When Angel premiered way back in 1999, no one knew quite what to make of this Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off show.

Starring Buffy’s former beau, Angel (AKA the brooding vampire with a soul) was part noir, part detective show with a supernatural twist. But after its shaky first season, the show began to morph into something greater, with many believing it even surpassed its predecessor in terms of quality and storytelling.

While Buffy the Vampire Slayer was often simply a tale of good versus evil, Angel chose a darker and more nuanced approach. Angel was a story about redemption.

It was a story about the figurative and literal demons lurking inside everyone. It was a story about the inevitability of evil, and of making choices and dealing with the consequences.

Let’s take a look back at some of the very best episodes of this fantastic show.

13. “Through the Looking Glass” (Season 2 Episode 21)

After all the darkness that occurred earlier in the season with Darla and Drusilla, the Pylea storyline was a welcome change of pace. Full of whimsy and fantasy, how else could this episode end but with a decapitated head? And let’s not forget Joss Whedon’s stint as Numfar, doing the dance of joy.

12. “Are You Now or Have You Ever Been” (Season 2 Episode 2)

Set in the 1950s, this episode explores a period in Angel’s history when he had a soul, but was still very much removed from humanity. The period setting was a fun departure from present-day LA, and I loved seeing the cynical, sinister side of Angel, proving that simply having a soul isn’t enough to be a good person.

Judy’s fate as the hotel’s prisoner is horrifying, and when Angel finally makes amends for his misdeeds, releasing Judy, it’s incredibly affecting. Plus, it’s the first appearance of the gorgeous Hyperion Hotel that becomes the show’s permanent set until Season Five.

11. “Reunion” (Season 2 Episode 10)

The whole Darla and Drusilla arc in Season 2 was excellent, dragging Angel into an ever spiraling darkness. The scene when Angel locks the lawyers in with the vampires with a nonchalant, “I just can’t seem to care,” was truly shocking, and to top it off, he promptly fires Wesley, Gunn, and Cordelia.

10. “The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco” (Season 5 Episode 6)

The serialized nature of Season 5 produced a lot of great stand-alone episodes, and this was one of the best. While initially it seems like a goofy story about Mexican wrestlers, this episode is a superbly written tale on rediscovering your purpose, especially relevant after Angel has seemed to lose his own sense of heroism.

9. “Lullaby” (Season 3 Episode 9)

Angel Season 3 was pretty slow to start with its story arc, and the addition of the baby to the cast produced a couple of duds after this episode. But “Lullaby” was a gem among the season, culminating in Darla’s moving death and Holtz’s foreboding promise to show Angel no mercy.

8. “Smile Time” (Season 5 Episode 14)

No best episode list of Angel should ever exclude the funniest episode of the series. Angel turns into a puppet! What’s not to like? His nose comes off! Fluff flies everywhere when he gets attacked!

He’s a “wee little puppet man!” It’s not all fun and games though, because the children who have died with permanent smiles plastered on their faces is one of the most horrifying images this show has come up with.

7. “Sanctuary” (Season 1 Episode 19)

The conclusion of a two-part crossover event, “Sanctuary” was the first time Angel truly separated itself from its predecessor show. Faith’s journey displayed the stark contrast between Buffy’s quest for justice and Angel’s mission of redemption. Faith finding peace at last in jail was touching, as she is finally on the path to healing.

6. “Lineage” (Season 5 Episode 7)

Wesley is arguably one of the most complex and interesting characters on this show, and he is showcased once again in this episode when his father comes to visit.

Wesley’s always had a complicated relationship with his father, but when his father threatens Fred, Wesley doesn’t hesitate in shooting him dead. The fact that his father was actually a robot in no way lessens the sickening realization that Wesley had just killed his dad with little remorse.

5. “Forgiving” (Season 3 Episode 17)

“Forgiving” was a powerful episode, which follows Wesley’s betrayal that leads to Holtz abducting Angel’s son, Connor. It was heartbreaking to learn that the prophecy of a father killing his son was just a trick, and it’s a huge turning point for Wesley’s character for the rest of the series.

But what really took my breath away was David Boreanaz’s acting in a chilling moment at the hospital, as he screams to Wesley that he is a dead man.

4. “Benediction” (Season 3 Episode 21)

Angel tries to reconnect with his estranged son, Connor, in the penultimate episode of Season 3. He almost succeeds in gaining Connor’s trust, until Holtz fakes his own murder and pins it on Angel. It’s a powerful testament to how dedicated Holtz was to revenge that he would die in order for his final and lasting act of vengeance to take place. We know from this point on, Connor will never trust Angel again.

3. “Damage” (Season 5 Episode 11)

I really liked how this episode deals with the ramifications of Buffy’s somewhat reckless decision to activate every single potential slayer in the world, as we follow a mentally unstable woman who suddenly has incredible physical strength.

It’s terrifying to watch Dana torture Spike, just like she was tortured as a child. Finally, Spike and Angel’s contemplation of the nature of evil is poignant and sad, as they realize that they were once innocent victims, too.

2. “Home” (Season 4 Episode 22)

Although this is the only episode from Season 4 on this list, that should in no way imply that Season 4 wasn’t good. In fact, Season 5 had one of the most tightly written season-long arcs I’ve ever seen on television.

Each episode was a chapter in the Conner saga that built upon itself, finally reaching its inevitable and heart-wrenching conclusion in “Home.” After Lilah’s mind-reeling revelation that the gang had just ended world peace, they are offered the reigns of evil law firm Wolfram and Hart.

While everyone is being offered a temptation they can’t refuse, Conner’s fragile psyche is unraveling as he takes hostages and threatens to kill himself. Angel makes the ultimate sacrifice as a father, proving his love for Conner and letting him go with no memories of his torturous past.

1. “Not Fade Away” (Season 5 Episode 22)

A beautiful ending to a phenomenal series. I loved that rather than facing the biggest, baddest villain they could think of for the series finale, the Fang Gang instead is fighting the minor foes they’ve been battling all year.

It’s a powerful mission statement for the show to end on: evil can never be truly defeated, but it’s the fight that really matters, and Angel will go down fighting with his last, figurative breath.

“Evil always wins” may seem like a bleak message to leave you with, and certainly, Angel isn’t about happy endings. But the importance of having conviction and perseverance in the face of endless night is ultimately a hopeful sentiment that’s steeped in reality.

What were your favorite episodes of Angel? Share with us in the comments below!