"It's Buffy," the immortal words Angel whispered at the end of last season. Angel went to the brink of darkness and back, making new friends and enemies along the way. Kate Lockley left, Lorne became a prominent figure, and we were introduced to the lovable Fred. But Season Two could never have prepared us for the emotional paroxysms of the future.

Every aspect of the show was masterfully put together in Season Three. Writers like David Greenwalt and Tim Minear constantly presented us with fresh, intuitive story arcs. The makeup effects, kudos to Rob Hall, reached a new level of excellence as he fashioned severed heads, full body suited demons, bug monsters and celestial beings. Boils, burns, and numerous other violent injuries were courtesy of makeup artist Dayne Johnson. Another noticeable effort was the experimentation involved in editing. Michael S. Stern tried out different dramatic approaches in A New World using slow motion and 3-dimensional time effects to enhance fight sequences. Finally, as always, the acting was consistently marvelous. Coming together in perfect unison, all aspects of the show excelled and generated one of the most puissant and memorable seasons of Angel so far.

Season Three immediately addressed issues brought up last season as it opened with a series of independent episodes dealing with topics like Fred's adjustment to life, Angel's emotions over Buffy's demise, and the severity of Cordelia's visions. Yet at the end of each episode we were fed trinkets of the Darla pregnancy arc. By episode seven Darla arrived and the season kicked into full swing. Notorious enemies such as Holtz and Lilah stalked Angel, recording his every move. The remainder of the season centered on Angel's son, Connor, his birth, "death," and his arrival as a teenager. Character revealing episodes, such as Birthday and Double or Nothing, were strategically placed but for the most part the scenarios dealing with Connor dominated the season. Unlike Season Two, where the tension rose to a point midseason and then cooled down, Season Three was relentless in its bombardment of angst and pain. New heights of intensity where reached with each episode, culminating with the drastic events of the finale. While comedic bits did occur, this season was ultimately about character's dealing with the very extremes of emotions.

There were no time lapses between episode arcs this season they immediately followed each other. As a result, many of the arcs took place in a time period of a day or two. Thus the overall season flowed together with seamless transitions. Still, many episodes created a lasting impression in and of themselves due to excellent writing and directing. I highly recommend that the following should be watched again to truly absorb the high quality of television they represent:

- That Old Gang of Mine: Written by Tim Minear and directed by Fred Keller
- Lullaby: Written and Directed by Tim Minear
- Waiting in the Wings: Written and Directed by Joss Whedon
- Sleep Tight: Written by David Greenwalt and directed by Terrence O'Hara
- A New World: Written by Jeffrey Bell and Directed by Tim Minear

While Season Three had less stand-alone episodes than previous seasons, there were still a number of excellent one-episode performances that deserve recognition.

Ron Melendez [James] showed us that, in Heartthrob, despite not having a soul, vampires are still capable of experiencing true human emotions. His pure, unconditional passion for his lost love fueled a passionate and sympathetic performance that culminated with the prophetic line: "I lived, you just existed."

Matthew James [Merl] kept us laughing right until the end, literally, in That Old Gang of Mine. His humorous portrayal of Merl, the sleazy victimized yet likable lizard demon snitch, added levity to scenes and uniquely personified the gray area between good and evil.

David Denman [Skip] quickly became a fan favorite in That Vision Thing and Birthday. His portrayal of a hulking yet ridiculously friendly demon guide was outstanding. David established Skip as someone we could relate to; a messenger with power but not an omnipotent, ethereal "thing." His performances were very warm and human.

The season really focused on the core group of supporting actors, all of which delivered astounding performances that deserve to be commented on at length.

