David Greenwalt Movies

Another of the many serialized TV dramas of the mid-2000s in which important clues and motivations were slowly and methodically revealed on a "need to know" basis, Kidnapped got under way when Leopold Cain (Will Denton), the son of self-made millionaire Conrad Cain (Timothy Hutton) and his wife Ellie (Dana Delaney), was abducted during a quasi-paramilitary attack on his private school. "Don't call the police" was perhaps the least cryptic message received by Mr. and Mrs. Cain in the days that followed; other messages and clues always seemed to be weighted with double meanings and vague allusions to unsavory incidents in the past lives of the victim's parents. Assigned to rescue Leopold (if possible) was chief FBI investigator Latimer King (Delroy Lindo), who much against his will was teamed with rogue ex-agent Knapp (Jeremy Sisto), who in turn worked hand in glove with his mysterious sidekick Turner (Carmen Ejogo). The search for the kidnapped boy whisked virtually everyone in the cast around the world, with Mr. and Mrs. Cain frequently bollixing up the "good guys'" efforts by refusing to follow instructions or going off on their own whimsical tangents. Early on, the Cains' bodyguard Virgil (Mykelti Williamson) abruptly vanished from the scene; was he, like several others involved in the case, a murder victim, or was he pursuing his own agenda. Unfolding in a "Rashomon" fashion with contradictory information and points of view, this was one of those maddening series in which "truth" was an intangible commodity at best, and in which everyone had a skeleton or two in the closet. Kidnapped made its NBC bow on September 20, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Debuting January 27, 2003, the weekly, hourlong supernatural-drama series Miracles starred Skeet Ulrich as Paul Callan, a sincere, self-effacing young seminarian whose job it was to investigate "miraculous phenomena" on behalf of the Catholic church. At first, Paul adhered to the party line, declaring that most miracles could be logically explained. All this changed when, after a near-fatal accident, Paul was brought back to life by the mysterious healing powers of a boy named Tommy -- who paid for his act of grace with his life. Just before his recovery, Paul had seen the words "God Is Now Here," scrawled in his own blood. Galvanized by this sign from above, Paul quit his job and became a freelance investigator of miracles, hoping not only to prove beyond doubt the authenticity -- or lack of authenticity -- of those miracles, but also to ascertain the reason that his life was spared and Tommy's was not. Paul was joined on this mission by ex-Harvard professor Father Alva Keel (Angus MacFadyen), an expert in the paranormal -- and like Paul, the sort of true believer who demanded complete verification of his beliefs. Alva also headed a strange Boston-based organization called "Sodalitas Quaerito" ("Brotherhood in Search of Truth"), whose acolytes seemed to be preparing for an as-yet-undetermined "large event" that might well have culminated with the end of the world. The two investigators were occasionally assisted by a sympathetic former policewoman, Evelyn Santos (Marisa Ramirez), likewise a member of Sodalitas Quaerito. A presentation of the ABC network, Miracles might have lasted longer than its six episodes had the series not been constantly pre-empted by news coverage of the unrest in the Middle East. The show was canceled on March 27, 2003, but not before it had attracted a sizeable cult following. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

At the office and on assignment, Angel (David Boreanaz) behaves strangely, snapping at his friends, complaining about Connor and beating up unnecessarily on a group of demons. It turns out that Wolfram & Hart have been feeding him traces of human blood -- Connor's -- in the normal animal blood he drinks. As Angel confronts Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov) about this latest outrage, he learns of her partnership with Sahjhan (Jack Conley) but remains puzzled as to why the demon hates him. Meanwhile, Wes skulks around, trying to make sense of the conflicting evidence about exactly how much of a threat Angel poses to Connor. Ultimately, after weighty debates with various players -- including Holtz (Keith Szarabajka) and his minion Justine (Laurel Holloman) -- he resolves to kidnap the child for its own good. He pretends to be taking Connor on an outing, conks The Host (Andy Hallett) on the head, and flees. But Wes is intercepted by Justine, who slits his throat and brings Connor to Holtz. As the villains attempt to flee with the child, Angel's crew and Wolfram & Hart converge on them. Sahjhan opens an interdimensional portal, into which Holtz and the baby plunge, leaving Justine -- and Angel -- locked on the other side. Thanks, in part, to Wes, Angel's son has been stolen. Originally broadcast March 4, 2002, on the WB network, "Sleep Tight" marked season three, episode 16 of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Having suffered through two years of the painful visions bequeathed to her by Doyle (see "Parting Gifts"), Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) finds that the premonitions are taking an ever heavier toll, both emotionally and physically. Her horrific vision of an apparently happy family man plunging a knife into his eye. It turns out he was the recipient of a cursed transplant from a predatory organ bank run by Wolfram & Hart. Lawyer Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane) soon receives a new hand from the very same institution and learns that the appendage has an evil mind of its own. Crossing paths at demon karaoke bar Caritas, mortal enemies Lindsey and Angel (David Boreanaz) are urged by the Host (Andy Hallett) to work together on the case. They soon uncover the organ bank, which is full of living and half-dead involuntary donors -- including an old buddy of Lindsey's. He and Angel kill the hard-luck cases and save the rest. Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov), on the basis of the firm's magnanimous biological gift to her rival, is convinced that she's going to be knocked off and Lindsey promoted. But, once again disgusted by his firm's tactics (see "Blind Date"), Lindsey quits, taking with him enough sensitive documents to protect himself from any sudden "accidents." Lilah gets the job, and Angel and Lindsey part, if not friends, then at least neutral to one another. Originally broadcast April 24, 2001, on the WB network, "Dead End" marked season two, episode 18 of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

As Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and the gang continue to fight demons in L.A. and Fred (Amy Acker) adjusts to life back in her home dimension, Angel (David Boreanaz) works off his grief over the death of Buffy by fighting demon monks in Sri Lanka. Returning home, Angel soon finds himself at odds with an old crony from his days as evil blood-sucker Angelus. During a mission to save some hapless college kids from a pack of vamps, Angel stakes a woman only to realize belatedly that she is Elisabeth (Kate Norby), beloved mate of arch-fiend James (Ron Melendez). In flashbacks, Angel remembers his days terrorizing Europe with Elisabeth, James and his own lover, Darla (Julie Benz) -- and their flight from relentless vampire-hunter Holtz (Keith Szarabajka). Back in the present, James vows vengeance upon Angel and visits the sinister Dr. Gregson (Bob Morrisey) for "the cure," a procedure that grants him temporary invulnerability but guarantees his imminent demise. Angel manages to survive the ferocious attack leading up to James' death throes, but not before his former friend makes him take a hard look at his feelings about Buffy. Meanwhile, in Nicaragua, Darla seeks a shaman to counsel her about a startling development -- although she's a vampire, she's pregnant. Originally broadcast September 24, 2001, on the WB network, "Heartthrob" marked season three, episode one of the supernatural comedy drama. Actress Amy Acker, a guest star in previous episodes, joins the regular cast starting with this episode. "Heartthrob" also marks two other firsts: the inaugural widescreen episode and the first to air after parent show Buffy the Vampire Slayer switched networks from the WB to rival UPN. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

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

After the build-up of the past several episodes, Angel (David Boreanaz) finally comes face to face with Darla (Julie Benz), his vampire sire, who was recently resurrected by evil law firm Wolfram & Hart. As it turns out, however, she's been brought back as a human in an attempt to manipulate him into turning evil again. The entire reunion is staged by Darla and lawyer Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane) as a cruel trap in which Angel is duped into thinking Darla may actually be someone else entirely -- a normal human woman named Diedra Cramer. The ruse even convinces Detective Kate Lockley (Elisabeth Rohm), who tries to protect "Diedra" from Angel. Eventually, Angel kidnaps Darla and she confesses all, attempting to seduce him and destroy his soul in the process. He warns her that as a human she has a soul now, too, and will experience endless regret for her 400 years of bloodshed as a vampire. Unconvinced, Darla declares, "God doesn't want you, but I still do," then escapes into the sunlight, leaving Angel despondent. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew learns about Darla's resurrection, and Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and Wesley (Alexis Denisof) must bring Gunn (J. August Richards) up to speed on Angel's propensity for reverting to the evil Angelus whenever he experiences a moment of true happiness (see Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Innocence"). Flashbacks also chronicle Angelus and Darla's reign of terror in Victorian England and their corruption and vampirification of the delicate Drusilla (Juliet Landau). Originally broadcast October 24, 2000, on the WB network, "Dear Boy" marked season two, episode five of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

