Buffy The Vampire Slayer Vs. Angel: Which Show Is Better?
2. Peak
Consistency counts for an awful lot, but what about peak? Comparing each show at their absolute best, which is the best?
For Angel, the peak has to be season five, a fun, dark, left-field chapter that puts its characters in their trickiest spot yet, as instruments of Wolfram & Hart forced to fight the forces of evil from the inside-out. With minimal dull episodes, the death of Fred, the finale, and the Angel/Spike rivalry make it a season of countless highs.
Buffy's best year is more debatable, but since season two has Buffy's battle with Angelus, it also fumbles with some dire monster of the week instalments, the show's finest hour has to be season three, which is as funny, inventive, and consistently heart-stopping as the franchise has ever been.
All told, Angel's fifth year is exemplary, but it lacks the sheer emotional impact of Buffy's most excellent chapter. After all, it doesn't quite have anything to match the sliminess of Mayor Wilkins, the rogue villainy of Slayer Faith Lehane, or the turmoil of Buffy and Angel's waning relationship.
Winner: Buffy the Vampire Slayer.