The supernatural drama Angel, which ran for five seasons from 1999 to 2004, left viewers with numerous mysteries and questions that have spawned countless fan theories. Today, we’ll explore some of the most compelling theories about this complex series, from its intricate mythology to its controversial ending.

The Cosmic Chess Game

One of the most fascinating theories about Angel‘s overarching narrative comes from blogger Merlin, who proposes that the Powers That Be were the ultimate puppeteers of the entire series. In what Merlin calls “The Ultimate Puppeteers” theory, the Powers played a longer and more sophisticated game than even the Senior Partners of Wolfram & Hart. According to this theory, they allowed the Senior Partners to seemingly corrupt Angel through their machinations with Darla, Connor, and Jasmine, only to turn the tables in the final season with one masterful move: sending Cordelia back for one last vision that would set Angel on the path to destroying the Circle of the Black Thorn.

This theory elegantly explains many of the show’s seemingly random events and provides a satisfying framework for understanding the series’ complex mythology. It suggests that even Angel’s apparent corruption by Wolfram & Hart was part of a larger plan to position him where he needed to be for the final strike against evil.

The Hero’s Journey

Writer Sarah Lofgren presents a compelling theory about Angel’s character development, arguing that his journey to heroism would have been impossible without meeting Buffy Summers. This theory is particularly interesting when we consider Angel’s trajectory throughout both series. While Angel was cursed with a soul in 1898, he spent nearly a century living in alleys and feeding on rats before meeting Buffy. This suggests that having a soul alone wasn’t enough to make him a hero – he needed inspiration and purpose.

Building on Lofgren’s theory, we can trace how this initial catalyst continued to influence Angel’s decisions even after leaving Sunnydale. His mission to “help the helpless” in Los Angeles mirrors Buffy’s protective instincts toward the innocent, albeit with a more noir-tinged approach.

The Connor Paradox

One of the most intriguing unresolved mysteries involves Connor’s existence and its implications for vampire mythology. The show never fully explained how two vampires could produce a human child, leading to various fan theories. Some suggest that the prophecy of the Shanshu played a role, temporarily giving Angel certain living qualities that made conception possible. Others propose that Darla’s brief return to human form left a lasting impact on her vampire body.

This mystery becomes even more complex when we consider the comic continuation “Angel: After the Fall.” While the comics don’t explicitly explain Connor’s conception, they do further explore his unique nature and abilities, suggesting that he represents something entirely new in the vampire mythology of the Buffyverse.

Wolfram & Hart’s True Nature

The series never fully revealed what the Senior Partners truly were or their ultimate goals. While we know they were ancient demons who grew in power through cunning rather than brute force, their exact nature remains mysterious. One compelling theory suggests that Wolfram & Hart represents the institutionalization of evil – not just supernatural evil, but the banality of human evil expressed through bureaucracy and corporate culture.

This theory gains support from various episodes showing how Wolfram & Hart corrupts through contracts and legal mechanisms rather than purely supernatural means. It’s particularly relevant given Angel’s decision to take over the LA branch in Season 5, suggesting that fighting evil sometimes requires understanding and working within its systems.

The Controversial Finale

The series’ ending, with Angel and his remaining team facing down an army of demons in an alley, has generated numerous theories. Some fans believe the ambiguous ending implies the team’s death, while others see it as a metaphor for the eternal nature of their fight against evil. The canonical continuation in “After the Fall” reveals that they survived the initial battle, but the symbolic significance of the ending remains debatable.

One particularly interesting theory suggests that the finale represents a full circle moment for Angel. He began the series alone, fighting in alleys, but ends it with a chosen family, fighting for a cause bigger than himself. This mirrors Buffy’s journey from “one girl in all the world” to sharing her power with potential Slayers, suggesting a thematic connection between the two series’ conclusions.

Jasmine’s Long Game

The Jasmine arc in Season 4 raises interesting questions about free will versus peace. Some fans theorize that Jasmine wasn’t entirely villainous, but rather represented a genuine, if problematic, solution to human suffering. This theory gains credence when we consider that she was originally one of the Powers That Be, suggesting her methods, while extreme, might have stemmed from legitimate concern for humanity.

The comic continuation somewhat supports this interpretation by showing how Los Angeles in hell (a direct result of fighting against forces like Jasmine) might have been worse than Jasmine’s peaceful but mind-controlled world.

Cross-Series Connections

Several theories connect events in Angel to the larger Buffyverse. For instance, some fans theorize that the First Evil’s appearance in Buffy’s final season was indirectly connected to Wolfram & Hart’s activities in LA. This theory suggests that major supernatural events in one series often had ripple effects in the other, even when not explicitly shown.

Wesley’s Character Arc

One of the most compelling character-specific theories involves Wesley’s transformation from bumbling Watcher to hardened warrior. Some fans theorize that his dark turn wasn’t just character development but was subtly influenced by dark magic exposure throughout the series. This theory points to his increasing comfort with morally ambiguous decisions and his ability to perform increasingly complex magical feats.

Illyria’s Purpose

The late introduction of Illyria in Season 5 has led to theories about her larger significance. Some suggest she represents the series’ theme of evolution – how even ancient, powerful beings must adapt to survive in the modern world. This parallel’s Angel’s own journey of adaptation and change.

The Legacy Theory

A meta-theory suggests that the entire series serves as a commentary on the nature of redemption and whether it’s truly possible. This theory posits that Angel’s story isn’t just about personal redemption but about whether systems themselves (represented by Wolfram & Hart) can be changed from within.

Conclusion

These theories demonstrate the rich complexity of Angel‘s narrative and its themes. While some questions were answered in “After the Fall,” others remain open to interpretation, allowing fans to continue exploring the series’ deeper meanings and connections. Whether examining cosmic chess games between higher powers or personal journeys of redemption, Angel continues to provide fertile ground for theoretical exploration and discussion.

The beauty of these theories lies not just in their ability to explain plot points, but in how they enhance our understanding of the show’s themes of redemption, free will, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. As Angel himself might say, it’s not about winning – it’s about the never-ending fight to do what’s right, even when the right answer isn’t clear.