After the mini crossover in the Season opener, this is our first proper crossover. This episode aired immediately after Buffy 4x03 (The Harsh Light of Day), where Spike returned to Sunnydale looking for the Gem of Amara. At the end of that episode, Buffy gets hold of the gem/ring and decides to send it to Angel in LA, Oz says “I have that gig in LA, I’ll swing by and give it to him”.

I know you're probably tired of hearing this, so I'll genuinely try to make this the last time I beat this dead horse (though I don't have high hopes for it).

This reaction was as bad as I thought it would be. Not in the vibe, you two are always fun and awesome to listen to, but every single thing I was worried about came to pass. You spent half the episode thinking that you were dealing with post-breakup Oz, completely forgetting that in Buffy 4x3, which aired an hour earlier, they said that Oz would be delivering the ring. You had to check yourselves to remind yourselves that Spike wasn't yet captured by the Initiative. None of those references or confusions would've been happening if you hadn't "seen into the future" yet.

For the last time, I implore you, please - pause Buffy and catch up, or speedrun Angel and catch up. There's still time to make Buffy S6/Angel S3 and Buffy S7/Angel S4 hit as intended by its authors.

That creepy church on Sunset - Buffy Anne reference?

Guys!
All that Batman talk, and no comment on "quick, to the Angel-mobile!"? 😂

Spike monologuing down to Angel is the best!

This is, of course, the episode after the Buffy episode where Spike was looking for and found the Gem of Amara, the episode where Oz agrees to take the gem to Angel since he will be going to LA for band stuff anyway: "The Harsh Light of Day," which ends with brokenhearted Harmony, Buffy, and Anya each walking alone. (Buffy has been used by Parker just prior.) Hope this helps to situate where we're at for you. I'm happy to be getting them, so please don't mind if I try to orient you a little.

This episode is way before Oz leaves Willow (Buffy S4E3)

“He’s very pale!” I love Oz so much 😭

For some reason, I get emotional every time I see Angel feel the sun against his skin after so long. He’s already cold because of his vampirism, but that warmth… ugh, he definitely misses it, doesn’t he? I can’t imagine being in his position, even as someone who prefers colder weather.

I really like what this moment represents, though. Buffy was always about how bright the world is, whereas Angel is so much more about the darkness in the shadows.

Every once in a while, you get reminded of that, and it’s why watching both shows simultaneously is so essential. Having that dichotomy coexist side by side in the same universe makes for a far more enjoyable experience. They really are two sides of the same coin, and I’m so glad that you’re both watching and enjoying this show. It’s really nice to see you already so obsessed with it :)

I love that they had Oz be the messenger here because it makes his reunion with Cordelia even funnier. They’re such opposites, with Cordelia being super chatty while Oz is quieter and more reserved. That contrast makes their awkward reunion feel even more relatable because it really captures the weirdness of running into someone from high school after some time has passed and then suddenly having to figure out how to talk to each other again 😅

Also, having the episode start with Spike’s commentary about Angel is peak 🤭

"Creepy Anthony Edwards" Nice!  Also, don't forget that Angel S1=Buffy S4. In early S4, Spike was a plain old evil guy. Pre-chip and pre Buffy crush.

me tuning in for every single episode without fail bc Angel is my comfort series: 🙂‍↕️🎉

If you guys are gonna watch Buffy and Angel out of sync, then you need to keep things straight. You’re watching ANGEL while BUFFY is in her fourth season. Don’t confuse Oz showing up on this show with after he left Willow.  I’m sure you’ll figure that out eventually like when Oz shows angel the ring.

Spikes scene in the beginning is still one of my favorite scenes from any show

Oz could have had his own spin-off. It could have been like The Fugitive tv show. He travels from town to town looking for a cure only to help people. Faith could have had a spin-off too.

Spike's voice over watching Angel is the funniest thing ever!

18:15 - "there'd always be somebody after it." True...but I think the real danger Angel is worried about if what if he has the ring, and reverts to Angelus? He's terrified of what could happen if he went evil and had that power...

More like Anthony DEADwards!

Thank you. I'm here all week. Try the veal.

5:35 - "this is where he learns to control it." Nope.

As others have pointed out, this season ran alongside season 4 of Buffy. Angel episodes follow the same timeline as Buffy episodes. Just think back to the same numbered episode on Buffy to try to match the timelines.

What was happening in Buffy, season 4, episode 3? Well, it was her third week as UC Sunnydale. The first 2 episodes dealt with her demon roommate, at then of which Willow became Buffy's new roommate. Oz and Willow are still together, we haven't met Veruca (the werewolf chick) yet, so we certainly haven't seen Oz kill Veruca and then leave to find a way to control it. 🤷‍♂️

As I stated before, the show evolves in many unexpected ways. Mostly positive. Some controversial. I think Angel overall has more food for thought

Cordoylia 😂😂