Stephanie Romanov [Lilah] secured Lilah's independence this season. Last season after Lindsey left it seemed that she didn't have what it took to be a real threat. This season, Stephanie showed us Lilah's true determination. She was egotistical, cocky, sarcastic, and heartless. She was willing to go through anyone to get under Angel's skin. It was not just what she did that was disturbing, it was the fact that she enjoyed it. Her new competition with Gavin kept her on her feet, making her more vicious. Stephanie had destroyed almost all of Lilah's humanity. We saw only glimpses of her inner conflict, such as when she shot Billy, or talked to her ailing mother in Loyalty. Lilah was a wildcard. Whether she was working against the firm, or trying to recruit Wesley, it was always unclear what her true motives were. This season Stephanie mastered Lilah's attitude and established her as a true player in the game.

Jack Conley [Sahjhan] gave a very unique and believable performance of the dimension-shifting demon. Attributed to the quality of Jack's acting, Sahjhan had many human qualities such as anger, impatience, and a sense of humor. For much of the season his role was that of an omniscient narrator, albeit a sarcastic one. He controlled things behind the scenes and dispersed information as it was needed. Sahjhan worked every angle, keeping us confused as to his true plan. We eventually found out that he was the personification of power and chaos. Jack's impressive performance had Sahjhan reveling in destruction, loving every moment of it. He showed us that there was nothing worse than a manipulative, vindictive puppet master.

Andy Hallett [Lorne] really blossomed this season. Andy took a character based entirely on support and evolved him into something deeper. While Lorne became more incorporated into the group, he seemed to only be acting as a reflection for the main cast; he was hardly explored independent of others. Andy showed us a deeper, more emotional Lorne when reacting to prejudices aimed at him from Gio in That Old Gang of Mine, and even Connor in Benediction. Lorne started the season as a jolly, enthusiastic optimist and slowly became disillusioned. As a character, Lorne was constantly helping people understand themselves, but no one ever offered that service back to him. With events such as the destruction of his Karaoke club, Lorne realized that he needed to stop being a mere support for the group and start growing as an individual. Ultimately Andy did an excellent job portraying the slow, degenerative exile that led to Lorne's departure.

Julie Benz [Darla] delivered a series of astonishing performances in the first major arc of the season. We saw the full spectrum of Darla, from her murderous past, to her vulnerable pregnancy. Julie was capable of portraying Darla as pure evil in Offspring, and conversely as scared and weakened in Lullaby. Julie took Darla through a complete emotional revolution as the baby's soul began to affect her. She started as a malicious, seductive killer, and transformed into a very human character that was experiencing love for the first time. We saw loneliness, sadness, and confusion as Darla came to terms with what it meant to bring true life into the world. Julie ended her performance as Darla with a heartbreaking speech and the greatest act of love: self-sacrifice.

Keith Szarabajka [Holtz] brought to life one of the subtlest emotionally powerful characters ever seen on Angel. He entered the show as a broken man who had lost everything and desired only vengeance. As such, Holtz was manipulative, ruthless, and determined. As a guide to others who were wronged he was both a capable orator and fighter, willing to do anything to get revenge. However, Keith also showcased the despair that fueled Holtz's hate, making him very difficult to completely condemn. At the height of his obsession, Holtz went full circle, taking Angel's son to try and regain what he lost. Yet after coming back from Quor-toth, Keith presented Holtz's through even more complex angles. Holtz was still a broken man when he died. Vengeance, hate, and love got convoluted in his mind, preventing him from gaining any true absolution. With Holtz, Keith masterfully tackled a complex, emotional wreck of a man.

Laurel Holloman [Justine] did a great job with a very difficult character. Justine came into Angel as an apparently generic pseudo-Slayer bend on revenge for the death of her sister. However, as she bonded with Holtz her disastrous amount of pain and confusion was revealed. Laurel personified both an independent fighter, and an innocent young woman looking for guidance. Justine's connection to Holtz through pain provided her with something to latch onto. Holtz became the only thing that could ground her; all her life and hope was through him. Without Holtz, or even Holtz's ideals, as seen in Forgiving, Justine would have nothing. Thus Laurel was able to take a potentially boring character and turn her into the personification of emotional turmoil.

