Angel S01E10 Parting Gifts

“Parting Gifts,” the tenth episode of season one, gets the feels train going as it deals with grief, the birth of new powers, and the entrance of an endearingly clumsy ‘demon hunter’ (ahem, Wesley). Buckle up, my dear friends; it’s going to be a ride!

First, let’s have a moment of silence for Doyle. He’s gone, and you know what? It’s good that he stays that way. It might sound harsh, but his departure has meaning, depth, and it gives way to the new direction the show needed to take. We loved him, and we miss him, but reviving him would just cheapen the emotional resonance.

So, how does one cope with the loss of a dear friend? Cordelia, our queen of sass, tries to put on a brave face. She pretends everything is hunky-dory, but that facade shatters during her commercial audition, and oh boy, the feels hit hard. We've all been there, right? Trying to keep busy so that we don't have to face the pain. But eventually, grief catches up.

And BAM! Cordelia has a vision.

I can’t emphasize enough how monumental this is for her character. Our Cordy, who sometimes lacked the empathy gene, now has to witness the pain and suffering of others through her visions. This has CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT written all over it, in big, bold letters. The possibilities are endless, and honestly, I'm here for all of it.

But wait, there's more! Enter Wesley, the most adorably awkward ‘demon hunter’ you’ll ever come across. I mean, who else misses and adores this guy’s comedic timing? Doyle’s shoes are big ones to fill, and Wesley is, well, no Doyle. But that’s the beauty of it. He brings his own brand of charm and quirkiness. And oh, the leather look – let’s just say, he’s still finding his style.

Speaking of which, Wesley’s introduction is sheer brilliance. He’s lost, wandering, and kind of sad. And the dynamic he brings to the table is refreshingly different. He’s not the same Wesley from the Buffy days, but he’s not exactly the confident demon hunter he tries to portray. We’re all secretly rooting for him to find his place among the team, aren’t we?

And while the team is busy finding its footing, the show throws a curveball with Barney. Initially introduced as a victim, Barney turns out to be a manipulative empath, which brings an interesting parallel to Cordelia’s character development.

He represents what Cordelia could become if she uses her new-found powers responsibly. His genuine empathic abilities are overshadowed by his deceit, and Cordelia learns an invaluable lesson through him.

And let's take a moment to appreciate the genius that is Cordelia during the auction scene. She literally makes the bidders fight over her! And who should make an appearance but Wolfram & Hart. Those guys are like that uninvited guest who keeps showing up at parties. Should we keep an eye on them? Maybe.

Cordelia killing her first demon is like watching a fledgling bird take flight. It’s beautiful.

The episode closes on a sweet note. The group is wounded, but life goes on. Wesley, no longer wanting to wander alone, hesitantly hopes for an invitation to stay. Angel, though skeptical, welcomes him. It’s a lovely, quiet moment as the characters find solace in each other.

In a nutshell, “Parting Gifts” is a whirlwind of emotions that sets the stage for what’s to come. It’s an episode about acceptance, growth, and moving forward despite the pain. The show may have lost Doyle, but it gained depth, complexity, and the adorably awkward Wesley. And, most importantly, Cordelia’s gift, a legacy from Doyle, promises a journey of redemption and growth.

Here’s to the future, which looks just as unpredictable as Cordelia’s visions.