasons of TVD and The Originals in a positive way. If that’s your jam, you’ll find plenty to appreciate here in this stylistic series.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Needs more edge…

I know this is a YA series, but I just want the fight scenes to feel believable and intense. A lot of the content feels very superficial and I think if it digs deeper, it can tap into something darker and gritty, which would be really entertaining to watch unfold on screen.

The performances so far are all pretty mediocre, but I see some potential in a few characters. I think I’m just exhausted from all of the YA/supernatural/fantasy series and I want something a little more here, but there’s still plenty to enjoy if that is your genre.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Peacock

I’m in about 75 percent…

There’s enough to enjoy with this series if you’re a fan of the book series or shows like TVD and The Originals. I just hope we tap into something a little bit darker as the episodes continue.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Vampire Academy in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rule…they can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

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Ranking the top 5 heartbreaking moments from “Angel”

Happy Wednesday TV Fans! For today, I have once again returned to one of my old favorites, Angel. After ranking my top episodes last week, I realized how many truly heartbreaking moments there are on this show. I mean, you sort of start to expect this from a Joss Whedon series, as many of our beloved characters do not get a chance at a happily ever after, but there is something so incredibly soul crushing about some of the moments on Angel in particular. It’s been quite some time since I have watched the series and while I knew certain moments were coming, I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. These moments are not just sad or tragic, they impact me in such a way that I end up thinking about my own life and my connection to others.

It’s interesting how a few familiar key words in these moments can truly impact us. Whether it’s the death of a favorite character or a moment of true compassion, these moments stand the test of time and continue to tug at my emotions. The heartbreak is so real and unavoidable and yet I still find myself hoping that the outcome will change, but it never does. While I love that Joss Whedon is not afraid to kill off main characters, I found myself needing to emotionally prepare for the moments that follow. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the full series yet. My top 5 heart-breaking moments from Angel are:

Darla’s sacrifice.

“This child – Angel, it’s the one good thing we ever did together…you make sure to tell him that.”

Lullaby (Season 3, Episode 9)

Darla has always been known as a ruthless and evil vampire. However, she is the one who turned Angel and he cannot always ignore his connection to her, especially when she is brought back from the dead. After Darla and Angel sleep together, we later find out that there is a major consequence. Angel’s soul is still intact, but Darla is pregnant with their child. As Darla progresses with her pregnancy, we learn that the baby is human with a soul. The baby’s goodness begins to truly impact Darla and she realizes what she must do. In a tragic moment, Darla tells Angel that this is the one good thing they ever did together, right before she stakes herself. Angel’s son, Connor, is born in the alley because of Darla’s sacrifice. Darla has redeemed herself in this moment and while she cannot erase all of her past sins, this act proves that it’s never too late to try and do the right thing for the ones you love.

Angel & Buffy’s day together is reset.

“No! Oh God. It’s not enough time.”

I Will Remember You (Season 1, Episode 8)

In the episode, “I Will Remember You,” we get a Buffy/Angel crossover, as Buffy comes to town to confront Angel after he stopped by in Sunnydale to save her without talking to her. Their argument is put on hold, as they are attacked and Angel is infected by a demon, which causes him to become human. Buffy and Angel finally get the opportunity to be with one another, but things are never that easy. Angel realizes that he cannot protect Buffy and the helpless as a human and asks for the Powers That Be to reset the day. As if this isn’t heartbreaking enough, Angel will remember the day with Buffy, but it will be stripped from her own memory, as if it never happened. Angel tells Buffy that they only have a minute left together and she begins crying, telling him that it’s not enough time, which always brings me to tears. This episode gives Bangel fans the chance to see a happily ever after for our beautiful couple, but everything is temporary. The fact that Angel carries this memory alone is truly tragic and my heart goes out to him here. If only…

Fred’s death.

“I’m not scared. I’m not scared. I’m not scared. Please, Wesley, why can’t I stay?”

A Hole in the World (Season 5, Episode 15)

In season 5, Joss really let fans cry their eyes out. Fred is one of my all time favorite characters and she always brings a goofy innocence to everything, which really helps balance out the team. She and Wesley have never really gotten the chance to explore their feelings for one another, but it seems like that is all about to change in season 5. Fred finally sees Wesley in a romantic way and wants to be with him, which had fans cheering everywhere. However, just as these two start off their relationship together, tragedy strikes when a mysterious package arrives at Wolfram & Hart and Fred is infected by it. Fred begins to deteriorate very quickly, as the team tries to find a way to save her. Only they do not have enough time or a real option, as Angel is not able to save Fred and sacrifice many lives as a result. Wesley stays by Fred’s side through it all and she tries to be so brave for him, which is incredibly heartbreaking. As soon as she utters the words, “Why can’t I stay?” I start sobbing. Fred’s reaction here is so pure and innocent and I still just desperately want her to be all right, but she’s gone and Wesley’s reaction is beyond tragic.

Cordelia’s death.

“Hello. Yes, I know. She’s… but that’s impossible. She’s standing right— I’m sorry. Yeah. When did she die? Did she, um… she never did wake up? I see.”

(hangs up, looks out to where Cordelia was standing moments earlier)

“Thank you.”

You’re Welcome (Season 5, Episode 12)

As many of you know, this is my favorite episode of the series, but it is so hard for me to watch it. We initially think that Cordelia has woken up from her coma and that she and Angel may finally get the opportunity to be together. However, we are not granted this wish, as we learn that Cordelia is here on a very temporary basis, as the Powers That Be “owed her one.” Cordelia sets Angel on the right path and kisses him one last time, but their moment is interrupted when she tells him that he has to get the phone. Angel is shocked to find out that Cordy never woke up from the coma, as he hopefully looks over to see her, but realizes that she is gone. Reality sets in here, as Angel is left alone, but he does thank her. Angel has been through so much and he still kept his hope alive that Cordy would wake up one day. While Angel can hold on to this fantasy, it doesn’t bring Cordy back, which is truly devastating.

Illyria pretends to be Fred to comfort Wesley.

“Would you like me to lie to you now?”

Not Fade Away (Season 5, Episode 22)

In the series finale, we have a lot going on, but this moment still stands the test of time for me. These nine words bring me to tears every single time. They are that powerful. Wesley is fatally wounded and only has a few moments left. Illyria has been showing signs of humanity, but she understands what she must do here to comfort him and simply asks Wesley if he would like her to lie to him now. Wesley agrees and Illyria appears to be Fred in front of him, staying with him until the very end so that he can die peacefully with the woman he loves by his side. Wesley’s death is sad enough, but this moment of compassion from Illyria affects my heart and soul. This moment is so incredibly real and touching, as Illyria finally understands what it means to feel grief and loss.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to share some of your own heartbreaking moments from Angel in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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**I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available! If you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I hope you enjoy!

