Angel: The Complete Third Season: A-

I suppose the biggest surprise of Angel's third season isn't in its newly-minted dramatic grace; or its stronger-than-ever wit (sharpened, more so every episode, on pop culture and the ebb-and-flow of conversation); or even the now constantly prevalent talent of its actors. No, the big jaw-dropper of a shock that is to be discovered in this third round of exploits from Angel Investigations is how well all the aforementioned elements come together. This isn't the gawky first year, wherein Angel (David Boreanaz) went parading through somewhat entertaining storylines bantering with a somewhat entertaining supporting cast; and neither is it last season, where the first signs of maturity (and, as well, the pain of growth spurts) first popped up in darker and more extended serial narratives while characters began to bend and sway beyond the expected. This is Angel: The Complete Third Season, a slice of television pleasure that is more plausibly - thrillingly - dramatic, more dynamically written, and more consistently funny than any year previous.

Part of the credit should go to Joss Whedon and his team of writers. More aptly, though, it should go to David Greenwalt and his team of writers. Certainly both men should share the adoration (both did jointly create the show, spun from Whedon's masterwork Buffy the Vampire Slayer) but it's more obvious with each year that both men did not dedicate the same level of energy. In that contest, Greenwalt is the clear winner; and the episodes he's written - from "Heartthrob" to "Offspring" to "Tomorrow" - are ranked among the season's best. Yet the trend of his continuing, and growing, strength as a writer-director extends beyond just he: each of Mutant Enemy's (the production company Whedon started to foster his pop-crazed ambitions; think the modern-day Factory with less pan-sexual shenanigans) scribes contributed at least one great work to the season, and some (Tim Minear, Mere Smith) even gave more. Such perserverance and advancement shows in every densely-plotted detail of Angel & Co's latest bumpy ride through demon-infested L.A. Among their growing concerns: Darla's pregnant, Wesley's (Alexis Denisof) cracking up, Cordelia's (Charisma Carpenter) visions are becoming more and more visceral - in every sense of the word - and Angel himself is working through grief over Buffy's death.

These obstacles may seem steep, but they are used in beautiful service of Angel's central theme: the price and redemption of consequences. Each new struggle molds and re-tweaks our beloved team, and only in the best ways. Gone is Mopey Angel from the middle of season two - he's now downright jocular in brooding; gone too (eventually) is Watered-Down Wesley, he's been replaced by a demon hunter (let's call him, finally, Watcher Wesley) far more capable (and darkly witty) than anything I'd yet expected. Cordelia (blessed, blessed Ms. Carpenter: an actress of quicksilver comedic and dramtic timing) blossoms into a figure of true radiance - literally - but also one beyond her normal superficiality; her visions have helped her transcend humanity (again, literally) and Angel, with such a leading lady, is lucky indeed. And Fred (Amy Acker), the wacky physicist the gang rescued from Pylea late last season, eventually blossoms as well into much-needed goofy relief.

Yet this relief is short-lived in the scheme of things. Each new day (and episode) brings new twists and turns for our heroes: one episode, a new character; another, a new power. This more lean, bolt-tightened storytelling benefits the overall season magnificently - erasing most of the inconsistencies that plagued the show for most of its first two seasons. Aiding, as well, is the show's more witty wit. Sterling examples include the season finale, "Birthday", and "Carpe Noctem". Noticing how well the two elements compliment each other here reminds the viewer just how out-of-whack the dynamic could occasionaly be in the early years - some stories tipping too far into hokeyness while others strained into stony-faced denial - and just how well its been perfected now. I once said that, possibly, Angel was just the show to get all hot and bothered about; well, now's the time, commence the celebration: Angel has arrived.