Angel

### Starring:

David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Glenn Quinn, Alexis Denisof, J. August Richards

### Episodes:

111

Angel is an American supernatural horror drama television series created by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt that serves as spinoff continuation of Whedon's own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series follows the titular protagonist, a 240 year old vampire with a soul who, having left Buffy and the town of Sunnydale, travels to Los Angeles to battle vampires and demons alike while attempting to atone for his previous sins as the infamous Angelus.

## Plot

After having his soul restored once again, Angel leaves the town of Sunnydale after the damage he caused, once again as Angelus, and travels to Los Angeles to continue his work against the dark forces of the world. Meeting up with Cordelia Chase, now a struggling actor, he sets up Angel Investigations, working to help humans being targeted by Vampires and Demons as well, while trying to take down a corrupt organization that covers up their evil actions.

## Why it Rocks

1. It absolutely succeeds as a spiritual successor to Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a multitude of ways, following along with Angel after he left Buffy and showing his own plots that can potentially cause the world to end as well.
2. Unlike Buffy, it takes a less episodic approach to it's storyline, and less seasonal villains, choosing instead to have a main overarching storyline of Angel's battle against the Circle of the Black Thorn and the false law firm Wolfram and Hart, which offers the series a more consistent plot that feels like it's moving forward a lot more.
3. It takes a much darker approach compared to Buffy, which was more of an action-comedy. Although it still has elements of those, it takes on a more emotional approach and has a more serious plot, along with less sugarcoating of Angel's backstory, and the regret he feels as a result.
4. Awesome musical score, especially the opening song, which, like the show itself, has a more somber tone.
5. A lot of likeable new characters, and those who return are even more likeable, especially Cordelia, who's completely abandoned her "popular girl" roots and works hard and becomes a much stronger character as a result.
6. Arguably improved makeup effects, particularly with the Vampires' true forms looking a bit less cheesy.
7. Excellent acting all around, especially from David Boreanaz doing an arguably even better job than he did in Buffy.
8. Great cinematography that shows the glitz and glamor of Los Angeles and the dark underbelly in just as much detail.
9. Lots of great fight scenes.
10. It has some crossovers with Buffy, particularly with Spike and Buffy herself appearing in some episodes.
11. As it plays along with Buffy, it has plenty of events that occur in that moment.
12. Lots of surprisingly emotional moments, like when Angel learns of Buffy's death in season 5 of said series, and cries horribly (even if this death was retconned in season 6).
13. The series finales, despite the show being cancelled after it's fifth season, was an excellent way to end the series, and potentially the entire franchise, with many considering it superior to Buffy's finale. Many also found the cliffhanger aspect of it to be a positive, showing the overall theme that Angel's battle would never truly end and he would keep fighting until he died.

## Bad Qualities

1. The series is sometimes seen as a cheap copy of Buffy at times, despite trying to set itself apart. It's also a bit slower paced at plenty of times.
2. As mentioned in Buffy, Joss Whedon's reputation for poor treatment of his cast and crew goes back as far as this show, with David Boreanaz arguably getting the worst as he's now the star of the show.
3. Some stupid plot points that angered fans, especially the relationship between Connor and Cordelia.
4. It's more somber tone can make it a little less fun at times than Buffy, and the increased violence was also a problem with Buffy's 6th season.
5. The series finale, while great, was also pretty controversial, with plenty of fans heavily criticizing it.
6. Some mediocre episodes, once again, like Buffy.
7. Also like Buffy, a lot of the effects and some of the humor have aged somewhat badly.