Angel (1999 — 2004)

Angel (1999–2004), an American supernatural TV series, is a spinoff of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was created by Joss Whedon, who also created and directed Buffy. Along with David Greenwalt, Whedon produced the show which aired on The WB from October 5, 1999 to May 19, 2004 for five seasons and 110 episodes. Like its predecessor, Angel was also produced by Mutant Enemy. The show chronicles the challenges faced by Angel, a vampire whose soul was returned to him after a Romani curse as punishment for killing one of their own. After centuries of violence and cruelty, his conscience now plagues him with guilt. Seeking redemption, Angel moves to Los Angeles where he becomes a private detective. With the help of various associates, they strive to ‘help the helpless’ and guide those who have lost their way in order to restore their faith and save their souls.

Season 1 (1999–2000). At the beginning of the series, Angel moves to Los Angeles and is soon approached by Doyle, a messenger from The Powers That Be, mysterious and ancient beings who aid in the fight against evil. Doyle possesses visions that guide Angel as he fulfills his role as humanity’s champion. Along the way, Angel meets Cordelia Chase, who is pursuing an acting career. The three team up to create Angel Investigations, a detective agency with a goal of assisting those in need. After Doyle’s passing in ‘Hero’, he passes on his visions to Cordelia through a kiss. Shortly after, former Watcher Wesley Wyndam-Pryce joins the group. At the same time, the malevolent corporation Wolfram & Hart takes notice of Angel and tries to tempt him towards darkness by resurrecting Darla, his past lover and creator who was killed by him in Buffy’s first season.

Season 2 (2000–2001). Charles Gunn, first introduced in War Zone towards the end of season 1 of Angel (1999–2004), is a tough leader of a gang that hunts vampires. Initially determined to kill Angel, he ultimately joins forces with him throughout season 2. To take down Angel, Wolfram & Hart’s star lawyer Lindsey McDonald enlists the help of Darla. However, Darla returns as a human, suffering from a terminal case of syphilis contracted during her mortal life before being turned into a vampire. In an attempt to bring her back to evil, Lindsey calls upon Drusilla- a vampire created by Angelus. This sparks anger in Angel and he cuts himself off from his team (secretly hoping to protect them) while trying to go after the duo alone. Desperate and lost, Angel has a moment of weakness and sleeps with Darla. Yet the next morning brings clarity and he realizes his mistake; banishing Darla and reuniting with his group.

Season 3 (2001–2002). After hearing of his ex-girlfriend Buffy’s death, Angel spends three months in a monastery to cope. During this time, he encounters some demon monks and returns home feeling frustrated during season 3. Upon returning to Los Angeles, Darla also makes her return with Angel’s unborn child. But their reunion is short-lived as an old enemy, Daniel Holtz, is brought back by a demon seeking revenge for the vampires who killed his family. The group is perplexed by the concept of a vampire birth. Despite Darla sacrificing herself to save their child, Connor, Wesley soon discovers a (false) prophecy that suggests Angel will harm his own son. Feeling alienated from the group, Wesley decides not to share this information and secretly takes Connor away. However, this plan backfires when Holtz and his protégée Justine attack Wesley and kidnap Connor as revenge against Angel. Holtz then flees through a rip in space to the dimension of Quor’Toth where he raises Connor as his own son, wanting Angel to experience the pain of losing a child just as he did.

Season 4 (2002–2003). Despite his exile from his old friends, Wesley successfully rescues Angel at the beginning of season four of TV Show Angel. A hellish Beast emerges and blocks out the sun over L.A., resulting in the death of Wolfram & Hart staff. Despite the city surviving, it seems that sunlight is now permanently gone. The team decides to release Angel’s soul, hoping to gain useful information from Angelus about the Beast. However, Cordelia, under the influence of Jasmine who is about to be born, unintentionally sets Angelus free from his cell. Fortunately, with assistance from Faith and Willow, they are able to restore Angel’s soul. Despite their efforts, they are unable to prevent Jasmine’s arrival – a being who was once part of the Powers That Be and has a plan to bring total happiness and spiritual enslavement to humanity as a solution to all problems.

Season 5 (2003–2004). In the fifth season, the group settles into their new lives at Wolfram & Hart. Gunn undergoes a cognitive procedure that turns him into a skilled lawyer. They also receive an amulet that brings back Spike, a past companion of Angelus. Initially, Spike is just a ghostly presence, but thanks to Lindsey McDonald’s surprise return, he regains his physical form. Cordelia has been in a coma, and The Powers That Be grant her one last wish before she passes away. She helps Angel get ‘back on track’, and then she dies. Angel is briefly reunited with his son Connor, who now goes by a different name due to the agreement between Angel and Wolfram & Hart from Season Four. Although Connor remembers his former identity, he keeps it hidden to protect his adoptive parents (although he eventually reveals the truth to Angel). Fred finally confesses her love for Wesley, but unfortunately, she is soon possessed by an ancient and formidable demon known as Illyria.