Season 2 Review "Quiet on the set, people! Angel - Take 1, rolling . . . " And so it began, where it ended, with 'The Scrolls of Aberjian'. Angel was left with the knowledge that one day all his good deeds towards redemption would return to him his humanity, Cordelia discovered the truth and pain behind her visions, and Wesley fought off death resulting from the destruction of Angel Investigations. Kate still held Angel blameful of her father's death, Gunn struggled to find his place and Wolfram & Hart brought back the one person who began it all . . ... Darla! ) With much expectation for Season Two now that Season One had so successfully left the taste of a delicious appetizer in our mouths, we hungered for the main course. David Greenwalt and Joss Whedon were as equally pleased with what they had served up and just as eager to provide us with their next thrilling serving. An interesting note is that the producers had planned for Spike [James Marsters] to arrive in LA, without his debilitating chip, and become Angel's 'big bad' toward the end of the season. But due to the Network switch of Buffy to UPN that arc was squashed. How that would have affected the second season will remain unknown. There were numerable standalone episodes that showcased the talents of the supporting players as well as reflecting on other aspects of Angel's life conditions.

David Boreanaz [Angel] took Angel to the edge without crossing over to Angelus, a real feat! To the credit of the writers and the acting of David, Angel was allowed a unique depth of range during one season. From tasting the bottom of evil to jubilant excess to contentment, David showed his ability to convey what the writers gave him allowing Angel a brilliant complexity.

Charisma Carpenter [Cordelia] showed true strength as a comedic actress in the Pylea Arc starting with, Over The Rainbow. If I mention Mr. Van Dyke for Alexis, Mary Tyler Moore provides the perfect comedic mirror for Charisma. But her dramatic draw was tested as well, proving that Cordy can stand with the toughest while defending her beliefs, friends and purpose.

Alexis Denisov [Wesley] got some, about-time, lovin' in Guise Will Be Guise. I've always stressed that Alexis is a wonderful comedic actor, even rivaling the physical comedy of Dick Van Dyke. But Wesley continues to grow as a strong and determined lead actor as well and with the growth that we see developing in his character his past could be very interesting material.

J. August Richards [Gunn] was brought to light in First Impressions. J. gets a wonderful showcase here and the writers establish the Cordy/Gunn dynamic. He also gets to flex his dramatic muscles in Belonging and Shroud of Rahmon but I still feel his character hasn't been tested or given an episode where J. can demonstrates what a really strong actor he truly is.

Christian Kane [Lindsey] brought his own signing talents to the bar in Dead End. Not only is Chris well rounded as a performer but he had one of the best showcases of the season which allowed for the Angel/Lindsey dynamic to take the foreground. These two actors work so well together whether its comedy or drama that it is a huge loss that Chris has departed from the series.

There were also some surprise showcases that proved there are still great things coming out of Sunnydale!

Julie Lee [Anne] returned in two episodes giving a boost in Blood Money and The Thin Dead Line. Whether she's Chanterelle, Lily, or Anne, Julie retuned to the Joss-verse with a growth we would expect from such a character. Leaving just a bit-o-mystery to let us wonder if she'll be back.

Mercedes McNab [Harmony] shows there is more to Harm than a good bite in Disharmony. The episode left me with just one thought, "Don't kill Harm!" With the genuine ability to make you smile and cringe, Mercedes brings Harmony to unlife true Cordette flair.

Juliet Landau [Drusilla] reprises her role of the best of the best evil in Reunion. Bringing back Dru was a highlight of the season and not only to Buffy but Angel got her as well! Never for a loss of psychotic flare, Juliet takes Dru to the outer limits with some of the best quotes and physical nuances of the season.

