Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 2, Episode 14

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: Angel (David Boreanaz) and Angel Investigations separately look into supernatural police. Meanwhile, Anne Steele’s (Julia Lee) shelter faces assault.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

(Trigger warning for mentions of police brutality)

Wesley Wyndham-Pryce (Alexis Denisof), Charles Gunn (J. August Richards), and Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) are still arguing over the name of their business. This is a reversal for them because they previously settled the matter by agreeing to continue to use the name: Angel Investigations (Season 2, Episode 13, “Happy Anniversary”). Throw in the fact that they are still relying on Virginia Bryce’s (Brigid Brannagh) acquaintances for business. The result: they are going around like a figurative wheel in terms of their dynamics as a group. Separately, they do have some developments, with the main one being Wesley having to spend time suffering from a gunshot. While Gunn sees a bit more of his past come to light to the other two — and the viewers! As for Cordelia, she displays her tougher, battle-ready side at several points in a way that is possibly more eager.

Anne Steele mostly just gives and receives exposition to move the plot along. Despite this, she is a character since she makes logical decisions while actively attempting to stop certain events from happening.

Detective Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Röhm) displays justifiable fear for her father’s corpse. She also maintains her disdain for Angel, but is willing to team-up with him, which suggests a lessening of that disdain.

Angel is starting to doubt himself and feel guilty for distancing himself from his former allies. However, his lack of social skills results in him stalking them rather than calling or visiting them like the average individual would do. Also, he acts very stupid by going into a police station and stating to a cop that he is responsible for killing one. Since he knows supernatural events are going on with the local cops, one can assume he is either trying to make light of this fact or antagonize Kate. It is worth mentioning that he does not take credit for stopping the zombies, or say anything in his defense, when Cordelia tells him off.

Francine Sharp (Marie Chambers) and Stephanie Sharp (Leah Pipes) are members of a family who knows Virginia. The two are almost characters, but they don’t get enough screen time or traits to really justify their existence, minus the exception that they begin an ongoing subplot.

Jackson (Mushsond Lee) is a pretty stereotypical drug dealer who makes trouble for Angel Investigations and Anne — plus the zombie cops. He is arguably extraneous to this episode’s narrative.

Callie (Brenda Price), Les (Camille Mana), Kenny (Kyle Davis), and Ray (Cory C. Hardrict) are people with various backgrounds who reside at Anne’s shelter. They also provide Anne and Angel Investigations the information about the zombie police attacking people.

Captain Atkinson (Steven Barr) is a corrupt and brutal cop who believes the police — and not the citizens — own the streets. He is the puppet master of the zombie cops.

The desk sergeant (Jerry Giles) is a human who apparently fails to realize what Captain Atkinson is doing to cops who are no longer living. He is a metaphor for cops who look the other way on corruption and brutality.

Merl (Matthew Jones) gives some standard exposition while attacking the curse by mentioning Angel’s former allies. Despite being a demon, he continues to exhibit better social skills than several recurring characters, such as Angel and Virginia.

Officer Peter Harkes (Darin Cooper) and the street cop (Geoff Koch) are two former cops who become zombies. They are pretty obvious metaphors for police brutality.

Rondell (Jarrod Crawford) and George (Darris Love) are two members of Gunn’s former group of vampire hunters. They are rather generic in characterization, especially since they have a grudge against Gunn for trying to change some aspects of his life.

The emergency medical technician (Suli McCullough) exists to add tension and extend the population; just a stock character.

This episode has a too many subplots being set up while trying to deal with the topic of police brutality and corruption. Although the characterization mostly works, it suffers because of the need to establish these subplots. Throw in the stereotyping of various groups of people and you have yet another weakness. Additionally, both elements combine by the end of the episode to make it seem like the message is: “Yay! police brutality because crime rates need to be down.” The characterization has a lot of strength to it, but certain narrative elements do not enhance it.