Synopsis: Just as Academy and Emmy Award-nominated Joss Whedon and executive producer David Greenwalt brought the monsters of adolescence to life with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," this one-hour series explores the twists and turns of adulthood with the same irony and wit with which they viewed the high school years. "Angel" combines supernatural adventure and dark humor in this next chapter of the mythology that extends the coming-of-age parable.

A centuries-old vampire cursed with a conscience, Angel (David Boreanaz, "Valentine," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") left the small California town of Sunnydale and the only woman he ever loved to take up residence in Los Angeles, the City of Angels. Between pervasive evil and countless temptations lurking beneath the city’s glittery facade, L.A. has proven to be the ideal address for a fallen vampire looking to save a few lost souls and, in turn, perhaps redeem his own. At the close of last season, Angel learned of a prophecy that if he fulfills his destiny, he will once again become human. Yet, to claim his reward, he has to survive the coming darkness, the apocalyptic battles, a few plagues and a handful of fiends that will be unleashed upon the world.

Now in its second season, the series chronicles the well-oiled machine of Angel, fellow Sunnydale escapee and aspiring actress Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), and Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (Alexis Denisof, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), a fallen Watcher. As they take it one demon at a time, the team will be joined this season by the streetwise renegade vampire hunter Charles Gunn (J. August Richards, "The Temptations").

The group is guided to those who need their help through visions sent to Cordelia by "The Powers That Be," a mysterious and powerful force trying to make things right and guide Angel on his path to redemption. Cordelia’s visions of those in need provide very little information beyond a name or a face, so it is up to Angel to reach out to people, become involved in their lives to learn how, why and from whom they need saving. No longer can he simply hide in the shadows, Angel needs to connect with people and let them into his heart to show that there’s hope in this world — and hope for him.

Whedon and Greenwalt created the series and serve as executive producers along with Gail Berman, Fran Rubel Kuzui and Kaz Kuzui. "Angel" is a Mutant Enemy, Inc., David Greenwalt Productions and Kuzui/Sandollar production in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television. (courtesy TheWB, 2000)

The Episodes:
2-1 Judgement--09/26/2000
The well-oiled, demon-fighting machine of Angel, Cordelia and Wesley is back in full force and joined by the streetwise vampire hunter Charles Gunn. After a case of mistaken identity leads Angel to slay a demon protecting an innocent girl, karaoke is the only way to make things right. Meanwhile, Angel struggles with the discovery that he may not always be eternal and Darla recovers from her resurrection from Hell.
Written by: David Greenwalt
Story by: Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt
Directed by: Michael Lange
Guest stars: Andy Hallett as Caritas' Host; Christian Kane as Lindsey McDonald; Stephanie Romanov as Lilah Morgan; Justina Machado as Pregnant Woman; Julie Benz as Darla and Eliza Dushku as Faith.
Other info: J August Richards joins the regular cast as of this episode. First appearance of recurring character Lorne, here called The Host.

2-2 Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been--10/03/2000
Angel directs Cordelia and Wesley to investigate a mysteriously abandoned hotel in Hollywood and as they piece together the building's dark history, they discover that his interest is that of a personal nature. In a flashback to 1952, Angel is not the atoning vampire of present day, but a recluse who is detached from the tortured humans around him, until one fateful day.
Written by: Tim Minear
Directed by: David Semel
Guest stars: Melissa Marsala as Judy; Julie Araskog as Over the Hill Whore; J.P. Manoux as Bellman; John Kapelos as Hotel Manager; Tommy Hinkley as Detective; Scott Thompson Baker as Actor; Brett Rickaby as Denver and Tony Amendola as Hotel Demon.

2-3 First Impressions--10/10/2000
When Cordelia has a particularly disturbing vision of Gunn is in grave danger, she elects herself as his new protector. When she discovers that he may be his own worst enemy, she has to face the fact that she can't save him without the help of Angel and Wesley.
Written by: Shawn Ryan
Directed by: James A. Contner
Guest stars: Andy Hallett as Caritas' Host; David Herman as David Nabbit; Chris Barber as Henry; Cedrick Terrell as Jameel; Edwin Hodge as Keenan; Lucas Babin as Joey; Alan Shaw as Deevak; Angel Parker as Veronica; Ray Campbell as Desmond; Chris Babers as Gunn's Acquaintance and Julie Benz as Darla.