Angel
A New Beginning in LA
October 5, 1999:
Tonight's episode sets the scene for the all new WB show "Angel"; a direct spin-off of the ever popular "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer".
For you fans of the "Slayer from Sunnydale", I assure you this new series will NOT disappoint! Joss Wheldon, in my humble opinion, is one of the best television script writers we have today, and with both shows underway in this new season - I have never seen him better!
The Main Scoop:
After Buffy and Angel's break (Buffy's last season ender: Graduation Day) we find Angel setting up his new residence in LA; a new "Hellmouth" for you Slayer fans. Here we lay the groundwork and introduction of all the main players.
Doyle:
This sorta-demon (with an Irish accent) seeks out Angel after "they" tells him to. No clues yet on the identity of the "they"; but judging by the headaches that follow Doyle's visions - I'd be doing anything they suggested too. Here we find that Doyle receives visions from higher powers, and in turn sends Angel to the rescue. Let's say it all together now… "Batman and Robin" are now "Vampire and Demon" just with way cooler utility belts!
Cordelia:
Yes Sunnydale fans, Cordie has made it all the way to LA, and within the first 30 minutes of the show displaces all myths that 2 people can run into each other in a city of 100,000. We find Corde scraping for modeling jobs, and attempting to hob-nob with the big wigs. Her place is a dive, and she's scrounging for food (no wonder she didn't win Homecoming Queen). Then, who does she meet????? Okay - no brainer - she was in the opening credits - Angel to the rescue.
Okay, hold on…. Here comes the story….. Doyle has vision and writes down name of damsel in distress. Doyle meets Angel - explains visions. Angel must help girl wrapped up with bad guy. Angel befriends damsel while catching falling coffee cup. Angel accompanies damsel to a party where he meets our very own Cordie. Angel saves damsel from bad guys while Cordie goes home to VERY BAD apartment.
Angel brings damsel to his new bat cave. Damsel finds her name written on paper while Angel is out roaming the sewers. Damsel freaks out and leaves - bad move - damsel is killed by bad guy. Meanwhile, bad guy takes an interest in Cordie (naturally - there are no other females in this episode). Cordie figures out bad guy is REAL BAD guy, but handles it relatively well. (she's pretty used to the whole BAD GUY routine). Angel comes to Cordie's rescue……..
Best part of the show right here…… Corde, Angel, Bad Guy all standing around. Bad guy wants to know who Angel is - Corde with the typical Sunnydale\Wheldon flair for humor we all love, gets off a great one "You don't know who he is? Of course you don't. Well get ready to have your ass kicked!"
You tell him Cordie! Unfortunately Angel gets his kicked instead and barely gets he and Cordie out of there alive. But no fear Batfans - Angel heads right on down to the guys HUGE office the next day and chucks him out the window where he proceeds to burst into flames on the way down! (Hey don't ever say Angel puts off to sunrise what he should have done at sunset!)
With that we meet the Bad Guy's attorney. "Wolf" is the name of the law firm, and upon Angel's departure we get the attorney cellular call to someone important "There's a new player in town. No, not yet. We'll deal with it. It's under control".
Okay - now we've come full circle. Major players introduced (all but one, she's coming next week), and at the conclusion of this episode we have Cordie, Doyal, and Angel setting up their new company "Angel Investigations".
Wheldon set a real HIGH pace to this series opener, and having seen a few more episodes at this point, I can assure you he has done anything but lose steam! This series has it all, including "Buffy Cross-overs"!
You're not going to find two better written shows anywhere on prime time!
