Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 1, Episode 6
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: Detective Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Röhm) becomes a target for payback by a criminal. She also goes through sensitivity training.
(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)
(Trigger warning for mentions of abuse)
Angel (David Boreanaz) gets to express himself more while under an episodic curse. Surprisingly, this does not trigger a moment of pure happiness. Why this doesn’t, but other methods will in future episodes, is vexing. One can suppose, though, that he only feels calm under the talking stick’s influence. Thus, he does not forget the guilt his soul curse causes him too continually experience. Angel also reveals insecurity about his vampire face, as well as a care for Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter).
Allen Doyle (Glenn Quinn) oddly insults Cordelia while verifying her argument about Angel’s poor communication skills. This is strange simply because his feelings for her are so prominent in prior episodes.
Cordelia establishes the theme of communication this episode explores. Unfortunately, there is no real characterization or growth for her in this episode.
Kate continues to fit into the damsel-in-distress-who-is-also-an-action-hero role. While there is some info-dumping about her past, we don’t actually learn much about her. However, what she reveals in her monologue is enough to suggest that she is a victim/survivor of abuse which appears to be emotional neglect. She also is not a great judge of character, or at least she isn’t when it comes to Angel.
Trevor Lockley (John Mahon) is Kate’s abusive father. Her monologue tells viewers some of this behavior, but there is also at least two lines of his dialogue that prove this fact.
Little Tony Papazian (John Capodice) has a temper and a foul mouth. While his lawyer is seeing to his release, Papazian acts smug in a way that suggests the character thinks he is smarter than he is.
Allen Lloyd (Ron Marasco) initially comes across as a generic fictional counselor thanks to his personality. Other than turning out to be a sort of mystical fixer that Wolfram & Hart hires there is not much more to him.
Lee Mercer (Thomas Burr) has a rather stock posh personality. He really only serves to be a plot device by assisting Papazian.
Spivey (Ken Abraham), Johnny Red (Jimmy Shubert), Heath (Kevin Will), Jimmy (Ken Grantham), Uniform Cop #3 (Wilson Bell), Beat Cop (Colin Patrick Lynch), Benny (Steve Schirripa), Harlan (Alex Skuby), Officer Drummond (Adam Donshik), Officer Williams (Kevin E. West), Traffic Cop (Christopher Paul Hart), Prisoner (Travis Rosales Jr.), and the Accident Onlooker (Michael Beardsley) are all stock characters. They only fill out the episode’s populace, and in rare cases act as plot devices.
This episode is three things: a supernatural take on cop dramas, a possible prototype for a future story (Season 3, Episode 6, “Billy”), and (possibly) the tale with the smallest amount of characterization in any part of the Buffyverse.
