Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode)
Encyclopedia
"Angel" is the seventh episode of season 1 of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was written by co-executive producer David Greenwalt
and directed by Scott Brazil
. The narrative follows Buffy Summers
(Sarah Michelle Gellar
), vampire slayer, coming to terms with her feelings for Angel (David Boreanaz
), who is revealed to be a vampire cursed with a soul. However, Darla (Julie Benz
) is playing a deadly game manipulating both Buffy and Angel to the Master's (Mark Metcalf
) will.
is killing his vampires, sends three warrior vampires after her. They ambush Buffy on her way home from the Bronze, but Angel arrives to help her. Angel is injured during the fight and Buffy invites him back to her house to dress his wounds and provide a safe place for him to sleep. Buffy notices his tattoo and asks him if he was stalking her, because she felt his presence at the Bronze. He shrugs it off, and Buffy's mom runs into the two of them. After Buffy covers for Angel,and sneaks him into her bedroom. As Buffy changes she asks Angel why he fights vampires. He says that somebody has to. Buffy asked about his family and he then reveals his family was killed by vampires.
The next morning, Giles
informs the Scoobies that the vampires who ambushed Buffy were known as The Three, very powerful warrior vampires controlled by the Master. Back at the Hellmouth, the Master allows Darla to kill The Three for failing their mission, as an object lesson in the use of power for Collin, the Anointed One
.
The next day, after school and weapons training, Buffy returns to Angel, still hiding in her room. She notices her diary askew and, suddenly very agitated, tries to explain away entries that reveal fantasies about "A". Angel interrupts to assure her that he did not read the diary: her mom moved it when she came to clean her room. He then confesses his attraction towards her. They take that last half-step toward each other, and their kiss — at first hesitant and sweet — grows heated and passionate. Suddenly, Angel pulls back with a snarl of distress, showing his vampire face to Buffy (and the audience) for the first time. She screams in shock and Angel dives out the window.
Giles researches Angel's history and notices the peculiarity that, although he was previously infamous as the sadistic killer known as Angelus, Angel has shunned the company of other vampires since coming to America and apparently has completely stopped preying on humans. Meanwhile, deep in the Master's lair, Darla insists that she be allowed to kill Buffy, using Angel as her weapon. Later that evening in the library, Willow
is having a hard time tutoring Buffy in the history of the Civil War, since they are both distracted by gloom over boys — Buffy because she doesn't want to slay Angel and Willow because she wants to attract Xander
.
Darla cons Buffy's mother
into inviting her in, by claiming to be yet another study buddy of Buffy's. Angel, prowling outside the house, hears Joyce's cry and rushes in as Darla begins to drink. Daring him to drink too, Darla shoves the now-unconscious Joyce into Angel's arms and escapes out the back door. Deeply tempted by Joyce's warm blood, Angel helplessly vamps; as he resists the impulse to drink, Buffy returns and is horrified to find him apparently feeding from her mother. Buffy throws Angel out of the house, then calls for an ambulance. At the hospital, "anemic" Joyce tries to reconstruct events; her last memory is of inviting Buffy's "study friend" inside. Buffy misunderstands, thinking Joyce means Angel rather than Darla, and storms out to kill him.
Meanwhile, Giles talks further with Joyce and learns enough to realize that it was Darla, not Angel, who bit Joyce. With Xander and Willow in tow, he rushes to find Buffy to warn her of the trap. Buffy tracks Angel to the deserted Bronze and demands an explanation; Angel recounts highlights from his years as the evil Angelus, then tells how he was cursed by Gypsies with a soul that would eternally torment him with guilt for the atrocities he had performed as a vampire. He denies biting Joyce, yet confesses wanting to, as well as wanting to kill Buffy herself. The Slayer lays aside her crossbow and slowly offers her throat to him. Suddenly, Darla emerges from the shadows with a pair of handguns, boasting to Buffy that she was the one who sired Angelus all those centuries ago. Hearing gunfire, Giles, Willow and Xander rush in and distract Darla, shouting to Buffy that it was Darla who bit Joyce, not Angel. Looming up from behind, Angel stakes Darla through the heart, dusting his sire.
In their Hellmouth lair, Collin consoles the Master for his loss of Darla at Angel's hands. Spying Angel across the crowded room at the Bronze
, Buffy goes to thank him — and to tell him goodbye. Helpless in the heat of their burgeoning passion for one another, their banter trails to silence and they deeply kiss one last time. As she reluctantly pulls away, Buffy doesn't notice that the cross she's wearing — the one Angel gave her weeks ago at their first meeting
— was scorching his chest.
. Angel’s Hugo Boss
duster is worth over $1,000.
David Greenwalt
David Greenwalt is an American screenwriter, director and producer.He was the co-executive producer of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and co-creator of its spinoff, Angel. He is also co-creator of the short-lived cult television show Profit...
and directed by Scott Brazil
Scott Brazil
Scott Brazil was an Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning American television producer and director.-Early years:...
