Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 1, Episode 22
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 Investigations and their allies are under attack. Can Angel (David Boreanaz) save the day?
(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)
Angel gives Lindsay McDonald (Christian Kane) a chance to hand over the scroll. This display of mercy is odd considering his prior treatment of Lindsay (Season 1, Episode 21, “Blind Date”). Also inconsistent is how social Angel acts in this episode. At times, he is rather open and expressive, but is generally upset or brooding throughout the hour. One example of him being open is at the end, when he learns what the Shanshu Prophecy says.
Wesley Wyndham-Pryce (Alexis Denisof) appears a little unkempt due to researching heavily. Other than this indicator of how he can get when having too much emotional and mental investment in something, there is no development for him.
Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) is her original self with an uncaring way of thinking at the beginning of the episode. After the barrage of visions, she sheds that persona for a more caring one.
Charles Gunn (J. August Richards) demonstrates development as he tries to engage Angel with humor — which is a vast difference from their first meeting (Season 1, Episode 20, “War Zone”). At the same time, his purpose of being a bodyguard in this episode may seem irrelevant since nothing apparently happens.
Lindsay truly hates Angel after losing his hand to him. Before this event he arguably sees Angel as just an annoying individual. It is worth mentioning that Lindsay hesitating to do the ceremony is perhaps another moment of doubt about working for Wolfram & Hart. His reservations are clearly resolved, at least for now, after completing the ritual.
Holland Manners (Sam Anderson) is a bit quippy in this episode. While this is not much in terms of development, it is still development.
Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov) mainly appears here as a representative of Wolfram & Hart. The only bits of characterization she receives come in the forms of being reassuring to Darla (Julie Benz) and a jerk to Lindsay.
Darla sees resurrection in this episode. Yet, she has no relevant characterization beyond looking like someone in the midst of a traumatic experience.
Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Röhm) has no actual reason to be in this episode. All she does is verbally attack Angel in a way that arguably makes her mental stability seem questionable.
Male Oracle (Randall Slavin) really only in this episode because of his prior appearances as one of the two oracles (Season 1, Episode 8, “I Will Remember You”). Since he is only dismissive of Vocah (Todd Stashwick) there is not much to his character here.
The Female Oracle (Carey Cannon) is definitely more of a character than her counterpart. Albeit, that comes down to her being more emotional while providing exposition to Angel.
Vocah is a demon with a rather generic Darth Vader-like appearance and way of doing things. Unfortunately, his potential to be a major villain is cut short with his death and this results in him being just a plot device.
David Nabbit (David Herman) has similarities to the Buffy character Owen Thurman (Christopher Wiehl) in that he wants the adrenaline rush of fighting demons (Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 1, Episode 5 “Never Kill A Boy On The First Date”). Otherwise he is just a stereotypical wealthy nerd with no social life.
The homeless woman (Louise Claps), the young tough guy (Brahman Turner), Uniform #1 (Daren Rice), Uniform #2 (Jon Ecklund), the nurse (Robyn Cohen), Doctor Evans (Susan Savage), and the vendor (Lia Johnson) are all stock characters. While they all assist with making the universe feel like it has a population, it is arguably only the latter three who have any need to be in this episode.
Monk #1 (John Eddins) and Monk #2 (Gerard O’Donell) are somewhat extraneous characters. However, this is only because their existence adds some sense of officialness, even one that is stereotypical, to the magical summonings
The entirety of this episode moves at a rather quick pace. This means that the characterization mostly takes a backseat to the season ending plot. Although this limits the various characters’ development, and eliminates some others purposes, Cordelia does see a movement in her character arc. Also, Angel as a character — and a series — gets a goal with the Shanshu Prophecy. Lastly, Wolfram & Hart becomes the series main expression of villainy.