Hero

Season 1, Episode 9, Aired

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9.3
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Superb
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Doyle must overcome his fears when the gang tries to protect a group of half-human demons from a vicious group of racist demons. The Scourge are a Nazi-esque organization of "pure-blood" demons who are bent on destroying all half-bloods. Including Doyle and Angel.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (46)

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  • Weak ep rescued by the finale

    7.0
    "Good"
    By joxerlives, Jan 05, 2012
    Hero
    The Good;
    Actually I rated this ep pretty weak until the last 5 minutes when it then became spectacular. Cordy's advertisement idea and the one she films with Doyle are hilarious but ultimately incredibly poignant. Good scene too when the kid tells Doyle his Halloween story.
    The Bad;
    I didn't really dig the demons in peril storyline and I thought the Naiz allegory with The Scourge was a bit thick (nowadays they'd be the Taliban). Also they seem to accept Angel into their ranks a little too easily. Even their vehicles look Nazi-like and DB's hair looks very 1940s.
    Best line:
    Doyle; Is that it? Am I done?

    Jeez, how did they get away with that?
    Doyle's melting face
    Apocalypses: 4
    Angel Cliches (Cordy's ad is one big Angel cliche)
    Damsel in distress; nope, 2.
    Inverting the Hollywood cliche;
    The sidekick sacrifices himself to save the day rather than the hero
    In disguise; 3 as a Nazi/scourge
    DB get's his shirt off; 3
    Cordy's tatto;2
    Cheap Angel; 2. Exactly what do all these people owe Angel money for?
    Fang Gang in bondage:
    Cordy: 5
    Angel: 4
    Wes: 1

    Fang gang knocked out:
    Cordy: 8
    Angel: 7
    Wes: 1
    Doyle; 1

    Kills:
    Cordy: none this ep. 3 vamps, a demon from her time in Sunnydale
    Angel: 2 Scourge for Angel. So that gives Angel 8 vamps, 6 demons, 2 humans.
    Doyle; 1 vamp

    Fang Gang go evil:
    Cordy: 1
    Angel: 1

    Alternate Fang Gang:
    Cordy: 2
    Angel: 5

    Characters killed: the treacherous first mate so we won't count him
    14
    Recurring characters killed;
    1; Goodbye Doyle

    Total number of Angel Investigations:
    2, Angel and Cordy

    Angel Investigations shot:
    Angel: 5,
    Packing heat;
    Doyle; 1

    Notches on Fang Gang bedpost:
    Cordy: 1?
    Angel: 1;Buffy

    Kinky dinky:
    The wonderfully named Big Randy.
    Captain Subtext;
    Doyle imagines Angel in tights.
    Know the face, different character; 2
    Parking garages;
    2
    Guantanamo Bay;
    Buffy characters appearing in Angel; (unless someone can correct me no original Angel character ever appears on Buffy?)
    5; Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy
    Questions and observations;
    So goodbye Doyle, we hardly knew you. A good ending for the character but all the more sad by Glenn Quinn's death shortly afterwards. Cordy refers to 'one of the cheaper Baldwins' in her description of the advert. I always thought Adam Baldwin was one but according to IMDB no he's not. Angel on a motorbike, Cordy drives a truck, is there no end to her talents? Once again we see demons who are slowly being won over to humanity. The Scourge are trying to stop this but are unwittingly aping human's themselves.
    Marks out of 10; 7/10, a weak ep rescued by it's awesome finale
    moreless

  • The saddest angel ep ever.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By riotgirl8268, Sep 08, 2011
    This is the saddest episode of angel ever. It is the ep in which Doyle sacrifices himself to save the life of millions of other half demons. i dont know why they would even entertain the idea of killing of such a good character. but maybe it was nessacary. a sad episode indeed.

  • Its the saddest episode ever, I freaked out the first time I saw it.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Otakurelix, Sep 08, 2011
    This is one of those episodes that made me FEEL. I put emphasis on that because it needed it. This is the saddest episode of any show I've ever seen.

    First, the bad things about this episode. Umm....OH YEAH! My favorite character died. He may have died a noble death but death nonetheless and it made me sad.

    Now, the good stuff. The villians in this episode were really creative. They were like demon nazis out to kill anything that has human blood in them, "The Scourge". Ha, clever name. I like how they touched back into Doyle's past. I'm glad that Doyle and Cordy finally began to develop their. I'm just sorry it was too late, Doyle sacrifices his life to save a pack of half breeds.

    Sorry for such a short review its just that I really can't say anything about this episode except that it was an extremely sad one.moreless

  • 'Come on over to our offices, and you'll see that there's still heroes in this world. Is that it, am I done?'

    10
    "Perfect"
    By SleepTight, Sep 08, 2011
    Why oh why kill the most interesting, wonderful and lovable character of the show? Its just not right. Did they really hate the fans this much?

    'Hero' might be one of the prettiest and most depressing episodes ever to be made.
    It begins with Cordy's idea for a commercial, the 'Dark Avenger', meaning Angel saving a pretty woman (herself) from a robber.
    Angel doesn't really want to make a commercial like that and completely ignores her, then she takes the next best thing which is Doyle.
    But Doyle isn't very good at it and read rates as rats. Cordy gives him the weasel factor but takes it back, she's just upset about Angel ignoring their calls.
    Doyle tries to talk to Angel who then tells him about what really happened with Buffy and that he was a human. Doyle thinks it's hard to believe because he wouldn't have done something like that, he doesn't see himself as a hero/. But Angel tells him that he never knows until he's tested.

    I really adored Doyle and Cordy and wish that they would have had more time together. Doyle tells Cordy about Angel and his other wordly experience and just wen he's about to tell Cordy his demon secret he gets a vision about a repressed demon tribe.
    Angel and Doyle go to the place in Doyle's vision and they find those people. They tell about the promised one who they think is Angel and about the Scourge.

    The Scourge are pure blooded demons who want to exterminate all the half breeds who in this episode represent the Jews and the Scourge represent those evil Nazi's. We also get a flashback from Doyle when he found out he was a demon and that another asked for his help but Doyle didn't want to help and when he got the vision he found their dead bodies so it was already to late.

    Meanwhile one of the demons doesn't want to stay because he doesn't believe in a promised one. It's a boy demon called Riff, Doyle tries to stop him and is eventually able to bring him back but then it's to late because those army demons are right behind them. Doyle tries to distract them and Angel grabs him and has a plan. He acts as if he hates half breeds and breaks his neck infront of those Nazi ones and joins them,. The boss of them has a plan how to kill them all, with some light thing which will annihilate the.

    Meanwhile on a ship that will take the demons, Doyle gets back with Riff. Cordy now knows that Doyle is a demon and slaps him and then asks him to ask her out on a date but when he wants to Angel arrives with those demons following him. Then the scourge come on the ship and they put that light thing. Angel breaks the bosses neck but then realise that the only way to stop it is for him to jump even if that will kill him. Cordy and Doyle don't want him to and then Doyle realised what has to do and hits Angel of stage, then kisses Cordy and something blue goes from his mouth into hers 'I guess we'll never know, if this is a face you can learn to love' and then jumps.

    The most beautiful and heartbreaking part of the episode was the tape at the end that Cordy filmed. She and Angel watch it because it's the only thing they still have of him and at the end of it Doyle says 'Is that it? Am I done'?
    Which is heartbreaking and probably the saddest line I've ever heard.

    R.I.P. Allen Francis Doyle.
    R.I.P. Glenn Quinn


    moreless

  • One best episodes ever, and one of the biggest tear-jerkers as well.

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By bethyjo1, Sep 08, 2011
    Based loosely on the persecution of the Jews, we finally find out about Doyle's past and a lot of secrets are put into the open. Cordelia and Doyle have a few romantic bits (alright, one) and there is some great dialogue and music.
    So the story goes, Doyle has a vision of some part-human demon refugees who are on the run from 'The Scourge', a race of pureblood (though in Buffy, Anya's description of purebloods doesn't match up) demons who want all the halfbreeds dead. So the gang take up the case and try to spirit them away on 'a cruise', but The Scourge find out.
    With certainly the most memorable Angel ending ever, this episode is painful, tearful, and downright brilliant. Emotional subplots between Doyle and Cordy are played up, Angel FINALLY doesn't get all the glory of saving the world, and there is a great line about Angel putting on tights. One of my favourite eps, if you're not crying at the heartbreaking finale, there is something most definately wrong with you.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (5)

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    • When Rieff finds Doyle on the floor, Doyle's ring is more clearly visible than usual. It appears to be a claddagh; a traditional Irish ring which Angel wears as well.

