Angel S1-20: The Short Review

'War Zone'

Written by Garry Campbell

Directed by David Straiton

'War Zone' is an episode that has grown on me a great deal since I first saw it. Then, I enjoyed it; now, I would seriously consider rating it as one of the top five episodes of the season. It is a nice, neat, well-presented story that does its job really rather well indeed, and has a couple of great set pieces to boot.

In large part, I think, this is down to J. August Richards' Gunn. An episode such as this stands or falls on the strength of its guest star; and JAR delivers as much as you could reasonably ask for. Gunn is a loner. He's lived with the constant fighting so long that it's all he knows, and both his pride in his crew and his frustration when he fails to protect them come across very clearly. It helps, of course, that the background for the character - without wishing to be too fanboyish - is very cool indeed. There's something about a vampire-fighting street gang that feels right for this series, from their tooled-up truck to their booby-trapped hideout.

On a more basic level, it's satisfying to see a side of L.A. that has, somewhat shamefully, been neglected in the season to date. It may not be a very realistic portrayal of gang life in terms of details, but the feel of it is there, in the gang pride, and in the sense of desperation, which gives 'War Zone' the happy distinction of being the first 'Angel' episode to deal with a social issue in a reasonably convincing manner. This aspect of the episode is not, thank goodness, emphasised too strongly, which is probably why it works; however, it is there, and adds a little depth and colour to the story.

Atypically for an 'Angel' episode, there is a B-plot, albeit barely; here, it is little more than an excuse to bring Angel into contact with Gunn. This is just as well; David Nabbit is not the most appealing of characters, and it's a little disappointing that a fantasy-based show such as 'Angel' has to resort to a stereotypical sketch of the role-playing computer nerd.

I can't let the review pass without a nod to the initial gang fight scene. I'm a sucker for melee combat scenes, and this hit the spot, particularly when the truck-mounted stake launcher came into play.

All of which is not to say that the episode is perfect; it has its flaws, certainly. I have my reservations about the authenticity of some of the 'street talk' coming out of the mouths of Gunn's crew, for example (although I tell myself that the actors wouldn't say it if it were all that bad) - and why did the blackmailing heavy bring the real photos when he met Angel the second time? However, it is slick and well enough paced for me to simply be able to sit back, and enjoy the ride; and it is another step onwards and upwards for a series that has, at last, found its voice. It's no secret that Gunn returns in future episodes. Like the rest of the A-team, he's far from perfect, and he needs saving - if only from himself. He brings a streetwise experience to the team that adds an interesting new perspective; and he also brings the potential for some interesting new lines of story development. Gunn's crew could be useful allies indeed for the A-team.