Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Every Season 1 Episode Ranked

Of all the clever additions to the vampire subgenre Buffy brings to the table, the concept of there being a vampire with a soul is by far the most exciting. Up until now, Angel had just been a brooding anti-hero in the shadows, his intentions and nature unclear. In this eponymous episode, his past finally comes to light.

Clearly set-up as a future love interest for the Slayer, the sharp shock that Angel is a vampire may seem a bit on the nose now, but on first viewing is sure to hook you for a long time to come. When his soul is revealed, it only adds to the intrigue.

Intimate and spooky, Angel is one of the show's earliest narrative hooks, throwing a genius twist into Buffy's life whilst making it clear her world is far from black-and-white. From here, things would never be the same.