    • Doyle's movements, particularly his arms, don't match between the original shooting of their ad at the beginning of the show, and when Angel and Cordelia are watching it again at the end. It was obviously supposed to be the same take, otherwise Doyle wouldn't have tripped over their "low rats" both times.

    • The Scourge are referred to as pure demons, but in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Graduation Day, Part 1" Anya said that all demons on the earth are either tainted (as in not pure-blooded demons) or human hybrids. She also said that pure demons are bigger, such as what the Mayor became after he ascended. The Scourge are not the size of Olvikan, and have humanoid qualities, making them not pure demons in the sense Anya described them. However, it can be assumed the "pure-breeds" are the most pure demons that are still walking the earth; the real demons (Ancients), like what the Mayor ascended into, have either gone to other dimensions or are dead inside the Deeper Well, as seen in the episode "A Hole in the World" (5x15).

    • There seems to be a few scenes missing after Doyle's death. Like, for example, what happened to the rest of the Scourge? Last we saw they were outside the cargo hold; Angel only killed the boss, but Doyle previously said that killing members of the Scourge won't disuade them. Did they all just go home?

    • In the Lister abode, when Cordy and Doyle are talking their lips and the dialogue are badly out of synch.

  • QUOTES (21)

    ADD QUOTES

    • Angel: I feel something coming, Doyle. I don't know what, but I know we're a part of it. Doyle: Well, if it's a fight they want... can't someone else give it to them?

    • Demon: I can't thank you and your friends enough. I'm sure Rieff is in safe hands. Cordelia: Doyle will get him here. Demon: Yea, he is a good one. He understands our suffering. Cordelia: We both do. Demon: I apologize. I didn't mean to say that you didn't. It's just more familiar to Doyle. He has to live with a certain amount of persecution. You always do when you're half demon. Cordelia: Demon?

    • Cordelia: Angel started the day over knowing he'd remember everything that happened? Doyle: It's pretty amazing, huh? Cordelia: Amazing he didn't check the stock quotes or the lotto numbers.

    • Doyle: You had the one thing you've wanted in your unnaturally long life, and you gave it back? Angel: Maybe I was wrong. Doyle: Or maybe Cordelia was right about you being the real deal in the hero department. See, I would have chosen the pleasures of the flesh over duty and honor any day of the week. I just don't have that strength. Angel: You never know your strength until you're tested.

    • Doyle: (to Angel)There's a girl upstairs who's not quite sad enough to cry in me arms, but keep up the dark cloud. I might get lucky.

    • Cordelia: Our boss is in a funk. You know that he's only happy when he's fighting evil. Let's drum some up! Doyle: I don't know what we need evil for when we've got you right here. Cordelia: I heard that.

    • Cordelia: (to Doyle) Come over here into the light, and let's see if we can create some cheekbones.

    • Cordelia: I know a little something about self-promotion, and I'm telling you, one commercial like this could help get us out of the red... or the black... or whichever one means we're broke. 'Cuz that's us!

    • Cordelia: Buffy blows into town and puts you into a permanent funk. And I'm just supposed to stand by and watch our business go belly-up?

    • Cordelia: I feel kind of hopeless with (Angel) down there doing the nonprofit brooding. It's not like he has a heart. How can it be broken?

    • Doyle: You never know until you've been tested. I get that now.

    • Doyle: If you need help, then look no further. "Angel Investigations" is the best. Our rats are low. Cordelia: Rates! Doyle: It says rats. Sorry. Our rates are low, but our standards are high. When the chips are down and you're at the end of your rope, you need someone that you can count on. And that's what you'll find here. Someone who'll go all the way, who'll protect you no matter what. So don't lose hope. Come on over to our offices, and you'll see that there's still heroes in this world. (pause) Is that it, am I done?

    • Tiernan: You lied to us, half-breed! Angel: You catch on quick, football head. Tiernan: Soon only the pure will be left standing. Angel: Actually, pure boy, you'll be on your ass! (Angel breaks Tiernan's neck)

    • Angel: It's all the same thing. Fight the good fight whichever way you can. Doyle: Tell you what - you fight and I'll keep score.

