Angel Season 1 - TV Series Review

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The first season of Angel, which premiered on October 5, 1999, serves as a captivating introduction to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off. While firmly set in the same universe as its predecessor, Angel diverges by offering a darker, more mature exploration of heroism, redemption, and morality in the bustling, shadowy world of Los Angeles. Season 1 lays the foundation for the series' overarching themes, introduces key characters, and establishes the narrative's tone.

The dominant theme of Season 1 is redemption. Angel, a vampire cursed with a soul, seeks atonement for centuries of atrocities. Unlike Buffy, which balances its horror with humour and teen drama, Angel adopts a neo-noir style, reflecting its urban setting and adult-oriented narratives. The show's Los Angeles backdrop allows for an exploration of the city's gritty underbelly, where crime, corruption, and supernatural forces intertwine. Angel positions himself as a detective, aiding those in need while grappling with his inner demons.

Isolation is another critical theme. Angel’s journey is marked by loneliness as he struggles to find his place in the world after leaving Sunnydale. His isolation underscores the complexity of his character, who is torn between his vampiric instincts and his moral compass. The concept of fighting for good in a world of grey morality forms the crux of the show’s philosophy.

Angel (David Boreanaz): Angel's quest for redemption drives the series. In Season 1, he transitions from being a brooding antihero to a more nuanced figure who learns to rely on others. Episodes like I Will Remember You highlight his capacity for love and self-sacrifice, as he gives up his chance at happiness with Buffy to remain a champion for good. Angel’s vulnerability is explored through his struggle with guilt and his encounters with Wolfram & Hart, a law firm embodying systemic evil.



Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter): Cordelia’s character evolves significantly from her Buffy days. Initially, she appears as a self-centred, struggling actress seeking fame in Los Angeles. However, her involvement in Angel's mission reveals her compassionate side. She becomes the heart of Angel Investigations, offering emotional support to Angel and Doyle. Episodes like Rm w/a Vu showcase her resilience and willingness to grow.

Doyle (Glenn Quinn): Doyle’s arc is pivotal in establishing the show’s emotional core. As a half-demon with a tragic past, he represents the idea that heroism can come from unlikely sources. His sacrifice in Hero exemplifies the show’s recurring theme of redemption through selflessness. Though his tenure is brief, Doyle’s influence is felt throughout the series.

Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (Alexis Denisof): Wesley joins the cast mid-season as a "rogue demon hunter." His initial portrayal as bumbling and comedic contrasts with the darker trajectory his character takes in later seasons. In Season 1, Wesley provides levity but also proves resourceful, gradually earning his place within Angel Investigations.

Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Röhm): Kate, a police detective, serves as a recurring ally and moral foil for Angel. Her struggle to reconcile her duty with the supernatural challenges she encounters reflects the show's theme of navigating a world filled with ambiguities. Her mistrust of Angel due to his vampiric nature complicates their dynamic, particularly in episodes like Somnambulist.

Season 1 adopts an episodic format interspersed with serialised elements. Each episode features a "case of the week," often involving supernatural threats or moral dilemmas, while gradually introducing the season's overarching conflict: Angel’s confrontation with Wolfram & Hart.

Notable Episodes:

City Of: The pilot effectively establishes Angel’s mission, tone, and supporting characters, including Doyle and Cordelia. It sets up the series as a darker, urban counterpart to Buffy.

I Will Remember You: This crossover with Buffy is a standout, providing emotional depth and exploring Angel's sacrifice for the greater good.

Hero: Doyle's heroic sacrifice cements the show’s theme of redemption through selflessness, marking a turning point for Angel Investigations.

Somnambulist: This episode delves into Angel’s darker past, forcing him to confront his identity and the fragility of his redemption.

To Shanshu in L.A.: The season finale introduces the prophecy of Angel potentially regaining his humanity, laying the groundwork for future seasons.

The show’s episodic nature allows for a variety of storytelling styles, from noir detective tales to deeply emotional character studies. However, this approach occasionally leads to uneven pacing, as some episodes feel disconnected from the overarching narrative.

The primary antagonists in Season 1 are Wolfram & Hart, a law firm representing the series' "big bad" in an institutionalised form. Rather than relying solely on supernatural foes, Angel explores systemic evil and corruption, emphasising the challenges of fighting against an omnipresent force. Other notable antagonists include:

Russell Winters (Vyto Ruginis) (City Of) - A wealthy vampire whose actions set the tone for the kind of villains Angel will face.

Faith Lehane (Eliza Dushku) (Five by Five and Sanctuary) - Her redemption arc intersects with Angel’s journey, furthering the theme of forgiveness and moral complexity.

Penn (Jeremy Renner) (Somnambulist) - A vampire sired by Angelus, Penn forces Angel to confront his darker impulses.

The season also includes a variety of standalone villains, ranging from demons to morally ambiguous humans, highlighting the show’s central question: what defines evil?

The season excels in exploring its characters’ motivations, fears, and growth, particularly Angel and Cordelia. The shift from Buffy’s high school setting to a noir-inspired urban landscape allows Angel to tackle more mature themes. The series thrives on presenting grey areas, avoiding simplistic portrayals of good and evil. The production design, particularly the use of light and shadow, complements the series' tone.

While the season features standout episodes, some feel like filler or lack the depth of the stronger entries (She and I’ve Got You Under My Skin). Kate’s character arc is intriguing but under-utilised, leaving her relationship with Angel feeling unresolved by the season’s end. As the first season of a spin-off, it occasionally struggles to establish its identity separate from Buffy.

Season 1 of Angel successfully launched the series as a worthy companion to Buffy. It introduced a darker, more introspective approach to the Buffyverse, resonating with fans seeking mature storytelling. The show’s willingness to tackle issues like addiction, systemic corruption, and personal responsibility set it apart from other supernatural dramas of its time.

The first season of Angel is a strong, if occasionally uneven, introduction to the series. It establishes its core themes of redemption, isolation, and moral ambiguity while introducing compelling characters and setting the stage for more ambitious storytelling in subsequent seasons. By blending supernatural elements with noir aesthetics, Angel Season 1 carves out its unique identity within the Buffyverse, proving that heroism is not about achieving redemption but continually striving for it.

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