1.01 "City Of..."
An amazing series premiere, leaves you begging for more!
The teaser is a great one, and the line, "It started with a girl" explains his whole story. I loved drunk Angel and the fight was well choreographed. I loved his description of L.A and how he smelled the blood on the girls head. It just set up all of Angel, which impresses me greatly. And then the credits. How we will see you. How you will bore us. But, how oh so we love you.
Angel's crib (yes, I did say that) is a great set piece and the way they introduced it to us was very good. Doyle's entrance was awesome, and his retelling of Angel's life was really boring. I know it needed to be done, but it felt very forced. They could've found another way to do it. But, Doyle shows himself to be very witty from the start with his "Have you looked in a mirror lately? Well, uh, no, I guess you haven't." line. Doyle will be staying awhile, you can tell. Or so you think. Also, his sneezing as showing that he's a demon? Perfect!
Angel's attempt at flirting with Tina is great, and funny. Tina's a great character, and we think she'll last through this whole thing. Eh. Not so much. But I love how they bound, and I love her story of an acting career gone wrong. Foreshadowing for Cordy, anyone? The introduction of Russell was nicely done, and those goons are freaky. My only question: are they human? I think so, since they're afraid of bullets. But, you never know. Also, Tina happens to have a dress at her work as a waitress? Um"¦.
Cordy is perfect. Cordelia coming to L.A because of her parents financial life is good and her lines are so Cordelia, and hilarious. I love her so much. The chase scene is exciting and very fun! I loved how he didn't pull the trigger haha!
I love Tina, officially. Her line about saying that Angel did all this to have some sex really defines her life so far. It's very sad, her friends dying, her being taken advantage of. All very sad. I feel for Tina, and its unfortunate she died. I really like her speech about pain. It's terrifying, and her acting is amazing. Her dreaming and jumping up into Angel's arms is touching. She was a love interest, at first. Then"¦.I can't bear to think of it. Maybe this is what Doyle meant, about how you have to get to know your "client" or "helpless" to really save them. You have to understand them.
Angel's reveal as a vampire is terrifying, and unfortunate for Tina, once again. Does anything GOOD happen in her life? Hmm. Her packing and running away is great and her pulling a gun on Russell was awesome! He's scary, him manipulating Tina is freaky and the score is beautiful and chilling. And then, it happens. Angel's mission: failed. Angel can't always win. He couldn't save the one person that he became attached too, which is heartbreaking. We want payback.
His "war" is great! And Cordelia's positive energy thing is a kick! It's shot very well, everything is in this show. The score is great, and Cordelia is amazing! Who could NOT love this woman? And her whole bit about noticing the vampire sign is priceless. Also, lost Angel is fabulous and hilarious. And it's really exciting, too! Also, Cordy opening up is great. I love both sides of her, and she's starting to change from her Sunnydale self. And Angel coming out of the darkness, and Cordy being happy. Everything is awesome. And Doyle's loyalty to Angel is nice but hilarious when he crashes the car. "It's a good gate."
The Wolfram and Hart set up is a great one for the whole series, and very well done. And the office scene is great. Lindsey is a joy to watch, even from the first episode. They're obviously in the business with demons. And Russell compromising with Angel was awesome, and then Angel kicking Russell out the window? Love it. Plus, the "I'm Game" scene is iconic, and the score for that moment is mind bending.
Overall: a great premiere with amazing writing and a fantastic story. Great characters set up, Cordelia and Doyle. And showing that this show will be going far. Unfortunately, it's brought down a little by some minor plot errors (only one or two) and a very, very long montage about how Angel is a vampire, yadda, yadda, yadda. Went on way too long for my tastes. And those vampire costumes? Those special effects? Lame, lame, lame, lame, lame! So, I give this amazing premiere a 9.5.
9.5/10
Quotes:
Angel: It all started with a girl.
Doyle: Have you looked in the mirror lately? Well, uh, no, I guess not.
Angel: I don't want to share my feeling. I don't want to open up. I want to find the guy that murdered Tina, and I want to look him in the eye.
Doyle: And then what?
Angel: Then, I'm gonna share my feelings.
Cordelia: So, are you still, ya know, GRR?!
Angel: There's nobody left I care about.
Cordelia: No mirrors, lots of curtains. Hey, you're a vampire!
Russell: What? No, I'm not.
Cordelia: Are too!
Russell: I don't know what you're talking about.
Cordelia: I grew up in Sunnydale! We had our own hellmouth! I think I know a vampire when I"¦am alone with him in his fortress like home.
Cordelia: Oh, boy. You're about to get your ass kicked.
Russell: And I can do whatever I want.
Angel: Oh, yeah? Can you fly?