Tim Minear Movies
- 2007
An amalgam of Death Race 2000 and Lost with CGI effects thrown in, the quasi-fantasy action series Drive centered around a strange, exclusive, strictly secret and highly illegal cross-country race, wherein the contestants were all but shanghaied into participating for a winning purse of $32,000,000--assuming they lived that long. The first contestant was Alex (Nathan Fillion), who was desperately searching for his missing wife. A mystical race promoter named Mr. Bright (Charles Martin Smith) lured Alex to Florida by implying that he'd never see his wife again unless he agreed to become a driver. Alex was then teamed with wild blonde Kristin (Corinna Wiles), who acted as if she knew what it was all about. In truth, NO one knew what it was all about--not the woman just released from a hospital, nor the two siblings who were driving a "cursed" Cadillac, nor the paroled criminal, nor the Iraq veteran and his girlfriend, nor the scientist and his teenaged daughter. Though everyone knew that the race began in Florida, none of the racers had the slightest idea where it was headed, nor the remotest clue as to the location of the finish line. And how about the fact that none of the vehicles were actually sports cars? Only one thing was certain: Those who lost the race faced the direst of consequences. As was often the cast in enigmatic exercises of this nature, the course of the race and the backstories of the contestants were revealed bit by bit, episode by episode, on a need-to-know basis. Drive first parked itself on the Fox network on April 15, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nathan Fillion, Kristin Lehman, (more)
Launched in March 2004 as a mid-season replacement, this supernatural comedy drama suffered a death as quick as its premise was quirky. Thanks in part to a punishing Friday-night time slot, Wonderfalls managed only four episodes before Fox pulled the plug. Less than a year later, however, the offbeat series found new life on DVD, where all 13 completed installments were released to brisk sales and critical acclaim (see Wonderfalls -- The Complete Series). The brainchild of veteran director Todd Holland (Twin Peaks, My So-Called Life) and Dead Like Me creator Bryan Fuller, Wonderfalls chronicles the misadventures of Jaye Tyler (Caroline Dhavernas), a Niagara Falls, NY gift-shop employee whose snarky world view gets shaken up when inanimate objects -- a wax lion, a stuffed chameleon -- begin ordering her around. Convinced she's cracking up, Jaye nevertheless follows the animals' instructions and unwittingly helps a broad range of unusual characters: an elementary-school Romeo, a stuttering stalker, a faithless nun, a mysterious housekeeper, etc. Her partners in crime on these assignments include sardonic pal Mahandra (Tracie Thoms), buttoned-up lesbian sister Sharon (Kate Finneran), and overeducated, underachieving brother Aaron (Lee Pace). Though unaware of their daughter's peculiar conversations with stuffed animals, Jaye's stuffy parents Karen (Diana Scarwid) and Darrin (William Sadler) also figure prominently in her adventures. So does Eric (Tyron Leitso), a hot, heartbroken bartender whose honeymoon was recently cut short when he caught his bride servicing the hotel bellhop. As Jaye flirts with Eric, fights with her family, and struggles to maintain her ironic detachment, she comes reluctantly closer to understanding the nature of her unorthodox destiny. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Caroline Dhavernas, Kate Finneran, (more)
- 2003
Following her dramatic arrival after Jasmine's defeat (see "Peace Out"), Lilah (Stephanie Romanov) explains her presence at Angel Investigations. Despite having become one of Jasmine's first victims when she died at the hands of the possessed Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), the late lady lawyer's contract with Wolfram & Hart extends into the afterlife. Now she's been dispatched to make the fang gang an offer: The evil law firm wants Angel (David Boreanaz) and friends to take over its newly restored Los Angeles office. After mocking her longtime foes for having ended world peace -- or at least Jasmine's sinister version thereof -- Lilah taunts them with a glimpse of all the good they might accomplish if given the awesome financial and mystical assets of an interdimensional law firm. Reactions vary, but by the time a limo arrives the next morning, Angel, Wesley (Alexis Denisof), Fred (Amy Acker), Gunn (J. August Richards), and Lorne (Andy Hallett) are all willing to at least hear the pitch. Each team member gets a personalized tour of the newly rebuilt Wolfram & Hart facility -- and a tantalizing glimpse of what his or her role might be in such an organization. Angel's ready to turn the deal down -- despite the offer of key information about recent events in Sunnydale -- when Lilah reveals the whereabouts of his missing son: Connor (Vincent Kartheiser) is getting ready to blow up the unconscious Cordelia and a slew of hostages in a bid to