Angel
Season 4
Region 1 Season 4 DVD cover
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes22
Release
Original networkThe WB
Original releaseOctober 6, 2002 (2002-10-06) –
May 7, 2003 (2003-05-07)
Season chronology

The fourth season of the television series Angel, the spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, premiered on October 6, 2002, on The WB and concluded its 22-episode season on May 7, 2003. The season aired in a new timeslot, Sundays at 9:00 pm ET, and then relocated to Wednesdays at 9:00 pm ET, beginning with "Habeas Corpses".

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

Guest cast

Crew

Series creator Joss Whedon remained as the sole executive producer of the show after David Greenwalt left at the end of season three to produce the ABC series Miracles after his contract with 20th Century Fox was up. He stayed on as a consulting producer for the remainder of the series. At the start of the season, David Simkins was made showrunner and executive producer, but after three months, he left the show due to "creative differences" and is not credited in any episodes. Jeffrey Bell was promoted to co-executive producer and assumed the role of showrunner for the season. Tim Minear also left the series to run Whedon's new series Firefly but, like Greenwalt, stayed on as a consulting producer, and wrote and directed the season finale "Home". Whedon would write and direct only one episode of the season, "Spin the Bottle", because of his commitments to the first season of Firefly and the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Steven S. DeKnight, who had written for Buffy during seasons five and six, moved over to Angel where he stayed for the remainder of the show's run. He wrote or co-wrote six episodes of the season, including the season premiere and also directed his debut episode; "Inside Out". Buffy writer-producer David Fury joined as a consulting producer (taking over Marti Noxon's role) and ended up writing four episodes. Mere Smith was promoted to executive story editor and wrote or co-wrote four episodes. Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain joined the show as staff writers and wrote or co-wrote five episodes. Firefly writer Ben Edlund was hired as a producer towards the end of the season, following the cancellation of Firefly.[1]

