Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 2, Episode 15

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) plans an assault against Wolfram & Hart. However, he does not plan to live through it.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

(Trigger warning for mentions of suicide, plus police corruption, and brutality)

Virginia Bryce (Brigid Brannagh) makes a final appearance in this episode simply to provide a reason for why she will no longer be in the series. Although she arguably is not the most interesting recurring character, it feels like a waste of potential to give her arc this particular endpoint.

Detective Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Röhm) faces the end of her career as the consequence for providing her assistance to Angel in dealing with a corrupt and brutal supernatural police department (Season 2, Episode 14, “The Thin Dead Line”). This loss leads to her wanting to fulfill the suicide she briefly mentions to Angel when discussing the possibility of the firing.

Wesley Wyndham-Pryce (Alexis Denisof) and Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) are two lonely people trying to be optimistic about the trajectory of their lives. As for growth, Wesley continues heading toward leadership even at the cost of self-harm. Unfortunately, Cordelia does not seem to grow. She even comes across as naive while on the phone with Francine Sharp (Marie Chambers). Also, Angel threatening Cordelia over a book should be the end of any potential reconciliation with him for her and Wesley.

Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov) has a throwaway line about regretting not having kids of her own for sacrificial reasons that is somewhat inconsistent with at least one later appearance (Season 3, Episode 6, “Billy”). However, freaking out and trying to save herself is consistent (Season 2, Episode 12, “Blood Money”).

Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane) initially seems as blasé about the company’s evaluation of the employees. Although this lack of worry suggests an apparent death wish he is displaying both by helping and in recent appearances (Season 2, Episode 10, “Reunion”).

Holland Manners (Sam Anderson) appears to illustrate that Wolfram & Hart employees literally sell their entire selves away to the company via contractual employment. His exposition and calmness suggests that Angel can’t win against the firm while implying Earth is possibly a hell dimension.

Nathan Reed (Gerry Becker) is only in the episode to remind us that Lindsey and Lilah are apparently on thin ice regarding their jobs and lives. Yet, his screentime amounts to no more than a blip and is, therefore, extraneous.

Lorne (Andy Hallett) appears as more morally ambiguous in a way that suggests he is hiding a lot of damage and darkness behind his usual happy-go-lucky attitude. He also seemingly exhibits the ability to read Angel without the vampire’s terrible singing.

Darla (Julie Benz) is obviously still playing mind games with both Lindsey and Angel. Other than that — and being a distraction — she does not have much reason for appearing.

Francine Sharp and Stephanie Sharp (Leah Pipes) are in this episode to continue the plot line involving the Skilosh demon (Kevin Fry). Unfortunately, Francine comes off like a lying miser by not paying while Stephanie is similar to a prop because she lacks personality.

The Skilosh demon is a bit idiotic since it is actively going against people who know one way to kill its kind. Although, revenge is less about logic and more about emotion.

Charles Gunn (J. August Richards) gets a very small amount of screentime. What little one can say: he exhibits dissatisfaction about not seeing payment for their recent work.

Denver (Thomas Kopache, previously Brett Rickaby) makes his second and final appearance (Season 2, Episode 2, “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been”). He is different as a person after an experience in the decades between his audiences with Angel. This is an obvious bit of character growth because of the significant gap between moments in Denver’s life. Yet, this development seems too convenient, and a bit wasteful, since this is his last time on Angel. Thus, Denver is a character with personality, but is one who sees the loss of potential in a similar way to Virginia Bryce.

Angel acts like a jerk while on his suicidal mission of destruction. By the end of the episode, he tries to lose his soul while entirely missing the point of Denver’s words about changing things for the better.

The singing lawyers (Jolene Hjerleid and Wayne Mitchell), along with the two demon worshippers (David Fury and Chris Horan), work for Wolfram and Hart, and mainly exist to help advance the plot involving Angel. They also populate the universe.

Internal affairs guy (Eric Larson) and internal affairs woman (Shirley Jordan), plus police Lieutenant Lou (Carl Sundstrom), preside judgement over Kate. They are pretty stereotypical, and only in the episode to push Kate’s character arc towards its upcoming conclusion (Season 2, Episode 16, “Epiphany”)

Characterization in this episode is both as obvious and weak as the visual joke of a demonic killer among sacrificial animals. There are also too few standout moments, such as the ones with Denver and Virginia.