Joss Whedon’s library of characters—be they small-screen protectors, big-screen avengers, or comic book mutants—all have one thing in common: quotability! While his shows are often known for witty leads with wisecracks more lethal than sidearms, Whedon’s built a proclivity for delicious villains.
Everyone's familiar with the words of Ultron, but Angelus was the original vessel of Angel, giving us a deep well of dialogue from which to quote.
“Do You Really Think That's An Option Anymore? You're Standing At The Mouth Of Hell. And It's About To Open.”
This line holds a lot more weight than one may care to think. Said to Buffy during their first meeting, it foreshadows so much of what’s to come for the series. In fact, it quite literally dictates the series finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
It also silently lays the foundations for the entirety of Buffy’s journey as a slayer. Buffy never has options, and she learns to own the hell out of it.
“For A Hundred Years I Offered Ugly Death To Everyone I Met, And I Did It With A Song In My Heart.”
In a scene that reveals to Buffy how Angel was cursed with a soul, this quote is a testament to how Angelus deems killing to be an art to be mastered. As he later explains, Buffy has no idea what it’s like to have done the things that he has and to care.
After this display of remorse, Buffy offers Angel her neck, and Darla offers a timely interruption. Unfortunately, Buffy has to witness Angelus' song for herself in the following season.
“If We Could Live Without ion, Maybe We’d Truly Know Some Kind Of Peace. But We Would Be Hollow. Empty Rooms, Shuttered, And Dank. Without ion, We’d Truly Be Dead.”
“ion” is the episode that truly establishes what Angelus is capable of. No holds are barred on neck-snapping and the realities of his cunning, calculated evil.
That’s exactly what makes this quote recited by Angelus at the end of the episode so bone-chillingly superior. For Angelus, ion is in the art of the kill. And as much as he is a vampire, maybe Angelus is more alive with ion than a lot of us are with our peace.
“A Demon Isn’t A Man. I Was A Man Once.”
As Angel knows too well, atonement’s a bitch. In this conversation with The First as Jenny Calendar, Angel is battered with guilt. Angel puts up a faltering defense, saying that it was Angelus who killed Jenny. He reveals that he deems himself less than human, by saying he was a man “once.”
This theme recurs throughout Angel’s character journey, as the state of humanity continuously teases him by lurking close within the grasp of his soul.
“It’s Just Blood”
One of the most integral themes that Angel takes head-on is prejudice. A unique entry into the series, this episode offers a peek at the ensouled Angel prior to him walking the path of heroism.
He says this to console a character ing for white to survive, despite her "tainted" racial heritage. Angel points out the truth of life in a way only a vampire can: it’s just blood.
“If There Is No Great And Glorious End To All This, If Nothing We Do Matters, Then All That Matters Is What We Do, Cause That’s All There Is. What We Do Now, Today.”
Angel’s epiphany in this episode is a much-needed glimmer of hope after a devastating series of events, all of which paint the world in gray. After seeing hell on earth in “Reprise”, Angel throws in the towel and turns to Darla for comfort, fully knowing that he might encounter true happiness and lose his soul.
The night of debauchery helps Angel come to with the fact that evil will exist for as long as humans do. And although his path to getting his life--and Angel Investigations--back in order is bleak, this moment that Angel shares with Detective Lockley symbolizes Angel burying the darkness within.
“Vampire Biker Posse? They're The Easy Part. What I'm Scared Of Is All The Questions. Why Is The Sky Blue? Why Do People Get Sick?”
Following Connor’s birth, word has ed down the supernatural grapevine and there's a bounty on Connor’s head. This quote is said by Angel to Connor in a gripping chase sequence, as he tries to flee from assailants looking to nab Connor.
What seems like a gripping peek into every father’s vulnerabilities turns out to be a complete mislead by the writers. It is later revealed that the baby with Angel was a dupe and that the real Connor was with the rest of the team. However, it is still expository of the little things that this dark avenger doesn’t have the answers to.
"Hey! Who's A Guy Gotta Kill To Get A Drink Around Here?!"
Right after Angel has had his soul extracted, Angelus emerges with his trademark sarcasm and crass humor. This quote works poignantly with the rest of the episode, which is framed in a constricted space and padded with dialogue that darts back and forth, between Angelus and the rest of the team.
The way that David Boreanaz delivers this quote draws a stark contrast between how little the situation weighs on Angelus as opposed to how much turmoil it has caused the rest of the team.
“...Doesn't Matter What You Try. Doesn't Matter Where I Am Or How Badass You Think You've Become. 'Cause You Know What? I'm Angel. I Beat The Bad Guys.”
In "You’re Welcome", Angel says this to goad Lindsey during their big basement fight. This is arguably the most blatantly heroic quote to have come out of Angel’s mouth, and it sets a strong tone for the monumental series finale.
It's in this episode that Cordelia visits Angel for a poetic goodbye, and to do what she’s always done best: to definitively set him on the right path. This quote is resonant with the rest of the episode, in reminding viewers that no matter what has transpired, Angel would never be alone, and hope would forever live through him.
"People Like You, Who Don't Care About Anyone Or Anything, Will Never Understand The People Who Do."
Angel’s series finale was chock full of moments that instilled undying hope, all leading up to the final juncture with a simple, powerful message - that the good fight would never end.
This quote is a line that Angel says to Hamilton. It’s a big middle finger to evil, while also acknowledging what the show has always been about: the need for courage and hope in the most desolate places.