Imagine "Buffy", dropped into Los Angeles, wit and humor intact, with a shot of seedy, noir-ish attitude, and you've got a pretty good picture of "Angel: Season One", currently available on DVD. Despite being a slightly grating presence on "Buffy", the title character(David Boreanaz) makes the transition to lead role with grace, becoming far more interesting and engaging than anyone could have imagined before the spin-off. With Angel comes Cordelia(Charisma Carpenter), the other "Buffy" transplant, who comes into her own as well. While "Angel" would eventually go on to boast seven
Regulars and a challenging, deeply complex plot on an epic scale, the first season hardly hints at such a format. Only three regular characters appear in each episode, and the structure lends itself to an anthology style, with episodes largely disconnected from each other outside of character progression. It's an odd season, but a very enjoyable one, kicking off a spin-off that would eventually match "Buffy" pound for creative pound.

While the series is now enjoying its creative peak going into its fifth season, the road was a bit rocky to get there. This isn't to say that the episodes here are sub-par, only that the curtain is clearly missing in the early episodes. We see the writers trying out new ideas and sending the show in different directions right before our eyes. This includes swapping characters, beefing up villains and developing a new running back story, independent of "Buffy". "Angel" weans viewers off some of the former show by featuring a revolving door of guest stars in its early episodes, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, James Marsters and Seth Green. It's Eliza Dushku's late, two-episode appearance that steals the show, however, and showcases a side of her character, Faith, that would have been buried on a more densely packed show such as "Buffy". If only for Dushku's two stunning episodes, "Angel" is an easy buy for fans of the vampire slayer. Ultimately, "Angel: Season One" is the groundwork for the show to come, much as Buffy's first season was. The difference is that this groundwork should be missed by no one looking to get into the show.

DISC ONE: "City Of", "Lonely Hearts", "In the Dark", "I Fall to Pieces"

"City Of" introduces us to an even darker side of creator Joss Whedon's universe and throws in a new character for good measure. Upon meeting the young, Irish half-demon Doyle(the late Glenn Quinn), Angel is forced to realize his destiny. Working from Doyle's hazy visions of demonic activity, Angel sets out to help the helpless and atone for the sins that Angelus(the Mr. Hyde to his Dr. Jekyll) committed over centuries of blood and destruction. After reluctantly recruiting the suddenly poor Cordelia, he goes with her idea and opens Angel Investigations,

a detective agency specializing in the demonic underbelly of Los Angeles. "Lonely Hearts" follows in the "Buffy" tradition of metaphoric monsters as Angel Investigations chases a parasitic demon that jumps from single to single in the night time dating scene, once copulation's achieved. "In the Dark" features not one, but two "Buffy" crossovers as both Oz(Seth Green) and Spike(James Marsters) come to town, circling a mystical ring, while "I Fall to Pieces" brings the second creature of the week theme into play.

DISC TWO: "RM W/ A VU", "Sense and Sensitivity", "The Bachelor Party", "I Will Remember You"

The disc kicks off with one of the season's best episodes, as Cordelia fights off a poltergeist in her apartment and ends up with a strange new roommate. "Sense and Sensitivity" proves that the show can do comedy as well as "Buffy", while "The Bachelor Party" features one of Doyle's last hurrahs. "I Will Remember You" features Sarah Michelle Gellar's first guest spot as Buffy, and tells a beautiful, heartbreaking story even the biggest critics of the Buffy/Angel relationship will get swept up in.

DISC THREE: "Hero", "Parting Gifts", "Somnambulist"

Doyle is ancient history by the end of "Hero", but leaves some "Parting Gifts" to Cordelia that come in handy. Here, a chain of events is actually set in place that brings about every major plot point in the show to come, and climaxes in the apocalyptic fourth season. If you have any intention of watching seasons Two through Four, you really have to start here to understand a lick of what's going on. Ex-Watcher Wesley(Alexis Denisof), another "Buffy" cast-off, fills Doyle's void as he arrives, officially joining the A.I. team in "Somnambulist".

DISC FOUR: "Expecting", "She", "I've Got You Under My Skin", "The Prodigal"

The season hits a snag with the gross, generic sci-fi offerings "Expecting" and "She", but returns to fine form with the creepy, exorcism themed "I've Got You Under My Skin". "The Prodigal" advances the storyline between Angel and Detective Kate Lockley(Elizabeth Rohm of "Law and Order") while providing a glimpse into Angel's human past.

DISC FIVE: "The Ring", "Eternity", "5 x 5", "Sanctuary"

"The Ring" introduces hottie temptress Lilah Morgan(Stephanie Romanov), a future series staple before delving into a mediocre UFC-style plot. The rest of the disc kicks into high gear and leaves no room for breathing however, as Angelus, Faith and Buffy are all tossed into the mix, in each respective episode. Saying much more would ruin the ride.

DISC SIX: "War Zone", "Blind Date", "To Shanshu in L.A."

Future regular Charles Gunn(J. August Richards) makes his first appearance in "War Zone", aiding Angel in an urban gang war against a clan of particularly nasty vamps. "Blind Date" explores the evil law firm Wofram and Hart in greater detail, while Angel's final destiny is revealed in the excellent "Shanshu" finale,

which effectively sets up the rest of the show from here on out.

While not every episode is golden, "Angel: Season One" is a great collection for anyone to own. It stands largely on its own, apart from both "Buffy" and future seasons as an odd but immensely entertaining transitional period. The real story starts in Season Two, but the fun starts here. New fans should have an easy time jumping on and be entertained enough to keep on going.

Show Score: A-

The DVD set includes a handful of insightful extras, ranging from creature sketches to costuming and set design. A Season One overview is also helpful in putting everything into perspective. The picture and sound are great if not perfect, and the packaging is attractive, if not particularly exciting.

DVD Score: B

The final product is worth buying for any fan of horror, fantasy, sci-fi or film noir. "Angel", just like "Buffy" before it, effortlessly mixes all these genres into one brilliant, tongue-in cheek package. Other genre shows like "Dark Angel", "Smallville" and "Stargate" only wish they had the character depth and raw storytelling finesse that's present here. A great buy for any fan of the shows listed who doesn't believe me.

Final Grade: B+