Cordelia will later refer to Doyle as the "first soldier down," as she plays back that same commercial five years later in "You're Welcome." She will pause the video on a close-up as Angel looks tearfully on, both of them staring at the screen in his lush W&H apartment. Doyle's appearance at this point, is tied into reminding Angel that he has deviated from his own heroic journey and needs help to find it again. Cordelia takes a breath then continues, "He knew what he had to do, and didn't compromise." Both Charisma Carpenter and David Boreanaz have said it was one of the most emotional scenes they've ever done on the show. Not only was Doyle's death a major hit to Angel viewers, it heavily affected the actors too. As Dr. H. mentioned in class, Glenn Quinn, the man who played Doyle, passed away in 2002 as a result of an accidental death. As if "Hero" wasn't sad enough, that reality check makes it all the more tragic, and gives Doyle's final words a haunting meaning.
"First soldier down." Cordelia sums up the price Doyle paid in Angel's struggle for redemption. It immediately calls back that moment in "Hero" when it came down to a life/death situation and Doyle made a choice. Some have commented that Angel's hesitation in being truthfully unwilling to sacrifice himself for the greater good, is easily agreeable. And I think Doyle also realized that fact early on when he said, "I'll tell you what, you fight and I'll keep score." So, when the moment came for a life altering decision, Doyle took Angel's role so the vampire with a soul could continue to "fight the good fight." The second Doyle undertook that task, his own mission for atonement was fulfilled, and many lives were saved. Angel and Cordelia (now armed with the visions) were left behind to carry on.
I always liked Doyle because he was an average man. He chose to remain "human," and to conceal his demon half, and was by no means a superhero. Apart from his visions, Doyle had no superpowers and grapled with his own selfishness. He chose not to help his other "descendents" from his demon line, resulting in a devastating guilt only eased at the conclusion of "Hero." All of Doyle's faults became lost in the heroic statement he made, even though he had no legacy to leave behind but one. His self-sacrifice was the epitome of what a hero should be.
This is a really cool fan video for Doyle that I found a few years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkkDlhsU4AQ
2 comments:
I really hated that Doyle died but I agree with you that in dying and sacrificing himself Doyle had atoned for his past. I found the same kind of symbolism as I watched and thought it was pretty neat that as he died he transformed from demon back to human as if that light, which was meant to destroy all things human, ended up cleansing him of his inequities and give Doyle back his humanity.
Great post of one of my favorite characters.
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