end his own pain and alienation. Angel conducts some stern negotiations and saves the day, but in doing so he loses the only son he'll ever have. Originally broadcast May 7, 2003, on the WB network, "Home" marked season four, episode 22 of the supernatural soap opera. At the time of broadcast, the WB still hadn't announced whether the program would be renewed, so the producers fashioned this episode as either a coda or a cliffhanger for the following season. David Boreanaz would next appear in the final two episodes of Angel's parent series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Another crossover of sorts occurs in the casting of Jonathan M. Woodward as one of Wolfram & Hart's lackeys; the same actor previously played Buffy's vampire sparring partner in "Conversations With Dead People." ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2002
This episode opens with Serenity idle, floating in space. Mal (Nathan Fillion) appears to be the only soul aboard, and he's badly wounded. Bleeding and gasping for breath, he flashes back to when he bought the ship. He explained to Zoe (Gina Torres), back then, how the little ship would keep them out from under the arm of the Alliance. As Mal struggles to stay alive and make a critical repair to Serenity, he flashes back to the beginning. We see how he hired Wash (Alan Tudyk) over Zoe's objections; how he used cold cash to convince Jayne (Adam Baldwin) to turn against his pirate brethren, who were robbing the ship; how he convinced a stately companion, Inara (Morena Baccarin), to rent one of his shuttles; and how he discovered that a promiscuous country bumpkin, Kaylee (Jewel Staite), was also a brilliant mechanic. Mal also remembers, much more recently, how an explosion onboard Serenity knocked out Zoe, robbed the ship of most of its oxygen, and disabled all the life-support systems. Because they had been flying "under the radar" at the time, to avoid the Alliance, it was unlikely that anyone would receive the ship's distress call, so Mal opted to stay with the ship, sending the rest of the crew out in the two shuttles, in hopes of reaching help. As it turns out, someone does pick up their distress signal, but they may not be the good Samaritans Mal was hoping to see. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Connor (Vincent Kartheiser) learns that his foster father, Holtz (Keith Szarabajka), too, has returned to this dimension. Holtz advises the lad to spend some time with Angel (David Boreanaz), which enrages the boy, who's been raised to hate his true father. Nonetheless, the lad shows up at the hotel and spends time warily with Angel. Meanwhile, the Groosalugg (Mark Lutz) grows weary of the devotion his girlfriend, Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), heaps upon Angel. Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov) continues her attempts to win Wesley (Alexis Denisof) over to the dark side. She engineers an attempted slaughter of Justine (Laurel Holloman) at a vampire club and invites Wes to watch so she can gauge his reaction. Cordy's visions alert her to Justine's predicament, and she dispatches Angel and Connor to save the woman. Fighting side by side, the similarity between father and son is remarkable. Ultimately, Angel learns that Holtz is back and visits him; Holtz says he's leaving for good and urges Angel to take care of Connor. Angel takes off, then Holtz reveals his true plan. He has Justine kill him and make it look like a vampire attack. Connor finds the body and is convinced that his blood father has killed his dad -- just as Holtz planned it. Originally broadcast May 13, 2002, on the WB network, "Benediction" marked season three, episode 21 of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2002
The Destroyer (Vincent Kartheiser), who appears to be a grown-up version of Connor, battles Angel (David Boreanaz) and the gang, but Angel orders the others not to kill him. The feral teen flees to the chaotic streets of Los Angeles, where he becomes involved with a pretty young junkie (Erika Thormahlen) and ticks off a predatory drug dealer named Tyke (Anthony Starke). Angel tracks Connor down and tries to talk with him, but Connor insists that his name is Steven, that Holtz is the only father who matters to him, and that he will make Angel pay for the centuries of bloodshed Holtz told him about. It turns out the vampire hunter raised Connor as his foster son in a hostile demon dimension where time runs faster, training him to be a warrior and to loathe his vampire parents. This conversation gets cut short when Tyke and his gang show up to exact revenge on Connor. Angel and his son battle side by side and escape to safety, but the confused Connor/Steven refuses to accompany Angel home. Angel acquiesces, telling his son to come back to him when he is ready. Meanwhile, back at the hotel, the rest of the gang enlist the help of a sorceress to heal the dimensional rift through which Connor came. And Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov) pays