Mark Lutz [Groosalugg] left his mark in Season Two. His return added a fresh perspective in the core group of Angel Investigations, something that was lacking for quite some time. Mark absolutely nailed the character. His portrayal of innocent chivalry in Couplet contrasted so well with the rest of the group. His period of adjustment also made for some very humorous moments. Groo was totally selfless; he cared for others without thought of himself. However his relationship with Cordy, which seemed too good to be true, gave Mark the chance to portray some new angles of Groo. In the final episodes of the season, Groo knew that he was losing Cordy's love and there was nothing he could do about it. While Groo seemed physically invulnerable, we were able to witness a rising emotional pain that climaxed with him leaving, one of the most powerful and sad moments of the season, which Mark brought to life so poignantly.

Vincent Kartheiser [Connor/Stephen] seamlessly fit into the show. When the adult Connor first arrived he was portrayed as a ruthless fighter. While he thought he knew that he wanted, he was actually extremely lost and looking for a purpose in life. Vincent showed us Connor's pain in not having a true home or family. He was a very emotionally stunted kid, all he had every known was pain and death growing up in a Hell dimension. He lived in a black and white world where things were either good or evil. When he arrived in LA, Connor had to adjust to the idea that things are not that clear. Vincent brilliantly portrayed how Connor became torn between Angel and Holtz, unsure of himself and what he had been taught. However as the season closes Vincent presents Connor just as he was when he arrived- clouded with vengeance and hatred.


The five cast regulars all delivered constant, professional and believable performances throughout the entire season. From newcomer Amy Acker, to veteran David Boreanaz, the entire cast really gave it their all, creating some of the most memorable performances of the series.

David Boreanaz [Angel] portrayed Angel in many different ways, from comedic to heart wrenching. In the beginning of the season his character had no real direction other than to react to the situations each week. In Carpe Noctem David used a hilarious light hearted and silly style to contrast Angel's usual serious demeanor. However, once Darla's pregnancy arc started David was able to present Angel in a very human light. Like any expecting dad, he was very protective and proud, yet unsure of himself. For Angel, love and hate often pair together. David did an excellent job of having Angel switch between the two after Connor was taken. He constantly went between being absolutely despondent, to being blind with rage as in Forgiving. Then, when Connor returned David got to take Angel to a different level: that of being a father to a teenager. Everything was so abrupt and confusing for Angel, all he knew is that he wanted to be there for his son. As they bond we saw Angel truly happy. However, as it is his fate to be in pain, David had to bring Angel back to betrayal and pain as he sank to the bottom of the ocean.

J. August Richards [Gunn] showed us just how much Gunn has changed. As the season began he had developed a sense of family within the group. In That Old Gang of Mine, his shining episode, J. August revealed Gunn's conflicts and hesitations. He struggled with old alliances as he was wracked with grief and guilt. We also found out that, due to Angel being a vampire, Gunn could never really be his friend, a theme that was explored for the rest of the season in a series of arguments and conflicts. After this, Gunn was put on the backburner for a while, acting purely as a fighter. However, his relationship with Fred gave J. August a chance to show us Gunn's softer, more romantic side. Little nuances and lines hinted at their developing relationship, which in turn added conflict with Wesley, which culminated in Waiting in the Wings. For the rest of the season Gunn and Fred were partially removed from everything, happily semi-absorbed in their own romance. Thus their relationship almost seemed petty compared to the events surrounding them. Double or Nothingoffered J. August a chance to assert Gunn's importance later in the season and make him confront his past again. We saw what he had gained, and more importantly, what he now had to lose. Few events revolved around Gunn this season, we mostly got hints and glimpses into his character through minor actions and lines. Still, J. August did an outstanding job at emotionally evolving Gunn.

