Behind the Scenes

"DEAR BOY"

Saturday March 3, 2001 9:00pm

At the Museum of Television and Radio (Los Angeles) Director's Guide auditorium everyone settled in their seats as Museum President, Robert M. Batscha, greeted the audience, presented the honored series and introduced its cast and crew who were the guest panel for the evening. Briefly summing up the Angel nuance that has so enraptured fans and critics alike, Mr. Batscha elaborated on the thematic essence of its origins, " . . . and carries on between parent series Buffy the Vampire Slayer to the elements of film noir. The result is unique entertainment that is stylish, thrilling and emotionally complex. The ensemble cast is one that is equally adapt at drama, comedy and hair raising action. It's now in its second season on the Warner Brothers network. It's inspired an impassioned following as I think we see here today as well as reports of magazines, web sites, and fan clubs that are dedicated to the brooding vampire's exploits. Let me now introduce the people who are responsible for this program." To thunderous applause, each member of the Angel camp walked on stage, standing before the audience as Mr. Batscha introduced, "David Greenwalt (co-creator), Marti Noxon (consulting producer for Angel), Stephanie Romanov (Lilah Morgan), Elisabeth Rohm (conflicted police detective Kate Lockley), Christian Kane (district attorney Lindsey McDonald), J. August Richards (self taught vampire slayer with his own style plays Charles Gunn), Alexis Denisof (plays the rogue demon hunter Wesley Wyndham-Pryce), Charisma Carpenter (tart-tongued girl Friday Cordelia Chase), David Boreanaz (he plays Angel), Tim Minear (co-executive producer), and Joss Whedon (co-creator and executive producer)." Note: Julie Benz [Darla] was invited to attend but film obligations kept her away. Two members of the Buffy cast who were in the audience were Alyson Hannigan (Willow) and Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn).

When the applause and cheers had slowly died down, Tim Minear stepped forward, "My name's Tim and I'm an alcoholic," to spontaneous laughter from the audience. "Tonight we're going to look at an episode of Angel called 'Dear Boy'. I don't know how many people have seen it but I can try not to spoil the plot as I introduce it. This was a very pivotal episode for us this year, written and directed by care of David Greenwalt. (applause) This was the episode that really got the Darla arc into high gear where Angel first sees her in person and learns a little something about the vampire that Wolfram & Hart brought back."

The lights dimmed and cast and crew retired to a front section of the auditorium which was reserved aside for them. We were treating to a presentation of 'Dear Boy' from the current, Second Season, written and directed by David Greenwalt.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPERSIZE THAT?

Review by: Seeker
Los Angeles CoA Contributing Writer

Thanks to consistent, prolific writing, we as fans have always found the characters of Angel to be larger than life. At the William S. Paley Television Festival, they literally became larger than life and now I'm ruined forever!

The beginning segment of the program, prior to the cast panel discussion, involved the viewing of the Angel episode-5 'Dear Boy' on a large screen within the Directors Guide auditorium. Seeing our heroes displayed on this medium has convinced me that this is the way Angel was meant to be viewed - - a giant picture, surround sound, and no commercials. Like most of the crowd in attendance, I was just blown away. The characters became so realistic that they were almost jumping off the screen. The sections of the episode that were period pieces, the Angel/Darla flashbacks, were breathtaking. It's always been believed by most of the show's fans that the episodes with flashbacks had a cinematic quality to them, and this presentation finally confirmed it. Specifically, when the camera pans around as Angel tries to discern the nature of Darla's gift, we are treated to a spectacular view. (No, I'm not talking about Darla's more obvious gifts.) We are transported to the street itself, inside Angel's eyes, to scan the horizon and ultimately settle on Angel's next target, Drusilla. It's not that we missed anything vital to the plot the first time by seeing it on television; it's just that on the big screen, the scene conveyed more imagery and left the viewer feeling so much more a part of the actual scene.

Additionally aiding to the overall enjoyment was the fact that the audience clearly understood both the plot and the humor within, and was enthusiastic in their appreciation. "It's always great to watch an episode on the big screen with an audience," commented Marti Noxon to CoA. "Much more fun (and more terrifying!) than watching it at home on the tube. People laugh and go "ahhhh" (sometimes in all the wrong places, but..) It's a gas to see what people actually respond to." It was clearly both an industry and fan based crowd. As such, it had to be gratifying for the writers who were present to see the audience laugh, almost as if on cue, at each and every appropriate point, while all the time expressing admiration for the twists and nuances of the storyline.

While Robert Batscha did provide a small introduction for the show in general, and as Tim Minear prefaced this episode specifically, it was abundantly clear only moments into the viewing that neither had been necessary. Everyone there was clearly current on Angel affairs, and the introductions served only to prolong our anticipation. Another interesting aspect of the audience was that due to the nature of the industry, there was actually some political clapping taking place both as the actors and writers were introduced, and again when either their name or character appeared on screen. Some of this was just unbridled enthusiasm generated by the fans in attendance, but some of it was just part of the normal Hollywood protocol. As an outsider not usually accustomed to this, I was a little amused by it. However, I was also very happy to see some of my favorites, such as Elizabeth Rohm and J. August Richards, receiving as much as, and in some cases more applause than the show's lead, David Boreanaz.

Speaking only for myself, with the assumption that I am not alone in this, I have to say that I left feeling very impressed, and perhaps a little saddened. Impressed, because this further displayed what quality Angel brings to current television programming. But saddened, because I am only human, and subject to all the temptations involved therein. I've been to the ballroom, but the clock has struck midnight, and now I have to return to the hovel I call home. It was a great ride while it lasted though, and despite my considerably smaller entertainment center, I somehow doubt that my Tuesday evening plans will be affected. "I'll be tuning in, same Angel time, same Angel channel."