The idea of alternate Universes and other dimensions is a common premise for any science fiction/fantasy show. But much like with everything else, 'Angel' threw its own twist on the concept. In the Buffyverse, there are various dimensions with differing laws in how it functions and the types of beings living in each one. They also differ in size, passage of time and the way you can access them through different means. For example, dimensions like Pylea could be accessed by reciting an incantation on a designated "hot spot". But these hot spots weren't always active, thus, preventing people from using a portal that had just been opened. Also, you had to be surrounded on all sides by metal or else whoever you were hopping dimensions with would be scattered to different areas once they crossed over. However, a hell dimension like Quor'toth could only be accessed by using dark magic to tear the very fabric of reality. Whereas the "higher plane" that Cordelia ascended to could only be reached once she had done enough good on Earth to be deemed worthy of becoming a higher being. Likewise, time also works differently in each dimension. Five years on our dimension is the same as five years in Pylea, but a few weeks in our dimension is about 17-18 years in Quor'toth. Also, there are "pocket dimensions", like the one created by Wolfram And Hart to punish employees that have been disloyal to them. It is never fully explained whether or not these are just offshoots of already existing hell dimensions or if it was specifically created by the Senior Partners at Wolfram And Hart. But in any case, it opens up the possibility that there are an infinite amount of other dimensions specifically designed for everyone's personal view of either heaven or hell. Either way, though, the fact that 'Angel' not only addresses these possibilities and presents them in such a way that still honours the show's original mythology greatly exemplifies their desire to push the limits of the genre. Whereas other shows might require a future setting or advanced technology to open up the idea of other worlds, 'Angel' found a way to implement it in a world that's hardly different from our own. Aside from the magic involved, of course.
Ken is the writer/director of 'School Teen Drama': http://vimeo.com/139489. An avid watcher of movies and television, he currently writes a personal blog on his Facebook called 'Prose And Cons' that details his opinions on everything. In list form. He also infrequently hosts a video podcast on his YouTube Channel, SilverAndFriends. HA HA… Why not?