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Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Ranking the top 5 episodes of “Angel”

Happy Wednesday TV Fans! I just finished my Angel re-watch and I’m left wanting more! I mean, we were left with a cliffhanger in the end, but there is something to be said about this series, which truly resonates with me. For today, I am going to be ranking my top 5 episodes from Angel. Over my many re-watches of the show, these episodes still stand out and captivate my undivided attention.

The series has so many great episodes and I have plenty of honorable mentions as well because it was truly difficult to just pick five episodes. Like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this show has a lot of funny moments, but it is also very dark and extremely heartbreaking. I relate to the characters on this show so much and I think that’s why some of these episodes truly stand out for me.

It’s not just about advancing the plot or introducing a new big bad. These episodes mark epic moments, but they also remind us how much we truly connect to these characters, even after all this time. While some episodes are shocking, other ones are beyond heartbreaking, but they are absolutely brilliant and worthy of a discussion for sure. During my re-watch, I chatted with so many Buffy and Angel fans and it was interesting to see which episodes stood out for them compared to my own.

While I may have my own personal preferences, it just furthers my opinion that Angel is an underrated spin-off and deserves some recognition as a standalone series as well. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not yet watched the series. My top 5 episodes from Angel are:

“Rm w/a Vu” (Season 1, episode 5)

Cordy: I’m not a sniveling whiny little Cry-Buffy. I’m the nastiest girl in Sunnydale history. I take crap from no one…Back off! Polygrip. You think *you’re* bad? Being all mean and haunty? Picking on poor pathetic Cordy? Well, get ready to haul your wrinkly translucent ass out of this place, because lady, the bitch is back.

Maude: Do you think that I’m going to take that from trash like you?

Cordy: I tell you what I think. I think that you’re going to pack your little ghost bags and get the HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!

So for me, this episode has to be the one that hooked me onto Angel for good. When I first began watching Angel, it coincided with season 4 of Buffy and I was mostly looking for crossover events. However, this episode changed all of that for me. I always loved Cordelia Chase on Buffy, played by the amazing and beautiful, Charisma Carpenter. However, she didn’t always get enough screen time on Buffy and she started to really grow as a character toward the end of season 3. She even staked her very first vampire at graduation!

I was excited to see her on Angel and this episode allowed her to step out of her supporting role and into a leading one with flair. This episode is absolutely hilarious and kind of creepy at the same time. I have to admit that I always hesitate before looking in the mirror in the bathroom just because of this very episode. I mean, you never know if Maude is still hanging around.

I love this episode because Angel and Doyle are trying to fight off other demons, but it’s Cordelia who needs to find the strength within herself to cast out the ghost of Maude, proving that you should never underestimate a girl with confidence and attitude.

“Reunion” (Season 2, episode 10)

Lilah: For god’s sake, help us.

Holland: Angel – please. – People are going to die.

Angel: And yet, somehow, I just can’t seem to care.

My top 5 list would not be complete without including “Reunion.” I absolutely adore both Drusilla and Darla and often felt like they didn’t get enough time on Buffy either. Fear not, these bad-ass ladies make their triumphant return on Angel and wreak havoc on the entire city. After being brought back from the dead, Darla realizes that she is dying as a mortal and the lawyers of Wolfram & Hart enlist Drusilla to turn Darla back into a vampire.

In this episode, these two ladies go shopping, which is enough to make this episode truly stand out, especially when Drusilla starts “ringing all over.” I mean, you gotta love modern technology. However, they do not stop here, as they decide to go to the Wolfram & Hart party and truly make a splash. Darla reminds Holland and the other lawyers that they ordered a massacre and these two ladies show up to bring the massacre to them.

While this moment is shocking on its own, Angel shows up and closes the doors on the lawyers, turning his back on them and refusing to help. Drusilla recognizes that this man is not Angelus, but Angel’s humanity is tainted here, as he gives up and even fires his team at the end of the episode, causing our fearless leader to question everything.

“Birthday” (Season 3, episode 11)

Skip: You may wanna think about that. The only way *you* get to keep the visions is by becoming – part demon. The process isn’t easy. It’ll make your vision pain feel like a stroll through candyland. And even after the pain subsides the effects of the transition will be numerous and unpredictable. You may never be able to lead a human life again.

Cordy: So – demonize me already.

I love this episode because it is a Cordy-centric one; however, it also allows Cordelia to really transform and grow as a selfless hero, which is extremely important. In this episode, Cordelia’s painful visions catch up with her, as she ends up in some kind of deep sleep or coma, as Angel and her friends try to help her.

Cordelia ends up in a limbo of sorts and meets her guide, Skip, who is a hilarious demon that really almost deserves his own spin-off series. Cordelia is brought to a mall so she feels comfortable and is given the chance to re-write her life. Skip makes it so she never bumped into Angel at the party in LA and she ends up becoming famous with her own show, Cordy! It seems like she has the perfect life, but Cordelia’s path intertwines with helping the helpless and she later makes the decision to accept her visions and become part demon.

Skip warns her that there will be consequences, but Cordelia is ready to accept her fate, understanding that it is her true purpose to help others. This episode is so important because we have really seen Cordelia’s goodness shine through, as she will do anything to help. In previous seasons of Buffy and maybe even earlier on Angel, Cordelia would have taken her shiny new life and ran with it, but she’s not that girl anymore. She has become a hero one can truly be proud of and she’s ready to embrace her new destiny.

“Not Fade Away” (Season 5, episode 22)

Illyria: You’re fading. You’ll last 10 minutes at best.

Gunn: Then let’s make ’em memorable.

Spike: In terms of a plan?

Angel: We fight.

Spike: Bit more specific.

Angel: Well, personally, I kind of want to slay the dragon…Let’s go to work.

I was a little torn between my number 1 and 2 picks, but I am going to give the series finale of Angel my number 2 spot. However, please note that this was a very difficult decision because this episode is fantastic. Season 5 really got things back on track for the show, but it also provided us with some heartbreaking moments that still make me cry today.

In the series finale, the apocalypse we have been hearing about for 5 seasons is finally unleashed by Wolfram & Hart. Angel and his team are ready to fight, even though the odds are definitely not in their favor. The episode does a great job of summing certain things up and providing us with some closure. For example, we get to see Harmony being Harmony and Connor returns to stand by his father’s side, which is important. We also get to see some heartbreaking closure for Wesley as well, which I am going to devote another blog entry to, so stay tuned on that.

