I remember, back watching all this for the first time, I was so right there with Xander. I just... hated Angel. He'd hurt Buffy and I couldn't understand why she would forgive him. The soul thing didn't matter so much to me at that point. He'd hurt my girl and I couldn't understand why they'd bring him back to life on the show when I just wanted him gone.
Of course, I didn't start liking Angel until the end of the fourth season of his own show.
Thanks for the different perspective; makes it easier for me to understand Xander.
Angel isn't my favorite character on the show, but I like how complex he is. I mean he has three different types of personality. :-) I also like that Angel with a soul is so introspective and quiet. He also forms a nice contrast to Spike's noisy personality.
I can understand that Xander hates Angel, but I cannot agree to the steps he takes. He can *talk* to Buffy (preferably without resorting to insults), but trying to kill Angel behind her back is totally unacceptable. It takes free will/choice from Buffy, turns her into a dainty little female that needs to be rescued by Xander Harris. It's like: She doesn't know what's good for her, so Xander makes it easier for her. If someone did something like this to me, I would most likely never trust them again.
Xander actually isn't an incredibly trusting guy. The funny thing about Xander is that his strengths and his weakness come from the same place. He's incredibly loyal.
That's why Buffy can trust him again. It's... one of the moments for me that sum it all up is in Dead Man's Party. Buffy and Xander are having a knock-out, drag-down fight, but the second that there's actual outside danger, Xander immediately offers his support to her and she has no problem accepting it
( ... )
After seeing some more episodes, I'm starting to like him again.
E.g. I find it totally courageous that he goes to Faith to confront her. Talking about such a difficult issue is not something you do if you don't have true courage.
I also enjoy his sense of humour. He can makes things terribly worse with a joke, but he can also lighten up a room or defuse a difficult situation. :-)
I think you're also forgetting that in this point in time, Xander is a 17-year-old boy, with a not-very-supportive homelife and he doesn't really have a lot of conflict resolution skills.
trying to kill Angel behind her back is totally unacceptable.
And this will not be the last time a trusted friend tries to kill her boyfriend "for her own good".
I think you're also forgetting that in this point in time, Xander is a 17-year-old boy, with a not-very-supportive homelife and he doesn't really have a lot of conflict resolution skills.
I forgave Xander over the next episodes.
Regarding his homelife: I think his social background only was made more clear later on. If I remember correctly we get the first hints in season 3. Things become more overt in season 4, when we hear his parents fight upstairs or when Xander dreams that his father tries to kill him in Restless.
Of course, I didn't start liking Angel until the end of the fourth season of his own show.
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Angel isn't my favorite character on the show, but I like how complex he is. I mean he has three different types of personality. :-) I also like that Angel with a soul is so introspective and quiet. He also forms a nice contrast to Spike's noisy personality.
I can understand that Xander hates Angel, but I cannot agree to the steps he takes. He can *talk* to Buffy (preferably without resorting to insults), but trying to kill Angel behind her back is totally unacceptable. It takes free will/choice from Buffy, turns her into a dainty little female that needs to be rescued by Xander Harris. It's like: She doesn't know what's good for her, so Xander makes it easier for her.
If someone did something like this to me, I would most likely never trust them again.
Reply
That's why Buffy can trust him again. It's... one of the moments for me that sum it all up is in Dead Man's Party. Buffy and Xander are having a knock-out, drag-down fight, but the second that there's actual outside danger, Xander immediately offers his support to her and she has no problem accepting it ( ... )
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E.g. I find it totally courageous that he goes to Faith to confront her. Talking about such a difficult issue is not something you do if you don't have true courage.
I also enjoy his sense of humour. He can makes things terribly worse with a joke, but he can also lighten up a room or defuse a difficult situation. :-)
Reply
trying to kill Angel behind her back is totally unacceptable.
And this will not be the last time a trusted friend tries to kill her boyfriend "for her own good".
Reply
I forgave Xander over the next episodes.
Regarding his homelife: I think his social background only was made more clear later on. If I remember correctly we get the first hints in season 3. Things become more overt in season 4, when we hear his parents fight upstairs or when Xander dreams that his father tries to kill him in Restless.
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