While it appeared to start as nothing more than a little extension of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel" managed to take on a life of its own. Whereas Buffy stands guard in suburban Sunnydale, Angel takes on the criminal and supernatural underground of the aptly chosen sprawling megalopolis of Los Angeles.
More than just a simple change in setting, "Angel" also takes on a darker and more mature route sprinkled with elements of noir. A vampire with a soul seeks redemption, walking between his desire to do good and his dark past brought by his evil alter ego, Angelus. Although Angel is admittedly a nuanced character with good personal conflicts even from the parent show, I never found myself as interested in him as I did other characters. Despite that, his character shone and developed in his own series.
Additionally, old and new characters bring their brand of inner demons, need for redemptions and morality to the table. Highschool queen of popularity Cordelia finds herself unsure of her path in the big city, gradually leaving her desire to become a celebrity in favor of becoming a selfless champion for others. Rogue slayer Faith is forced to confront her misdeeds and rediscovers what her purpose is. Spike simultaneously maintains his rivalry and friendship with Angel.
There are no character developments if there are no challenges, and this show excels in sending its characters into the crucible, as even the champions of good often stray into dubious territory. Angel himself tumbles as he confronts the powerful and influential law firm Wolfram & Hart. Wesley mingles with an enemy in ways more than one. Doe-eyed genius Fred eventually loses her innocence in a bout of vengeance. Confident vampire hunter Gunn gradually loses sight of what made him fight the good fight. Indeed, as they head into the final season, the entire ensemble makes a string of game-changing decisions that to this day, is still worth arguing over on whether they made the good choice. And for a show that tackles different shades of morality, and, what it means to do good despite one's shortcomings, it sure is fitting that entire arcs are written to explore this.
True to the core of its parent show, "Angel" delivers with a good mixture of adventure, fantasy and horror elements, drama and action. It truly is a worthy addition to the mythos of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".
More than just a simple change in setting, "Angel" also takes on a darker and more mature route sprinkled with elements of noir. A vampire with a soul seeks redemption, walking between his desire to do good and his dark past brought by his evil alter ego, Angelus. Although Angel is admittedly a nuanced character with good personal conflicts even from the parent show, I never found myself as interested in him as I did other characters. Despite that, his character shone and developed in his own series.
Additionally, old and new characters bring their brand of inner demons, need for redemptions and morality to the table. Highschool queen of popularity Cordelia finds herself unsure of her path in the big city, gradually leaving her desire to become a celebrity in favor of becoming a selfless champion for others. Rogue slayer Faith is forced to confront her misdeeds and rediscovers what her purpose is. Spike simultaneously maintains his rivalry and friendship with Angel.
There are no character developments if there are no challenges, and this show excels in sending its characters into the crucible, as even the champions of good often stray into dubious territory. Angel himself tumbles as he confronts the powerful and influential law firm Wolfram & Hart. Wesley mingles with an enemy in ways more than one. Doe-eyed genius Fred eventually loses her innocence in a bout of vengeance. Confident vampire hunter Gunn gradually loses sight of what made him fight the good fight. Indeed, as they head into the final season, the entire ensemble makes a string of game-changing decisions that to this day, is still worth arguing over on whether they made the good choice. And for a show that tackles different shades of morality, and, what it means to do good despite one's shortcomings, it sure is fitting that entire arcs are written to explore this.
True to the core of its parent show, "Angel" delivers with a good mixture of adventure, fantasy and horror elements, drama and action. It truly is a worthy addition to the mythos of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".