. The narrative follows Buffy Summers
Buffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
(Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Prinze , known professionally by her birth name of Sarah Michelle Gellar , is an American actress, singer and executive producer...
), vampire slayer, coming to terms with her feelings for Angel (David Boreanaz
David Boreanaz
David Boreanaz is an American actor, television producer, and director, known for his role as Angel on the supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, and as Special Agent Seeley Booth on the television crime drama Bones....
), who is revealed to be a vampire cursed with a soul. However, Darla (Julie Benz
Julie Benz
Julie M. Benz is an American actress, best known for her roles as Darla on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel and as Rita Bennett on Dexter, for which she won the 2006 Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television...
) is playing a deadly game manipulating both Buffy and Angel to the Master's (Mark Metcalf
Mark Metcalf
Mark Howes Metcalf is an American actor in both television and film.-Early life:Metcalf attended Westfield High School in Westfield, New Jersey.-Film and television work:...
) will.
Plot
The Master, displeased that BuffyBuffy Summers
Buffy Summers is a fictional character from Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise. She first appeared in the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer before going on to appear in the television series and subsequent comic book of the same name...
is killing his vampires, sends three warrior vampires after her. They ambush Buffy on her way home from the Bronze, but Angel arrives to help her. Angel is injured during the fight and Buffy invites him back to her house to dress his wounds and provide a safe place for him to sleep. Buffy notices his tattoo and asks him if he was stalking her, because she felt his presence at the Bronze. He shrugs it off, and Buffy's mom runs into the two of them. After Buffy covers for Angel,and sneaks him into her bedroom. As Buffy changes she asks Angel why he fights vampires. He says that somebody has to. Buffy asked about his family and he then reveals his family was killed by vampires.
The next morning, Giles
Rupert Giles
Rupert Giles is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is portrayed by Anthony Stewart Head. He serves as Buffy Summers' mentor and surrogate father figure...
informs the Scoobies that the vampires who ambushed Buffy were known as The Three, very powerful warrior vampires controlled by the Master. Back at the Hellmouth, the Master allows Darla to kill The Three for failing their mission, as an object lesson in the use of power for Collin, the Anointed One
Anointed One (Buffyverse)
The Anointed One is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The character is played by Andrew J. Ferchland.-Character history:...
.
The next day, after school and weapons training, Buffy returns to Angel, still hiding in her room. She notices her diary askew and, suddenly very agitated, tries to explain away entries that reveal fantasies about "A". Angel interrupts to assure her that he did not read the diary: her mom moved it when she came to clean her room. He then confesses his attraction towards her. They take that last half-step toward each other, and their kiss — at first hesitant and sweet — grows heated and passionate. Suddenly, Angel pulls back with a snarl of distress, showing his vampire face to Buffy (and the audience) for the first time. She screams in shock and Angel dives out the window.
Giles researches Angel's history and notices the peculiarity that, although he was previously infamous as the sadistic killer known as Angelus, Angel has shunned the company of other vampires since coming to America and apparently has completely stopped preying on humans. Meanwhile, deep in the Master's lair, Darla insists that she be allowed to kill Buffy, using Angel as her weapon. Later that evening in the library, Willow
Willow Rosenberg
Willow Rosenberg is a fictional character created for the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . She was developed by Joss Whedon and portrayed throughout the TV series by Alyson Hannigan...
is having a hard time tutoring Buffy in the history of the Civil War, since they are both distracted by gloom over boys — Buffy because she doesn't want to slay Angel and Willow because she wants to attract Xander
Xander Harris
Alexander LaVelle "Xander" Harris is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as in numerous items in the series Expanded Universe, such as comic books, tie-in novels and video games...
.
Darla cons Buffy's mother
Joyce Summers
Joyce Summers is a fictional character in the fantasy television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . Played by Kristine Sutherland, Joyce is the mother of the main character, Buffy Summers . Joyce appears regularly from the first episode until the character's death in the fifth season episode "The...
into inviting her in, by claiming to be yet another study buddy of Buffy's. Angel, prowling outside the house, hears Joyce's cry and rushes in as Darla begins to drink. Daring him to drink too, Darla shoves the now-unconscious Joyce into Angel's arms and escapes out the back door. Deeply tempted by Joyce's warm blood, Angel helplessly vamps; as he resists the impulse to drink, Buffy returns and is horrified to find him apparently feeding from her mother. Buffy throws Angel out of the house, then calls for an ambulance. At the hospital, "anemic" Joyce tries to reconstruct events; her last memory is of inviting Buffy's "study friend" inside. Buffy misunderstands, thinking Joyce means Angel rather than Darla, and storms out to kill him.
