Characterization In The Buffyverse — ‘Angel’ Season 2 Wrap-Up

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 references to real world events that have direct relation to either program. That said, references to things that have no direct relation to the show in order to examine certain elements, such as metaphors and literary analogues, will appear.

This week wraps-up the examination of Angel Season 2. The following seasons will still be put under a figurative microscope, but I think it is important to examine where select characters are after each season. And as each concludes, we will also see who holds the titles of “most negative characterization” and “most positive characterization.” Also, in these wrap-ups, we will see who gets the most and least focus, respectively. Lastly, later wrap-ups will refer back to previous ones where appropriate.

(Warning of spoilers from this point on!)

Angel (David Boreanaz) lightens up in certain scenes while in others he acts too dark (Season 2, Episode 1, “Judgement” and Season 2, Episode 7, “Darla”). Both states bring in to question whether his curse is even that effective since he is meant to feel guilt constantly. This is particularly important since a soul is supposedly a moral compass in the Buffyverse. What this says to this writer is that Angel compartmentalizes to an unhealthy extent. As far as personal growth goes, he seems to be rather static since he mentally and emotionally sections off so many things in his life.

Lorne (Andy Hallett) becomes a character this season, although he only sees real fleshing out of who he is toward the end of it. Oddly, most of this development is simply from expositing about himself and his home dimension.

Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter) displays a tiny amount of growth, which most notably happens when she refuses to give up the visions in Pylea (Season 2, Episode 21, “Through the Looking Glass”). Nevertheless, there is backtracking to her characterization, such as when she forgives Angel for a flimsy reason (Season 2, Episode 17, “Disharmony”).

Wesley Wyndham-Pryce (Alexis Denisof) is a lot less of a gag character during this season. He also develops nicely as a warrior and leader (Season 2, Episode 22, “There’s No Place Like Plrtz Glrb”).

Fred Burkle (Amy Acker) comes off as brilliant, but mentally unwell. Besides these two traits, there is nothing of relevance to say about her until next season.

Charles Gunn (J. August Richards) gets a lot of appearances, but his development is rather minor in comparison. In fact, one could argue his personal growth results in a loss of past friendships along with his social life.

Silas (Michael Phenicie) and Barshon (Andrew Parks) do not get enough set-up and fleshing out as villains. Thus, they are just religious zealots who act as puppets to Wolfram & Hart’s namesake founders.

Groosalugg (Mark Lutz) serves as a tool of the demonic priesthood that has been ruling Pylea. His characterization is arguably just a more simplistic variant of Angel’s own minus the sinister past actions and multiple personas.

Landok (Brody Hutzler) comes into the narrative in order to begin Angel Investigation’s trip to Plyea. Yet, he does not get to do anything other than be a very surface level hero of his people and the polar opposite of Lorne.

Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov) proves to be cutthroat and intelligent as well as a harder worker than a lot of her colleagues and bosses. While she advances to a new position at her job, and in the narrative, she seems to be lacking in certain part of her overall characterization.

Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane) leaves the series for the moment on a relatively positive bit of development while not picking a side except his own (Season 2, Episode 18, “Dead End”). A good chunk of his growth comes from loss, which is similar to a lot of the other characters in the Buffyverse.

Anne Steele (Julia Lee) previously appears on Buffy The Vampire Slayer as Chantarelle and Lily Houston (Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 2, Episode 7, “Lie To Me” and Season 3, Episode 1, “Anne”). She takes on the name of Anne after her last encounter with the blonde Slayer. Her two experiences surviving evil are probably why she takes on the last name Steele. Meaning that she may be sticking with this identity for the rest of her life since she apparently feels more resilient now. However, she is also more cynical when appearing on Angel versus her more optimistic past version on Buffy. An example of this: her accepting the cash Angel steals from Wolfram & Hart (Season 2, Episode 12, “Blood Money”).

Gavin Park (Daniel Dae Kim) makes his first appearance this season in a way that suggests possible future occurrences. Arguably, Park’s initial characterization is not that memorable since he only gets one scene.

Holland Manners (Sam Anderson) is potentially a great villain, but his death makes sure this never fully occurs. Still, his understanding of Wolfram & Hart’s plans, plus his eerie confidence, results in him being an amazing mystery.

Nathan Reed (Gerry Becker) is debatably important since he is temporarily the boss of Lindsey and Lilah. Overall, his actions seem to be stereotypically manipulative and sexist. Plus, they only advance the personal story arcs of Lindsey and Lilah.

Detective Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Röhm) continues her obsessive quest to fit the idea of normal into the supernatural world she now exists in. Unlike other characters, such as Cordelia, Kate will apparently never evolve her personal views, with the exception of slightly forgiving Angel (Season 2, Episode 16, “Epiphany”).

Harmony Kendall (Mercedes McNab) starts to seek self-empowerment in Sunnydale (Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 5, Episode 14, “Crush”) and continues to do so in Los Angeles. However, she remains very much an inane gag character who follows the losing side of fights.

Darla (Julie Benz) has an uncertainty to her early characterization post-resurrection. This is in evidence because of how she ranges from being certain of herself to brooding depending on the episode and its respective scene (Season 2, Episode 5, “Dear Boy”). Still, one can see a maturity to the character now versus her time in Sunnydale (Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 1, Episode 2, “The Harvest”). Upon her return to being a vampire, she only seems unsure after sleeping with Angel. Thus, one has to wonder how much of her personality is an act.

Drusilla (Juliet Landau) exhibits the same characterization in her present day scenes as older occurrences. During the exploration of Darla’s past, one gets the sense of how Angelus’s actions twist Drusilla from a brave protector to a suffering tormentor.

Rondell (Jarrod Crawford) and George (Darius Love) are somewhat of a duo in that the latter sees a quick off-screen death that motivates the former (Season 2, Episode 19, “Belonging”). Both men also play a role in Gunn’s personal story arc this season, especially when it comes to Gunn’s hesitation to fully committing to Angel Investigations.

David Nabbit (David Herman) and Virginia Bryce (Brigid Brannagh) are similar in characterization. At least they are when it comes to their potential to affect the overall narrative. Both characters come across as possible assets for accessing the world of the wealthy while also being a financier for Angel Investigations. In David’s case, his desire for adventure — and to use his wealth for something good — could see him be another strategist for the team. Unfortunately, he disappears after advising Angel Investigations on how to set-up the hotel so it is not a complete waste of money (Season 2, Episode 3, “First Impressions”). As for Virginia, she very briefly sees the realization of this possibility, but leaves the narrative after breaking up with Wesley (Season 2, Episode 15, “Reprise”). Thus, while both contribute something, there is a severe squandering of their capacities as characters.

A lot of world-building is happening throughout the second season. Therefore, one might expect significant growth for at least the main characters. Regrettably, this is not the case. Instead development of each character occurs at an inconsistent rate. Additionally, that growth for most characters is either sporadic or stagnant. While future seasons will undoubtedly have more instances of progress, it is disappointing that this one falls short of its potential.