SummaryFor over two centuries, Angelus was one of the most vicious vampires ever to walk the earth. Then he killed the wrong girl, and her grieving Gypsy family cursed him with the return of his soul, causing him to suffer remorse for all the hundreds of innocents that he had killed through the years. Now he goes by the name Angel, and he fig...
SummaryFor over two centuries, Angelus was one of the most vicious vampires ever to walk the earth. Then he killed the wrong girl, and her grieving Gypsy family cursed him with the return of his soul, causing him to suffer remorse for all the hundreds of innocents that he had killed through the years. Now he goes by the name Angel, and he fig...
Angel is more straight-ahead action than Buffy, but it is a spin-off that twirls terrificly. Plunked behind Buffy, it completes the most joyously entertaining two hours on television. [5 Oct 1999, p.E01]
The good news is that the folks behind "Buffy" -- notably writer-creator Joss Whedon -- have come along for this new chapter in a vampire's life and, at least for the first episode, have brought their wit, style and keen sense of pop culture with them. [4 Oct 1999, p.1C]
The spin-off series to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Compared to it it has a darker setting. The main theme can be describe as the fight against evil never ends no matter how hard you fight. There will be always new threads (Evil wont stop ever). It has the same strengths as Buffy: Great characters, interactions / development, humour and good story arcs. It should be mentioned that the first season is more monster of the week and that the story of season 4 is considered week by half of the fandom (I like both). The later season have an overarching story arc. The characters are awesome. Angel and Spike are often in the top 10 list for Vampires and the additional cast is great (Fred, Wesley, Gunn and Lorne are also praiseworthy). The chemistry between characters is great (Trademark of Joss Wheadon / David Greenwalt). The bad guys shine also. They have a devilish law firm with Wolfram & Hart as main antagonist which make the devils advocate look tame in comparison. In each season you learn more about them (with shocking reveals). The later story arcs are fantastic and will make you think. Season 3 about true forgiveness and what you would do for revenge, in season 4 for the price for world peace / sacrifices and in the final season 5 about the price of power and your solution (The premise of season 5 is surprisingly awesome; I wont spoil it here). The humour is also great. There are good episodes for it especially in season 5 (The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco and Smile Time). The conclusion in the final season is fitting for the theme but will anger / annoy some people. Overall this is a series that deserved more season and is worth watching.
Some weeks, the series works beautifully, moving along like the otherworldly detective show it's meant to be. ... But other times Angel can tip too far into jokiness—or, worse, come off like a supernatural version of hollow USA Network shows such as Silk Stalkings.
This first episode won't grab new viewers by the throat either, although it does reveal David Boreanaz's immense attraction as the brooding, hunky, laconic vampire. [5 Oct 1999, p.E7]
The premiere of Angel suggests this is a fairly grim and humorless series, though perhaps not entirely predictable. With no Buffy to offset the intensely glowering and eternally brooding Angel (David Boreanaz), the former love of her life, the spinoff becomes a sort of "Touched By a Vampire," a show in danger of taking itself far too seriously and the audience far too lightly. [4 Oct 1999]
I expected to hate this show but I ended up binge watching all of it.
Unfortunately it ended right as one of the most interesting characters (eldritch abomination in hot girl) was added and they were finally getting rid of the most annoying one (black ex-vampire hunter guy).