We didnt even know he was a vamp, then we didnt know if he as a good vamp, then we find out hes known darla a while then he kills darla, oh and its their first kiss (buffy and angel), and it starts the whole slayer vamp storyline, it was ok only episode 8 but a changin moment.

Now i love Fools for love, one of my favorite from S5, but by that point nothing was as a big a mystery as it was at the beginning, but i do love the episodes where we find out more about Angel and Spikes past!

Fool for Love is one of my absolute favourite episodes of all time, possibly my most favourite. I love delving into Spike's past and the way he subjugates his pain for hers at the end of the episode. Supposedly, Buffy's the one learning the lessons in this episode but really it's Spike. The episode fleshes out his character in a skillful and interesting way. I think the writing is top notch. The switching between flashbacks and present is brilliant. I also love how Buffy is confronted with her own mortality and thinks of the idea of trying to research other slayer deaths in order to learn from their mistakes.

Angel...is well, it's all about Angel. Now when I first saw this episode, I already knew that Angel was a vampire, because I'd seen enough of future episodes to be aware of it. So it was no surprise. Although in theory I like the idea of the Angel/Buffy relationship- the idea of a vampire cursed with a soul falling in love with the vampire slayer is great. But I've never liked Angel's personality, from Day 1. I'm sorry, but my least favourite episodes are the ones where he's the primary focus. But more than that, I just don't think the writing in Season 1 is nearly as good as it is in later episodes. Also, the actors still seem a little awkward in their roles. And Angel killing Darla seemed so conveniently penitent. It was such an easy way for him to prove to Buffy that he's 'good'. And it offed her character way too soon.

purely on plot alone fool for love is better but thats only cos buffy was well established, we new everyone then and it was great to finally see spikes history and what made him who he was, love all the flashbacks 2.....pretty much all that^^^ fanfly ^^^ said about the episode.
Angel was great 2 the big surprise him being a good vampire and the first kiss and the showdown all great but still because we didn't know the characters well enough i don't think the plot had as much of an affect as finally learning the proper details of william the bloody becoming spike had

FFL is my favorite episode ever. Out of all of them! Not only cause it's Spike centered, but because it's well written, well acted, great guest stars, Riley being stupid...

It's well choreographed, seamless, wonderfully imaginative and a much better reveal of a character than in Angel. The fight scenes were awesome. There was wonderfully subtle Spuffy. And it was a great way to explore the Slayers as well as Spike.

And in a way, especially as it is a twin episode to Darla, you have a much better reveal of Angel and Darla and get to know them, giving them a great reveal episode as well.

The show's quality had far improved by season 5. In season 1, it was just finding its footing.

When you watch buffy by season 1 it seems a little old but it had far improved yeah when you watch season 5, 6, or 7 !!

For me, "Fool For Love" wins by a landslide. This is not only because it's a Spike-centered episode, but mainly because everything-the plot, the characters, and the show as a whole-is so much more developed in it than it is in "Angel". Without considering the Angel focus in the episode, I still think discovering Spike's past is far more exciting than a first kiss and finding out what kind of vampire Angel is. Not saying I dislike "Angel", I think its a well-put together episode, but, in my opinion, not fabulous and not Joss' best.

One of my fave episodes

Fool For love is one of my favourite episodes.The flashbacks were great and Spike's storyline of who he was before he becam a vampire,than who he becam after he was turned and than in the end of the episode we see that even though Spike wanted to banish the''poet'' in him William was very much in him.A really great episode.
In the Angel episode there wasn't even anything about Angel's past just that he was a vampire cursed whit a soul.We finally got to see who he was beofe he was sired in ATS.

The flash backs were great and also a little bit of Spuffy LOVE!