Synopsis
In the premiere episode of this spin-off from
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy's ex-boyfriend, Angel (
David Boreanaz), the vampire with a soul, relocates to Los Angeles and finds a new purpose in life. Shortly after the events of
Buffy's "Graduation Day, Part Two," Angel prowls the clubs of Los Angeles to kill vampires, let off steam, and drown his sorrows. He soon meets Doyle (
Glenn Quinn), a half-human, half-demon representative of The Powers That Be. Doyle informs Angel that he must become a helper of the helpless, using the visions that the Powers send to Doyle as his guide. Angel's first assignment is to help Tina (Tracey Middendorf), a would-be actress who is being harassed by rich vampire Russell Winters (Vyto Ruginis). In the course of trying to do so, Angel bumps into Cordelia Chase (
Charisma Carpenter), another recent Sunnydale transplant, would-be actress, and target of Russell's bloodlust. After Angel saves Cordelia from the fiend, she decides to become Angel's assistant and set up Angel Investigations, a paranormal private-eye business, as a front for their activities. "
City of" originally aired on the WB network on October 5, 1999. To introduce non-
Buffy watchers to their main character and his backstory, series creators
Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt used flashback clips from the earlier show to illustrate a scene in which Doyle plays "This is Your Life" with his new partner. In addition to introducing Doyle and The Powers That Be, "
City of" marks the first appearance of Wolfram & Hart, the demonic law firm that would become a recurring nemesis for the title character. Although he's never named in this episode, attorney Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane) also appears. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide