I just saw it and commented - I thought perhaps you had me in mind! (Or I really am that self-centered esp when it comes to Buffy. *lol*)

"Angel" is definitely one of the ones I recommend from S1 if folks have to pick and choose - there's the need to protect Joyce, the mirror image of Buffy in Darla, his first love and maybe his real "true love"? The one who kicked him out and I'd say he never really got over. (and you'd never guess from that ep that she has a very important role down the line in AtS) That's one of the stunning things about the show, and about S1 - EVERYTHING starts in S1. All the seeds are planted there, no matter how silly or inconsequential the episodes.

And yes I admit I shipped Buffy with Angel at the time, of course I did. She loved him I wanted her to be happy and who doesn't want a happy ending, deep down? I was not yet savvy to the ways of Joss.

Methinks a rewatch is in order. My dear friend Kendra is slowly watching S1 eps and telling me about her reactions - such fun to talk about. She fell in love with Buffy in WTTH - it took me a lot longer than that to actually fall in love with her!