Angel: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 186 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 186 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

WB | The WB | TWB | Season Premiere Date: October 5, 1999

Starring: James Marsters, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter

Summary: "If you need help, then look no further. Angel Investigations is the best. Our rats are low..."
"Rates!"
"It says 'rats.' Our rates are low, but our standards are high. When the chips are down, and you're at the end of your rope you need someone that you can count on. And that's what you'll find here -- someone who will go all the way, no"If you need help, then look no further. Angel Investigations is the best. Our rats are low..."
"Rates!"
"It says 'rats.' Our rates are low, but our standards are high. When the chips are down, and you're at the end of your rope you need someone that you can count on. And that's what you'll find here -- someone who will go all the way, no matter what. So don't lose hope. Come on over to our offices and you'll see that there's still heroes in this world."

For over two centuries, Angelus was one of the most vicious vampires ever to walk the earth. Then he killed the wrong girl, and her grieving Gypsy family cursed him with the return of his soul, causing him to suffer remorse for all the hundreds of innocents that he had killed through the years. Now he goes by the name Angel, and he fights to protect the helpless from those who would prey upon them as he once did himself.

After three years of living in Sunnydale, fighting alongside his girlfriend Buffy, Angel has moved to Los Angeles to continue the good fight. Aided by a few old friends and some new ones, Angel must take on vampires, demons, lawyers, and all of the other dark forces that Los Angeles has to offer.… Expand

Creator: David Greenwalt and Joss Whedon

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

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S1:E22. To Shanshu in L.A.
Air Date: May 23, 2000
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S1:E21. Blind Date
Air Date: May 16, 2000
tbd
S1:E20. War Zone
Air Date: May 9, 2000

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Storm

Mar 19, 2013

Angel is more straight-ahead action than Buffy, but it is a spin-off that twirls terrificly. Plunked behind Buffy, it completes the most joyously entertaining two hours on television. [5 Oct 1999, p.E01]

David Zurawik

Mar 19, 2013

In the pilot, at least, Whedon manages to capture some of the same "Buffy" sensibility -- a rare combination of sexual energy, irony, intelligence, hot bodies, cool moves, action, menace and comic relief. The challenge is to sustain that tricky tone for a full season. [5 Oct 1999, p.1E]

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times

Charlie McCollum

Mar 19, 2013

The good news is that the folks behind "Buffy" -- notably writer-creator Joss Whedon -- have come along for this new chapter in a vampire's life and, at least for the first episode, have brought their wit, style and keen sense of pop culture with them. [4 Oct 1999, p.1C]

Joyce Millman

Mar 19, 2013

Not only does Angel make sense as an extension of the "Buffy" mythology, it makes Angel seem more alive than he's been in about, oh, 240 years Read full review

Terry Kelleher

Jun 27, 2013

Given that there's no earthly reason for Angel besides the sex appeal of David Boreanaz, it looks like a pretty good show. Read full review

James Poniewozik

Jun 28, 2013

Besides its hulking, gloomy lead and self-absorbed-as-ever foil Cordelia, Angel also borrows Buffy's stylish thrills and its flashes of humor, sharp and surprising as teeth on your neck in a dark alley. Here's hoping it ultimately infuses more originality into the dynastic bloodline as well. Read full review

Barry Garron

Mar 19, 2013

The premiere of Angel suggests this is a fairly grim and humorless series, though perhaps not entirely predictable. With no Buffy to offset the intensely glowering and eternally brooding Angel (David Boreanaz), the former love of her life, the spinoff becomes a sort of "Touched By a Vampire," a show in danger of taking itself far too seriously and the audience far too lightly. [4 Oct 1999]

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User Score

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8.5

User Reviews

Glowia

Dec 29, 2010

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I loved this show, it made me laugh and cry. Now it's easier to understand if you've seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I think Joss did an amazing job with this show I love the plot twists, tho some break your heart they were good. I love Darla in this show, I was not a fan of her in Buffy, I also loved the character Doyle even tho he was only there for a short time. The Angel/Cordelia relationship really tugs at your heart strings. Connor really annoyed me at first but he ended well. I enjoyed the episode Why We Fight, mostly the name haha. I adored the character Lorne he was a sweetie, and a keeper throughout the show. I was sad that Gunn and Fred didn't stay together.… Expand

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

Smallville-Fan

Mar 19, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I cannot think of a better TV show that is based around vampires than Angel. The most moving part of season 1 is definitely when Doyle sacrifices himself to save Angel, Cordelia and a large group of Brachen's. Besides this episode, I thought that Angel cutting off Lindsay's hand was quite humorous.… Expand

