fridginators
Jul 25th, 2012, 01:34 AM
So in the wake of his untimely death, there has been a great deal of discussion as to the role of Angel, and if he was ever going to become a leader. While he obviously considered himself the righteous leader in the beginning of the show, that quickly dissipated as it was quickly realised that Michael was obviously much more suited to such a role, and nobody really respected Angel (see the conversations between him and Saul in Chapter 3). He evolved into a strong lieutenant, one who was a relatively good shot (at least better than Saul) and not afraid to head out on many of the missions, most of which were life-threatening: The Water Works, The Arena, saving the tower on the fire engine, honouring his promise with Pegs by returning Latch's body, recovering the MRE's with Kalani and killing the big one, The Hospital, and then leading a valiant defence of the Tower from Scratch, heroically saving both Riley, Hope and even honouring Kalani's last wishes by saving his journal, before tragically perishing as a result of his valiant and chivalrous deeds. And let us not forget that on his deathbed he still managed to defy Scratch.
Now, it is evident that Angel was not the leader Michael was. He possessed not the the charisma nor perhaps Michael's patience to actually serve as a figurehead: he would definitely lose in a Presidential election. However, there are several different kinds of leading. While Angel was never the commander-in-chief, he was definitely the Tower's pre-eminent soldier. Burt may be a better shot (or at least, in light of recent events, may have been), but he was also a lot less stable, and simply not the man who went out on all these near-suicidal missions. It is interesting to note that Burt's and Angel's fates were hinted at by their near death experience at the Hospital. Perhaps that was KC reflecting the often cruel and unfair nature of the world, or simply saying that everyone's luck runs out eventually.
Regardless, I believe it is clear that Angel was never meant to become leader in the vein of either Michael, Burt, CJ, Marcus or Durai. Ironically, this officer became the man on the front line, the first person to head into trouble, to defend the tower at any cost. Sadly, like Sean, such characters seem to meet unfortunate ends.
So instead of seeing Angel as a noble failure, or a loss of talent, we should view him as a tragic hero. In spite of his criminal family, his presumably troubled youth and transformation into a preppy, arrogant officer, he became a soldier par excellence, and died serving his people. He was one of my favourite characters, and while I mourn his death I am proud of the way he lived.
Now, it is evident that Angel was not the leader Michael was. He possessed not the the charisma nor perhaps Michael's patience to actually serve as a figurehead: he would definitely lose in a Presidential election. However, there are several different kinds of leading. While Angel was never the commander-in-chief, he was definitely the Tower's pre-eminent soldier. Burt may be a better shot (or at least, in light of recent events, may have been), but he was also a lot less stable, and simply not the man who went out on all these near-suicidal missions. It is interesting to note that Burt's and Angel's fates were hinted at by their near death experience at the Hospital. Perhaps that was KC reflecting the often cruel and unfair nature of the world, or simply saying that everyone's luck runs out eventually.
Regardless, I believe it is clear that Angel was never meant to become leader in the vein of either Michael, Burt, CJ, Marcus or Durai. Ironically, this officer became the man on the front line, the first person to head into trouble, to defend the tower at any cost. Sadly, like Sean, such characters seem to meet unfortunate ends.
So instead of seeing Angel as a noble failure, or a loss of talent, we should view him as a tragic hero. In spite of his criminal family, his presumably troubled youth and transformation into a preppy, arrogant officer, he became a soldier par excellence, and died serving his people. He was one of my favourite characters, and while I mourn his death I am proud of the way he lived.