Whether within or outside of the arcs, Angel still had to deal with his struggles of redemption and what that all means. What's required of him? How does he achieve his prophecy? He finally comes to terms with the fact that all he is doesn't matter, and all he does means nothing on any given day. His path is to constantly do what is right, every day, every minute, without the knowing that his reward may one day be given to him. That day may never come but what he does with each day will make a difference. And while he learns this twisted tale we got to see some of the most amazing stories of the season play out. Season Two started off with stakes ablaze and continued surpassing each episode right up until Episode #11. Not until then, did it start to waver, this was about the time that the Darla arc ended and the AI arc began. Certainly the Darla arc was the main driving resonance behind the first part of the season. We actually see Angel go to probably the most darkest place he could possibly go without becoming Angelus and yet still give the viewer enough evil to make you go, 'Ah!' Then, towards the final Pylea arc, he has come full circle and is almost in a happy place, leaving the season on the best of notes - actually at a 'complete' place and not so much of a cliff-hanger . . . well, and then of course there's Willow telling him that Buffy's dead, but . . . hey, good up until that second, right? Each season there are outstanding performances by supporting characters and amazingly written and directed episodes. Performance wise we have to highlight the following actors:

Andy Hallett [Lorne, the Host] in Happy Anniversary proving he can act also. As the season developed, Joss realized as with all great characters that he creates that Andy would take the Host a long way! From Caritas to Pylea, Andy proved that drama, comedy, singing and jibe - this young actor has it all. The Lorne/Angel dynamic will be exciting to watch develop in the future.

Julie Benz [Darla] in Dear Boy. My absolute favorite of the season. From Welcome to the Hellmouth to Epiphany Darla has been a driving force in the heart of Angel. In season two Julie stretches the acting limits of vampire to human to vampire again. Desperation, desire, despair all come through as Darla faces her one true love. In the most emotional scene of the season both Darla and Julie prove there is move to love than a one night stand.

Matthew James [Merl, the Parasite Demon] in Blood Money. The creation of outstanding characters may fall to the writers but bringing them to life is the credit to the actor and Mat take Merl to another level! With charisma and charm, some demons just cry out for compassion.

Melissa Marsal [Judy] in Are You Now or Have You Ever Been . . .. There is a profundity with Judy that Melissa is able to explore in this time-period episode. The sentiment that carries the character from caring to paranoia reflections shows the talents behind this young actress.

Daisy McCrakin [Bethany Chaulk] in Untouched. One of the most dramatically charged episodes with serious, mature overtones give Daisy quite a lot to handle, but she does it with such professional flair that brings her character full circle opening more opportunity for this character.

Brigid Brannagh [Virginia Bryce] in Guise Will Be Guise. Shown at first as a mildly dramatic character, not until Happy Anniversary do we see Brigid's sense of comedy and she shines through it. Although her character untimely departs in Reprise we hope she returns.

Sam Anderson [Holland Manners] in Reunion. Holland became an inspiring, complex character in season one, a little Mayor Wilkins, a bit The Smoking Man. Season two explored his raise and fall as Sam developed his human emotions and layers perfectly for W&H and the right amount of sinister.

Amy Acker [Winifred] in No Place like Plrtz Glrb. Five years in Pylea can change a girl, but Amy captures the innocence of belonging as this lost physicist returned to the modern world. Compassion is the order of the day and through Fred, Angel continues to see other aspects of himself.

Persia White [Agnes 'Aggie' Belfleur] in Over the Rainbow. Although she only appeared in one scene of one episode she has unique Joss-verse roots. Persia also appeared in Welcome to the Hellmouth. As the psychic friend Aggie, of Lorne's, the stage had been set for, hopefully more, as her delivery and presence captures you.

