Sunday, February 20, 2011

Response to "City of..."

Though we have spent the majority of our class time so far concentrated on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it is a bit refreshing to have a new series to analyze. Angel is not too far off from Buffy since it is a spin-off series, but it seems fitting to be able to explore Angel's character and give him a more dominant role through his own show. His appearance in Buffy was dramatically brought to an end when he switches back to his old evil self and cuts the emotional bond with Buffy. Angel is cast out of the inner circle that the slayer surrounds herself with, and is given a chance to escape through Buffy's mercy. This leaves the audience to wonder what will become of Angel, a question that this series can answer for the viewer.

Angel's escape to Los Angeles presents him with a chance to redeem himself, and simultaneously take himself as far away from Sunnydale as possible. Though the damage has already been done with his relationship to Buffy, Angel is given a chance to make a better impression on the audience by having his own escapades and slaying adventures. We catch a glimpse of the Angel we knew before his curse set in, able to strike out on his own in a new environment. He cannot go back to his role in Buffy, but he can show the audience just how capable he is without Buffy and the rest of the gang.

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