Strange Angel is a show that has a lot to offer. It delves deeply into two interesting subjects and the worlds in which they exist: rocket science and religious philosophy. I do prefer the latter in this context, I find the featured supporting characters to be more interesting than those in the other main subplot - though it has had some great moments, they always seem to be talking about realistic science without regressing into technobabble, and it is well anchored around the likeable figure of Peter Mark Kendall's Richard Onsted. The most convincing strengths of the show are with its main cast, who each deliver fantastic performances despite first appearing like just more young, attractive actors, and they really sell the illusion that they are living in 1940s America. I can really respect a piece of media that goes the extra effort to create an authentic period piece; I don't know whether it is the work on the production side to hide all evidence of the modern world and find accurate accoutrements for the set design, or the fact that a lot of characters in a modern setting tend to be vapid and irritating. In any case, the setting pairs well with the characters and the plot. I wonder if Parsons and Onsted are based on real people, and if so to what extent the development of the rocketry project that we see actually happened. Thinking about it, it does seem convenient to the storytelling structure with its moments of struggle and victory, so I doubt the real thing was as 'cinematic'.
The descent of the protagonist Jack comes to a head over these climactic episodes, detailed by the increasing number of supernatural, satanic imagery that he has seen. I was looking forward to some kind of capitulation of this - not literally - but a visual allegory of Jack finding his source of evil, or madness, whichever. We do kind of see this but it is cut short by a rather dramatic cliffhanger to lead into the second season, a puzzling risk no doubt, but having finished the first I can understand the decision. I think the story is captivating and I'm certainly sold on more seasons, there was so much going on in these ten episodes that I'm sure the following developments would make great content. As such, while I was hoping for a 'rock bottom' moment for Jack, it will definitely come in time, and instead the focus in the finale falls on Jack's wife Susan, played by Bella Heathcote. I wondered at first if they would keep Susan on the wayside of the 'cult' subplot, or have the season arc being her falling out of love with Jack and dealing with her overbearing father. I was right with one of my predictions, as she does stand up to her father in one of the finale's best scenes, but I was also pleasantly surprised to see her character end up even more embroiled in the cult than Jack. Her journey of self-discovery has allowed for the show to make the best use of Greg Wise's Alfred Miller, who might have come across as a stereotypical 'cult leader' otherwise. I'm excited for a shifting of the character relationships following the final moments of the season, I'll certainly be going in with a bunch of questions, let's hope for intelligent and interesting answers.
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