At the end of the episode, it is raining and our remaining heroes debate over the plan. Angel wants to fight the dragon of course and simply tells them to “go to work,” leaving fans with a major cliffhanger at the end of the series. So, we don’t know if the prophecy will be fulfilled and if Angel will eventually become human and we don’t know the fate of some of our remaining characters as well.

However, I think this series finale is one of the best I have seen on any show because it reminds us what the show is about. While Buffy had more closure and the opportunity to do whatever she wanted at the end of the series, Angel and his team are left fighting the good fight, which is why he came to LA in the first place. It’s not about achieving the happily ever after. It’s about the fight until the very end to “help the helpless” and that’s exactly what Angel and the others do.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one episode of Angel are:

“I Will Remember You”
“Hero”
“Eternity”
“Five by Five”
“To Shanshu in L.A.”
“Guise Will Be Guise”
“Darla”
“Disharmony”
“Lullaby”
“Forgiving”
“Awakening”
“Soulless”
“Salvage”
“Life of the Party”
“Destiny”
“Harm’s Way”
“A Hole in the World”
“Shells”

“You’re Welcome” (Season 5, episode 12)

Angel: I need you here.

Cordy: Don’t make it hard, Angel. I’m just on a different road… and this is my off-ramp. The Powers That Be owed me one, and I didn’t waste it. I got my guy back on track…We take what we can get, champ, and we do our best with it. I’ll be seeing you.

Oh, what the hell. One for the road?

There really has to be something said for the 100^th episode of this series. I remember being so disappointed when I saw that Cordelia was no longer in the main credits at the start of season 5 and I was wondering if she would ever wake up from her coma. In this episode, fans get their wish and Cordelia returns. Her bright smile is back and she is excited for some “shopping” with Angel and Wesley, giving fans a real sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the start of the series.

The episode is absolutely brilliant from start to finish, but nothing could prepare me for the very end. Joss Whedon is fantastic at creating twists that we never see coming and that’s what he did here. Cordelia reveals that it’s no longer her time and that the “Powers That Be” owed her one, allowing her to get Angel back on track with his destiny.

Throughout the series, Angel and Cordelia had a will-they-won’t-they vibe going on and I really loved the chemistry between these two. That being said, I am a Buffy & Angel fan for life, but I’m not going to knock the connection between Angel and Cordelia. After missing literally every opportunity to be together previously, it seems like they are now going to get a chance at a “happily ever after.” Only this is a Joss Whedon show and happily ever after is not possible, as we learn that Cordelia never wakes up from her coma and Angel is informed at the end of the episode that she died. A

ngel is initially confused, as he tells the person on the phone that she is standing right there, but realizes that she is gone. However, Cordelia does her job by reminding Angel what he stands for and they even get the chance to share an epic kiss that had me swooning for sure.

In classic Cordy-style, she says, “You’re welcome” at the end of the episode and we are left with Angel simply saying, “Thank you,” which broke my heart all over again, as he is now standing there alone.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post some of your thoughts on your own favorite episodes from Angel below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Ranking the top 5 villains from “Angel”

Happy Wednesday TV Fans! For today, I have returned to one of my old favorites, Angel, as I am currently on the last season of my re-watch. I have such an appreciation for this spin-off series of Buffy, as it really was not afraid to dive deeper into the darkness that exists all around us. Angel Investigations had a mission to “help the helpless” and they did run into their fair share of villains along the way. However, they faced some demons they never saw coming, some evil foes from their past, and even villains among each other.

These villains became worthy opponents who continued to threaten our beloved characters and the world. Each villain was unique and terrifying in their own way, but they continuously challenged Angel. Whether they used the law and corruption to further their agenda or just smashed everything in sight, they deserve a spot in my top 5. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the series yet. My top 5 villains from Angel are:

Holtz

Daniel Holtz is a vampire hunter from Angel’s past and he made a deal with a demon named Sahjan so that he could get his revenge on Angel and Darla. Holtz is the main villain in season 3 and returns from a state of suspended animation to take out “Angelus” once and for all. Holtz learns that the vampire he knew from long ago is now with a soul, but he still wants to make him suffer. Angelus killed Holtz’s family and Holtz wants to even the score.

He is a formidable villain because he successfully takes away the one thing that Angel truly cares about. He doesn’t kill Angel’s son, but he abducts him and takes him to another dimension with the help of Wesley’s betrayal. Angel’s son, Connor, ends up growing up in another dimension and is raised by Holtz. Holtz continues to manipulate this love and even has his right hand partner in crime, Justine, kill him so it looks like Angel did it.

Holtz wants to ensure that Angel’s son will hate him for the rest of time, which is a revenge that would hurt Angel more than any other type of torture thrown his way. Holtz was contemplative in his plan and truly impacted Angel, proving to be a villain worthy of my top 5 for sure.

The Beast

The Beast is a nearly unstoppable demon that emerges in season 4. When Cordelia returns to earth, she has visions about this particular demon, which seems to be connected to Connor somehow. The Beast is very powerful and Angel has a tough time fighting him. The Beast begins killing members of the “Ra-Tet” to successfully banish the sun. The Beast is all about destruction, but we eventually learn that his strings are being pulled by Jasmine, who has taken over Cordelia’s body.

Even though The Beast is not a master manipulator, he is powerful enough to hurt everyone in his path, including Faith, who tries to help bring back Angel once he is turned into Angelus. The Beast was a villain made for nightmares and he definitely gave me some during my re-watch and he may have been Angel’s toughest opponent when it comes to combat.

Darla & Drusilla

The delicious and dark duo that wreaked havoc in season 2 absolutely deserve a spot on my list. By themselves, Darla and Drusilla prove to be dangerous, but as a tag team they are truly masterful. After Darla is brought back as a human in season 2, Wolfram & Hart recruit Drusilla to turn her into a vampire.

These two bad-ass ladies just want to have fun, as they even go on a shopping spree that is to die for…literally. Angel has close ties to both of them from his past, which makes them formidable foes. My favorite episode with them is “Reunion,” (Season 2, episode 10), where they decide to turn the tables on Wolfram & Hart and deliver a “massacre” just like they ordered. Only the massacre is on the lawyers, as they kill everyone at the party except for Lindsey and Lilah.

They even spark a darkness within Angel, as he allows Darla and Drusilla to kill everyone at the party. He is not Angelus in this moment, but something else, as his past consumes him and he almost turns off his humanity here, which proves just how dangerous this duo was.

Jasmine

After fans were initially shocked that Cordelia could be the potential big bad in Season 4, we learn that Jasmine has been controlling her and pulling the strings. Cordelia ends up giving birth to Jasmine, which puts her into a coma, and the goddess is released into the world. You would think that Jasmine would be all about destruction, but her methods are different, as she creates a world of “shiny happy people.” You know she was evil when she got Angel to wear yellow.