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
671"Deep Down"Terrence O'HaraSteven S. DeKnightOctober 6, 2002 (2002-10-06)4ADH014.57[2]
Angel is trapped on the ocean floor and Cordelia is stuck on a mystical plane. Wesley searches independently for them as well as Fred and Gunn.
682"Ground State"Michael GrossmanMere SmithOctober 13, 2002 (2002-10-13)4ADH024.21[3]
Angel, Fred and Gunn break into an auction house to get an object that may locate Cordelia, but a cat burglar named Gwen, who possesses the power to control electricity, targets the same relic.
693"The House Always Wins"Marita GrabiakDavid FuryOctober 20, 2002 (2002-10-20)4ADH035.06[4]
Angel decides to take Gunn and Fred on a road trip to Vegas to visit Lorne, who is being blackmailed to help a manager steal people's destinies.
704"Slouching Toward Bethlehem"Skip SchoolnikJeffrey BellOctober 27, 2002 (2002-10-27)4ADH044.13[5]
Cordelia returns but has no memory of who she is. Connor saves her from a demon and she decides to stay with him.
715"Supersymmetry"Bill L. NortonElizabeth Craft & Sarah FainNovember 3, 2002 (2002-11-03)4ADH053.64[6]
Fred's article is published and she's invited to speak at a symposium where a portal opens.
726"Spin the Bottle"Joss WhedonJoss WhedonNovember 10, 2002 (2002-11-10)4ADH063.63[7]
Lorne attempts a spell on Cordelia to restore her memory, which results in the gang reverting to their memories as teenagers.
737"Apocalypse, Nowish"Vern GillumSteven S. DeKnightNovember 17, 2002 (2002-11-17)4ADH074.25[8]
Cordelia's apocalyptic nightmares become a reality as a powerful demon emerges in L.A.
748"Habeas Corpses"Skip SchoolnikJeffrey BellJanuary 15, 2003 (2003-01-15)4ADH084.01[9]
Angel learns that Connor is trapped in Wolfram and Hart, which is under attack from the Beast.
759"Long Day's Journey"Terrence O'HaraMere SmithJanuary 22, 2003 (2003-01-22)4ADH093.46[10]
The gang learns that the answer to stopping The Beast is "among them", they suspect Connor. Meanwhile, Gwen returns, and the gang learns that the Beast intends to blot out the sun.
7610"Awakening"James A. ContnerDavid Fury & Steven S. DeKnightJanuary 29, 2003 (2003-01-29)4ADH103.19[11]
In an attempt to locate The Beast and restore the sun, Wesley brings in a dark mystic to extract Angel's soul.
7711"Soulless"Sean AstinElizabeth Craft & Sarah FainFebruary 5, 2003 (2003-02-05)4ADH113.46[12]
Angelus is interrogated by Wesley and co as they attempt to find out how to kill The Beast.
7812"Calvary"Bill L. NortonJeffrey Bell & Steven S. DeKnight & Mere SmithFebruary 12, 2003 (2003-02-12)4ADH123.69[13]
The gang discover The Beast is working for a much more powerful Master, who is far closer to home than they realize.
7913"Salvage"Jefferson KibbeeDavid FuryMarch 5, 2003 (2003-03-05)4ADH133.72[14]
Wesley releases Faith from prison to help capture Angelus, who is himself going after the Beast.
8014"Release"James A. ContnerSteven S. DeKnight & Elizabeth Craft & Sarah FainMarch 12, 2003 (2003-03-12)4ADH143.91[15]
Angelus continues his search for the Beast's Master as Faith attempts to find a way to contain Angelus.
8115"Orpheus"Terrence O'HaraMere SmithMarch 19, 2003 (2003-03-19)4ADH153.60[16]
Willow is called in to restore Angel's soul. Meanwhile, while in their comas, Angelus and Faith experience flashbacks of Angel's good deeds over the centuries, culminating in a mental showdown between Angel and Angelus.
8216"Players"Michael GrossmanJeffrey Bell & Elizabeth Craft & Sarah FainMarch 26, 2003 (2003-03-26)4ADH163.45[17]
Gwen enlists Gunn's help to steal a device to control her abilities while Lorne attempts a ritual to restore his empathic powers.
8317"Inside Out"Steven S. DeKnightSteven S. DeKnightApril 2, 2003 (2003-04-02)4ADH173.55[18]
The gang learns of a higher being's plan to give birth to itself through Cordelia, and Connor receives a visit from the spirit of his deceased mother, Darla.
8418"Shiny Happy People"Marita GrabiakElizabeth Craft & Sarah FainApril 9, 2003 (2003-04-09)4ADH183.92[19]
As Cordelia lies in a coma following her demonic delivery, the rest of the gang becomes acquainted with—and enchanted by—her unexpected offspring, Jasmine.
8519"The Magic Bullet"Jeffrey BellJeffrey BellApril 16, 2003 (2003-04-16)4ADH194.09[20]
After discovering the secret to breaking Jasmine's spell over the nation's citizens, Fred must find a way to save the others before she's captured and killed.
8620"Sacrifice"David StraitonBen EdlundApril 23, 2003 (2003-04-23)4ADH203.71[21]
Free from Jasmine's spell, Angel and the gang escape into the sewers for protection, where Wesley discovers an insect-like demon that may hold the key to defeating Jasmine.
8721"Peace Out"Jefferson KibbeeDavid FuryApril 30, 2003 (2003-04-30)4ADH214.04[22]
Connor goes in search of the missing Cordelia, while Angel travels to another dimension in search of Jasmine's true name.
8822"Home"Tim MinearTim MinearMay 7, 2003 (2003-05-07)4ADH223.95[23]
With Jasmine defeated, Angel and the gang are made an offer they can't refuse from Wolfram & Hart, and Connor goes over the edge into madness.

