Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 1, Episode 7
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 that have direct relation to either show in this bi-weekly series.
This week: Allen Francis Doyle (Glenn Quinn) gets a visitor from his past. Also, a party takes a downer of a turn.
(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)
Angel (David Boreanaz) only really serves as muscle in this episode. That, along with the supernatural aspects of the show, and Angel being the titular character are the only reasons this episode needs him in it.
Doyle gets some character development via exposition about his past. While he gives some of this exposition himself, a certain amount is from his ex-wife Harriett ‘Harry’ Doyle (Kristin Dattilo). A relevant bit is that Doyle’s past work history includes him being both a teacher to children and volunteering to feed those in need. Yet, there is very little present day development. What we do get: Doyle prefers not to fight with his demon side out and still has regrets about his marriage failing.
Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) is presented as both a love interest and damsel-in-distress for Doyle. Her incipient romantic interest in him is the only development she gets in this episode.
Richard Howard Straley (Carlos Jacott) comes across as either buffoonish or having a mild-manner depending on one’s perspective. This occurs even when he is about to ritually devour Doyle’s brain. It is also worth mentioning that he seems to be taking his relatives’ lead when it comes to doing the out-of-date ritual. That he is doing the ritual to appease his family comes across as a poor analogy to orthodox families in the real world. Thus, his characterization arguably boils down to being an equivalence in an absurdist manner.
Harriett Doyle is obviously intelligent, fierce, and independent. Unfortunately, she ends up as someone who faces disappointment in two serious romances, and mostly having expository dialogue. The idea that she has an unusual profession could be useful in future stories. Yet, like many characters with potential, she never returns. We also never discover if she learns about Doyle’s death, which is upcoming in two episodes (Season 1, Episode 9, “Hero”).
Nick (Chris Tallman), Ben (Ted Kairys), Mother Rachel (Kristen Lowman), Russ (David Polcyn), Brother Straley (William Wayne), a party goer (Tony Sagastizado I), the bachelor party stripper (Diana Terranova), Pierce (Rib Hillis), and Uncle John (Brad Blaisdell) add a sense of population to this episode. However, like most shows with large casts, they really only service the story in this manner.
This episode features a mixture of various themes and plots. Therefore, it is hard to judge whether the characterization is overall good or just decent. For example, the ongoing subplot involving Cordelia and Doyle goes from being a B plot to a Z plot for this episode. Changes like this make the characters’ actions and reactions a bit off from realistic. Also, the changes that occur in this mixture of themes and plots arguably make it hard to pin down what characterization is metaphorical.
