07: Top Ten Best: Angel Series 2 Episodes

Hi, everyone.

We're back with the eighth installment of my Top Tens, technically a sequel to the third, as we're returning to the Wonderful World of Angel! This time we're taking a look at Season Two, a superior (and Season 1 was great) entry in the universe full of intriguing arcs ranging from fun (Pylea) to depressingly dark (beige Angel/Dark Avenger).

These 22 selections also get merits for introducing fantabulous new characters to the show, such as Lorne, possibly my favorite, and Fred, wonderful from the second when we first see her.

Let's dive in like an empty swimming pool!

10) "Judgement"
by David Greenwalt
Plot: Angel attempts to help a young pregnant woman when he accidentally kills her protector and warrior for a joust guaranteeing or destroying the baby's chances of protection. Meanwhile, the now human Darla attempts to adjust to the new world Wolfram & Hart brought her into.
And Because?: The series premiere that I find much better than most. Angel's struggle with the fact that he killed a good demon is quite interesting, the final battle is awesome, and any episode that introduces Lorne is a #10/10 in my lavish, quite detailed book.

09) "The Trial"
by Douglas Petrie & Tim Minear
Plot: Lorne informs Angel of a trial he can take to stop Darla from dying thanks to her disease, though it's challenges may be tougher than he expected. Originally wanting to become a vampire again, Darla learns the virtues of being human.
And Because?: Joss Whedon shows have a tendency to use over-used plot tropes and make them fresh and enjoyable ("Ariel," "Needs"). This one is no different, making you care for Darla before her eventual and terrifying re-vampification.

08) "Dead End"
by David Greenwalt
Plot: Finally recieiving a new hand from Wolfram & Hart, Lindsey becomes disturbed after it repeatedly writes KILL KILL KILL on a notepad. The Fang Gang is lost after Cordelia recieves a non-descriptive vision of a happy father stabbing himself.
And Because?: Lindsey is one of my favorite characters in any TV show ever, and this was a fitting farewell. It was disturbing (back-up body parts/suicidal father), funny (Lindsey's ending scene is just the best), and touching (Angel saying goodbye to his old foe with one last prank).

07) "Darla"
by Tim Minear
Plot: A look through Darla's timeline examines three eras: her as a dying human becoming a vampire, her with the Whirlwind as Angelus attempts to deal with his new soul, and her being held by Wolfram & Hart as Angel attempts to break her out.
And Because?: Darla is one of the most interesting characters in all of the Buffyverse, and an episode focused on her written by the Angel master just can't go awry. We also get cameos from Dru, Spike, and The Master, which could never drag anything down.

06) "There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb"
by David Greenwalt
Plot: The disimbodied head of Lorne and Cordelia attempt to escape the castle. Angel recovers from the experience of being the demon this world dictates him to be. Wesley and Gunn lead the riot of runaway slaves against the castle.
And Because?: The best of the Pylea arc, a fitting & lighthearted end to a brooding season of Angel. We learn that Lorne lives on (yay!), the battle for the castle is cool, and it ends on a hum-dinger with Angel Investigations learning of Buffy's short-lived passing away.

05) "Guise Will Be Guise"
by Jane Espenson
Plot: As Angel is away learning his path from a swami, Wesley disguises himself as Angel and takes a job from a threatening father to protect his daughter. "Angel" may not be the only falsehood here though, as sinister forces are at work.
And Because?: Another top-tier comedy from Jane Espenson, and one of the first major signs of Wes transferring from nerdery to major class badassery (both are words). Great characters are also introduced, such as Virginia and Faker the Swami.

04) "Reprise"
by Tim Minear
Plot: With Wolfram & Hart's 75-Year Review approaching, Angel searches for a magical glove that can allow him to kill one of the visiting Senior Partners and find his way towards the Main Office. Kate's life falls apart after she's fired from the police office.
And Because?: The grimmest and darkest and least upbeat and just most depressing episode of anything I've ever seen. Ever. Holland's speech to Angel is chilling ("If there wasn't evil in every single one of those people out there, why, they wouldn't be people, they'd all be angels."), and subtly begins Series 3's Conner storyline.

03) "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?"
by Tim Minear
Plot: When Cordelia and Wesley investigate the Hyperion Hotel, a dark memory of the place resurfaces for Angel from the lonely years when he wandered Los Angeles as an ensouled vampire back in the early 1900's.
And Because?: Heads-up, these last four are all Tim Minear episodes, as he was pretty obviously the best writer on Angel, and made Season 2 one of my favorite television seasons of all time. This one is super grim as well, having Angel, angered at his betrayal from a friend at the hotel, lets the demon infesting the Hyperion do what it wants with the inhabitants.

02) "Reunion"
by Tim Minear & Shawn Ryan
Plot: Angel tracks Drusilla and the now vampire again Darla as they go on a rampage throughout Los Angeles, further descending into darkness with every step. Lindsey, Lilah, Holland, and many of Wolfram & Hart prepare for a dinner party later in the evening.
And Because?: DARKNESS! More of this madness! Angel is seriously a tortured soul, and this is the epitomy of the torture for this poor soul (literally). It parallels the decision he made in AYNOHYEB, leaving all of the Wolfram & Hart employees to be snacked on by Dru and Darla.

Top 5 Honorable Mentions:
01) "Dear Boy"
Angel learns that Darla has been ressurected by Wolfram & Hart as a human.
02) "The Shroud of Rahmon"
Angel & Gunn's conflicts get in the way of a covert operation.
03) "Redifinition"
With his crew fired, Angel prepares to take down Darla & Drucilla.
04) "The Thin Dead Line"
Undead cops begin to terrorize L.A.'s underworld.
05) "Through the Looking Glass"
Angel encounters Fred for the first time and Cordelia deals with her role as a princess.

01) "Epiphany"
by Tim Minear
Plot: Having an epiphany, Angel, with help from Lorne, learns that his friends are in danger and goes on a mission to help them, as Cordelia has been captured by Skilosh demons. Lindsey learns that Darla had sex with Angel and goes on a mission of vengeance.
And Because?: Finally, a lighter episode in the Darla arc, and also the last of it. This is the second of Cordelia's demon impregnancies (poor gal), and finally has Angel return to his awkward, friendly state of the norm. It also features the introduction of Lindsey's pick-up truck. May it, and he return someday.

There we have it folks. I know it's been a while, but the whole thing was erased, I was pissed, and it was a long restart from there. But I finally have it up now, and I hope you enjoy reading it! Seriously though, Series 2 is super amazing. The quality only has one real drop ("Happy Anniversary"), but that has a lot of Lorne, so that still racks high up there.

Off to Series 3!

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