Alexis Denisof [Wesley] turned out his best work this season as Wesley, bombarded with pain, degenerated into exile. Early in the season he was the intelligent leader, the one who devised and narrated rational plans. However he also matured as a legitimate fighter for the group. For a while no conflicts really affected Wesley and Alexis' performance was mostly excellent deliveries of subtle lines and actions. A few hints were tossed about his conflicts with his family, but never explored beyond that. In Billy, Alexis gave a role defining performance. After Billy's 'true inner desires' influence wore off we saw the pure grief and remorse that Wesley felt towards Fred. His feud with Gunn over Fred was interesting on many levels, especially since Gunn and Wesley had become so close. After Connor was born Wesley really bonds with Angel, setting up what was to follow. In Loyalty and Sleep Tight, Alexis once again stole the show as he presented Wesley completely panged with grief. It was the beginning of his fall as he struggled to deal with the truth and the consequences of his actions alone. In the final episodes Wesley was disillusioned and exiled. He lost everything: friends, work, everything that he held dear. The season ended with Lilah scouting after Wesley For W&H and him teetering on the edge of self-destruction.

Charisma Carpenter [Cordelia] went through a series of performances this season. One angle, explored in That Vision Thing, was her dealing with the visions. Charisma showed us Cordelia's strength and what she endured for everyone. She had become a warrior in her own way, full of honor and courage. Cordy was very motherly and, like Lorne, also acted as the person everyone could talk to and share their problems. She was compassionate and caring, while still retaining a bit of that old Cordelia bite and sarcasm. In Birthday, we saw just how much Cordy gave up to be a part of Angel Investigations. Charisma was able to present the shallow and the honorable Cordelia in the same episode, showing her character's true evolution. Romantically, Cordelia was unconsciously torn. Charisma acted giddy and loveable with Groo, yet serious and emotional with Angel. Her hiatus late in the season proved just how much of an integral figure she is in the series. Without her it always felt like something was lacking. As the season closed Cordelia was just realizing the extent of the powers given to her. Her powers, very heavenly and divine, caused her to make yet another sacrifice- having to leave the world just when she realized her love for Angel. Thus Cordelia's wide range of circumstances allowed Charisma to shine on many new levels.

Amy Acker [Fred] did an astounding job, integrating herself into the group. Fred began as detrimentally shy and sheltered; she hadn't dealt with her baggage yet. Amy did a great job with Fred's unique, non-linear speech habits. As the season moved along her intelligence was showcased and her devotion to the group grew, but she was still left out from everything. Fredless was Amy's central showcase as it was Fred's transitory episode where she confronted and moved past all of her repressed pain from Pylea, enabling her to become part of the group. During the Darla arc, Fred didn't have a real distinct role other than she was smart. Yet her real place in the group revolved around her optimistic attitude and unique personality that everyone adored. She also became the damsel in distress, taking Cordy's place as the one who got captured or messed with, like in Provider or The Price. In Fred's relationship with Gunn, Amy portrayed her to be vulnerable yet loving. We also saw a playfully sexy side of her when she interacted with J. August. However, like Gunn, as the season wound down the attention was elsewhere. Still, Amy showed us how torn Fred was over Wesley's betrayal. She hated trying to take his place, but she had no other choice. Joining a show with already established characters is a very difficult task and Amy has worked it perfectly.


There were many intense moments in Season Three that will ingrain themselves in Angel's history. Whether blatantly ground shattering, or of a more subtle nature, these story arcs will undoubtedly have repercussions for seasons to come.

Darla's pregnancy ~ The first major surprise in the season turned out to be the most important. The unprecedented pregnancy offered mystery and intrigue in the early episodes as Darla searched the world for answers. However, the true power of the arc was when Darla arrived in Los Angeles. Darla was undoubtedly evil. Due to hazy prophecies, the child she was carrying could have been evil as well. Angel was torn with emotions. He desired nothing but to take care of his unborn child, but how could he do that when the mother, a thing of evil, was threatening his friends? Throw in every demon cult and the ever-popular Wolfram & Hart and you have quite a conflict. In a masterfully crafted series of episodes we saw Darla become vulnerable and dependent on others. In a key moment we learned that the child was human and had a soul. The soul began to affect Darla, she was feeding off of it, a disturbing reversal of the mother/child image. This chaotic situation ended with one of the season's many surprises: Darla's sacrifice. In a very honorable and memorable moment Darla staked herself to save her child. This story arc marked the end of one era for Angel, and the beginning of another.

