As a spin-off of one of television's most popular shows, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Angel enjoyed the rapt attentions of a legion of fans throughout its five-year run. Here are some of the most impressive offeringsfrom Buffy's dark and sinister sister show.
10. In The Dark
A visit from Angel's old nemesis, Spike, highlights this early episode, as Angel encounters a mystical ring that renders any vampire who wears it invulnerable, even to sunlight. Spike's attempts to steal the ring are unsuccessful thanks to help from Cordelia and Angel's old friend Oz. Angel recovers the ring, and eventually destroys it to avoid it falling into the wrong hands - but not before taking one final walk in the sunshine.
9. Waiting In The Wings
A beautifully-crafted episode, in which the Angel Investigations team step out for a night at the ballet, only to discover a demonic director intent on preserving his performers for all eternity. The episode explores the burgeoning love story between Angel and Cordelia, and sees Fred make a choice between suitors Wesley and Gunn - a choice that begins a dark and lonely path for Wesley in the years to come.
8. You're Welcome
The show's 100th episode features the return, and ultimately the death, of the much-loved Cordelia Chase. She returns temporarily from a coma to set Angel on the right path in his new life in charge at Wolfram & Hart's Los Angeles office, while old enemy Lindsey McDonald returns as part of the main cast in a showdown with Angel. Cordelia's peaceful death provides closure on her relationship with Angel - their goodbye kiss is a moment of warmth in a cold and harshly realistic season.
7. Redefinition
After firing all his friends and co-workers and leaving a group of Wolfram & Hart employees to die at the hands of Darla and Drusilla, Angel transforms himself into a one-man army as he hunts down the vampiresses. Eventually finding them and setting them on fire without killing them, his pursuit of his former companions leads the show in a darker and edgier direction which continues throughout the second season.
6. A Hole In The World
This episode sees Angel and Spike travel to Europe, and are shocked to discover that they are faced with a choice between allowing their beloved friend Fred to die, and unleashing a demon that would kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people. Fred dies a slow death in the arms of Wesley, less than one whole episode after his love for her was finally returned, and Wesley's emotional burden increases in weight once again.
5. Smile Time
A rare instance of humour in a season filled with stark reality. Angel is transformed into a puppet, while his friends track down the possessed children's TV characters responsible. 'Puppet Angel' is undoubtedly the funniest creation in the history of the Buffy and Angel universe - he hilariously spends the episode fighting with full-size Spike, facing the stifled laughter of his colleagues, and trying to maintain control of Wolfram & Hart despite being unable to see over his desk.
4. Reprise
One of the series' darkest hours. Angel's existential malaise deepens, as he meets with the deceased Wolfram & Hart executive Holland Manners. Manners informs him that Wolfram & Hart's hellish 'Home Office' is in fact the very Earth itself, and Angel's unease at this discovery leads him to seek comfort in the arms of Darla and risk losing his soul. Meanwhile, policewoman Kate is fired from the force, takes an overdose, and leaves Angel a message informing him of her impending suicide, in one of the show's most disturbing moments.
3. Hero
Season One's Hero saw a fitting demise for a much-loved character - Doyle, played by Glenn Quinn, who has also since passed away. His death, a sacrifice to save a family of his fellow half-breed demons from the hands of an army of Nazi-esque demon soldiers, is as heroic as they come. Doyle's line, "You never know your strength until you're tested", would go on to become one of the show's key tenets throughout its five-year run.
2. I Will Remember You
A touching reunion for Angel and his lost love Buffy, as he is miraculously made human for a day following an encounter with a demon. After a day of human indulgences, however, he realises he cannot protect the people he cares about as a human, and makes a deal with the Powers That Be to return himself to his vampire form. This is at the cost of his future with Buffy, and in a cruel and heartbreaking twist, he is burdened with all his memories of their lost 24 hours, while she has no recollection of it.
1. Not Fade Away
The series' triumphant finale, and a fitting end that ties together the show's key themes. Angel and friends vow to give their lives to take down the powerful Circle of the Black Thorn, and the episode charts their last day on Earth. Every character gets a moment to shine - Lindsey McDonald dies at the hands of Lorne, of all people, while Wesley finds his last moments of solace in the arms of Illyria, as she takes the form of Fred. The remaining members of the group, including a dying Gunn, gather together for one last battle against innumerable minions of Hell - it is then that Angel utters the show's defining sentence:
"Let's go to work."
If you're a fan of the Buffy and Angel universe, be sure to check out the Top 10 Buffy: The Vampire Slayer Episodes.
 |