The season plays so well when certain episodes are watched back-to-back, the entire Darla Arc is amazingly fluid in it's writing and is a great 6-espiode watch from start to finish. As is the Pylea story line. Episodes that deserve a second, third and fourth viewing due to their writing/directing achievements are: Are You Now or Have You Ever Been, written by Tim Minear, directed by David Semel Untouched, written by Mere Smith, directed by Joss Whedon Dear Boy, written & directed by David Greenwalt (contributions by Marti Noxon), directed Darla, written & directed by Tim Minear. The Trial, written by Tim Minear and Doug Petrie, story by David Greenwalt, directed by Bruce Seth Green Reunion, written by Tim Minear and Shawn Ryan, directed by James A. Contner Disharmony, written by David Fury, directed by Fred Keller Pivotal moments during the season were intricate to characters as well as arcs but sometimes you just have to go back and see these moments for what they were, either brilliant acting or superb writing. Either way they stand out in ones mind as points in time that will exceedingly make a difference to Angel's redemption. Elisabeth Rohm Kate Lockley's decline from the human race ~ Looking at Kate we see her go from discovery to alienation. Discovery; that she is now aware of what evil really exists in the world. Alienation; because she is helpless in the face of it. And because of that helplessness she is its victim. No longer a stable cornerstone of the police department, an interregnal part of what and who she is, she is forced from her only saving grace in this time of despair. Without her career to support her and the one person she could possibly turn to now unapproachable, Kate faces her deepest loss of hope. Yet, Angel, whom she held responsible for so long, comes to her ultimate rescue. Did the Powers That Be intervene? Kate has an epiphany of her own as she realizes that Angel may just be the one soul left in this world that understands her pain. Elisabeth Rohm excels in her reprise of the strong yet vulnerable Detective and brings to the character all the pain and frustration yet finds the ray of hope that will return her to the light and finally comes to terms with Angel. Darla's love for Angel ~ We get a rare glimpse into the heart of the undead. Darla, one of the oldest living vampires still roaming the earth had 400 years to get it right. For 150 years she traveled the world with Angelus, causing pain and misery to those whose lives played out like a Shakespeare tragedy in their wake. The pain she now carries with her caused her to falter in her schemes of retribution towards the world and Angel. Yet in the end, love prevails. She crosses the emotions of lust, love, jealousy, pain and passion. But in the end, she still cares for Angel more than she even realizes. And when Angel is willing to give up his own life for her soul, she sees for the first time the evil she represented for so long. Although she unwillingly reenters the world of the undead, Darla continues to find a constant among the chaos she causes. Cordelia's vision-quest ~ Once the reluctant recipient of the Visions that guide Angel on his road to redemption, Cordy now accepts the burden she carries with pride. Last season Cordy was touched by a demon and suffered the pain and anguish of all those Angel is bound to save. The pain of the world is thrust upon her tenfold and the revelation of this suffering sheds new light on her life's purpose. Cordelia is no longer the self-centered, fashion-bitch of Sunnydale High. She has grown, matured, become enlightened to the world. And most importantly she embraces her gift. When given the opportunity to be released of her visions by the Groosalugg in Pylea, Cordy refuses. They are her burden and she alone must be the vessel in which to assists Angel. Yet, they are not without their foreboding toll as each revelation is more painful and the residue longer lasting. Stephanie Romanov Lilah Morgan heads W&H's Special Projects ~ With the departure of Lindsey McDonald from Wolfram & Hart this leaves Lilah in charge of special projects for the evil Law Firm. Not without her share of close calls, Lilah has always planned ahead just in case things didn't go her way. She proves that she is self-sufficient and worthy of the title and can conspire with the best of them. Yet, her best days may be ahead of her and her head is what she'll need to hang onto. With the return of Stephanie Romanov, this fun and interesting character will no doubt have plenty to deal with although we'll miss the brilliant banter between her and Lindsey. The extreme highlight of the season was undoubtedly the cameo appearance by Joss Whedon as Numfar, performing the Dance of Joy, in 'Through The Looking Glass', to which we were all joyous! It was a tremendously strong season over all and only further sets the stage for a stronger third season to which cast, crew, Greenwalt and Whedon promises to be even better! Questions are also raised as the season ends. Why was Angel allowed to enter Kate's apartment uninvited? Who is this mysterious Vampire Hunter; Holtz from Angelus' past? Will Darla, Lindsey and Kate return? Will we see the return of Aggie, the psychic friend of Lorne's? And most importantly, how will Angel deal with the death of Buffy? These answers and more, in Season Three ~ Premiering Monday, September 24th, 2001 on the WB!