Wesley's betrayal and exile ~ Once Wesley deciphered the prophecies that Angel would kill his son, the season quickly turned grim. In a powerful series of episodes where Holtz and his crew were stalking Angel, we saw the degeneration of a noble man. Alone with his grief, Wesley's mind was constantly burdened. He would not spread his agony to others and tried to remedy the situation himself. He became the epitome of a man pushed to his emotional limits, a man plagued with knowledge. Doing the only thing he believed he could, Wesley took Connor away from Angel. The result? Holtz took Connor to Quor-Toth and Wesley got his throat slit by Justine. In that moment everything was destroyed. The relationships Wesley had worked so hard to build were all sacrificed for nothing. The episodes that followed were heartbreaking. As Wesley sat alone, unable to talk, in the hospital, Angel tried to kill him and Fred warned him never to come back to the hotel. The people he loved had abandoned him. After getting discharged, a bitter Wesley sat wasting in solitude. His only companion was one of his worst enemies- Lilah Morgan. Thus the season ended with Lilah persistently trying to recruit Wesley as he descended into darkness.

Connor's return ~ Right after Angel accepted the fact that his child was taken from him and dead, something miraculous happens: Connor came back. Yet in Angel's world there can be no happiness. Connor was full of hate and anger, desiring only to kill Angel. Holtz, acting as his father, raised in him Quor-Toth, polluting his mind with propaganda against everything non-human. So Connor was a confused young man without a home, a family, or any support system other than his vengeful "father." Still, Angel was determined to do everything he could for his son. He could not make up for lost time, but he could try to build a relationship for the future. Still being young and impressionable, Connor did bond with Angel in some of the most touching scenes of the season. Unfortunately Holtz had one more plan to ruin Angel's life and used Justine to feign his own murder. Connor found his "father's" body and was sent on a murderous rage under the guidance of Justine. The season ended with Connor sending Angel to the bottom of the ocean to rot forever in a steel coffin. Connor is an experienced fighter and a unique character that is sure to create a huge impact in Angel's world.

Cordelia's visions ~ Hinted at in Season Two, the visions quickly became more than Cordelia could bear. The pain was so bad that it had actually destroyed much of her brain. As a human, she was never meant to have the visions. Yet they had become a part of her. The visions were the main reason Cordelia grew as a person. She learned the meaning of sacrifice, courage, and strength. Having the visions made Cordelia an integral part of the team and gave her a noble mission in life, a far cry from her Sunnydale days. Even when offered the chance to live the materialistic life of her dreams, Cordelia chose to go back to her life with the visions, realizing how much they meant to her. Unfortunately, they were killing her. Skip, a messenger for the Powers That Be, had to make Cordelia part demon in order for her to handle them. The results were astounding: no more pain, and a much more lucid experience of the visions. Cordelia's true powers were largely unexplained. In a few impressive moments Cordelia emanated a bright white light and annihilated an evil from the infested Hyperion, and even from Connor. However, the powers she received were a test. Cordelia was a warrior for good and she had outgrown this plane of existence. In her largest sacrifice Cordelia ascended into the sky, leaving her life behind. Will she be separated from her friends forever, or will she help them in a new way? The answers are still unclear.

Season Three was an intense ride, taking viewers through the full spectrum of human emotions. It had sweet, romantic times, and dire, tear jerking events. Unfortunately, there were hardly any breaks in the tension. Re-watching the season from beginning to end, while it was flawlessly crafted, was a wearisome experience. There were no extended periods of levity to offer the viewer a rest. The season was really all about Connor, from the pregnancy to his revengeful assault upon Angel. Once again, the end left us hungry for more, dying for answers to pivotal questions. What is to become of Angel? How is Cordelia going to participate now? Are Lorne and Groo really gone? Will Connor ever learn the truth? While it may have been a little too much, the season was still a tribute to great television. For answers, and relief, everyone will just have to hold out until Season Four.

Review by CoA Staff Writer, Jeff Ritchie