Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 1, Episode 8
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: Angel (David Boreanaz) turns human. He also meets with some supernatural beings under a post office.
(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)
(Trigger warning for talk of rape)
The Oracles (Carey Cannon and Randall Slavin) are rather uncaring beings that mostly serve to give exposition and to resolve the plot. Arguably, the only interesting thing about them is how powerful they are while not being two of The Powers That Be.
Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) comes into the show for a conversation. Unfortunately, all of her development as a character that could see transference over to her own show sees erasure close to the end of the episode.
Allen Francis Doyle (Glenn Quinn) and Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) are those friends leaving an ex-couple alone to hash things out. But like everyone except Angel, they forget the day upon its reset and don’t get any development due to that.
Angel sees some development. He can apparently fix a clock’s inner workings; which occurs at the very beginning of the episode. His extremely hunger for food is more of a gag than a bit of real characterization, though. Yet, there is an obvious display of characterization: a martyr complex mixed with a hunger for power. Evidence of this is on display when he makes a unilateral decision to have the Oracles undo the day. Thus, he becomes a “heroic” vampire again at the cost of raping the minds and timelines of everyone/thing else, including his “love,” Buffy.
The Mothra Demon (David Wald and Chris Durand) is a random demonic assassin with blood that can heal. He is essentially pointless as he gives a cryptic threat without any follow-through. Also, he fails to kill anyone.
This episode mainly consists of characterization that does not matter since everything mostly resets. Redoing of the day causes everything that most of the characters say and do (presumably) change with the second try. What we do see is a conversation between Angel and Buffy, and the Mothra Demon’s quick defeat. Angel also lies to his “true love” about the acquisition of his knowledge on the demon’s weakness. Seeing how this is not something he has to do as a stipulation of his agreement with the Oracles, it is equal to violating someone and then lying about it. Angel also fails to warn Buffy about how she may need help with future big battles. Thus, Angel comes off not as a brooding heroic protagonist, but much like the manipulative idiot man-child of Liam, his original persona.