a nasty visit to the estranged Wesley (Alexis Denisof). Originally broadcast May 6, 2002, on the WB network, "A New World" marked season three, episode 20 of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Simon (Sean Maher) puts his foot in his mouth again, inadvertently insulting Kaylee (Jewel Staite). While visiting a sort of futuristic carnival freak show, the crew is unable to fence the Lasseter (the priceless weapon they stole in the previous episode, Trash), but they do have occasion to pick up their mail. Jayne (Adam Baldwin) gets a funny hat from his mother, while Mal (Nathan Fillion) and Zoe (Gina Torres) receive a large box, which contains a coffin, which contains a body. The body belongs to Tracey (Joss Whedon regular Jonathan M. Woodward), who fought alongside Mal and Zoe back in the day, when he was a raw recruit, and they kept him alive through the battle of Du-Khang. Back on the ship, they find that Tracey has recorded a message for them, asking them to bring his body to his family on St. Alban's. Soon, an Alliance ship tracks down Serenity. The feds demand that Mal turn over his illegal cargo. But it's not the Lasseter they want, it's Tracey's body. Simon starts to perform an autopsy to find out what the Feds are after. Much to everyone's surprise, Tracey is still alive, and the precious cargo he's carrying is a complete set of genetically engineered super-organs. As it turns out, Tracey agreed to smuggle the organs, but double-crossed his buyer when he got a better offer, then had to fake his own death in an effort to escape. While Tracey woos Kaylee, Mal tries vainly to outrun the feds, but despite Wash's flying skills, the feds have them outgunned and outmaneuvered. Book (Ron Glass) suggests a plan, which Tracey overhears and misconstrues. Believing that his old mates are turning him in, he takes a hostage. This episode, included in the DVD set, was never aired by Fox. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Burgi, Al Pugliese, (more)
- 2002
Praised for his selflessness in rescuing River (Summer Glau) from the Academy, Simon (Sean Maher) quips, "I selflessly turned us both into wanted fugitives." The Serenity encounters a seemingly abandoned cargo ship, a short-range vessel reconfigured to carry settlers. Shepherd Book (Ron Glass) insists that they board the ship to see if anyone needs help. Mal (Nathan Fillion) agrees to check it out, because there might be something valuable aboard to scavenge. Mal and Zoe (Gina Torres) board the ship, where it seems like everyone left in a hurry. Mal calls over some others to help pilfer the farming supplies, but soon finds what remains of the ship's passengers, and realizes they were attacked by the dreaded Reavers. Horrified, he orders everyone back to the Serenity, but before they can leave, Jayne (Adam Baldwin) is attacked by the ship's sole survivor (Branden Morgan). Mal manages to subdue the distraught young man, and they take him to the Serenity's infirmary. "It doesn't matter we took him off that boat, Shepherd," Mal tells Book, "It's the place he's gonna live from now on." Mal soon discovers that the Reavers left a booby trap for any potential rescue ship, and the Serenity will be blown up if they try to detach themselves. Just as Kaylee (Jewel Staite) manages to disarm the trap, the Serenity runs up against a massive Alliance ship. Simon and River are hidden away, as Mal and the rest of the crew are questioned by a strident young Alliance commander (Doug Savant). Meanwhile, the survivor snaps, and begins emulating the Reavers, viciously attacking his rescuers. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
Created by Joss Whedon (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Firefly was an "outer-space Western" set some four to five centuries in the future. Nathan Fillion starred as Captain Mal Reynolds, a disillusioned interplanetary-war veteran and outlaw of the Alliance, the current ruling government. Reynolds was skipper of the transport ship Serenity, a "Firefly-class" vessel. The cast of characters included Inara (Morena Baccarin), a doctor named Simon (Sean Maher), and a mystical preacher named Book (Ron Glass). Firefly made its American network debut on September 20, 2002, on Fox; it was cancelled after only 12 episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, (more)
- 2002
