Geoff's Comments about Angel, season 1

Last updated: 5 February 2004

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1.1 City of... (8)

A great way to get started, showing that, as with Buffy, this series is best when it's trying to be itself. The menacing Batman-esque Los Angeles-by-night and Darling Violetta's lovely theme music set the tone perfectly; it's entirely appropriate that the city is portrayed as infested by demons who leech off everyone else. Cordelia's entrance with "Are you stil... Grrr!!?" is great.

1.2 Lonely Heart (6)

Adequate as a metaphor for the widespread use of casual sex as a way to make up for loneliness, but in retrospect this falls flat as an Angel episode. The first sighting of Abbreviated Plot Symptom; the fact that this is known to have been written at the last minute is probably an explanation.

1.3 In The Dark (8)

A crossover with Buffy's The Harsh Light of Day. A fine blend of humour, mostly from Spike and Oz in their guest spots, and plain nastiness, in particular the surprisingly graphic torture scenes. All wrapped up with a fine ending.

1.4 I Fall to Pieces (5)

The weakest episode so far, and most definitely one to forget. Again, the darker sides of human behaviour form the subject matter - stalking and voyeurism in this case - but it fails to engage. And another example of what at the time was called the "anthology" concept - a story focussing on peripheral rather than main characters - with less than great results. (Trivia time: the doctor is played by the same actor who plays D'Hoffryn in some Buffy episodes.)

1.5 Rm v/a Vu (8)

Cordelia's first moment of glory, in which her character really begins to develop. Two subthreads, the main one of which is of course the Haunted Apartment, are woven together into a frantic climax.

1.6 Sense and Sensitivity (8)

Two good episodes in a row, the only such occurrence in seventeen episodes of this season. A very strange beast, a bit like a weird parody of generic cop dramas with all the police turning touchy-feely. Nevertheless, it's actually very funny in its deadpan way, and shows that Angel can be wacky too.

1.7 Bachelor Party (6)

The third instance of Abbreviated Plot Syndrome in seven episodes, and another one to ignore. Its saving grace is the humour in the way the blandness of the demons conceals a particularly bloody ritual.

1.8 I Will Remember You (6)

Opinion is divided upon whether Buffy's first appearance is "slushy shipper fanfiction" (as per Keith Topping in Hollywood Vampire) or a tragic postlude to the Buffy-Angel relationship (probably almost everyone else). Certainly, there are convincing arguments either way; parts of it are undeniably moving, but the whole thing has a distinct odour of contrivance.

1.9 Hero (8)

The occasion of Doyle's jarring - and controversial - departure. While it's difficult to disagree with reports that it was felt that his character had outlived his usefulness, he comes into his own here. The story is superficially a routine one of Nazi-esque persecution, but this is actually the backdrop to a fine essay about heroism, valour and self-sacrifice, and the climax is among the most memorable moments in the series.

1.10 Parting Gift (7)

A more conventional but still decent episode, in which Angel reorients itself post-Doyle and integrates Wesley into the cast in his place. Indeed, over the course of the series Wesley develops from a simpering and unconfident idiot into an essential and at times admirable character. One of the high points of the episode is the weird collection of customers at the auction; another is the final, touching, breakfast scene.

1.11 Somnambulist (8)

The best, and darkest, episode of Angel's first half. It resembles 1.9 Hero in that it concentrates exclusively on its main storyline, this time a very dark and compelling look at one consqeuence of Angelus's past which brings some unpleasant chickens home to roost. (Trivia time: it's misspelt "Somnabulist" on the DVD menu!)

1.12 Expecting (7)

The first of a trio of episodes which steal plot elements from well-known films. It starts out seemingly as a sympathetic womanly look at unwanted pregnancy, but undoes itself a bit by turning into Demon Seed.

1.13 She (3)

This tries too hard to make some sort of point about gender relationships, but ends up saying very little of anything worthwhile. With appalling pacing, it takes fully fifteen minutes to get anywhere at all, and ultimately the only scenes of any note are the very funny ones with Angel and Wesley dancing. The worst episode of either Buffy or Angel, and an embarrassment to all concerned.

1.14 I've Got You Under My Skin (7)

You'd be forgiven for thinking that is a supernatural take on child abuse, but after a deft plot twist it spends too much time being The Exorcist to be convincing - until another plot twist near the end rescues it.

1.15 The Prodigal (8)

Very nearly the standout of the first season. Despite some very dodgy Irish accents, the parallel storylines - complete with flashbacks - are well handled. A good example of what Angel is capable of.

1.16 The Ring (7)

The third and last obviously plagiarised plot, this time paying homage to Fight Club, Spartacus and any number of other similar films. Probably the most brutal episode of either show to date, it doesn't pull any punches, but - as with 1.12 Expecting and 1.14 I've Got You Under My Skin - the fact that it doesn't try to be specifically Angel lets it down.

1.17 Eternity (8)

A memorably barbed take on Hollywood culture - particularly when you remember that the character of Rebecca is only in her mid twenties - mixed in with Cordelia and Angelus on overdrive. Boreanaz's delivery of the line, "You can decide if this is the lifestyle for you", is perfect. By now, Wesley is firmly established, the "anthology" idea has been quietly and sensibly forgotten, and Angel's future direction is clear.

1.18 1.19 Five By Five (8) / Sanctuary (9)

These two episodes follow on from Buffy's Who Are You? and take the viewer on an emotional roller-coaster ride through Faith's swansong. 1.18 Five By Five is the first and so far only episode to get an 18 rating; despite a few blind alleys and some rather unsuccessful flashbacks it steadily gets dark and nasty and really explodes towards the end; the final rain-soaked scene, with Faith breaking down in Angel's arms while Wesley looks on and drops his knife, is stunning. 1.19 Sanctuary is a fine study of guilt, remorse and redemption; full of tension, it climaxes memorably with the cathartic rooftop battle. The final shot of Faith in prison, content for the first time in ages, is a poignant farewell.

1.20 War Zone (7)

Angel gets down in da 'hood with a new breed of vampire hunters, among them one Charles Gunn. It suffers a bit in the aftershock from 1.19 Sanctuary, but taken by itself it's a nice little story about - among other things - trust.

1.21 Blind Date (8)

Wolfram & Hart, worthy adversaries indeed, come to the fore here after several episodes in the background, and Lindsey's misgivings are well handled; the rest is also good, if a little perfunctory in parts.

1.22 To Shansu in L. A. (9)

A terrific way to wind the season, up; the climax is full of adrenalin and the final scene is a real cliffhanger. It's interesting, too, to note how it fits nicely into a single episode.

The DVDs

Probably the least impressive extras yet: a good commentary for 1.1 City Of, a reasonable one for 1.5 Rm w/a Vu, and four rather slight featurettes.