Everyone is enamored by Jasmine, as they flock to her and will do anything to make her happy, which is beyond dangerous. Later on, Fred is exposed to Jasmine’s blood and sees the true face of Jasmine, which consists of maggots and rotting flesh. Thanks to Fred, everyone else is eventually able to see what Jasmine truly is and we learn that she consumes large groups of people at a time to maintain her strength. So, basically she eats people, but in a happy, cheery way.

Jasmine is a worthy villain because she was able to successfully infiltrate Angel’s group and use Cordelia to be reborn into the world. She was also a villain that Angel could not just merely fight and attack, as her manipulation of the world was something transcendent of violence, but luckily we had our girl Fred there to make a difference.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one pick are:

Angelus
Illyria (although I don’t personally classify her as a villain)
Skip
Vocah

Wolfram & Hart

It should be no surprise that my favorite villain has to go to “Wolfram & Hart.” I decided to keep them as a collective, rather than break them up individually, because that was the point of this evil law firm. While Buffy had to fight endless demons, gods, and vampires, Angel had to deal with evil lawyers who were not afraid to cut through red tape to further their agenda. My standout lawyers from Wolfram & Hart were Lindsey and Lilah, but the entire concept of an evil law firm was pure genius.

The lawyers of Wolfram & Hart successfully use manipulation and corruption, which is not something Angel can just easily fight or attack. They actually helped Angel become an even stronger hero, as he needed to think outside the box to outsmart them again and again. In season 5, Angel is presented with the opportunity to lead the Wolfram & Hart branch in LA, which was a shock to many viewers. Even though Angel tries to do good with the resources he now has readily available, there are still consequences and threats thrown his way.

The ultimate last apocalypse of the series is unleashed from Wolfram & Hart, which reminded us that they were the very source of the evil walking the earth. Whether you love them or hate them, you have to respect the unique methods of Wolfram & Hart, as this law firm absolutely earns my top spot today.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to share some of your own thoughts and comments on your favorite villains from Angel. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

**Don’t miss out on My Bloody Valentine’s Week book promotion for The Search for Alice! It will be on sale for 99 cents from 2/11/19-2/17-19 and free with Kindle Unlimited!

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Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

As you may know, February is “Women in Horror” month. To celebrate, PromoteHorror.com asked women from different professions if they would like to answer some questions about being a “Woman in Horror,” and more. I am so excited that I was interviewed for this and I hope that everyone continues to celebrate and support women in horror all year round! Check out my Women in Horror month Interview at Women in Horror Month Interview with Author/Blogger Amy Koto

Ranking my top 5 funniest moments from “Angel”

Happy Wednesday TV fans! As I near the end of my Angel re-watch, it really got me thinking about how many hilarious moments there are throughout the series. It’s been quite some time since I have re-watched this show and I found myself laughing out loud repeatedly, proving that even though this show may be considered a darker spin-off of Buffy, it really stands out and embraces its own identity. For today, I am going to be ranking my top 5 funniest moments of the entire series. I was having a little bit of trouble deciding because there were so many hilarious moments, but I guess it comes down to preference. Either way, I think you will be thoroughly entertained and I hope it brings you some Angel nostalgia and some laughs as well. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the full series yet. My top 5 funniest moments from Angel are:

Angel singing “Mandy” for karaoke (Moment from Season 2, Episode 2, “Judgment”).

So, Angel singing in any capacity is hilarious, but this is where it all started. There are several references throughout the show to Barry Manilow and Angel’s favorite songs, but you really can’t beat this moment. Cordelia is also absolutely hilarious when she comments that Angel will do anything to save someone.

Harmony comes to visit (Moment from Season 2, Episode 17, “Disharmony”).

Harmony really shined when she became a vampire. I didn’t think that anything could get funnier than her having “minions” on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, her on-again-off-again relationship with Spike or “Blondie Bear,” or her bitch fight with Xander, which had me falling out of my chair laughing. However, Harmony was not done yet and made her presence known on Angel. The episode, “Disharmony,” is one of my favorite personal guilty pleasures and it is laugh out loud funny from start to finish. Later on, Harmony gets her own episode in “Harm’s Way,” (season 5, episode 9) and never disappoints!

Wesley pretends to be Angel (Moment from Season 2, Episode 6, “Guise Will Be Guise”).

Wesley doesn’t always get all the attention he deserves, but he is one of the funniest characters on the show. This is the first episode where he really shined for me, as he pretended to be Angel to help an innocent. The episode got funnier and funnier along the way, as Wesley wore Angel’s coat with pride and even insisted on calling the shots after Angel had returned.

“I don’t dance…” (Moment from Season 1, Episode 13, “She”).

In this episode, Angel is forced to mingle at Cordelia’s party and gets thrown off when someone asks him to dance. After saying, “I don’t dance,” we hilariously cut to scenes of Angel dancing ridiculously. In the end credits, we get to see both Angel and Wesley dancing, which is beyond funny. Enjoy!

Some honorable mentions before revealing my funniest moment on Angel are:

Spike mocks Angel and calls him a “fluffy puppy with bad teeth” in Season 1, Episode 3, “In the Dark.”
Angel and Wesley’s reaction to Cordelia’s acting in Season 1, Episode 17, “Eternity.”
Lorne’s family member does the “dance of joy” in Pylea in Season 2, Episode 21, “Through the Looking Glass.”
Angel gets turned into a puppet in Season 5, Episode 14, “Smile Time.”
Cordelia sings “Greatest Love of All” in Season 4, Episode 4, “Slouching Toward Bethlehem,” which is the same song she sang for talent show in Season 1, Episode 9, “The Puppet Show,” on Buffy. I’m not sure which performance is better…
Fred asks Angel if he has any weed in Season 4, Episode 6, “Spin the Bottle.”
Illyria says that she has been in a world without shrimp in Season 5, Episode 17, “Underneath,” which is a throwback to Anya talking about a world without shrimp on Buffy.
Pretty much any scene with Andrew.

Cordelia and Wesley mock Buffy and Angel’s romance (Moment from Season 3, Episode 5, “Fredless).

I almost completely forgot about this scene and when I got to it on my re-watch, I must have watched it at least ten times. It’s seriously that funny. Cordelia puts her acting skills to the test, but Wesley steals the show when he steps in and says that he almost forgot to brood. Angel’s reaction to “the show” is absolutely hilarious as well. As a big fan of Bangel, I really appreciated this scene, as it brightened up my day and gave me a new respect for Angel. I hope you agree!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post some of your own favorite funniest moments on Angel in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Ranking my top 5 Female Vampires from TV: “I’m Going to Blow Out the Candles”

Happy Thursday TV viewers! Why should boys have all the fun? For today’s list, I am going to be looking at female vampires from television. Whether she is considered witty, seductive, crazy, or just simply bad-ass, these female vampires refuse to let the boys steal the spotlight, as they give them a run for their money and capture our affection along the way. Please note some spoilers are ahead. My top 5 Female Vampires from TV are:

The Countess from American Horror Story: Hotel

“Why would I help you when it gives me so much joy to see you suffer?”

