Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 1, Episode 7: Angel Review
Angel
Original Airdate: April 14, 1997
Writer: David Greenwalt
Director: Scott Brazil
I gave David Greenwalt a lot of grief in his first penned episode, "Teacher's Pet", and for that I do feel a little guilty (but I stand by my review) because he did prove himself later like this episode. This episode is a much welcome improvement for him, and is a major stepping stone in the show's early days. It is fitting that the man who would be the show runner for the first seasons of "Angel" wrote this episode, as it laid out the groundwork for this mysterious, pivotal character.
Let's say it: Angel is a bloodsucking vampire. Man, it was tough writing the first six reviews without spoiling that huge piece of information from anyone who may not know the twist. It may be pointless, however, as that piece of information would be in Joss Whedon for Dummies' first chapter if it were ever printed. So the twist's shock value almost ten years later is all but gone, but the meat behind the twist makes it still memorable.
Originally, Joss Whedon balked at the idea of having Buffy's romantic interest be a vampire because he felt the notion was too cliché. Luckily, he decided to keep that element, and the show had some great storylines in future seasons (not to mention Angel's spin-off series). This episode serves as a template for Angel's entire story, with basic information sprinkled into the episode without avoiding prolonged exposition dumps.
It also helps to have Angel's evil vampire persona be one of unparalleled brutality; even The Master has to admire Angelus' brutal methods. It could be almost easy to ignore his past if he was average in his evil. It is a lot to atone for, and leaves a lot of potential for the future. There is no way that Buffy and Angel can have a life together, but the bond between them is too strong for either to deny. That doesn't even take into account what will really divide these two!
While this romance is a major piece of characters and their series', they seem to speed up the flirtation between the two of them in this episode. Previously, Angel had only appeared in passing to give Buffy a warning about some evil while she nursed a crush in between. Buffy's confrontation with The Three must've moved things along. In retrospect, this liberty is a minor complaint.
This episode introduces some more to the vampire mythology established in the first episode. A vampire being unable to enter a private residence is a nice detail, but the fact that vampires (except Angel) lack souls is what really makes things interesting. What composes a soul for vampires is a debatable subject. How do vampires have personalities if they don't have souls? It seems most likely that the soul that a human loses when they transform into a vampire is the conscience. Without that, vampires can kill and feed without any sense of guilt.
Looking back in both Angel and Buffy's series, this episode shows some inconsistencies with what would become Angel and Darla's back-story and mythology. In every future episode where the bad guys hope to turn Angel back to the dark side, they attempt to take away his soul. Instead, Darla tries to use her history with him and his "different" status to outcast him enough where he would do something dangerous. Considering that history, Darla should know that it'll take a lot more to turn him.
However, back then (as we'll learn more about later), Angel couldn't find his purpose in life after being cursed with a soul. He wasn't human, but he couldn't associate himself with the monsters he was a part of anymore. His hundred years of solitude left a mark, as opposed to the future attempts to unleash Angelus, when Angel was secure in his place as defender.
This conundrum isn't lost on the gang either. Angel is the thing Buffy has to hunt and kill every night. However, Angel isn't a vicious predator anymore. This is the first episode to blur the lines between good and evil, which previously were defined: The Master and his minions on one side, Buffy and her friends on the other. That revelation proved crucial for "Buffy" and "Angel", as redemption is a major theme for many characters.
Yes Darla, I really like the schoolgirl outfit, and many guys would agree with me. Darla really steps up in this episode. In the pilot, she was subservient to The Master. Now, while still following him, she is much more aggressive. Perhaps her relationship as Angel's sire made her a little daring. Julie Benz and David Boreanaz have great chemistry together, which works well played against Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar. I only wish we saw more of that in the first season!
One thing worth noting is that this is one of the rare instances of modern weaponry brought into the fold. This could explain why Darla is such a lousy shot (or she went to the University of Firearms for Villains, which teaches people how not to hit the broadside of a barn with a rocket launcher). The absence of such arms, while keeping the show from lasting more than five minutes, adds to the show's style.
Considering Xander's jealousy, it makes sense that he would be adamant about getting Angel out of the way. This attitude of his never completely goes away, especially in the next few seasons. Giles is a less extreme version, but he is more interested in business, and eliminating evil is that. Willow appears more empathetic because of her own crush on Xander.
As Flutie's death remains fresh, Joyce could've easily been next on the chopping block. Darla is capable of killing a woman who is still unaware of the hellish nature in her literal backyard. Buffy has been able to keep her mother in the dark about the truth, but this breech is clear that it will eventually crumble, something that plays out further in future episodes, which makes her survival worthwhile.
This is definitely one of the high points of the season and a major turning point for the series. A twist that could've easily blown up in their faces turned out to make the show increasingly better. The ramifications of this episode resonated throughout both "Angel" and "Buffy", which is pretty telling of its impact.
