Aging up the Angel cast (and more Lineage thoughts in the cut-tags)

[butterfly]

It's fascinating how very parental Angel is to Wesley and Cordy in Season 1 and the beginning of Season 2. I'm so used to thinking of them all as equals that it surprises me when I rewatch and see him treat them like a pair of squabbling siblings (though that is how they act much of the time

Comments

[breidablik]

But, in the end, it seems to echo what is always Wes' tragedy - he loves more than he is loved. Of course, this may be in part because Wes loves a scary amount. Wesley's love isn't the most comforting thing to have, really.

You know, when I see this comment about Wes in relation to Angel, my usual reaction is to sit and bang my head on the table for a few hours. Normally, this is because it is then followed by a tirade against Angel for not loving Wes enough, as though loving someone is dependant on them loving you back in equal amounts.

The Angel/Wes parallel is fascinating because here are two men, with individual issues, who love others to the extent that they will act on that love, despite the hurt that is caused to themselves by their actions. Neither Angel or Wes have any self preservation issues when it comes to the people they love, which makes for an intriguing story when the two people involved are Angel and Wes

Wes and love...

[butterfly]

Well, most people do, I think, feel that if they love strongly, they deserve to be loved as strongly in return. But life doesn't work that way.

Because, right, love isn't based on 'deserving' to be loved and if you live your life that way, you end up miserable, wanting what you drive away.

Besides, I'm not entirely sure that anyone could ever love Wes enough for him. He'll always doubt it and always find a way to show that his love is the more self-sacrificing.

Neither Angel or Wes have any self preservation issues when it comes to the people they love, which makes for an intriguing story when the two people involved are Angel and Wes.

Right, that's it exactly. No self-perservation at all. Sacrifice all for those you love, down to blood and bone and life itself. Which is scary, because that's the kind of love that can so easily tip over into obsession (Spike with Buffy, pre-soul and Angel with Buffy, post-soul are our prime examples of that).

Thank you. And yeah, Lineage seems to have inspired a lot of thoughts in me (and now

[wesleysgirl]

Wow.

Yes.

Just wanted to let you know that I've been reading your posts about all this kind of stuff, even though I suck at commenting. I'm really enjoying hearing all your thoughts, especially about Wesley.

[butterfly]

Thank you.

Wesley is so incredibly enjoyable for me this year. He's all these issues, wrapped up tightly but with the edges poking out, and though he tries so hard to hide them, he's not capable of it.

Such an incredibly complex character.

[minnow1212]

Followed the link from mutant_allies and thought this was a neat post--I've been watching the AtS season 1 and 2 reruns, and you're very right about the relationship shifting from paternal to one of equals.

I really like this: >Wes never did say the words (Wesley's better at showing his love, really). And I think that Angel wants the words (am basing this in part on Awakening, though again, I must mention that I haven't yet seen the episode).<

I think you're very right on this. Angel himself is better with actions than words, usually, but that doesn't mean he doesn't need them himself.

[butterfly]

Thank you.

Right, and a lot of times, we expect from others what we don't expect from ourselves. It's hypocritical, but it's also just human.

[stakebait]

Nicely analysed!

[butterfly]

Thank you!

[butterfly]

Thanks. I've been thinking a lot about Wesley and Angel recently (such a fascinating dynamic).

And if you ever do have time to comment again, I always welcome it (I'm rewatching S2 right now and it's all so fascinating).

[butterfly]

It's a brilliant thing.

Angel really does seem to be strongest in the even years. I hope we get a sixth season.