The morning after a rowdy party at Cordelia's place, Angel (David Boreanaz) officially hires Wesley (Alexis Denisof) as a member of Angel Investigations. Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) promptly has a vision of a murder at an ice factory, and soon the team is investigating a war of attrition between the two sexes of a demon race known as the Vigorie. Jheira (Bai Ling), a freedom fighter, is rescuing her fellow demon women from their home dimension, Oden Tal, to keep the males of the species from harnessing the power of their "ko" -- the seat of the females' sexual and physical power. But Tay (Colby French), another Vigorie, and his henchmen are in hot pursuit of Jheira and her refugees. The conflict comes to a head when Tay and his minions trace the women to Palm Ridge, the spa where they're hiding out. Despite the help of the Angel Investigations team, however, Jheira seems to have little regard for the lives of anyone but herself and her people. Originally broadcast February 8, 2000, on the WB network, "She" marked season one, episode 13 of the supernatural comedy drama. The standard closing credits are replaced in this episode by a jokey sequence of Angel and Wesley dancing at Cordelia's party. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

In the premiere episode of this spin-off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy's ex-boyfriend, Angel (David Boreanaz), the vampire with a soul, relocates to Los Angeles and finds a new purpose in life. Shortly after the events of Buffy's "Graduation Day, Part Two," Angel prowls the clubs of Los Angeles to kill vampires, let off steam, and drown his sorrows. He soon meets Doyle (Glenn Quinn), a half-human, half-demon representative of The Powers That Be. Doyle informs Angel that he must become a helper of the helpless, using the visions that the Powers send to Doyle as his guide. Angel's first assignment is to help Tina (Tracey Middendorf), a would-be actress who is being harassed by rich vampire Russell Winters (Vyto Ruginis). In the course of trying to do so, Angel bumps into Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter), another recent Sunnydale transplant, would-be actress, and target of Russell's bloodlust. After Angel saves Cordelia from the fiend, she decides to become Angel's assistant and set up Angel Investigations, a paranormal private-eye business, as a front for their activities. "City of" originally aired on the WB network on October 5, 1999. To introduce non-Buffy watchers to their main character and his backstory, series creators Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt used flashback clips from the earlier show to illustrate a scene in which Doyle plays "This is Your Life" with his new partner. In addition to introducing Doyle and The Powers That Be, "City of" marks the first appearance of Wolfram & Hart, the demonic law firm that would become a recurring nemesis for the title character. Although he's never named in this episode, attorney Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane) also appears. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Doyle (Glenn Quinn) finally gets up the nerve to ask out Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), albeit halfheartedly, but her reply is a typically sarcastic "no." She tries to call, him, however, when she discovers roaches invading her dumpy apartment. Unfortunately, Doyle is busy being harassed by a demon in regards to some gambling debts, so he's unavailable. Cordelia therefore invites herself to move into Angel's plush digs. Unable to cope with Cordelia's nonexistent roommate skills, Angel (David Boreanaz) strikes a deal with Doyle: If Doyle will help Cordelia find a new flat, Angel will get the debt-collector demon off Doyle's back. Doyle does end up finding Cordelia a dream apartment, unfortunately, it's haunted by two separate ghosts. Cordelia and company eventually befriend one of the spooks and drive out the other one, leaving Cordy free to enjoy her new apartment. Originally broadcast November 2, 1999, on the WB network, "Rm w/a Vu" marked season one, episode five of the supernatural comedy drama. Aura, one of Cordelia's Heathers-style minions from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, appears in voice only, leaving a gossipy message on the Angel Investigations answering machine. The friendly ghost, Dennis, becomes a recurring character, though an invisible one. B.J. Porter, who portrays him in this episode, does not reappear. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon's first cult-favorite horror-comedy drama, used its supernatural trappings as the breeding ground for countless metaphors about adolescence, young adulthood, and female empowerment. But Angel, its spin-off and Whedon's second successful outing for the youth-oriented WB network, uses the mysterious demon realm to literalize the nebulous grey areas -- moral and ethical, professional and romantic -- that suddenly leap out at young adults once they've left the nest. A detective comedy-cum-supernatural soap opera with a conscience-stricken immortal as its ambiguous hero, Angel follows the adventures of the titular vampire and an ever-expanding group of sidekicks as they seek to "help the helpless" in the glamorous shadows of Los Angeles. If the cheap math for Buffy is Wonder Woman plus The Munsters times Beverly Hills 90210, then Angel is more like Dark Shadows meets Melrose Place with a dash of L.A. Law.

David Boreanaz leads the cast as Angel, a handsome, brooding hunk who, like many Angelenos, doesn't look his age. Born nearly 250 years ago to a stern Irish father and christened Liam, he spent his youth as a dissolute and drunken lecher. Then he met Darla, an American beauty. She promised to show him the world, and she did -- after making him, like her, an immortal, soulless fiend. As Angelus, Liam terrorized Europe for a century before a gypsy curse restored his human spirit to his demon-animated body. With the knowledge of his vampiric sins burning a hole through his newfound soul, Angel spent most of the 20th century a useless wreck. Then, as chronicled on Buffy, he was recruited by the mysterious Powers That Be to serve as a champion in the fight between good and evil. Buffy fans are no doubt aware that Angel's gypsy curse has a loophole that strips him of his soul the instant he achieves a moment of true happiness -- say, for instance, a night of passion with a certain previously chaste vampire slayer. It was this conceit that allowed Angel to serve as both ally and nemesis to Buffy, and, by precluding any real future for their epic romance, set the stage for his decision to seek atonement in L.A. The quest for redemption, then, is Angel's carrot; the possibility of sliding back into atrocity is his stick.

For the show's first four seasons, fellow Buffy veteran Charisma Carpenter served as Boreanaz's comedic and sometimes romantic foil. As the show slowly morphed from a tongue-in-cheek comedy-adventure to an action-packed metaphysical melodrama, Carpenter's Cordelia Chase developed from the spoiled brat of the Buffy years to the kooky girl Friday of Angel Investigations to a champion in her own right. Some longtime fans were therefore outraged when the popular star was written out of the regular cast at the end of the fourth season. Others, however, were relieved that Angel survived a close brush with cancellation to return for a fifth season with an addition to the cast: James Marsters, reprising his Buffy the Vampire Slayer role as Spike, Angel's romantic rival, longtime antagonist, and fellow vampire-with-a-soul. Other recurring and regular cast members have included the late Glenn Quinn as the half-human, half-demon Doyle; Buffy refugee Alexis Denisof as Wesley Wyndham-Price, a bumbling "rogue demon hunter" who eventually becomes truly roguish; J. August Richards as Charles Gunn, a street-smart vampire hunter with hidden depths; Amy Acker as Winifred "Fred" Burkle, a damsel-in-distress turned super-scientist; Andy Hallett as Lorne, a horned, green-skinned demon who can read your future, but only if you sing karaoke for him; future Law & Order babe Elisabeth Rohm as a Scully-esque police detective; Julie Benz as Darla, Angel's oft-resurrected vampire paramour; Vincent Kartheiser as Connor, Darla and Angel's rebellious (and human) teenaged son; and Christian Kane and Stephanie Romanov as a pair of lawyers at Wolfram & Hart, the evil law firm that Angel fights for four seasons and eventually takes over. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) is finally readmitted to Sunnydale High by Principal Snyder (Armin Shimerman). Buffy also flirts with Scott Hope (Fab Filippo) a cute senior. Buffy's mood is brightening until the arrival of the slick Mr. Trick (K. Todd Freeman) and the ancient and demonic-looking Kakistos (Jeremy Roberts), two vampires, spoil it. Later, at the Bronze, Buffy and friends notice an extroverted and sexy new girl dancing who is also about to be hit on by a vampire. They rush to her aid just in time to see her dust the vamp in true slayer style. She introduces herself as Faith (Eliza Dushku), a slayer from Boston whose Watcher is at an annual Watcher's Retreat. Faith proves equally adept and vampire slaying as Buffy, but reckless enamored with violence. Meanwhile, Mr. Trick and Kakistos plan to kill the slayers, but as Giles (Anthony Head) discovers that Faith's Watcher is not at a retreat, but dead, suspicion begins to surround Faith. ~ All Movie Guide

It's Homecoming at Sunnydale High and Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) is determined to be crowned Homecoming Queen. As Angel (David Boreanaz) is still chained up in his mansion, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) accepts Scott's (Fab Filippo) invitation to the dance. Cordelia's self-involved behavior over her Homecoming campaign irks Buffy into running herself. Meanwhile, Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Willow (Alyson Hannigan) share more than their prospective outfits for the dance. Elsewhere, Mr. Trick (K. Todd Freeman) invites a motley band of psychotics and vampires back to Sunnydale for their own slayer killing festivities. Hoping to give Cordelia and Buffy a chance to mend their friendship, Xander arranges for the limo driver to pick up the feuding pair separately. This works fine, except that the limo driver is German psycho killer Hans Gruenshtahler (Joseph Daube), one of Mr. Trick's guests. Mayor Richard Wilkins III (Harry Groener) is also introduced in this episode, and his demonic intentions established. ~ All Movie Guide