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Angel - Season One
- Color
- Closed-captioned
- Box set
The Editors Desk:
He's hunky, he's brooding, he's a do-gooder, and he was Buffy's first boyfriend. Angel, the tortured vampire destined to walk the earth with a soul, got his own series after three seasons on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and did what any new star might do: he moved to L.A. (the City of Angels--get it?) and set up shop. Angel (co-created by Buffy mastermind Joss Whedon) finds the titular vampire (David Boreanaz) as a kind of supernatural private investigator, fighting evil one case at a time and, like his ex-girlfriend, keeping the world from getting destroyed by vengeful demons and such. A darker, more film noir version of Buffy, Angel lacked the peppy humor that permeated Sunnydale but more than made up for it in its soul-wrenching gravitas, and it elevated Boreanaz to leading-man status, a role he filled out ably and then some. Initially, the stoic vampire was paired with Irish demon Doyle (the late Glenn Quinn) and fellow Sunnydale transplant Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), but Angel finally found its footing when Doyle was dispatched (giving his powers of precognition to Cordelia) and replaced by Buffy alum Wesley (Alexis Denisof), a fallen watcher who, like his friends, was hoping for a new start in L.A. However, pesky law firm Wolfram and Hart (a front for the demon mafia, as it were) reared its ugly head and discovered Angel's presence, thus setting the stage for a battle of good and evil--and if you're a regular Joss Whedon fan, you know that it's a never-ending war. This first season features guest appearances by various Buffy characters, including werewolf boy Oz (Seth Green), rogue slayer Faith (Eliza Dushku), deliciously evil vamp Darla (Julie Benz), and Buffy herself (Sarah Michelle Gellar), all of whom helped get the show off and running in style. --Mark Englehart
Avg. Customer Review: 
 A Dark & Stellar Jump Off
Angel's first season is all about closure from the Buffyverse and setting a totally unique and darker universe. In a smart move, Angel resides in LA after leaving Sunnydale and Buffy behind. In LA, he continues to seek redemption for his past doings. In doing so, he meets up with Doyle, a demon who receives head splitting visions of danger from the Powers that Be, and becomes Angel's aid. Along for the ride is former Sunnydale resident Cordelia Chase who begins the infamous Angel Investigations. Never has there been such entertaining and involving television such as the first season of Angel. Being a spin-off of Buffy, Angel held its own ground in becoming a completely different show. Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, and the rest of the show's writers developed the new characters and delved into Angel, Cordelia, and Wesley even more. Some of the more stellar episodes from this season are Will Always Remember You, Heroes, Five by Five, Sanctuary, and the creepy Under Your Skin. Of course, that's based on my opinion for the remaining episodes are all awesome in their own way. David Boreanaz's star quality is lowbrow, and he took this show in his own hands. But not stealing all the screentime for a lot is given to his costars. Charisma Carpenter is wonderful as always, even with her past Cordelia attitude. Charisma showed Cordelia's slow transition to having more heart very well. Her performance in the season one finale was breathtaking. Glenn Quinn's performance made him a loveable fan favorite, and always will be. The return of Alexis Denisof rounding out the main cast for season one was a swell choice. Elisabeth Rohm was a great addition, and J. August Richards as Gunn worked very well. Well enough to make him a regular cast member. The DVD presentation is a swell one. Although the show was shot in the widescreen format, we do get regular full screen. Sound and picture are great, although the picture gets a little grainy sometimes. Nothing to complain about. All of the featurettes are nifty and chock full of interviews from cast & crew. The commentaries range from highly entertaining to subtly interesting, as most do. And the design of the whole set is mood setting. Loved it.
Angel's season one set up for the upcoming seasons which become even more darker, sinister, and quirkier. Yes, quirkier.
Quick Summary
I must say, I was a bit cautious about buying this DVD set at first. I'm a huge Buffy fan, but the Angel spin-off didn't sound too great. I'm not a huge Angel fan; at least, that was, until I watched his series. I took a big chance and coughed up $50 for this set (hey, it's a lot of money for me!!), and I am not sad at all that I did. In fact, next chance I have some money, I'm buying the second season. Angel begins great, and ends great. David Boreanaz (Angel) was amazing; more amazing than I have ever seen him on Buffy in my opinion. He's lonely and vampy, living in LA, still fighting the bad evils of the world. He meets Doyle, and adorable half-demon with an Irish accent played by Glenn Quinn, who sadly passed away at an early age (31 I believe...) in 2001. This character has been my favorite of both Angel and Buffy. Glenn brought an amazing character you came to know and love on screen. May he rest in peace. Charisma Carpenter, Cordelia, as much as I disliked her in Buffy, was absolutely great in Angel. Growing as a person, but still keeping her ridiculous humor, she sums up the perfect group as a wannabe superstar who ends up working for Angel. Doyle dies early in the season, and don't think I didn't get a little emotional ;P He is "replaced" by Wesley, who at first I was disgusted by. Not because the acting was by, but because he didn't fit and I was still sad from Doyle's death. Soon, however, he brings what is needed to the good guy group. This season is full of crossing actors from Buffy:
-Oz (The wonderful Seth Green!!)
-Buffy (The very talented Sarah Michelle Gellar)
-Spike (Excellent James Marsters =D)
-Faith (Eliza Dusku, who now has her own show, Tru Calling) So if you're still debating whether to pick this up or not, go get it!! You won't be disappointed... And of course, one final word to the talented and truly missed Glenn Quinn. May he rest forevermore in peace. He will not be forgotten.
This is strictly on the episodes only!
I don't own this set but I have seen most of the episodes of Season One! This is what I am basing my rating on:
- City Of... - This picks up where Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season Three leaves off with Angel coming to L.A. and meeting up with a half-human/half demon named Doyle and a familiar face in Cordellia Chase from BTVS. - In the Dark - Excellent episode which continues the feud between Angel and former ally Spike! This also shows Angel out during the daytime for first time that I can recall! - The Bachelor Party - This sees Doyle nearly get killed at the hands of his ex-wife's fiance! - I Will Remember You (Guest Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar) - The most heartbreaking episode on either BTVS or Angel and a bittersweet chapter in the Buffy/Angel romance. - Hero - The final appearance of Doyle. Ironically and tragically, the actor that played him died two years later from a drug overdose. RIP. - Parting Gifts - Cordellia gets a new power while Wesley Wyndham-Price from BTVS shows up and joins the team after a brief encounter with Angel. - Expecting - Cordy suddenly gets pregnant! - The Prodigal - An old protege from the past returns to kill Angel. - The Ring - Angel goes undercover into an illegal fight ring. - Eternity - A struggling former child actor tries to seduce Angel into making her a vampire but instead unleashes Angelous!
- Five by Five - Rogue Slayer Faith is hired by Wolfrham & Hart to eliminate Angel. - Sanctuary (Guest Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar) - Buffy hunts Faith to settle a score (see Buffy The Vampire Slayer season 4 for the reason) These are the episodes that I have seen. But, I did enjoy them so I am certain that the others are of good quality as well. On a personal note, I will probably purchase this item soon myself just for "I Will Remember You" alone! While I am more of an action guy, this heartbreaker even had me nearly in tears! Its that powerful and it is one of Sarah Michelle Gellar's best performances as Buffy in my view! Season one is worth the money!
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