Writer: David Greenwalt
Director: Scott Brazil
I gave David Greenwalt a lot of grief in his first penned episode, "Teacher's Pet", and for that I do feel a little guilty (but I stand by my review) because he did prove himself later like this episode. This episode is a much welcome improvement for him, and is a major stepping stone in the show's early days. It is fitting that the man who would be the show runner for the first seasons of "Angel" wrote this episode, as it laid out the groundwork for this mysterious, pivotal character.
Let's say it: Angel is a bloodsucking vampire. Man, it was tough writing the first six reviews without spoiling that huge piece of information from anyone who may not know the twist. It may be pointless, however, as that piece of information would be in Joss Whedon for Dummies' first chapter if it were ever printed. So the twist's shock value almost ten years later is all but gone, but the meat behind the twist makes it still memorable.
Originally, Joss Whedon balked at the idea of having Buffy's romantic interest be a vampire because he felt the notion was too cliché. Luckily, he decided to keep that element, and the show had some great storylines in future seasons (not to mention Angel's spin-off series). This episode serves as a template for Angel's entire story, with basic information sprinkled into the episode without avoiding prolonged exposition dumps.
It also helps to have Angel's evil vampire persona be one of unparalleled brutality; even The Master has to admire Angelus' brutal methods. It could be almost easy to ignore his past if he was average in his evil. It is a lot to atone for, and leaves a lot of potential for the future. There is no way that Buffy and Angel can have a life together, but the bond between them is too strong for either to deny. That doesn't even take into account what will really divide these two!
While this romance is a major piece of characters and their series', they seem to speed up the flirtation between the two of them in this episode. Previously, Angel had only appeared in passing to give Buffy a warning about some evil while she nursed a crush in between. Buffy's confrontation with The Three must've moved things along. In retrospect, this liberty is a minor complaint.
This episode introduces some more to the vampire mythology established in the first episode. A vampire being unable to enter a private residence is a nice detail, but the fact that vampires (except Angel) lack souls is what really makes things interesting. What composes a soul for vampires is a debatable subject. How do vampires have personalities if they don't have souls? It seems most likely that the soul that a human loses when they transform into a vampire is the conscience. Without that, vampires can kill and feed without any sense of guilt.
Looking back in both Angel and Buffy's series, this episode shows some inconsistencies with what would become Angel and Darla's back-story and mythology. In every future episode where the bad guys hope to turn Angel back to the dark side, they attempt to take away his soul. Instead, Darla tries to use her history with him and his "different" status to outcast him enough where he would do something dangerous. Considering that history, Darla should know that it'll take a lot more to turn him.
However, back then (as we'll learn more about later), Angel couldn't find his purpose in life after being cursed with a soul. He wasn't human, but he couldn't associate himself with the monsters he was a part of anymore. His hundred years of solitude left a mark, as opposed to the future attempts to unleash Angelus, when Angel was secure in his place as defender.
This conundrum isn't lost on the gang either. Angel is the thing Buffy has to hunt and kill every night. However, Angel isn't a vicious predator anymore. This is the first episode to blur the lines between good and evil, which previously were defined: The Master and his minions on one side, Buffy and her friends on the other. That revelation proved crucial for "Buffy" and "Angel", as redemption is a major theme for many characters.
Yes Darla, I really like the schoolgirl outfit, and many guys would agree with me. Darla really steps up in this episode. In the pilot, she was subservient to The Master. Now, while still following him, she is much more aggressive. Perhaps her relationship as Angel's sire made her a little daring. Julie Benz and David Boreanaz have great chemistry together, which works well played against Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar. I only wish we saw more of that in the first season!
One thing worth noting is that this is one of the rare instances of modern weaponry brought into the fold. This could explain why Darla is such a lousy shot (or she went to the University of Firearms for Villains, which teaches people how not to hit the broadside of a barn with a rocket launcher). The absence of such arms, while keeping the show from lasting more than five minutes, adds to the show's style.
Considering Xander's jealousy, it makes sense that he would be adamant about getting Angel out of the way. This attitude of his never completely goes away, especially in the next few seasons. Giles is a less extreme version, but he is more interested in business, and eliminating evil is that. Willow appears more empathetic because of her own crush on Xander.
As Flutie's death remains fresh, Joyce could've easily been next on the chopping block. Darla is capable of killing a woman who is still unaware of the hellish nature in her literal backyard. Buffy has been able to keep her mother in the dark about the truth, but this breech is clear that it will eventually crumble, something that plays out further in future episodes, which makes her survival worthwhile.
This is definitely one of the high points of the season and a major turning point for the series. A twist that could've easily blown up in their faces turned out to make the show increasingly better. The ramifications of this episode resonated throughout both "Angel" and "Buffy", which is pretty telling of its impact.
Score: 8/10
posted by Matt @ 12:01 AM
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