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

Kai82

Feb 28, 2020

It has the same strengths as Buffy. Interesting characters / interactions, good stories, enjoyable villains and great humour. With Angel we have a good protagonist which has a past that haunts him and will become relevant. With Cordelia and Wesley they did something great. I disliked theseIt has the same strengths as Buffy. Interesting characters / interactions, good stories, enjoyable villains and great humour. With Angel we have a good protagonist which has a past that haunts him and will become relevant. With Cordelia and Wesley they did something great. I disliked these characters in Buffy and they made them enjoyable in a way that I don't want them gone. Gunn is also a good character and has an interesting backstory and arcs. Doyle was someone they should haved used more because he was one of the characters with the most potential. I think that Kate was someone who would become a teammate later on. With the diabolic law firm Wolfram & Hart they created a timeless villain. With each season they get better and better as you got more and more insights. They made The Devils Advocate look tame in comparison. Lindsey and Lilah were frequent enemies that had a good chemistry with the team and are enjoyable to watch. There are good episodes with guest appearance from Buffy, Faith and Spike. There is a more monster of the week approach with set ups that become relevant later on. There are many good episodes: City Of is a good start, introduces Wolfram & Hart and the characters. I will remember you shows Angels resolve and is beautifully sad. Hero is Doyles story as he becomes one. I ve got you under my skin has a good plot twist. Five by Five and Sanctuary deals with Faith. To Shanshu in L.A. is the final that set ups many things and has a shocking reveal. Overall a solid start with good episodes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SiAScORCH

Nov 5, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This was a great show with romance, action and interesting plot twists. I'm actually still curious why to this day it was cancelled because the ratings were up and nothing was wrong with the show. The show was going in a good direction and had good actors in it as well. I usually watch this series at least once a year from start to finish and wish it would of never been cancelled to begin with. I think it was a bad call on WB's part. I will say that the they had a few sad episodes which brought a tear to my eye in the beginning and one especially in the last season when a main character goes. You'd do yourself a favor to watch this show.… Expand

9 of 9 users found this helpful90

drlowdon

Feb 12, 2018

Unable to be with Buffy the vampire with a soul now resides in LA (a strange choice when you can't go out in sunlight!) to continue to try and seek redemption for the evil he committed as soulless alter ego Angelus. He soon sets up his own detective agency and with the help of friends,Unable to be with Buffy the vampire with a soul now resides in LA (a strange choice when you can't go out in sunlight!) to continue to try and seek redemption for the evil he committed as soulless alter ego Angelus. He soon sets up his own detective agency and with the help of friends, including Sunnydale’s Cordelia, begins to tackle the forces of evil that plague the city.

This first season arguably lacks the cohesive arc that tied together later seasons but, as with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Josh Whedon’s influence is clear to see in the razor sharp dialogue and fantastic characters. To say that Angel was every bit as good as its parent show is probably the highest praise I can give it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

heromoder

May 5, 2015

A fairly solid start to the Buffy spin-off. Boreanaz's acting is improving with each episode. I like the cases they "solve" this season, some real clever demons. Cordelia is my downside.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

Onlyclassicvg1

Sep 26, 2022

The movie film is a government assigned project to broaden and enlight people and glory of nation. Cultural learning is emportant to follow on global basis. We make our nation a better and more convenient place for house and living. Kazakhs are progressive and asstonishing people that withThe movie film is a government assigned project to broaden and enlight people and glory of nation. Cultural learning is emportant to follow on global basis. We make our nation a better and more convenient place for house and living. Kazakhs are progressive and asstonishing people that with conclusion of project will have new optimistic… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 8 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

76

Series Overview
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: October 5, 1999
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: October 1, 2003
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: October 6, 2002
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 24, 2001
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 26, 2000
Season 1

75
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 5, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E22. To Shanshu in L.A.
  Air Date: May 23, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E21. Blind Date
  Air Date: May 16, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E20. War Zone
  Air Date: May 9, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E19. Sanctuary
  Air Date: May 2, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E18. Five by Five
  Air Date: April 25, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E17. Eternity
  Air Date: April 4, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E16. The Ring
  Air Date: February 29, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E15. The Prodigal
  Air Date: February 22, 2000
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  S1:E14. I've Got You Under My Skin
  Air Date: February 15, 2000
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  S1:E13. She
  Air Date: February 8, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E12. Expecting
  Air Date: January 25, 2000
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  S1:E11. Somnambulist
  Air Date: January 18, 2000
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  S1:E10. Parting Gifts
  Air Date: December 14, 1999
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  S1:E9. Hero
  Air Date: November 30, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E8. I Will Remember You
  Air Date: November 23, 1999
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  S1:E7. Bachelor Party
  Air Date: November 16, 1999
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  S1:E6. Sense & Sensitivity
  Air Date: November 9, 1999
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  S1:E5. Rm w/a Vu
  Air Date: November 2, 1999
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  S1:E4. I Fall to Pieces
  Air Date: October 26, 1999
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  S1:E3. In the Dark
  Air Date: October 19, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E2. Lonely Hearts
  Air Date: October 12, 1999
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  S1:E1. City Of
  Air Date: October 5, 1999