Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 1, Episode 3
by Benjamin Hall
This is part of a bi-weekly series concerning the characterization of Buffyverse characters. The first installment in this series can be found here. Arguably the best place to begin reading this series is at the beginning, but that is up to each reader. As a reminder this column will cover major and some minor characters from the shows Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) and Angel (1999-2004). Other Buffyverse media, such as the graphic novel Spike: Into The Light (2014) are not pertinent to this series. Also there will be no referencing real world events in this bi-weekly series.
This week: Angel (David Boreanaz) receives a visit from a gift-bearing Oz (Seth Green). At the same time, an old enemy seeks out Angel and his gift.
(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)
(Trigger warnings for brief mentions of torture and sexual predation!)
Angel has very inconsistent characterization in this episode. At first, he is his standard, brooding self. Yet, during his initial encounter with Spike (James Marsters), he is as chatty as his curse-lacking Angelus persona. Following this, Angel has an interaction with Rachel (Malia Mathis) where he acts like a counselor. Finally, he becomes an action hero and torture victim. The results of this range of roles causes him to not truly get any development.
Allen Doyle (Glenn Quinn) gets some character growth in this episode. The first bit of development occurs at the beginning and later in the episode regarding his money problems, specifically involving repayments. A second bit of growth comes via Cordelia Chase’s (Charisma Carpenter) comments about him being a possible alcoholic who gets talkative when not sober. There is also his demon form apparently letting him track Angel’s scent in order to find the ring. Lastly, he actively chooses to fight Spike, which is a significant development from his first appearance (Season 1, Episode 1 ‘City Of…’).
Cordelia gets to be the information dump — mainly about Sunnydale — for this episode. She also, uncharacteristically, fails to bring up Angel’s curse possibly going away when he gets the super-vampire powers ring. Thus, one can say she is a puppet at the whims of the plot in those moments. Also odd is her communicating with Spike as if old friends since this is their first actual on-screen interaction. Other than these moments, and the developing tease of a romance with Doyle, there really isn’t anything to her this episode.
Spike gets a spark of growth by deciding to go it alone after his plan fails. This is a development since, until this point, he is always pairing up with others. Sadly, Spike also continues using prejudicial language. Also, his usual perceptiveness about people does not extend to Marcus (Kevin West) from Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 4, Episode 3, ‘The Harsh Light Of Day’. Yet, one can look at this flaw as both Spike being overconfident and being a victim of the plot.
Oz has nothing to do in this episode except act as transport for people, the Gem of Amara, and later become a rescuer. Despite this lack of characterization, he gets to steal a Cordelia moment by stating the obvious about Angel’s obviously pale self.
Marcus is an episodic villain. He lacks in the way of characterization, other than being a sexual predator of children who happens to be a vampire that also likes torture and music.
Rachel is an episodic damsel-in-distress type character. Her character really only exists to continue the show’s initial premise of Angel helping Los Angeles’s helpless.
Lenny (Michael Yavnielli) is Rachel’s abusive junkie boyfriend. His only purpose in this episode is to give Angel a reason to interact with Rachel.
Manny the Pig (Thomas Rosales Jr.), the Young Woman (Jenni Blong), the Bouncer (Gilbert B. Combs), the Dealer (Buck McDancer) and the Vendor (Ric Sarabia) are all plot devices. They even all serve the same purpose: leading Angel into Spike’s trap.
The plot of this episode is kind of pointless since Angel doesn’t really use the MacGuffin that is the Gem of Amara. However, his choice to destroy the jewel arguably exhibits how rash he can act at times, which is something that will play into future episodes. Unfortunately, most of the characterization here is weak or inconsistent, and therefore not much growth happens. Despite the weaknesses, this episode helps expand the idea of certain humans knowing about demons. This development continues in future episodes of both Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel.
