Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 2, Episode 9

This is part of a bi-weekly series concerning the characterization of Buffyverse characters. 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. Although this series does reference things that have no direct relation to the show in order to examine things such as metaphors and literary analogues.

This week: Darla (Julie Benz) and Angel (David Boreanaz) go on a short journey to save her from dying. Meanwhile Wolfram & Hart continues to be a thorn in Angel’s side.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

Angel in both his Angel and Angelus personas display some level of obsession when it comes to Darla. Although he also comes off as a caring ex-boyfriend in the present day scenes. It is worth mentioning that early into his Angelus persona he seems to care slightly about Darla right before she betrays him for what is apparently the first time. Thus, the lack of humanity the demon known as The Judge finds in him seems to be something Angelus purposely gains over time (Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 2, Episode 14, “Innocence”). Meanwhile, his actions toward Lindsay Mcdonald (Christian Kane) continue to show an unhealthy venting against an entire company’s actions on a singular employee. Lastly, his impulsiveness leads to lacking enough information about the trials and any back-up against Lindsay’s attack.

Lindsey comes across as relatively sympathetic early in the episode — particularly while willingly providing Angel with information. Nevertheless, he turns back to a love-to-hate villain at the end by allowing his desires to supersede Darla’s ability to choose.

Wesley Wyndham-Pryce (Alexis Denisof) and Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) try to act as a team in an attempt to help Angel, particularly by threatening Darla. They also display a severe lack of knowledge of what their hotel headquarters contains.

Charles Gunn (J. August Richards) serves to give Angel an address to renew the search for Darla. The only development he receives is learning about how vampires can enter lodgings such as motels.

Darla has a good singing voice; a trait previously unknown to viewers. There is not a lot that the flashbacks really add to her characterization, though. The most development that they add: Darla fears a final death since first becoming a vampire. Her eventual acceptance of death has parallels to her present and past (Season 2, Episode 7, Darla). When it comes to her unwillingness to die, one can see it with her desire to become a vampire again. The latter reflects her original deathbed acceptance prior to the Master’s (Mark Metcalf) offer. As for what she feels for Angel? It seems a lot like a conditional love in both the past and present.

Drusilla (Juliet Landau) has almost zero characterization that isn’t from stock, non-verbal communication. The exception being that she rocks Darla back and forth much like a mother would a baby while turning her into a vampire.

Holland Manners (Sam Anderson) is his typical, subtly manipulative self when presenting the medical information to Darla and Lindsay. Yet, whether he is just trying to manipulate them into making her a vampire again via the truth is in question since he could falsify Lindsay’s findings.

Lorne (Andy Hallett) expresses regret regarding his last bit of guidance (Season 2, Episode 6, “Guise Will Be Guise”) while also pointing out that he is not fully in the wrong. This slightly heals his working relationship with Angel despite not seeming to accept the apology. He also tries to warn Angel about Darla’s chances. Since Angel persists, Lorne gives him information on the location of the trials one can find in California. However, Lorne’s failure to provide information about the crucial “second chance of life” detail does raise questions about how his future sight works.

Shempire (Evan Arnold) is a relatively new vampire who is, apparently, a serial killer of women. He exists simply to foreshadow Darla becoming a vampire again.

The Valet (Jim Paddock) is cordial in a very proper manner. Unfortunately, his presence is extraneous because the trials he oversees simply waste time for the characters and viewers.

This episode arguably continues a crossover with Buffy The Vampire Slayer since Drusilla makes an appearance in past and future episodes of both shows (Season 2, Episode 7, “Darla” and Season 2, Episode 10, “Reunion” and Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 5, Episode 7, “Fool for Love” and Season 5, Episode 14, “Crush”). So it has debatable importance for that and the first mention of vampire hunter Daniel Holtz (Keith Szarabajka). Nevertheless, it wastes the potential to develop most, if not all, of the characters. Still, there is some fun that occurs with what little characterization there is. At least, that is probably the case for a lot of first time viewers of the episode.