Actually - about s8, issue 35...

[elisi]

Angel: "Well, I guess I kinda - worked it out. If there is no great glorious end to all this, if - nothing we do matters, - then all that matters is what we do. 'cause that's all there is. What we do, now, today. - I fought for so long. For redemption, for a reward - finally just to beat the other guy, but... I never got it."
Kate: "And now you do?"
Angel: "Not all of it. All I wanna do is help. I wanna help because - I don't think people should suffer, as they do. Because, if there is no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness - is the greatest thing in the world."
Kate: "Yikes. It sounds like you had an epiphany."
Angel: "I keep saying that. But nobody's listening."

♥

Comments

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Fanfic would be more your department.

I write fanfic, yes, I hope that doesn't automatically invalidate my opinion of supposed canon. What I was referring to was that when you introduce assumptions and backstory that either isn't in the actual text or outright contradicts it, you're telling a different story than the one Joss is. That's fanfic.

Did you ever write one where world governments handed their authority over their miltary forces to a man in a mask?

Of course not, because it makes no sense for them to give him any sort of power over even the lowliest Private. But that's the text. Where does it show him taking orders from anyone? Come to think of it, there aren't a whole lot of times Angel has ever been shown taking orders without question, or without trying to disobey orders he didn't like. He's destiny's bitch, yes, but that's why he's always been shown fighting against it. Where does the text actually show him stopping something even worse from happening?

And I would argue that we don't need to speculate whether he'd be tempted. He answered that question at the end of s4.

*sigh* We're never going to agree on a single aspect of these comics, are we? That's probably as it should be. Apologies to elisi for dragging this dead horse another lap round her track.

[elisi]

No need to apologise, I've been following with interest. Also I was about to bring up the Jasmine arc myself - I even went and looked up the scene in question to make sure I wasn't misremembering.

Jasmine: And how many will die because of you? I could've stopped it, Angel. All of it. War, disease, poverty. How many precious, beautiful lives would've been saved in a handful of years? Yes, I murdered thousands to save billions. This world is doomed to drown in its own blood now.
Angel: The price was too high, Jasmine. Our fate has to be our own, or we're nothing.

Anyway you're right, it's a pointless debate. And Doctor Who is on in... ooooh, 2 hours and 10 minutes! Comics schmomics, let Joss have his fun since obviously they make him happy. :)