Reception

The fourth season was nominated for five Saturn Awards – Best Network Television Series, Best Actress in a Television Series (Charisma Carpenter), Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series (Alexis Denisof), Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series (Amy Acker), and David Boreanaz won for Best Actor in a Television Series. The season was also nominated for four Satellite Awards – David Boreanaz for Best Actor – Television Series Drama, Andy Hallett for Best Supporting Actor – Television Series Drama, and Amy Acker and Gina Torres both for Best Supporting Actress – Television Series Drama.[24]

The Futon Critic named "Spin the Bottle" the 33rd best episode of 2002[25] and "Peace Out" the 25th best episode of 2003.[26]

The fourth season averaged 3.7 million viewers, slightly lower than the seventh and final season of Buffy.[27]

DVD release

Angel: The Complete Fourth Season was released on DVD in region 1 on September 7, 2004[28] and in region 2 on April 1, 2004.[29] The DVD includes all 22 episodes on 6 discs presented in anamorphic widescreen 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Special features on the DVD include seven commentary tracks—"The House Always Wins" by writer David Fury and actor Andy Hallett; "Spin the Bottle" by writer/director Joss Whedon and actor Alexis Denisof; "Apocalypse, Nowish" by writer Steven S. DeKnight and director Vern Gillum; "Orpheus" by co-executive producer Jeffrey Bell and director Terrence O'Hara; "Inside Out" by writer/director Steven S. DeKnight; "The Magic Bullet" by writer/director Jeffrey Bell; and "Home" by writer/director Tim Minear. Featurettes include, "Angel and the Apocalypse", which details how they depicted the apocalypse on the show; "Unplugged: Season 4 Outtakes", a series of outtakes from the season; "Last Looks: The Hyperion Hotel", a set tour of the Hyperion Hotel; "Fatal Beauty and the Beast", a look at the villains of the season; "Malice in Wonderland: Wolfram & Hart", a look at the law firm and its importance in the show; and "Prophecies: Season 4 Overview", a summary of the season featuring interviews with cast and crew members.[30]

References

  1. ↑ "A Brief History of Mutant Enemy". Whedon.info. May 24, 2004. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  2. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 30–Oct. 6)". The Los Angeles Times. October 9, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  3. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 7-13)". The Los Angeles Times. October 16, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  4. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 14-20)". The Los Angeles Times. October 23, 2002. Retrieved May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  5. ↑ "Nielsen Ratings (Oct. 21–27, 2002)". Variety. November 4–10, 2002.
  6. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 28–Nov. 3)". The Los Angeles Times. November 6, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  7. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 4-10)". The Los Angeles Times. November 13, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  8. ↑ "Nielsen Ratings (Nov. 11–17, 2002)". Variety. November 25 – December 1, 2002.
  9. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 13–19)". The Los Angeles Times. January 23, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  10. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 20-26)". The Los Angeles Times. January 29, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  11. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 27-Feb. 2)". The Los Angeles Times. February 5, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  12. ↑ "Nielsen Ratings (Feb. 3–9, 2003)". Variety. February 17–23, 2003.
  13. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 10-16)". The Los Angeles Times. February 21, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  14. ↑ "Prime-Time TV Rankings (March 3–9)". The Los Angeles Times. March 12, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  15. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (March 10-16)". The Los Angeles Times. March 19, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  16. ↑ "Prime-Time TV Rankings (March 17–23)". The Los Angeles Times. March 28, 2003. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  17. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (March 24-30)". The Los Angeles Times. April 2, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  18. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (March 31-April 6)". The Los Angeles Times. April 9, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  19. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 7-13)". The Los Angeles Times. April 16, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  20. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 14-20)". The Los Angeles Times. April 23, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  21. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 21-27)". The Los Angeles Times. April 30, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  22. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 28-May 4)". The Los Angeles Times. May 7, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  23. ↑ "National Nielsen Viewership (May 5-11)". The Los Angeles Times. May 14, 2003. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.Free access icon
  24. ↑ ""Angel" (1999) - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  25. ↑ Brian Ford Sullivan (January 7, 2003). "The 50 Best Episodes of 2002 - #40-31". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  26. ↑ Brian Ford Sullivan (January 14, 2004). "The 50 Best Episodes of 2003 - #30-21". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Season Ratings 2002-2003". Nielsen Media Research. June 2003. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Angel - Season Four (1999)". Amazon.com. September 7, 2004. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  29. ↑ "Buffy DVD and VHS". BBC. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Angel - The Complete 4th Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
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