Portrayed by Lady Gaga, The Countess truly embodies the art of dark seduction. In the beginning of the season, The Countess and Donovan go to a cemetery and seduce a young couple at a movie screening. While the scene is initially sexual and passionate, it turns deadly when they brutally kill the couple and devour their blood. The Countess is powerful and beyond alluring to others, as she really masters the penetrating stare deep within one’s soul, which allows her to corrupt and destroy. The Countess has a hypnotizing quality about her, as she lures young children to her in order to maintain her eternal youth and she maintains her killer fashion sense with a glove that is simply to die for…literally.

Jessica Hamby from True Blood

“I’m so sick of silverin’ myself all day every day, being pissed off all the time. This is what PMS used to feel like.”

In Jessica’s mortal life, she grows up with a strict Christian family and is extremely pure. Bill turns Jessica into a vampire and she becomes very dangerous, but mostly because she is also an emotional teenage girl. Jessica is doomed to be a vampire virgin for eternity, which is both hilarious and horrible at the same time. Jessica speaks her mind and is not afraid to let all of her emotions run wild, as she really proves to be a teenage daughter from hell for poor Bill.

Later in the series, Jessica really develops as a character, but she never disappoints with providing us with some fun entertainment along the way.

Caroline Forbes from The Vampire Diaries

“You are not even worth the calories I burn talking to you.”

During her mortal life, Caroline is actually quite annoying and judgmental. However, when she is turned into a vampire, Caroline transforms into a very likable character, even though she has a new lust for blood. Caroline is always levelheaded and is the one that you can truly envision being your own best friend.

She is loyal and thoughtful, even though she is a creature of the night, and she is often the character to present us with an unlikely voice of reason in the midst of the chaos going on in Mystic Falls. She is also still sassy, which is entertaining as well. They say that “blondes have more fun,” but in this case, I guess blonde vampires do.

Pam or Pamela Swynford De Beaufort from True Blood

“I don’t know what it is about me that makes people think I want to hear their problems. Maybe I smile too much. Maybe I wear too much pink. But please remember, I can rip your throat out if I need to, and also know that I am not a hooker. That was a long, long time ago.”

This list would not be complete without including Pam. Pam is Eric’s second in command at Fangtasia and she is not the most likable gal, but she doesn’t care, which makes her so incredibly amazing. Pam does not have any issues with being a vampire. She just accepts who she is and she embraces the darkness with flair. Pam’s witty remarks are laugh out loud funny and she doesn’t care who she pisses off.

Her leather ensembles are to die for and her devotion to Eric is something truly remarkable, as he is one of the few beings in the world that truly matters to her. Pam is absolutely bad-ass and is a vampire that you do not want to mess with.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one pick are:

Rebekah from “The Originals”
Harmony from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”
Shauna Babcock from “The Passage”
Sophie-Anne from “True Blood”
Olivia Godfrey from “Hemlock Grove”
Katherine from “The Vampire Diaries”
Tara from “True Blood”
Elena from “The Vampire Diaries”
Darla from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel”

Drusilla from Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel

“I met an old man. Didn’t like him. He got stuck in my teeth.”

So my number one pick has to go to Drusilla from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Played by the absolutely incredible Juliet Landau, Drusilla is Spike’s girlfriend and is pretty much batshit crazy, but that’s all part of her charm. Drusilla first comes to Sunnydale back in season 2 and has been weakened by a mob. Drusilla has visions and often sees stars indoors and enjoys having tea parties with her dolls. However, these are not ordinary tea parties, as Dru tends to blindfold the dolls who don’t behave so that they cannot watch her feed and kill.

Drusilla is extremely dangerous when she does get her strength back and even kills a slayer named Kendra, using her hypnosis on her before slashing her throat with her nail. Even though Drusilla is a vampire, she feels so much. It may be misguided, but she later explains to Buffy that vampires are very capable of love. Drusilla makes several guest appearances later on both Buffy and Angel and always causes some trouble, while keeping us thoroughly entertained. She still remains my absolute favorite female vampire on television and probably always will be. Just remember, if you set a “bad example, you will have no cakes today.”

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite female vampires from TV. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available! If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

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Ranking my top 5 Male Vampires from TV: “I’ve Always Been Bad”

Happy Tuesday TV viewers! When you think of vampires, what comes to mind? There is that overwhelming sense of darkness and desire that is beyond dangerous. And yet, you still find yourself intrigued by their existence. Whether it’s about blood or lust, there is something beyond mesmerizing about vampires. While many vampires have entertained us in film, books, and television, there are some characters that truly stand the test of time, inviting us into their world of darkness.

For today’s list, I am going to be looking at male vampires from television. Whether the vampire is considered the “big bad” or is on a quest for redemption, there is something undeniably hypnotizing about their existence. These vampires are not just about the kill. They are complex and unique and we often find ourselves rooting for them above all others…and maybe even swooning over them from time to time as well. Please note some spoilers are ahead.

My top 5 Male Vampires from TV are:

Klaus Mikaelson from The Originals & The Vampire Diaries

“You know, over the years, I’ve had my share of friends, enemies, lovers, losses, and triumphs. With time, they all begin to run together, but you will find the real moments are vibrant. The rest just fades away. Your pain will fade.”

When I first saw Klaus on The Vampire Diaries, I was instantly intrigued. He basically stole the show for me and I was beyond excited when I found out that the spin-off series, The Originals, would focus around him and his family. Klaus is dangerous and a formidable foe that you do not want to cross.

He has a quick temper and a monstrous quality, but he also has an artistic side to him and possesses wisdom beyond his years. He reveals glimmers of goodness along the way, especially when it comes to Caroline, Camille, and Hope. Klaus is the epitome of the “bad boy” on television, but he is so classy about it as well, which makes him the perfect anti-hero.

Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries

“If you’re going to be bad, be bad with a purpose or else you’re not worth forgiving.”

When we first met the Salvatore brothers on The Vampire Diaries, Damon easily became my favorite. While Stefan is conflicted and brooding, Damon just wants to have fun. Although his idea of fun often involves killing and torture, there is just something so charismatic about Damon.

Like Klaus, Damon’s character shifts toward redemption, as he falls desperately in love with Elena. Damon’s actions become selfless and pure, which really elevates his character even more. While I enjoyed seeing the growth of his character, I do prefer his bad boy charm, as he really shows off his flair for being evil with style.

Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel

“She made me feel like a human being. That’s not the kind of thing you just forgive.”

The vampire with a soul who had us falling desperately in love with him, along with Buffy Summers, absolutely deserves a spot on this list. Angel is cursed by gypsies and has to live as a creature of the night with a conscience. While Angel initially shies away from society because of this, he eventually finds his purpose when he meets Buffy.

Angel tries to help Buffy, but ends up falling in love with her, which becomes beyond complicated when he loses his soul after experiencing a “moment of true happiness” with her. When Angel’s soul is gone, he reveals just how dangerous he is by torturing Buffy and her friends, proving that he truly relishes in watching others suffer. Angel’s soul is later returned, but he ends up leaving Buffy to give her a real chance at happiness and to further his own quest for redemption on a spin-off series.

Eric Northman from True Blood

“Death is scary. I’ve been avoiding it for a thousand years.”

This list would not be complete without including Eric Northman. Like many of the other characters on this list, Eric has the bad boy charm act down pat. Eric possesses a regal and elegant quality, while also being vicious and dangerous.

He proves to be truly ruthless on the show and a formidable villain, but also reveals some humanity within him as well. While he falls in love with Sookie, his relationship with Pam is also something that should be noted. Eric is almost like a father figure to Pam and he truly does care about her, proving that bad-ass vampires can have feelings too.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one pick are:

Marcel from “The Originals”
Benny from “Supernatural”
Stefan from “The Vampire Diaries”
Eichhorst from “The Strain”
Roman from “Hemlock Grove”
Elijah from “The Originals”
Cassidy from “Preacher”
Bill from “True Blood”
Barnabas from “Dark Shadows”
John from “Being Human”

Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

“That’s right. Big Bad’s back and lookin for a little death!”

So my number one pick has to go to William the Bloody, aka Spike, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. When Spike first showed up with his crazy girlfriend, Drusilla, back in season 2, I was hooked on the show for life. Spike just screams bad boy and he has this sexy and dangerous quality to him, which makes you almost feel wrong about rooting for him so much. Almost. Spike is absolutely hilarious and even probably tops Buffy with some of his puns, which are laugh out loud funny.

Spike proves to be a threat to Buffy and the Scoobies over and over, but eventually gets a chip in his head that prevents him from harming humans. Spike tries to fit in with the Scooby gang, but continues to go back to his evil ways whenever possible.

Later on in the series, Spike develops real feelings for Buffy and eventually earns back his soul. Whether Spike is evil or good, you can’t help loving him. His presence elevates the show and he reminds us that it’s never too late to try and do the right thing, even if you have been evil for over a century.

Spike will always be my favorite vampire of all time and will continue to be the “Big Bad,” even when reciting some of his “bloody awful poetry.”

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite male vampires from TV. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Stay up to date on upcoming premieres of horror TV series @ 12nightsofhorror.com/horror-series-coming-soon

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Ranking the top 5 TV Mean Girls of all time: “Stop trying to make Fetch happen!”

“On Wednesdays we wear Pink!” (Mean Girls) Well it is Wednesday, but I am sorry to say I am not wearing anything pink. Due to the lack of new shows airing because of the holiday season, I thought it would be a good time to start diving deeper into the roles of some of my favorite characters on television. While the good girl typically saves the day or solves the mystery in the nick of time, it got me thinking about the mean girls who sometimes end up in the background, no matter how much they try to hog the spotlight.

While the Mean Girls film is one of my absolute favorites, I started to think about some characters from television shows who could have easily been invited to sit at their table. While these female characters put their best effort forward to look amazing and act fierce, they each have a likable quality as well, which goes to show that there is a lot more to them than initially meets the eye. My top 5 TV Mean Girls of all time are:

Alison DiLaurentis from Pretty Little Liars.

“Friends share secrets. That’s what keeps us close.” (Alison from Pretty Little Liars)

If you haven’t gotten a chance to binge-watch Pretty Little Liars yet, I absolutely recommend it. Just when you think you have it figured out, there is a new twist or turn. Please note spoilers are ahead as a warning. In the beginning of the series, four friends are trying to figure out the mystery behind Alison’s disappearance and presumed death. There are flashbacks from the past along the way which showcase how mean Alison was to those around her.

Alison had the gift of manipulation and spoke to others in such a condescending manner, that even adults feared her. At this point in the show, it didn’t seem like Alison had any redeeming qualities. She made Hanna feel bad about her weight and led Emily on, realizing that she was a lesbian without a care in the world. She also strategically used the secrets of her friends against them and played them to her advantage. However, later we learn that Alison is actually alive and the mysterious A is out to punish her along with her friends.

While Alison never really leaves her mean girl card behind, she does start to show signs of truly caring for others, especially Emily, as she does have romantic feelings for her. When the series goes five years into the future, Alison is actually a school teacher and tries to pay it forward, but still refuses to allow anyone to step on her or get in her way.

Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl.

“Ladies you can give your tiny brains a rest. Once again the world has proven that anything you can do, I can do better.” (Blair from Gossip Girl)

Blair is the image of perfection in Gossip Girl. Her ensembles and make-up are always flawless and she even has minions who follow her around and follow her every demand, as if they were truly serving a queen. Blair even refers to herself as the “Queen Bee” and her loyal subjects at her prep high-school in New York City don’t really challenge her on this. Blair is infamous for her schemes and frequently feuds with her best friend, Serena.

While Blair is not afraid to fight dirty, she refuses to shatter her image of perfection in the process. She is typically the master-mind behind the scheme and has others do her bidding, refusing to apologize for her actions. While it seems that this mean girl is cold and heartless, Blair does have a loving side. Her on and off again romance with Chuck Bass reveals her vulnerability, as she finds herself thinking with her heart before her head here, exposing that she does have goodness within. Nevertheless, you certainly do not want to ever cross Blair because she will do whatever it takes to win.

Cheryl Blossom from Riverdale.

“You catatonic bimbos didn’t vote for me!” (Cheryl from Riverdale)

Cheryl has the mean girl act down pat for sure. She doesn’t enter a room unless she has her perfect shade of dark crimson lip-stick flawless in order to match her hair. Much like her hair, Cheryl is fiery and passionate. She is not afraid to speak her mind and often says insensitive things without realizing it. Cheryl is the head of the cheer-leading squad and treats the other girls like her subjects, completely appalled when she is voted out and Veronica becomes captain.

Cheryl is not just talk however; as her actions have proven to be very dangerous. She even sets her house on fire with her mother still inside without thinking twice about it. Cheryl does reveal glimmers of goodness along the way. She was truly impacted by the loss of her twin brother, Jason and she does try to help Betty and the gang here and there to prove that she can be useful. However, Cheryl is damaged by the deceit and betrayal of her family and it’s not so easy to turn off the mean girl vibe. While I have hope for Cheryl, she is still a girl to watch out for.