The return of the Groosalugg (Mark Lutz) and the incipient romance between Gunn (J. August Richards) and Fred (Amy Acker) lead to tension at Angel Investigations. Angel (David Boreanaz), despairing of ever getting together with Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), feels overshadowed by Groo's derring-do but compelled to help Cordy and the hero be happy. Cordy is reluctant to consummate her relationship with the otherdimensional warrior because of the prophesy that sleeping with him would drain her of the visions she tried so hard to retain (see "There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb"). Angel helps the pair obtain a mystical prophylactic, but a vision dampens their ardor. Eventually, Angel gets the chance to shine in battle alongside Groo when Fred and Gunn, too busy making out to do their jobs, get captured by a tree-monster who uses a high-speed Internet connection to lure unlucky would-be lovers to his underground lair and devours them. Only Angel's vampiric abilities prove capable of defeating the creature. Taking the high road, the newly triumphant hero insists that Cordy and Groo go on a long vacation and enjoy their newfound romance. Meanwhile, Wesley (Alexis Denisof) feels depressed about Fred getting together with Gunn, so he busies himself with research about the prophecies regarding Angel's son. Originally broadcast February 18, 2002, on the WB network, Angel: Couplet marked season three, episode 14 of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2002
The premiere episode of Firefly, directed by the show's creator, Joss Whedon, opens in a bar, where Mal (Nathan Fillion), the captain of the titular transport ship, is having a drink with Zoe (Gina Torres) and Jayne (Adam Baldwin). Another patron (Tom Towles) shouts out a toast in honor of Unification Day, which celebrates the Alliance's triumph over the Independents, and the end of the galaxy's civil war. Mal takes offense, picks a fight with his quips, and the three Serenity crew members end up between a cliff and an angry armed mob of Alliance sympathizers. Happily, Serenity's pilot (and Zoe's husband), Wash (Alan Tudyk), pulls the ship up behind them, and pulls them out of trouble. Back on the ship, Simon (Sean Maher) is tending to his sister, River (Summer Glau), who is having nightmares about being tortured at the Academy, but won't tell Simon what happened to her. Simon gave up his comfortable life to rescue her, and they are now fugitives. Shepherd Book (Ron Glass) questions why Mal, who doesn't need any attention from the Alliance, would risk helping the high-profile fugitives. Mal later gets work from Adelai Niska (Michael Fairman), a ruthless criminal who warns Mal that there will be trouble if Mal and his crew don't get the job done. Niska wants him to rob an Alliance train, and Mal agrees to do it without knowing what he's stealing. After a daring raid, in which the goods are lifted out from under the noses of a squad of Feds, Mal has a crisis of conscience when he learns that he's stolen medical supplies bound for a struggling mining town. "The Train Job" aired as the premiere episode because Fox was not happy with Whedon's original two-hour pilot. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Angel (David Boreanaz) awakens from his night of passion with Darla (Julie Benz), seemingly in the throes of losing his soul. But as it turns out, the hollow debauchery bought him not true happiness and subsequent damnation, but instead an epiphany about the dark course he has been following. Grievously offended, Darla tries to kill him, but he easily defeats her and gives her the option of disappearing forever or dying immediately. Angel then rushes to the home of Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Rohm), who had called him the previous evening just before attempting suicide. He saves her, and later they share a friendly conversation in which they set aside their past differences. Kate professes belief in a higher power, pointing out that Angel was able to come into her home and save her even though she never invited him in. Angel also shares some of his new insights with the Host (Andy Hallett). The horned lounge proprietor advises Angel to patch things up with his former employees, especially since they're all in grave danger. It seems that Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) has been apprehended by a group of Skilosh demons -- the monsters whose egg-laying recently caused one of the team's clients to sprout a third eye (see "The Thin Dead Line"). They implant one of their young in Cordy's head and wait for it to hatch and destroy her. Meanwhile, Angel arrives at the home of Wesley (Alexis Denisof), who, injured and stuck in a wheelchair, is about to get stomped by additional Skilosh demons. After dispatching the monsters, the pair call a truce, grab Gunn (J. August Richards), and head off to save Cordy. They're tailed by Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane), who is enraged at Angel for cutting off his hand (see "To Shanshu in L.A."), and, more recently, sleeping with his beloved Darla and not turning evil. After getting his butt kicked, Angel turns the table on Lindsey and then rushes off to save Cordy, as well as the newly captured Gunn and Wes. Angel asks his friends if he can come to work for them; they agree, but all is not forgiven. Originally broadcast February 27, 2001, on the WB network, "Epiphany" marked season two, episode 16 of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Cordy (Charisma Carpenter) and the boys proudly cure a client of a demonic third eye that has sprouted in the back of her head, but the girl's mother refuses to pay on the grounds