A thought on B/A in S3

[elisi]

For most of us, I think, the B/A relationship in S3 is very frustrating. The two of them seem to go backwards and forwards with no real rhyme or reason until Angel finally leaves at the end of the season

Comments

[petzipellepingo]

For the first time since she was called, Buffy can actually contemplate a future without Slaying. A future where she might not die young. And all that’s keeping her in Sunnydale really is - Angel. He’s very much part of the Slayer-side of her I think. A Slayer doesn’t think about the future, about children and education. A Slayer can have a boyfriend who doesn’t age, because she probably won’t ever get old. But if she can leave...
Very true especially for Buffy who always seems to resent the fact that she is the Chosen One. If Kendra was meant to be a typical Slayer, a person with no family, no friends, no wardrobe even, no one but the Watcher; then Buffy with a Mom, best friends, a life before Slaying really is the mold breaker. She wants everything the Watcher's Council tells her she can't have and when Faith comes along...there's a way out. She can be normal college girl with the human boyfriend/husband.
I've always thought that was one of the reasons that Joss did what he did in Chosen, he gives Buffy back her choice to walk away

[elisi]

a life before Slaying really is the mold breaker
Very true. She doesn't want to give up her powers ('Helpless'), but she would like to let go of the responsibility.

And I love the fact that in the end she can have her cake and eat it! I always found it a very satisfying end to the series. :)

[_jems_]

Yeah, that makes sense. But the execution still doesn't make watching it less of a pain. ;-)

[elisi]

Sadly no. I was just desperately trying to rationalise it somehow.

(And that icon is one of my favourites!)

[_jems_]

I always wonder about those who rave about the season, because I can't fathom raving about something that devotes a large part to a storyline that's so dreadfully dull half the time and completely incomprehensible all of the time. Not to mention the stupidity of his reason for leaving. And don't even get me started on IWRY. *shudder*

I think it's the s3 B/A that taints my view of it, because when I watched season 2 I thought it was quite cute, actually. And then dark and terrible, but that's always fun too!

And thank you! =)

[elisi]

I have quite an odd 'relationship' with S3, because it was the only season I didn't watch when it first aired. I caught up post-Chosen and it struck me then (and still strikes me now) as a season full of stand-alones. 'Lover's Walk', 'Band Candy', 'The Wish', Gingerbread' etc. all do very little for the over all arch. They're brilliant episodes in their own right, but it doesn't make for a good season as such. And the Bangel gets very tiring.

[lillianmorgan]

If she can let Faith be Miss Sunnydale in the Slayer Pageant, then where does that leave Angel?
Even Joyce mentions that Buffy can let Faith be the Slayer and go on to other things, doesn't she? I forget the episode - was it Lover's Walk? I have to say that the SAT scores were always a bit much for me - it sorta seemed as if it popped out of the air.
It'd be interesting to chart when Buffy's sense of purpose about being the Slayer starts, stops, really kicks in; does she have it in Season 3 like she does in Season 5? Is it always there? In essence, is she a bit of a control freak/in tune with her destiny and wouldn't really have given over the Slayer gig to Faith? Who knows?
That was a long ramble not about Bangel.
but I can't fool myself. (shakes her head) Or Spike, for some reason.
That line always gets me. I'm so glad they brought him back :)

[elisi]

Yes, it's all in 'Lover's Walk' - even Giles thinks that 'taking a break' from Slaying would be good. As to all your other points, I think someone ought to write an essay! ;)

And how I love Spike - and the way he and Buffy just get each other. She guesses where her friends are with no problems f.ex. They think alike! I love my ship! :)

[molly_may]

It'd be interesting to chart when Buffy's sense of purpose about being the Slayer starts, stops, really kicks in; does she have it in Season 3 like she does in Season 5?

I think she feels a strong sense of duty throughout the series, but that her real sense of purpose kicked in after the enjoining spell and "Restless". After that she talks a lot less about the idea of having a life without being the Slayer, and she takes her training up to a new level in S5.

[youmadeabear]

I always love your thoughts.

I think that with her new shiny future suddenly taken away, Buffy falls back on Angel. She is the Slayer again. She won’t be leaving Sunnydale.

Very nicely said.

[elisi]

Thank you. I like it when my thoughts make sense - very often they don't! ;)

[shapinglight]

Bangel is very odd in season 3. It's moving at first when Angel comes back from hell but it rapidly becomes quite irritating, and I have to admit that my favourite Bangel moment of the whole season is when it's sent up mercilessly in The Zeppo.

FWIW, though, I think that Angel's reasons for leaving are quite valid, but that he should have done it before, for Buffy's sake.

[elisi]

my favourite Bangel moment of the whole season is when it's sent up mercilessly in The Zeppo.
Oh, mine too! The music! The deep looks! *sigh* I want to go re-watch it now... ;)

Logically Angel should have left after 'Lover's Walk'. Effectively Buffy dumps him and he should have taken the hint and gone to LA (or where ever). Would have saved a lot of heartache.

[shapinglight]

Not to mention a lot of yawning and impatience with the whole thing.

[elisi]

Heh. Too true. Angel benefitted SO much from getting his own show!