Season 1, Episode 7: "Angel"

Original Air Date: 4/14/97

Buffy finally makes out with Angel and learns that he can leave a mean hickey.


If you happen to be experiencing BTVS for the first time as you read this blog, you may be rolling your eyes, thinking "Let me guess: Girl meets mysterious boy. Girl kisses boy. Boy turns out to be a vampire". Okay, but keep in mind that before Twilight, True Blood, The Vampire Diaries (*deep breath*), Underworld, Being Human, Moonlight, Demons, Lost Girl, Vampire Academy, Bitten, Sanctuary, Vamps, Supernatural, and My Babysitter's a Vampire... this was still a gasp-worthy plot twist. And it's a solid episode. Here's how it all goes down:

Buffy and Angel have been flirting and angling their pelvises towards each other all season. This time, Angel saves Buffy from "The Three" (beefy vamps who appear to work at Medieval Times) and they rush to her house for some sexy first aid. Angel spends the night (on the floor) and the next day, he tells Buffy that he needs to stay away from her because their attraction is too strong and he is, as he puts it, "older than her". But they do kiss and when they do, Angel gets a little too excited (no, in his face). Buffy sees him go all vampy and he runs away. 

I remember watching this scene as a teenager and thinking it was totally hot. Today, I felt a slight cringe factor. I mean, Angel IS older than Buffy. Vampirism aside, dude's like 27 and Buffy's 16. If he were a human, his mission wouldn't be to protect the Slayer; it'd be to meet all his neighbors in accordance with Meghan's Law. But, he's not a decade older, he's centuries older, so it's all cool. 

Anyway, Buffy is left with a lot of questions: Is Angel evil? If he is, why didn't he kill her when he had the chance? Has he been helping her as part of a trap this whole time? Does he just keep washing the one white v-neck t-shirt or does he buy those Hanes multi-packs?

The gem of this episode is that we learn Angel's origin story. Turns out, Darla (pictured) turned Angel back in 18th century Ireland. The two became somewhat of an undead power couple (likely called "Dangel" by the vampire tabloids of the time), spending a century and or so globetrotting, causing havoc, and feasting on the innocent. Then one day, Angel takes a bite out of the wrong gypsy girl and her clan punishes him with the greatest torture they can summon: the restoration of his soul. This means that Angel now has a conscience and has to live with guilt of all the heinous acts he committed while soulless. It's kind of like that time David Hasselhoff's daughter showed that video of him sloppily eating a hamburger while he was blackout drunk-- except Angel's video is over 100 years long and instead of a hamburger, it's thousands of Europeans. 

Darla still carries a torch for Angel and plots to turn the Slayer against him by attacking Buffy's mom and making it look like Angel's to blame. Cut to final showdown at The Bronze: Buffy and Angel trade blows; Darla tries to off Buffy gangsta-style; Buffy learns the truth about Angel; and Darla gets dusted. 

I hold back on giving this one a perfect score just because it gets a little corny in the final fight with Darla. 3/4 Mr. Pointy's. 

Most Dated Line/Reference: 
No one line in particular, but Darla (played by Julie Benz, aka Rita from Dexter) appears to be doing a Joey Lauren Adams impression the entire episode like she drove over straight from the Chasing Amy premiere. 

Favorite Retro Fashion Moments: 

Buffy's Black Crocheted Top

Willow's Blue Suede Platform Loafer (Squashed Roach Included)

Workout Summary: 3 miles on elliptical; 431 calories slayed. 

"You have no idea what it's like to have done the things I've done... and care."
I feel ya, Angel. This is also how I feel looking back on my past donut consumption.
--Andi the Calorie Slayer