Angel 1.16: "The Ring"

Written by Howard Gordon
Directed by Nick Marck

In which Angel is taken captive by human brothers who run an illegal demon bloodsport ring, where he tries to foment a revolt while Wesley and Cordy work to rescue him…


Status Report

If there’s a list of staple plot devices for genre television shows, the “illegal bloodsport story” ranks fairly high. This is especially true when the writers are looking for someone to play Spartacus within some engineered gladiator game. The success of such an episode is typically dependent on the level of subtext. Even when the story works well, there’s a feeling that the writers didn’t try so hard. Even shows like “Babylon 5”, hailed for their multi-layered storytelling, fail to make such episodes viable.

In this case, the issue is one of an illegal fighting ring, where demons are forced to fight to the death for the pleasure of the upscale crowd. This is interesting on a few levels. Consider that this means that some of the biggest movers and shakers in the Los Angeles area are aware of the existence of demons and willing to use them to their own advantage. Wolfram and Hart is ostensibly the legal representative firm for the majority (if not all) of the clients.

This being a Howard Gordon episode, the concern is whether or not there’s a strong enough execution of the concept. Gordon is, typically, a good idea man with a spotty track record in terms of implementing those ideas. This one wasn’t even his idea to begin with, so it would have taken a lot of effort and depth to overcome the familiar and well-trodden plot threads. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

The whole set-up is just a little too obvious. Darin is obviously setting Angel up for some kind of fall. The real question is why Angel was targeted by the Macnamaras. It might have been interesting if Wolfram and Hart had decided that Angel might be an issue, and decided that the ring was a good place to either corrupt or eliminate a potential enemy. Unfortunately, the script wasn’t even that complicated.

One aspect that works well (at least from a comedic perspective) is the website: “Demons, Demons, Demons”. That’s just simple enough to be inspired. The idea of a web-based demon bestiary is damned funny, and it probably inspired a lot of fans to check the web to see if there was a mocked-up webpage!

As one would expect, once Angel is in the clutches of the evil Macnamaras, a couple of clichés are trotted out: the brutal champion (Val Trepkos), the bully (Cribb), and the meek victim (Malish). Angel quickly defends the victim against the bully, as every would-be Spartacus must. The victim gets angry at Angel for fighting his battles, even though it’s obvious that he can’t fight his own. When the victim is matched against the champion, of course, even the bully has a measure of sympathy.

This episode at least continues the evolution of Wesley as a character. He’s still occasionally bumbling in his choices, but he’s developing an edge. He does a great job with the bookie, for instance, employing some down and dirty methods to get the information he needs. It’s a welcome change, especially since it presages his more casual violent side in the later seasons.

Angel’s decision not to fight his opponent is a convenient way for the writers to toss out the rules of the game. It also gives Wesley and Cordy some time to arrive on the scene and demonstrate how well they are beginning to gel. It’s not so much the bickering of a married couple as the sparring between siblings. Angel makes for an interesting father figure, but in essence, that’s the role he’s taken. That said, one has to wonder how Wesley knows about the ongoing demon pit fights when they were a complete surprise to Angel; exposition, it seems, can be a cruel mistress!

If there is one scene that actually breaks away from the conventional, it’s the scene where Angel takes Jack hostage. Angel is shocked to discover that the demons aren’t willing to fight for their freedom. The suggestion is that they are willing to kill to be free, and that the “live and let live” alternative doesn’t hold much weight. Equally surprising is Darin’s decision to kill Jack rather than let the demons go. The Macnamaras were already on the same level as the demons they enslave, but in that moment, Darin sets himself apart.

This represents the first real attempt by Wolfram and Hart to subvert Angel’s crusade to their own devices. Taken in retrospect with the fifth season and its explanation for the goals of the firm, this makes perfect sense. If Angel were to agree to the arrangement, then he would effectively be allowing the apocalypse to continue unabated. This is why it would have made more sense for Lilah to be the one behind Angel’s capture from the beginning, rather than someone taking advantage after the fact.

There is, however, a completely predictable result: Angel is scheduled to fight the champion (as he surely must), and of course, it’s the champion’s last fight towards earning his freedom. Thus it boils down to what one would expect: will Angel be able to convince the champion to risk his life for others, or will the champion stick to what he knows? The answer is not exactly original, since it always turns out that the champion initially sticks with the rules, until something happens to convince him (during the fight, of course) to change his mind.

Equally predictable is Angel’s apparent victory, wiped away when he refuses to kill Trepkos, unwilling to give in to the demands of the game. Trepkos, of course, regains the advantage, only to find himself unwilling to deliver the killing blow when his victory is assured. Just at that moment, Wesley and Cordy’s lock-pick triggers a mass revolt. Darin is dealt justice through his own method of discipline, and the crisis is over. There’s even time for a moment of comic reflection, but by then, the audience is wondering whether it was worth it.


Memorable Quotes

WESLEY: “For your information, I lead a rich and varied social life.”
CORDY: “Oh, I know…every night it’s ‘Jeopardy’ followed by ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and a cup of hot cocoa. Look out, girls, this one can’t be tamed!”
WESLEY: “I’ll admit it may not be as intoxicating as a life erected on high fashion pumps and a push-up bra!”

ANGEL: “Come on, Darin! We both know there’s only one way to let this play out. So let’s just get it done. He’s your brother.”
DARIN: “Now he’s my dead brother.”


Final Analysis

Overall, this episode was a far cry from the quality of the previous installment. Beyond introducing Lilah Morgan, this episode has little meaning in the scheme of things. Howard Gordon delivers a predictable and tired script with very few surprises. There’s some nice growth in the relationship with Wesley and Cordy, but it’s too little of what the episode needed.

Writing: 1/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 1/2
Style: 0/4

Final Rating: 4/10