It is interesting that you like the two seasons: Buffy 3 and Angel 1, that I own.
Buffy was very depressing in many ways.
Angel was gimmick filled.
But, I own Season 3 of Buffy.
Season 3 of Buffy brought Eliza Dushku on to the show as Faith, and she added a lot.
Additionally, during Season 3 is an episode called "the Prom", which takes a depressing show and gives it a great storybook ending, the like many hollywood movies. By far "The Prom" is my favorite Buffy episode. But I watch "Bad Girls", "Faith Hope and Trick" and other Season 3 stories that involve Faith.
Season 1 of Angel Eliza Dushku shows up as Faith in "Five By Five" and "Sanctuary".
Five By Five was a big standout compared to the rest of the Angel episodes. Therefore, I bought Angel season 1 (and no other) because I wanted to see that episode.
I rank "Five By Five" as the most powerful television episode of any show, ever! Jim Kouf wrote a very dramatic story that ranks with the best movies ever. Eliza Dushku gave her best performance in that episode. She has never been able to duplicate anything close to it, despite getting the starring role in two TV series (Tru Calling and Dollhouse).
Despite the fact that I don't think much of the rest of the Angel episodes, I still get a kick out of the line in the first Angel episode "Can you fly?"