Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 2, Episode 13

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: A scientist conducts a bad experiment. Thus, Angel (David Boreanaz) and Lorne (Andy Hallett) team-up to stop it.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

(Trigger warning for mention of a possible non-consensual act)

Angel acts similar to the character Jack Cates (Nick Nolte) in the movie 48 Hours (1982). He and Lorne are following standard buddy cop movie clichés and one of them has to be irritable.

Wesley Wyndham-Pryce (Alexis Denisof) gets to act out a classic detective story trope when revealing the culprit to the other suspects. Unfortunately, his closing remark during the case undercuts his apparent brilliance at deduction to make him a joke character.

Charles Gunn (J. August Richards) exists to spout off some insignificant dialogue while exhibiting the same emotions as his two co-workers. He could be replaced here with a tape recorder stuck to a mirror since he is not doing anything of relevance.

Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) has a lack of funds, much like Wesley and Gunn. Yet, she can evidently afford a fire hazard’s worth of candles.

Lorne displays an almost sonic scream type power with how high he can pitch his voice. Sadly, this ability will not really see use outside of this episode. He also appears more intelligent than Angel when it comes to discussing science in non-layman terms. This may tie into Lorne’s ability to read people or just the situation since there is a lack of explanation as to how he understands the terms. Speaking of his ability to read people, this is the first time there is an obvious downside to it since it can overwhelm him.

Gene Rainey (Matt Champagne) is a genius scientist with a bland personality. Whether this is because of a neurological condition goes without explanation. Yet, there is the suggestion that he has a type of depression. The basis of this suggestion centers on how miserable he sounds while singing at Karaoke bars and from conversations others have involving him. His way of dealing with learning about his girlfriend Denise’s (Darby Stanchfield) plan to break up with him leads to theft and an endeavor that is arguably non-consensual. By knowingly freezing time — especially when he does at his home — he is technically taking away her right to consent along with her life.

Denise is not much better than Gene in both personality and the ability to communicate properly to a significant other. Her lack of a last name, along with the few character traits beyond girlfriend she displays, makes her seem equal to a dying pet that Gene would wish to preserve.

Virginia Bryce (Brigid Brannagh) comes across like she intentionally limits how people perceive her. She does so by minimizing her acceptance of the world as it actually is and, apparently, projecting a dim personality.

Val (Victoria Kelleher) is one of the other scientists assisting Gene. She is also Denise’s friend. She seems rather okay as person even though she is a bit abrasive about Gene when talking to Denise.

Mike (Danny LaCava) comes across as a jealous scientist with a lack of business savvy because his research does not receive a grant. He is also a plot device to give Angel and Lorne exposition on the time device and Gene, which moves the narrative forward.

The Bartender (Mike Hagerty) is mainly a plot device to help Lorne and Angel pick up Gene’s trail. He is also a stock character despite being aware of the supernatural.

Helen Bointon (Norma Michaels) and the Wainakay demon (actor unknown) are responsible for a death Wesley, Gunn, and Cordelia are investigating. Both are not really characters seeing as they don’t do anything; the former simply tries to escape and the latter is no longer alive.

Mr. Bointon (Frank Novak), Mrs. Bointon (actor unknown), Kevin Bointon (actor unknown), and Patricia Bointon (actor unknown) are mostly stereotypical murder mystery characters. The only one operating outside of the stereotypes is Mr. Bointon since he knows about spell-casting.

Lubber #1 (Mike Lange) and the other Lubber demons (actor unknown) are zealots who believe in a doomsday prophecy. That belief causes them to fiercely protect Gene and his time-stopping device.

The Torto Demon (Bob Jesser), the guy on stage (Michael Faulkner), a random man (Al LeBrun), and the student clerk (Geremy Dingle) are definitely just filling space in this episode.

There are two plots that do not connect to each other. They also both fail to grow the characters. The main plot stretches to the point of absurdity by the beginning of the middle of the episode. This is especially true since the Lubbers seem like they could easily end time upon their introduction. The second plot, meanwhile, is more of a subplot attempting to be a full one. Thus, despite Lorne being entertaining, the story has arguably nothing to enjoy much less analyze.