that since demons don't exist, the team must have scammed her. Later, Virginia (Brigid Brannagh) breaks up with Wesley (Alexis Denisof), unable to cope with his dangerous lifestyle. Elsewhere, Detective Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Rohm) gets fired from the LAPD for her obsession with the occult. Meanwhile, Angel (David Boreanaz) learns that one of the senior partners of Wolfram & Hart, a fearsome Kleynack demon, will be arriving on earth soon for the firm's violent 75-year review. Angel decides to take his battle with the firm all the way to the bottom -- to hell, where he will confront the senior partners on their home turf. After basically stealing a book from Wes and Cordy and further alienating his former comrades, he turns to Denver (Brett Rickaby), the same bookstore proprietor who helped him 50 years earlier (see "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?"). Denver gives him a mystic gauntlet that will allow him to kill the visiting Kleynack demon and steal the magical ring with which it travels between dimensions. Unfortunately, Darla (Julie Benz), who has been recovering from her burns at the apartment of smitten lawyer Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane), has also learned of the impending review. She arrives at the bookstore, kills Denver, steals the glove and runs Angel through with a sword. Later, both Darla and Angel crash the Wolfram & Hart review, and Angel manages to get his hands on both the gauntlet and the ring. When he puts it on, the deceased Holland Manners (Sam Anderson) arrives to take him in an elevator to hell. As it turns out, though, the elevator leads not to hell, but back to earth -- for, as Holland explains, evil is everywhere and inside everyone. As the bitter Kate lies near death, having washed down a bottle of pills with liquor, a demoralized Angel returns home to find Darla waiting for him. He falls nihilistically into bed with her and awakens in what appears to be the same agony that beset him after making love to Buffy and losing his soul (see Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Innocence"). Originally broadcast February 20, 2001, on the WB network, "Reprise" marked season two, episode 15 of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
As he gives her lessons in swordplay so she can better defend herself in future battles, Angel (David Boreanaz) is surprised to learn that Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) is a quick study; she credits her years as a Sunnydale cheerleader. It's Fred (Amy Acker), however, who really needs to defend herself when a half-demon with the power to turn men into misogynist murderers turns Wesley (Alexis Denisof) into a clone of Jack Nicholson's character from The Shining. William "Billy" Blim (Justin Shilton) is the privileged nephew of a congressman. He's also the fiend Angel was forced to free from a hell dimension by Wolfram & Hart (see "That Vision Thing"). His very touch brings out the hidden woman-hater in every man, and Angel proves incapable of stopping the spread of his infectious magic. As a transformed Wesley stalks the resourceful Fred through the Hyperion Hotel, Cordy attempts to kill Billy. Angel stops her and Billy touches Angel, but the vampire hero proves impervious to the half-demon's magic. Combat erupts, but it's Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov) -- who suffered a savage beating at the hands of the Billy-infected Gavin Park (Daniel Dae Kim) -- who ultimately defeats her own client. Later, Wesley grapples with the terror he inflicted on Fred and begs her forgiveness. Originally broadcast October 29, 2001, on the WB network, Angel: Billy marked season three, episode six of the supernatural comedy drama. The secret crush on Fred that Wesley nurses in this episode will have major plot repercussions throughout the second half of season three. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
With Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) apparently in power (see "Over the Rainbow"), Angel (David Boreanaz), the Host (Andy Hallett), and the others are set free. The Deathwok Clan Mother, aka Loren's mom (Tom McCleister), expresses her hatred and shame over her wayward offspring, but cousin Landokmar (Brody Hutzler) bonds with fellow warrior Angel, even asking him to officiate at a feast. The party turns out to be the execution of kidnapped refugee slave Fred (Amy Acker). Angel refuses to participate, and they escape into the wilderness. When marauders attack, Angel transforms into a savage demon and inflicts serious injuries on both the attackers and Gunn (J. August Richards). Wesley (Alexis Denisof) surmises that on Pylea, the human and demon halves of a vampire are out of balance. Nevertheless, with Fred's help, Angel eventually transforms back to normal and retreats with the girl to her cave hideaway. Meanwhile, back at the palace, princess Cordy gets uppity and soon learns that she's merely the tool of the powerful Covenant of Trombli, a band of manipulative demon priests with ties to Wolfram & Hart. She is told she must "cumshuk," or mate, with a fearsome warrior known as the Groosalugg (Mark Lutz), but he turns out to be a handsome, earnest, and human-looking hunk. Despite her relief at Groo's appearance, Cordy gets another nasty shock from the Covenant; they remind her who's in charge by delivering the Host's head to her on a platter. Originally broadcast May 15, 2001, on the WB network, "Through the Looking Glass" marked season two, episode 21 of the supernatural comedy drama. This four-part saga continues in "There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb." ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