Meanwhile, Giles talks further with Joyce and learns enough to realize that it was Darla, not Angel, who bit Joyce. With Xander and Willow in tow, he rushes to find Buffy to warn her of the trap. Buffy tracks Angel to the deserted Bronze and demands an explanation; Angel recounts highlights from his years as the evil Angelus, then tells how he was cursed by Gypsies with a soul that would eternally torment him with guilt for the atrocities he had performed as a vampire. He denies biting Joyce, yet confesses wanting to, as well as wanting to kill Buffy herself. The Slayer lays aside her crossbow and slowly offers her throat to him. Suddenly, Darla emerges from the shadows with a pair of handguns, boasting to Buffy that she was the one who sired Angelus all those centuries ago. Hearing gunfire, Giles, Willow and Xander rush in and distract Darla, shouting to Buffy that it was Darla who bit Joyce, not Angel. Looming up from behind, Angel stakes Darla through the heart, dusting his sire.
In their Hellmouth lair, Collin consoles the Master for his loss of Darla at Angel's hands. Spying Angel across the crowded room at the Bronze
The Bronze
The Bronze is a fictional nightclub in Sunnydale, the fictional setting for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Of 144 episodes of the series, 66 have at least one scene at the Bronze, not including its appearance in the unaired pilot....
, Buffy goes to thank him — and to tell him goodbye. Helpless in the heat of their burgeoning passion for one another, their banter trails to silence and they deeply kiss one last time. As she reluctantly pulls away, Buffy doesn't notice that the cross she's wearing — the one Angel gave her weeks ago at their first meeting
Welcome to the Hellmouth
"Welcome to the Hellmouth" is the series premiere of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This episode and "The Harvest" were originally aired as a two-part series premiere on The WB Television Network...
— was scorching his chest.
Production details
During the production of this episode, it took the makeup department 60 to 90 minutes to apply the vampire prosthetic on David BoreanazDavid Boreanaz
David Boreanaz is an American actor, television producer, and director, known for his role as Angel on the supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, and as Special Agent Seeley Booth on the television crime drama Bones....
. Angel’s Hugo Boss
Hugo Boss
Hugo Ferdinand Boss was the founder of clothing company Hugo Boss.-Early life:Boss was born in Metzingen, Germany. After completing his apprenticeship and one year of employment, he founded his own company in Metzingen in 1923.-Support of Nazism:Boss joined the Nazi Party in 1931, two years before...
duster is worth over $1,000.
Continuity
- Buffy invites Angel into her house in this episode, an invitation she will later revoke in "Passion".
- Buffy mentions The Three in the Season Three episode "Faith, Hope & Trick" when describing past experiences with slaying to Faith.
- "The last time I saw you, it was kimonos": Kimonos are a type of garment from Japan. While Darla and Angel are never seen to have visited Japan together, the last time Angel saw Darla was in China, during The Boxer Rebellion. Kimonos are heavily influenced by traditional Han Chinese clothingHan Chinese clothingHanfu or Han Chinese Clothing, also sometimes known as Hanzhuang , Huafu , and sometimes referred in English sources simply as Silk Robe or Chinese Silk Robe refers to the historical dress of the Han Chinese people, which was worn for millennia before the conquest by the Manchus and the...
, and so it is possible Angel mistook a Chinese silk robe for a kimono. - Angel tells Buffy that he has not fed on another living human since his soul was restored, but this is contradicted by a flashback in AngelAngel (TV series)Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
that showed in 1943 he sired a mortally-wounded engineer to save a submarine. As the kid would have died anyway Angel may not have thought it a big deal to omit this case. About 1975, he fed on an unnamed gunshot victim in a café, though that person was already dead when Angel fed.
Arc significance
- This episode provides many revelations about Angel. It is revealed that Angel is a vampire with a soul who was named Angelus (The One with the Angelic Face) and killed his own family when he first became a vampire. It is revealed that he is 240 years old and has a tattoo on his right shoulder blade. The origin of his gypsy curse, which will play a major role in Season Two, is also told.
- It is revealed that Darla was once romantically involved with Angelus and that she made him a vampire.
- Darla dies (for the second of four times, as revealed in later episodes of Buffy and the spin-off series AngelAngel (TV series)Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
), but is resurrected three years later at the end of the first season of Angel. - This episode is the first time Joyce Summers meets Giles and Angel.
Cultural references
- The Three: The Books of SamuelBooks of SamuelThe Books of Samuel in the Jewish bible are part of the Former Prophets, , a theological history of the Israelites affirming and explaining the Torah under the guidance of the prophets.Samuel begins by telling how the prophet Samuel is chosen by...
describe King David's WarriorsKing David's WarriorsDavid's Mighty Warriors are a group of biblical characters explicitly singled out by an appendix of the Books of Samuel. The text divides them into the "Three", of which there are three, and "Thirty", of which there are more than thirty...
as being divided up into The Thirty and The Three. The fact that these vampires are warriors may indicate that they owe their origins to the King David's Warriors of the same name. - "I'm not going to be fighting Friar Tuck": Friar Tuck is a companion to Robin Hood in the legends of the latter. Tuck is occasionally seen fighting with a quarterstaff.