    • Doyle: (to Cordelia) Too bad we'll never know (changes to his demon face) if this is a face you could learn to love.

    • (about Angel) Cordelia: Maybe if we get him a costume? Doyle: A costume? Cordelia: Well, the guy's a bonafide hero. Would it kill him to put on some tights and a cape and garner us a little free publicity? Doyle: I don't see Angel pulling on tights and... Oh, now I do and it's really disturbing.

    • Cordelia: Why didn't you tell me that you were half demon? I thought we agreed that secrets are bad! Doyle: I wanted to tell you. I was afraid. I thought if I did, you'd reject me. Cordelia: I've rejected you way before now! So, you're half demon. Big Whoop! I can't believe you'd think I'd care about that. I mean, I work for a vampire! Hello? Doyle: It's true. I just... Cordelia: What do you think I am, superficial? - So you're half demon. That's so far down the list, way under 'short' and 'poor'!

    • Doyle: (To Cordelia about Angel Investigations) I'm sure people will start barging in once they hear about our low rats.

    • Doyle: (To Angel) Okay, one of us is drinking and I'm sad to say it isn't me.

    • Angel: Well, the Oracles said something bad is coming. Soldiers of Darkness ushering in the end of days kind of bad. Doyle: So much for the security of long-term savings bonds, huh?

    • Cordelia: Okay, we fade up on an aerial shot -- downtown, skyscrapers, lights, yadda yadda yadda. We hear a narrator -- preferably famous, maybe that bald Star Trek guy or one of the cheaper Baldwin brothers -- and he says, "It's a big, bad city out there." Cut to a woman walking down a dark, spooky street -- alone. We'll cast some beautiful, young actress -- maybe an up-and-coming starlet whose career is on the verge of taking off. Anyway, she's all nervous, right? Mucho vulnerable. The voice guy says, "Danger lurks around every corner." She's attacked by big, ugly goon -- with a knife! She screams, "Help! Is there no one to help me?" "Well, now there's someone who'll answer your call. He'll protect you. Catch you when you fall. You can count on it." Angel: "And you can count on me. Because I'm the Dark Avenger." (Angel in the office) Angel: I'm the what?

  • NOTES (5)

    ADD NOTES

    • The opening scene of this episode (Cordelia's commerical) is actually from David Fury's unused script "Corrupt" (originally written as the second episode of the series). The script reads the same word-for-word as this scene does in this episode.

    • Actor Glenn Quinn passed away almost exactly three years after this episode aired.

    • The Scourge are virtually identical to the demon guards that appear in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Anne" (3x01).

    • This is the last regular episode featuring Doyle.

    • Doyle's death was planned early on in the development in the series and Glenn Quinn was fully aware of this when he signed on. He left on good terms contrary to some popular myths.

  • ALLUSIONS (6)

    ADD ALLUSIONS

    • Cordelia: I'm guessing not Carnival. Carnival is a popular line of vacation cruise ships known as the "fun ship".

    • Scourge Their cause is very similar to that of the Nazis who wanted to kill off all who were different and "impure" just as the Scourge want to kill all half breeds and all full humans. Even the Scourge's uniforms are reminiscent of the Nazi "SS" uniforms.

    • Cordelia: He's a larger than life character, way too Braveheart for Joe Couch Potato to relate to. Braveheart was a movie starring and directed by Mel Gibson. It was about the legendary Scottish hero William Wallace who fought against the English rule of Scotland.

    • Cordelia: (As Doyle is clutching his head while having a vision) Oh, uh, I know this one! Ah, mask - mask head, ah, the man with two brains! Mask was a very popular movie starring Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz. The Man with Two Brains was a Steve Martin film.

    • Cordelia: We hear a narrator, preferably someone famous, maybe the bald Star Trek guy or one of the cheaper Baldwins. The "bald Star Trek guy" is Patrick Stewart. Stewart is a British actor who played Jean Luc Picard in the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series and movies. The Baldwins refer to a group of acting brothers who include: Alec, Daniel, Stephen, and William.

    • Angel: And you can count on me, because I'm the Dark Avenger. Probably an homage to Batman who is also known as the Dark Knight.

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