When Merl the Parasite Demon (Matthew James) -- Angel's frequent, if unwilling, informant on the supernatural underworld -- turns up dead, it's just one of a string of puzzling demon murders. Wesley (Alexis Denisof), Angel (David Boreanaz) and the gang follow the killer's trail, hoping to learn why somebody is murdering harmless demons along with evil ones. Gunn (J. August Richards) figures it out first, though; it's the work of his old gang of street fighters, who view all demons as inhuman beasts fit only to be hunted for sport. As the confused and conflicted Gunn arrives at Caritas, his old crew shows up and starts shooting the assembled demons. Because they're human, they aren't bound by the enchantments that prevent demon violence in The Host's nightclub. The poor demons, however, are helpless to fight back. That puts a real damper on Cordy and Fred's evening; Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) has only just convinced Fred (Amy Acker) to overcome her agoraphobia and visit Caritas, but girls' night out turns into a hostage situation. As the standoff continues, Gunn tries to justify his allegiance to Angel to his old friends. He admits, however, that he's wary of growing too close to his vampire boss. With the help of Angel's friends the Furies, Cordy breaks the spell that's keeping Angel from kicking serious butt. Gunn's gang is vanquished, but the former street fighter's relationships with Angel and Wesley have been seriously compromised. Originally broadcast October 8, 2001, on the WB network, "That Old Gang of Mine" marked season three, episode three of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Holtz (Keith Szarabajka) imprisons Angel (David Boreanaz) in the hotel while the gang try to protect Darla (Julie Benz) in the alley out back as she suffers agonizing labor pains. Flashbacks reveal that not only did Darla and Angel kill Holtz's family, they also turned his young daughter into a vampire, whom he was then forced to kill. Back in the present, Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov) arrives at the hotel and informs Holtz that Angel now has a soul, but he remains determined to punish his foe. Angel manages to escape the vampire-hunter's trap and track down Darla, who has fled Holtz's demon minions in Angel's car. Darla reveals that she feels love for her child -- the first love she has felt in her entire life. At Caritas, The Host (Andy Hallett), Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), Gunn (J. August Richards), and Fred (Amy Acker) fine-tune the club's anti-violence spell. Angel and Darla soon arrive, but Darla's contractions have stopped. Holtz circumvents the enchantment by throwing a bomb into the club from the outside. The gang escapes to an alley, where Darla sacrifices her own life so that her baby can live; she stakes herself, and the unharmed child appears when her ashes disperse. Holtz aims a crossbow squarely at Angel's progeny, but allows it to live. He promises the demon Sahjhan (Jack Conley) that although he has spared the child, he will show no mercy on Angel. Originally broadcast November 19, 2001, on the WB network, "Lullaby" marked season three, episode nine of the supernatural comedy drama. The third installment in a four-part sequence, the story line concludes in "Dad." ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Angel (David Boreanaz) tries to assure Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and Wesley (Alexis Denisof) that he's recovered from his grief over Darla (Julie Benz). It turns out he's actually had Gunn (J. August Richards) trailing his formerly dead, formerly vampiric former paramour. Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane) gets to Darla's tenement hotel before Angel can, and, taking her to his superiors at Wolfram & Hart, learns that she was resurrected in the same state she was in before she ever became a vampire. In other words, she's dying of syphilis. In a desperate attempt to escape her looming mortality, Darla later tries to convince a total dweeb of a vampire to "sire" her -- drink and be drunk by her so she can once again become an immortal bloodsucker. Angel interrupts the proceedings, tries to reason with her, and learns of her condition. Crushed, he takes her to Caritas, where the Host (Andy Hallett) sends both of them off on a mystical quest to heal Darla. The Valet (Jim Piddock), an interdimensional functionary, wagers with Angel. If he passes three nearly impossible tests, Darla will be healed; if he fails, she will die immediately. Angel just barely survives the three tests, including one that's more psychological than physical. But even this third challenge is nothing compared to the anguish Angel suffers when the Valet belatedly informs him that because Darla was already resurrected once, she cannot be granted yet another lease on life. Back at Darla's hotel, Angel offers to sire her, theorizing that because he's a vampire with a soul perhaps she will be, too. She demurs, telling him that because of the love and dedication he's shown her, she's content to die the way nature intended 400 years ago. Just then, Wolfram & Hart's minions break in with a surprise guest, Drusilla (Juliet Landau), who promptly drinks Darla's blood and opens her own veins while Angel is held in check. Originally broadcast November 28, 2000, on the WB network, "The Trial" marked season two, episode nine of the supernatural comedy drama. References to the character of Holtz in this episode's flashback sequence will take on new significance in season three when the time-traveling vampire hunter becomes Angel's chief nemesis. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
As flashbacks document the tangled history between Angel (David Boreanaz) and Darla (Julie Benz), Angel tries to save his newly resurrected, now-human sire from Wolfram & Hart -- and from her own desire to become a vampire again. The vague stirrings of her newborn soul lead Darla to seek Angel's help, but lawyer Holland Manners (Sam Anderson) keeps her a virtual prisoner. With assistance from reluctant ally Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane), Angel rescues Darla but refuses to turn her into a vampire, so she flees. In flashbacks, Darla is seen as a mortal in Virginia in 1609 -- a syphilitic prostitute turned into a vampire by ancient and powerful bloodsucker The Master (Mark Metcalf). Other scenes depict the first meeting between Angel and The Master; the bloody antics of Angel and Darla with Drusilla (Juliet Landau) and Spike (James Marsters); Darla murdering the gypsies who cursed Angel with a soul; and the soul-stricken Angel trying and failing to reunite with Darla during the Boxer Rebellion in China. Back in the present, the lawyers of Wolfram & Hart manipulate Darla into returning to Angel, with whom she engages in a long philosophical debate about pain, suffering, and redemption. Frightened and weak, she flees again, ordering Angel not to follow. Originally broadcast November 14, 2000, on the WB network, "Darla" marked season two, episode seven of the supernatural comedy drama. Spike is a regular character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, while The Master has served as villain for several episodes of that series, most notably the entire first season. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Immediately after the events of "The Trial," Angel (David Boreanaz) flies into action in an effort to stake the corpse of Darla (Julie Benz) before she rises again as a vampire. Ace detective work on the part of his crew helps him locate Darla in a rooftop greenhouse, where the mad Drusilla (Juliet Landau) is looking forward to "giving birth" to her "grandmother." (Darla, of course, sired Angel, who sired Drusilla, who is now siring the resurrected Darla.) As Angel and Dru slug it out, Darla rises from the dirt and joins the melee; now once again a soulless vampire, she clearly isn't on Angel's side. Eventually, she and Dru both escape and reunite at the offices of Wolfram & Hart. When Angel, too, shows up there, executive evil-doer Holland Manners (Sam Anderson) has Detective Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Rohm) arrest him. Darla and Dru go on a killing spree, so Kate frees Angel in order to halt them. The gleeful bloodsuckers show up at a party at Holland's house, turning on the man who brought them together. Angel arrives on the scene, but rather than save the room full of lawyers, he locks them in with the vampire vixens. When Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), Wesley (Alexis Denisof), and Gunn (J. August Richards) denounce Angel's actions, he promptly and tersely fires all three. Originally broadcast December 19, 2000, on the WB network, "Reunion" marked season two, episode ten of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Angel (David Boreanaz) asks Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and Wesley (Alexis Denisof) to research an abandoned Art Deco hotel called the Hyperion. Little do they know that 50 years earlier their boss was a resident at the very same building. Using the McCarthy hearings as a backdrop, flashbacks reveal the Angel of 1952 to have been an even bigger brooder than now, disconnected from both humans and the vampire world. After unintentionally getting involved in the affairs of a fugitive thief named Judy Kovacs (Melissa Marsala), the '50s Angel discovers the presence of a Thesulac demon in the Hyperion. Feeding off the mistrust and insecurities of the residents, the monster whips them into an angry mob. Judy, terrified of being found out as a criminal, accuses Angel of being a murderer; the crowd strings him up and hangs him, unaware that he's already dead. Angel escapes and tells the Thesulac demon he can have his way with the humans. Fifty years of gruesome murders ensue. Back in the present day, a repentant Angel and the gang stage a final showdown with the still malevolent beast -- and free an elderly Judy Kovacs from her reclusive paranoia. Before the team can leave the hotel, however, Angel makes an announcement; he's turning the building into their new headquarters. Originally broadcast October 3, 2000, on the WB network, "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?" marked season two, episode two of the supernatural comedy drama. The supporting characters of this episode include Denver (Brett Rickaby), a '50s bookstore owner who assists Angel and appears again in "Reprise." ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
After Faith (Eliza Dushku) surrenders herself (see "Five by Five"), Angel (David Boreanaz) decides to try to rehabilitate her, incurring the wrath of Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and Wesley (Alexis Denisof), the latter of whom was recently tortured by the rogue slayer. Angel's ex-girlfriend and Faith's arch-nemesis, Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), arrives in town too late to warn the gang about Faith's imminent arrival. Buffy is devastated to learn that Angel has taken Faith under his wing. As Buffy and Angel battle it out, both verbally and physically, a group of assassins from the Watcher's Council attempts to recruit ex-Watcher Wesley back to their cause in order to eliminate Faith once and for all. Meanwhile, Wolfram & Hart, incensed at Faith's betrayal, turn to Det. Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Rohm) for a surprisingly legal method of revenge. As the forces against Faith continue to mount, Angel refuses to cede his protection of the girl. Ultimately, though, it's up to Faith herself to choose true penance. Originally broadcast May 2, 2000, on the WB network, "Sanctuary" marked season one, episode 19 of the supernatural comedy drama. Sarah Michelle Gellar, star of Angel's parent series, makes the second of many guest appearances (see also "I Will Remember You"). ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Troubled by nightmares in which he returns to his murderous ways, Angel (David Boreanaz) learns that Detective Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Rohm) is hunting a serial killer with the same modus operandi he used to employ: the mark of the cross on the victim's left cheek. As it turns out, however, the killer is actually one of Angel's old cronies, a vampire named Penn (Jeremy Renner). Still unaware of Angel's supernatural origins, Kate eventually cottons on to the nature of both her friend and her prey. She even suspects Angel of the murders until she does some research and learns that Penn has preyed upon Los Angeles before. Kate eventually ends up dusting Penn -- and promising Angel that she'll do the same the next time she sees him. Originally broadcast January 18, 2000, on the WB network, "Somnambulist" marked season one, episode 11 of the supernatural comedy drama. Beginning with this episode, Alexis Denisof is a member of the regular cast in his role as Wesley Wyndham-Pryce. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
When Angel (David Boreanaz) learns that Trevor Lockley (John Mahon), the father of Det. Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Rohm), is involved in a demon drug ring, it brings back painful memories of his troubled relationship with his own father and his transformation into a vampire. Someone, it seems, is peddling PCP-like drugs that turn normally peaceful demon races such as the Kwaini into killers. Kate reluctantly teams with Angel to investigate, but she's unprepared for the revelation that her dad, a retired cop, is in leagues with the dope-pushers. Soon, though, Mr. Lockley turns up dead, emotionally shattering Kate and further eroding her tenuous alliance with Angel. Nonetheless, Angel rescues her from the turncoat demons who killed her father. Throughout the investigation, Angel is haunted by his memories of quarreling with his father, becoming a vampire, and then killing his entire family. Originally broadcast February 22, 2000, on the WB network, "Prodigal" marked season one, episode 15 of the supernatural comedy drama. Julie Benz, who played Angel's sire, Darla, in several early episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, reprises the role in the flashback scenes in this episode. Darla would later become a recurring character after being resurrected by Wolfram & Hart in "To Shanshu in L.A." ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
