Review of “ City of . . . ” The long awaited Premiere of ANGEL. Please bear with me a mo as I give a brief overview of this concept. We actually got wind that Angel might have his own series, leaving Buffy in Sunnydale to fight the demons and vampires on her own, about two years ago. I for one wasn't sure how this would track. It's been done before with 'Forever Knight' with little success for one tires quickly of constant night scenes when your main character can't step into the light of day. On the other hand, Joss Whedon is a very creative and ingenious man and I know he wouldn't lead us down a dark alley without at least one or two candles in his back pocket. So we sit back and wait, 'waiting' a good thing because after 3 years of Angel & Buffy angst we were ready for a change! Buffy needed to be happy again and Angel needed a purpose. After all he did come back from Hell, not something a vampire cares to do on any given day. We were promised that ANGEL would be darker, the story lines more mature as rumors abound to whom, from Buffy's past and present, would accompany Angel on his dark and arduous quests. And so, on October 5th, 1999 we found out. As the opening credits roll I'm very impressed by the 'look' of ANGEL. The music is dark and mysterious with a ting of Celtic irony, the imagery is sharp and edgy and the ensemble looks promising. Cordelia (Charisma ÿƒôenter) has relocated to LA, an interesting choice, (more about her later) and Doyle (Glenn Quinn) is the new addition. Joss takes the helm himself here by writing, along with David Greenwalt, and directing this first episode. My faith in Joss being what it is I smile as we hear the voice of Angel begins this evening's tale. Angel sits in a bar drinking his sorrows over Buffy away? Okay, I bought into that! Ah but there's fowl play a foot and a nice touch of slow motion technique as Angel follows the baddies out of said bar to rescue the damsels in distress. It's nice to see the humor hasn't been taken away from ANGEL as a vampire turns to growl at Angel he replies "owh breath mint?" and then continues to kick some demon ass! And with a few tricks up his sleeve by way of nice little stake procuring devices! We get introduced to Doyle in the first scene of the second act. Not sure if I like him yet or not. He gets visions from the 'powers that be' that will guide Angel to those in need. Nice concept, it's not like he can roam the back alleys looking for those in need of his help. Doyle's half-human and half demon, which I'm sure, will lend to some future story telling. Angel's apartment/office is very cool. I think it fits his personality quite well. Angel's forced to join the real world for a change and when he runs into Cordy at a Hollywood party our vixen of spite impressed me. Cordy looks older, sexier and has humor to go with her art of tact. "Angel! Are you still, you know, gerrr!?" I actually laughed out loud. Some things you don't see every day . . . Angel driving a car, (a convertible no less), Angel fist fighting mortals, Angel handling a gun and most of all Angel being funny. Like when he jumps into his car to chase the bad guys and sees he has jumped into the wrong convertible! Okay, so vampires are human after all! As the story unfolds Angel tries to rescue the pretty blond in need, to which he fails when the evil vampire Russell kills her. Nice twist Joss, didn't see it coming! Once again Cordy catches me laughing when, while at Russell's, she discovers he's a vampire! If she continues to get lines like these she might just become my fav. There are good fight scenes, intense action and even touching moments when we actually care about the characters who we've only just been introduced to. Let us not forget a worth while special effect of Russell being kicked out of at 40+-story office building during the day. Well, the show 'is' edgier, it 'is' darker, it 'is' mature and I like it! The interaction between Angel and Cordy works, Doyle has a flair that fits and Angel actually spends a lot of time about during the day! This first step into another hour of Jossdom is worth a second helping! I give it . . . Review by CoA Council member, Swoop

CoA Stakes Rating Guide = Disappointing, stake it, bury it! = Not too bad, Lacking a few graves. = Typical Dark Avenger saves the day Saga. = Better still, Quality Headstones. = Outstanding! Reward it with mortality!

Angel: (pretending to be drunk) Girls are nice! Angel: So are you, uh, happy? Tina: What? Angel: You look sorta down. Tina: You’ve been watching me? Angel: No, I just, I was uh looking towards there, and you walked...through there… Tina: You don’t hit on girls very often, do you? Angel: It’s been a while. Cordelia: (making a vampire face) So are you still…GRR!? Angel: Yeah, there’s not actually a cure for that. Angel: (making tea) Do you take milk and sugar? Tina: Yeah. Angel: …because I don’t have those things. Angel: Doyle, I don’t want to share my feelings, I don’t want to open up. I want to find the guy that killed Tina, and I want to look him in the eye. Doyle: Then what? Angel: Then I’m going to share my feelings. Cordelia: I finally get invited to a nice place with…no mirrors and lots of curtains…hey! You’re a vampire! Russell: What? No I’m not. Cordelia: Are to! Russell: I don’t know what you’re talking about. Cordelia: I’m from Sunnydale! We had our own Hellmouth. I think I know a vampire when I’m…alone with one in his fortress like home. Russell: You made a very big mistake coming here. Cordelia: You don’t know who he is, do you? Oh boy you’re about to get your ass kicked! Russell: Look at me. I pay my taxes, I keep my name out of the paper, and I don’t make waves. In return I can do anything I want. Angel: Really? Can you fly? Quotes by CoA Council member, BCangel