First Impressions (Angel)

Infobox Television episode
Title = First Impressions
Series = Angel


Caption = {Caption|}
Season = 2
Episode = 3
Airdate = October 10, 2000
Production = 2ADH03
Writer = Shawn Ryan
Director = James Contner
Guests = Julie Benz
(Darla)
Alan Shaw
Angel Parker
Episode list = List of "Angel" episodes
Prev = Are You Now or Have You Ever Been
Next = Untouched

"First Impressions" is the third episode of season 2 in the television show "Angel". Written by Shawn Ryan and directed by James Contner, it was originally broadcast on October 10, 2000 on the WB television network.

Plot synopsis

Overview

Gunn seeks Angel's help to find a demon called Deevak, who is threatening to go after him and his people. Angel, Wes, Cordelia and Gunn go find a man who claims to know something about the demon, but then some vampires appear and they have to fight them. After defeating them, they are all unusually tired and go get some rest.

While at home, Cordelia has a vision in which Gunn is fighting for his life and decides to help him. Wesley is also unavailable, and Angel is having deep dreams induced by Darla, so she decides to go help Gunn alone. She finds him fighting another man at his place and mistakes the training for real danger with embarrassing results for Gunn, when Cordelia makes him look like he's weak. Gunn tries to get rid of her, but Angel's car, which she borrowed, is gone. Gunn agrees to help her try to find the car.

They get to a party in which they hope to find the car thief, but some more of Deevak's vampires enter looking for Gunn and accidentally hurt Veronica, a friend of Gunn's. Cordelia saves her life and they take her to the hospital, where they also find the thief, who tells Cordelia where he's taken the car. When they go to the garage to retrieve it, Deevak is waiting for them.

At the last moment, Angel and Wesley find their way there and Angel kills Deevak with the help of Cordelia. Gunn has to acknowledge that he was indeed in danger, but Cordelia tells him that it was not Deevak he was in danger of, but himself and the way he looks for extreme situations. They make up again and Gunn leaves them trying to start the car and goes home.

Upon entering the Hyperion Hotel, Angel finds Darla and an erotic scene ensues which gives the impression that Darla is much more in control of Angel than it seemed, since the thin veil between dreams and reality is quickly disappearing. Angel looks tired, as if all this was weakening him.

Expanded overview

After talking with the host at the demon bar about his future, Angel walks out and encounters Darla. The two dance and talk before they kiss passionately. Angel then awakens, shaken by the disturbing dream. While Angel sleeps late, Cordelia and Wesley clean and organize their new office. Gunn arrives at the hotel, expecting Angel to be awake and able to help him. When Angel finally wakes up, David Nabbit is there to offer financial advice in regards to Angel's investment in the hotel.

The whole gang and Gunn meet up with a man named Jameel in order to get information about a demon named Deevak. Gunn gets violent when Jameel won't talk, but the interruption of a pack of vampires prevents Gunn from getting answers. After dusting the three vampires with quite a bit of effort, everyone complains about their injuries. After dropping Angel off at the hotel and returning home, Cordelia gets a vision of Gunn in danger. When Wesley and Angel both aren't available to help, Cordelia takes it upon herself to save Gunn. Angel enjoys happy dreams of being with Darla until Wesley arrives and interrupts.

Cordelia mistakenly attacks one of Gunn's friends, Joey, when she thinks that Joey is attacking Gunn. Gunn walks Cordelia to the car, but it turns out that Angel's car has been stolen. Without a car, Angel is forced to ride on Wesley's motorcycle, wearing a pink helmet in order to help save Gunn. With Cordelia at his side, Gunn tracks down the Desmond, who stole Angel's car. Before he can get information on the car's whereabouts, a huge pack of vampires attack the party. Gunn fends off most of them, but one of Gunn's close friends, Veronica, is cut badly by a piece of broken glass. Gunn reacts badly to the fact that Veronica nearly died, especially because he can't forget his sister's death.

Angel and Wesley arrive in time to witness the aftermath of the party, but find the location of Deevak through one of the surviving vampires at the party. After finally finding Angel's car, Gunn also finds Deevak. Holding Gunn by the throat and Cordelia by the arm, Deevak turns into Jameel. After Cordelia sprays Jameel with mace, he lets go of Cordelia and Gunn long enough to revert back to his ugly, demonic form. Angel and Wesley arrive to help and Angel finally kills Deevak with an ax.

Cordelia warns Gunn that "he", not Deevak, was the danger she saw in her vision - he is putting himself in danger recklessly. She intends to help prevent him from destroying himself. Angel dreams that he returns to the hotel and Darla is there to comfort him. As he sleeps and dreams of his romantic encounters with his sire, Darla climbs over Angel in bed and kisses him.

Acting

Main Cast

*David Boreanaz as Angel
*Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase
*Alexis Denisof as Wesley Wyndam-Pryce
*J. August Richards as Charles Gunn

Guest Stars

*David Herman as David Nabbit
*Andy Hallett as The Host
*Chris Babers as Gunn's Acquaintance
*Cedrick Terrell as Henry
*Julie Benz as Darla

Co-stars

*Edwin Hodge as Keenan
*Lucas Babin as Joey
*Alan Shaw as Deevak
*Angel Parker as Veronica
*Ray Campbell as Desmond
*Sarah Brooke as Nurse
*Janet Song as Dr. Thomas
*Kelli Kirkland as Young Black Woman

Writing

Arc significance

Gunn forms his first attachment to a member of Angel's gang, aside from Angel. Cordelia is able to earn his respect and friendship. This bond (and the bond formed later with Wesley) are an important factor later in the season when Angel fires the entire staff.

In recent episodes, Angel has been having vivid erotic dreams about Darla. In this episode we find that she has not only been causing the dreams, but she has been physically present in Angel's bedroom.

Cultural references

When Cordelia makes a reference to "Reservoir Dogs" and "L.A. Confidential", Gunn replies that he hasn't seen a movie since Denzel was robbed of the Oscar for " Malcolm X". It is interesting to note that "Reservoir Dogs" was released before "Malcolm X" (and subsequently before the following Oscars in which it was nominated), so Gunn could have in fact seen it in the movie theater.

Production details

Music

*"Get Here If You Can" - Oleta Adams
*"Ride With Us" - Kurrupt
*"You Can Reach Me" - Anita Baker

Translations

* German title: "Die Stunde des Deevak" ("The hour of the Deevak")
* Italian title: "Deevak"
* Spanish title: "Primeras impresiones" ("First impressions")

Timing

*Stories that take place around the same time in the Buffyverse:

External links

*
* Soulful Spike Society's [http://www.soulfulspike.com/angelphile/angelphile-first.htm "First Impressions"]

ee also