Angel and Spike's returns in s3 and s7 respectively

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bottark

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I've been rewatching season 3 and I just got to where Angel comes back and had a "d'oh!" moment when I finally noticed a neat parallel. I thought it would be a neat topic to talk about the similarities and differences between Spike and Angel's departures and returns from the show. Besides them both leaving at the end of a season and returning at the beginning of the next, there seem to be a lot of (non-coincidental, I'm sure) likenesses surrounding the events of their returns.

Angel
  • Died (killed by Buffy)
  • Comes back because of the Powers that Be via the Claddagh Ring
  • Was completely unaware of his impending death & damnation
  • Tried to kill himself under the First

Both
  • Similar re-appearances in a church
  • Tortured while absent, crazy when first returned
  • Fell under the influence of the First
  • Had no soul just before they left, came back souled
  • Buffy hid them from the Scoobies

Spike
  • Comes back hoping to be a "better man"
  • Elected to leave and be in pain
  • Killed others under the First
  • Left because of shame and self-hatred (from attempted rape)

Here's a few, you can of course add your own. I can think of a few more right now but that wouldn't make for any fun discussion, would it? 😛
 
Yes there are similarities. In fact, I thought someone had posted awhile ago that the original script for Beneath you has Spike kneeling before Buffy at the end of his monologue. Most of us were glad they decided not to do that since it mirrored too closely Angel's actions at the end of Beauty and the Beasts.

Which church scene were you referring to WRT Angel's return? I don't recall any church scenes in early season 3.
 
Definite similarities but....

Angel didn't actually die, as I thought at first. He's transported to a Hell dimension.

I guess in a way Spike doesn't die either.

Also, we don't know who brought back Angel. It's been said to be the powers, but Jasmine and The First also claims to have a hand in it. I doubt we'll ever know. I like to think it was Buffy's love combined with Hellmouth energy.

And how do you mean "Was completely unaware of his impending death & damnation"?
 
Just before Buffy stabbed him he got his soul back but his memory hadn't yet returned to him. He had no expectation to be sent to a hell dimension when Buffy told him to close his eyes.
 
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