Valerie Malone from Beverly Hills, 90210.

“I’m not Brenda. I’m never going to be Brenda. Don’t talk to me about Brenda!” (Val to Dylan in Beverly Hills, 90210)

Valerie Malone still deserves a spot toward the top of this list even after all this time. Known for being a scheming femme fatale, she fools everyone when she arrives to town, appearing to be a sweet and innocent girl from the mid-west. However, the characters from our favorite zip code are in for a rude awakening, as Val unleashes her street smarts and uses her powers of persuasion and manipulation to break apart this happy group of friends.

Val has romantic relationships with pretty much all of the main characters including Dylan, Brandon, David, and Steve. As a result, she burns bridges fairly quickly with Kelly who becomes her main rival. Val’s snappy one-liners and sneaky maneuvers prove that she is one to watch. She has grown past the high school drama, however; and moves on to blackmailing and dangerous negotiations to help her become a successful business woman. Talk about making a deal with the devil, Val doesn’t allow anyone to double-cross her.

Val is not all bad, however; as she has a very troubled past and does truly care for Brandon as if he were her own family. Val tries to be a good person, but when the task becomes too difficult, she finds it easier to hide behind her bad girl image.

Cordelia Chase from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

“God! What is your childhood trauma? Excuse me, I have to call everyone I have ever met, right now.” (Cordelia to Buffy when she attacks her by accident)

So my number one pick for best TV mean girl has to go to the beautiful and hilarious, Cordelia Chase. While Buffy and Willow tend to have most of the fan-base and get a lot of air time, one should not discount Cordelia. She started out in a supporting role, playing the mean girl role to a tee, as if it was her calling in life to be unpleasant to those around her. However, later in the series, Cordelia becomes a member of the Scoobies and does try to lend a helping hand…when it’s convenient for her.

One of my favorite episodes is when her and Buffy compete for Homecoming queen. Cordelia is not about to just hand over the crown to Buffy and goes through great lengths to defeat her. The two end up caught in a trap cleverly called “Slayerfest 98” where the vampires mistake Cordelia for Faith. Nonetheless, the two have to make amends and put differences aside to stay alive, even if it means using a spatula as a weapon.

Cordelia does eventually grow into a caring person especially when she joins Angel in LA, but one cannot forget her witty come-backs and her unforgiving attitude. She even tells a ghost off in Angel, proving that she is not going to let anyone step on her, supernatural or not. Cordelia would probably end up leading the “Plastics” if she were in the Mean Girls film, proving to be a timeless mean girl that we still root for.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post your thoughts and comments below on some of your favorite TV mean girls. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 spin-off television series of all time: Can a spin-off surpass an original?

Is it possible for a spin-off series to surpass the original? Perhaps not in most cases, but that doesn’t mean that the spin-off can’t branch out into something entertaining and epic on its own. Creating a spin-off series is always a gamble. You are relying on the fans from the original series to follow the show and create a fan base with its own separate identity as well.

While many spin-off series have failed to capture this difficult standard, there have been some that are so memorable that you almost forget that there was an original series that started it all. This really got me thinking about my own favorite spin-off series and why they stand out above the rest.

My top 5 favorite spin-off television series of all time are:

The Originals

This show is a spin-off series of the CW’s successful hit, The Vampire Diaries. Klaus Mikaelson and his family of original vampires are introduced as dangerous and worthy villains, but their history is so rich and intriguing, not leaving The Vampire Diaries much room to explore it among its own plot.

The Originals is set in New Orleans and fans were pleased to see the Mikaelson family as the center of it all, while introducing new characters as well with just as much complexity. The Originals does not shy away from its roots and all fans know where it started, however; it takes a darker and more historical approach to vampires, allowing viewers to see the full picture of how everything started.

After years of watching both series, I came to ultimately prefer The Originals because it was fresher and explored darker elements. Klaus, who was previously shown as a ruthless killer with no remorse, now shows a glimmer of a soul and reveals to us how he became so broken in the midst of family and romantic betrayals.

Melrose Place

This show is a spin-off series of one of my all time favorites, Beverly Hills, 90210. 90210 was such a success and targeted a teenage audience who craved a drama with more depth and complication than your average soap opera. Some fans don’t remember that the very entertaining Melrose Place was actually a spin-off of 90210. Jake is introduced as an old friend of Dylan’s and has a fleeting romantic moment with Kelly, only to decide to ride his motorcycle off to a new town to discover a life of his own.

The opening episodes of Melrose Place even feature Kelly coming to find him to see why he had broken their relationship off, strategically hooking in viewers from 90210. While a lot of the love triangles, betrayals, and outrageous plots seem familiar to 90210, Melrose Place did a good job of capturing an old generation of viewers as well, breaking out of the mold of a high school drama and paving the way for many more shows to come.

Angel

A spin-off of the hit TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon recognized that Buffy and Angel’s story was over…or at least put on pause, leaving fans wondering where Angel would go after Buffy graduated and went off to college. Lucky for us, Angel was not done with his destiny just yet, traveling to LA with fan-favorite, Cordelia, to help innocents along the way and even start his own business while doing so, taking on one evil lawyer at a time.

In Buffy, Angel’s back story is briefly explored, but his own show allows us to truly see and understand every aspect of his origin. Also, Angel was not able to shine as much in Buffy since he was obviously not the center of the show. Angel’s personality and potential were often stifled in Buffy because the focus was on more of the romantic relationship between them, rather than who Angel truly was or meant to be.

This spin-off series did have a strong following and it was lined up right after Buffy on the same night of airings, but Angel did have its own identity and voice, proving that a supporting character could become a principal hero after all.

Better Call Saul

A spin-off of the hit series, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul is a prequel to the beloved series, focusing primarily on our favorite scheming lawyer, Saul Goodman. This spin-off is one of the most successful ones I have watched and I adore both series.

What’s so great about the show is that it introduces important elements and characters that fans recognize from Breaking Bad, giving us a chance to further dive into how everything started in Breaking Bad. However, this does not outshine the incredible acting by Bob Odenkirk who does an excellent job at truly embracing his character.

While fans are pleased with his wit and schemes along the way, we begin to fully learn about his past life and what lead him to the decisions he made later in Breaking Bad. Saul demonstrates his work ethic and how much he wanted to be a lawyer and prove to his brother and girlfriend that he is capable of being a good man.

This becomes difficult to maintain later on, but it is clear that Saul’s character is deeper and more complex than anyone could have imagined on Breaking Bad, creating something unique and separate from the series it came from.

