Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 1, Episode 10
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) faces a con man. Meanwhile Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) gains powers.
(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)
(Trigger warnings for mentions of sexual assault and torture)
Angel displays compassion in this episode concerning Cordelia and Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (Alexis Denisof). In the case of the former, both are grieving the death of their friend, Allen Francis Doyle (Glenn Quinn), and this allow them to relate to each other. In Wesley’s case, Angel gives him bits of encouragement at various points in the episode. However, Angel also acts like a jerk by suggesting Cordelia would make out with Barney (Maury Sterling) in a slightly mean-sounding-but-teasing tone. Additionally, he is selfish when trying to negate Doyle’s death so he can have the heroic death instead. Finally, Angel being a good cook is odd since we don’t know the when and why of his knowledge on the matter — perhaps Angelus learned prior to the curse as a way to help him torture victims.
Cordelia gets a nice moment near the beginning of the episode to display a more caring side to her personality. Unfortunately, it is cut short by the joke of her wanting to get a role in a commercial. There are also some suggestions regard how Cordelia views herself when Barney is taunting her. Yet, since they come from a villainous character and not from her, viewers cannot be certain of their validity. Finally, Cordelia gets major development via gaining prophetic power from the Powers That Be. This ability will slowly help her growth as a character throughout the show.
Wesley continues to speak a bit extravagantly at times, particularly to Cordelia. Nevertheless, he does speak honestly — and like an average person — throughout most of his time in this episode. He also gets some character growth in three ways. The first bit: his ability to ride a motorcycle and more correctly use weapons. Next, he’s an improved kisser. Lastly, he improvises with a horn during the action fight. All these things suggest he is growing as a person.
The Male Oracle (Randall Slavin) and Female Oracle (Carey Cannon) come across as uncaring individuals about Angel’s request to reverse time and negate Doyle’s Death. Also, they are unnecessarily cryptic about Cordelia gaining the vision from Doyle. These two things make them hard to relate too. At the same time, they are very much right in saying that Angel is selfish in his request. Thus, on a personal level, for those who view Angel as one of the more selfish individuals in the Buffyverse, there is something to like about the Oracles.
Barney is an empath demon. This is on display throughout the episode with how he “reads” the other characters. He is also, essentially, a con artist and arguably a sadistic opportunist. Viewers can see the former characteristic from how he fast-talks his way into getting Angel’s help. The latter quality is on display when he is revealed as the villain selling supernatural parts. His kidnapping of Cordelia also comes off a bit like the beginnings of a sexual assault.
The Kungai Demon (Henry Kingi) is a red herring and a plot device to both obscure and reveal the truth about Barney. Thus, he serves only to extend the runtime of a weak narrative.
Hank (Lawrence Turner) is Barney’s flunky. The only trait that Hank possesses is a sadistic desire to extract body parts.
Soon (Jason Hiro Kim), Mac (Dominique Jennings), Ancient Korean Woman (Kotoko Kawamura), Reptilian Demon (Brett Gilbert), Producer #1 (Jayson Creek), Producer #2 (Sean Smith), Producer #3 (Sara Devlin), and Concierge (Cheyenne Wilbur) are all extraneous, stock, gag, or stereotypical characters.
This episode has several continuity issues and bits of narrative stretching the plot. Nevertheless, it is the first episode to really focus on building characters in the main cast.
