Analysis #1

Angel episode:Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?
The title of this episode suggests the time in which this episode takes place, the 1950s, specifically making reference to the question posed to many witnesses testifying in the McCarthy hearings on Communism. In this episode Angel asks his investigative team to look into the history of a Hotel in Los Angeles. Angel is very cryptic in the way he asks them to do so, he did not elaborate at all as to the reasoning behind his request suggesting that there is a personal connection in this particular instance. Through out this episode there are many flashbacks that shed light on his(Angel)reasons behind his investigation. Further more the way in which he asked his team to investigate the history of this hotel was very kirt, and I got the impression that he was hiding something or that there were certain things he did not want his team to know. Perhaps he was embarrassed or felt some amount of same for something that took place. In the flashback scenes we learned that he was once a resident at this hotel and that his presents was not exactly welcome. This conclusion was drawn due to the way the bell hop was less than enthusiastic when he was asked to deliver the bill to Angel's room. I am not familiar with the premise of the television series but I surmised that he is a vampire trying to do good or right some wrongs that he had committed in the past. I felt that in the period of time Angel was living in this hotel he was very much in the midst of this personal struggle, and perhaps this was the reason behind his less than forthcoming attitude toward this particular investigation. Possibly he was embarrassed or ashamed of this period in his life.

As this episode progresses we see a glimpse into American culture in the 1950's, for example how the homosexual lifestyle was totally unacceptable. In one of the flashbacks a gay couple is seen interacting, once the realize they are being watched the quickly change their demeanor and begin to act as two heterosexual males in conversation. It seems in this episode one of the ideas the writers are trying to convey is the paranoia that had infiltrated society at this time in our countries history.

After a few untimely deaths that take place we learn that a "Demon" was feeding off, and amplifying this sentiment of paranoia. Angel had befriended a young girl who was running from something and ultimately betrayed Angel, after being betrayed the residents and employees of this hotel hang Angel from a balcony, their paranoia and fear being fed by the demon. I would assume that Angel at this time had the power to stop this demon but instead gives the residents of this hotel to him, I would imagine because of what they tried to do to him. One can assume that Angel ultimately felt ashamed of this action and this would be the reason he was less than forthcoming with his initial request to his investigation team.

Wanting to correct this wrong, and I believe having changed over time, led Angel back to this hotel to confront this demon and possibly his own demons.