Xena: Warrior Princess

Who could forget the fabulous and beautiful Xena, played by the brilliant and gorgeous, Lucy Lawless? While fans remember that it is a spin-off of Hercules, this series surpasses it in my opinion. Xena paved the way for strong female leads such as Buffy, proving that a female warrior can be just as dangerous as any man. Xena fights warriors and gods along the way, refusing to back down.

Her iconic battle cry is still memorable along with her heart-warming and controversial friendship with her side-kick, Gabrielle. While Xena did air directly after Hercules in the lineup, fans became more excited and hooked by Xena. I did watch both shows and have to admit that once Xena came on, all bets were off.

While the show was darker and more violent than Hercules, it was the character of Xena that drew me in. She wasn’t just a hero; she was jaded, and searching for forgiveness. She masked her vulnerability and weakness behind her sword, but the humanity in her provided viewers with a true connection to her character.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your thoughts and comments below along with some of your favorite spin-off television series of all time. Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” Ranking the top 5 episodes of the series

Happy Friday TV fans! I was somewhat uninspired by the shows that aired last night so I decided to return to an old favorite, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Over the years, Buffy still holds up for me as one of my top shows of all time. Buffy first aired when I was in high school and in desperate need of a female lead to look up to that was strong, resilient, smart, and selfless. Plus Sarah Michelle Gellar’s wardrobe as Buffy helped my fashion sense tremendously.

Watching Buffy helped shape me into the person I am today and while I have not re-watched the show in several years, the episodes are still fresh in my mind. I have to say that out of all my top 5 rankings, this was the most difficult show to narrow down my selections.

I adore making lists so when I was brainstorming last night about which episodes I wanted to include, I found myself scratching off some and adding others repeatedly. There were some that I really wanted to include but I thought it was only fair to pick 5. I think that goes to show that there are so many amazing episodes of Buffy. Good job Joss Whedon!

My five top episodes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer for are:

“Hush” (season 4, episode 10).

I have to admit that I still have nightmares about “The Gentlemen” from this episode. They are so well crafted and creepy, that even Freddy and Jason cannot compare. “The Gentlemen” travel to Sunnydale to collect hearts and steal the voices of everyone so that no one can hear you scream. I was in college when this episode first came out and I remember being very hesitant to open my dorm-room door after a knock because of this.

Sure that is a little extreme, but that’s how truly scary these demons were. What really makes this episode stand out is that Buffy and the Scoobies have to find a way to defeat them and communicate with one another without their voices. This leads to some great comedy along the way balanced with sheer terror.

“Fool for Love” (season 5, episode 7).

In this episode, Buffy comes very close to dying and is looking for a way to learn from her mistakes and stay alive. She decides to go to the vampire, Spike, for help. She knows that over his lifetime, he has killed two slayers and she wants to know how. For me, Spike has always been one of my favorite characters.

The development of his back-story was so interesting and necessary to the show. What really grabs the viewer is when he tells Buffy that “he’s always been bad,” only to flash back to a scene where he is dressed in a dusty suit, reciting poetry. Who would have thought that one of the most dangerous vampires of all time had a romantic side? We find out through the episode that he was nicknamed “William the Bloody” because of his “bloody awful poetry.”

While it is interesting to see how Spike is turned into a vampire and how he defeated the other two slayers, what really stands out is his love for Cecily. He had been crafting his poetry for her and pouring his heart out, only for her to reject him and say that he is “beneath her.” This moment is what drags Spike’s vulnerability to the surface and comes back to haunt him when Buffy later says the same thing to him.

For me, the end of this episode always stands the test of time. Spike goes off to kill Buffy for making a fool of him and he sees her crying on her porch steps after she has learned that her mother is very ill. He goes to sit with her and comfort her in what I think is the purest and most beautiful moment between them.

At this moment, Spike doesn’t have a soul. Sure, he has a chip in his brain preventing him from hurting others, but he is able to show true compassion and friendship here, which is really beautiful.

“The Gift” (season 5, episode 22).

This is a very powerful season finale and I often thought that the series would end here. It wasn’t until the UPN network picked up Buffy for seasons 6 and 7 that it continued on. A lot goes on in this episode and a catastrophic portal opens that can only be closed by the blood of the key, Buffy’s sister Dawn.

Buffy makes the ultimate sacrifice, choosing to jump into the portal to sacrifice herself to save her sister and the world. A flash-back reveals Buffy reminding Dawn that their blood is the same, which brought tears to my eyes. Buffy tells Dawn that “the hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me.”

As if this moment couldn’t have been tragic enough, Spike’s reaction to Buffy’s death is so heart-wrenching and real. He does truly care for her and feels he let her down.

“The Zeppo” (season 3, episode 13).

You may be wondering why I included this episode and why it is ranked so high on my list. “The Zeppo” is the funniest episode of the entire series, following a series of events through Xander’s perspective.

In the beginning of the episode, Cordelia talks about how everyone in the Scoobies has something to contribute except for him. He’s like “Jimmy Olsen” or “The Zeppo.” Xander gets into a never-ending adventure where Buffy and the rest of the gang are simply background noise.

Xander’s reaction to each new challenge is hilarious and the music is spot on, which makes this episode stand out for me as one of my all-time favorites.

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one episode of Buffy are:

“School Hard”
“Halloween”
“Innocence”
“Passion”
“I Only Have Eyes For You”
“Homecoming”
“Lovers Walk”
“The Wish”
“The Prom”
“Living Conditions”
“Something Blue”
“Who Are You?”
“Buffy vs. Dracula”
“Triangle”
“The Body”
“Life Serial”
“Once More, With Feeling”
“Tabula Rasa”
“Conversations with Dead People”
“Lies My Parents Told Me”
“Chosen”

“Becoming Part 2” (season 2, episode 22).

This has always been my absolute favorite episode of the series. While the episode has a lot going on, the last moments are what make it so powerful. Angel has lost his soul and became the evil Angelus and Buffy is fully prepared to put a stop to him, recognizing that the man she fell in love with no longer exists within this soulless demon. Angelus is opening the mouth of a demon that will swallow the world hold, unleashing hell upon earth.

Just as Buffy is about to strike him down with a sword and save the day, Willow’s spell takes effect, and his soul has now been returned. Angel doesn’t remember what has happened or where he is. The damage is done; however, as the demon’s mouth has already been opened and Buffy must destroy the love of her life to close the portal. Buffy reveals her selflessness again to save the world, losing her true love in the process.

Once the tragic task is completed, Buffy leaves Sunnydale, unable to deal with the tragic consequences.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to comment on some of your own favorite episodes. Happy viewing and have a wonderful weekend!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl