Angel
"The Ring"

Airdate: February 29, 2000

Everybody wants a piece of Angel: Vamp P.I.

While investigating a bogus kidnapping, Angel is captured by an organization that exploits demons by pitting them against one another for the entertainment of wealthy Los Angelinos looking for some gambling action that doesn't require a trip to Las Vegas. Cordelia and Wesley do a little investigating of their own and try to come up with a way to free their boss and friend. In the meantime, Angel desperately tries to overcome the slave mentality that all of the other demons seem to have adopted.

I have to applaud writer Howard Gordon. This episode wasn't as cheesy as I expected from the previews. That's not to say it was perfect. I'm afraid I didn't quite buy Angel's Spartacus act in the gladiator's... er... I mean slave's quarters, but probably because not enough time was devoted to his attempts at changing the way the other prisoners thought. As the song goes, "Free your mind and the rest will follow." Not that the final fight scene wasn't pretty damn cool, but ultimately it left Boreanaz's Angel with the short end of the stick this episode. No pun intended.

Much more interesting this week was -- may our web designer forgive me -- Wesley. Not only does the prissy Englishman prove that he's not completely worthless, but displays a pair of brass plated cojones as well. Confirming that age old adage of "In the right situation, anyone can be a hero", Wesley, without a slayer, a witch, a vampire -- or anyone else for that matter -- to back him up, exhibits nothing short of foolhardy courage when taking on that room full of bookie thugs. It seems that for a friend, he can be the right man for the job.

This picture isn't from "The Ring", but look... he's got his shirt off.

Even Cordelia seemed to have regained some of that dimension she'd lost in previous episodes. Her comments, while still barbed, were less self-centered. She even proved herself in possession of talents valuable to the team. Okay, so her talents are the ability to lie and steal really well. In the private investigator business those are two really important gifts!

I was particularly heartened to see old Wolfram and Hart back in action. The deal the beautiful associate tried to strike with Angel made his whole abduction reek of their involvement and of course we knew he'd never agree, but it was nice to see them at least try. Hopefully we'll see them butt heads again soon.

While not a perfect episode, "The Ring" did set up a nice foundation for future episodes that focus more on the ensemble rather than just on Boreanaz. Although any mention of gambling still makes me think of Doyle and his ponies, if they keep this up I may no longer consider watching Angel such a chore.

That is, until the intergalactic princess shows up again.

-- Linda M. Najera

Angel airs Tuesdays at 9pm EST on the WB.

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