Bangel and the comparisons with others relationship in other series

[Antho]

I often read that people compare Bangel

To relationship such as Stelena (Elena and Stefan from Vampire Diaries)

and Sookie/Bill (True Blood)

Personally I see why people make comparisons between these three couples. What intrigues me is that I noticed that many Bangels are rather fans of Delena :

and Sooeric :

And I would like to know why so many Bangel fans are Delena or Soeric fans while theses relationship are considered like the Spuffy version of TVD and TB ?

 

[Carrie Hopewell]

Oh man, I've been asked so many times on tumblr why I like Delena more than Stelena but prefer Bangel to Spuffy...

My answer was this:

Bangel and Stelena have some shallow similarities due to the fact that TVD is such a ripoff of BtVS/AtS at times, and especially when it concerns Stefan. However, TVD writers don’t really get Angel, Buffy or Bangel.

Bangel is a dynamic relationship that teaches Buffy about moral gray areas and sacrifice. Buffy’s first contact with a good demon is Angel. She realizes that certain demons have souls and can be good. She also realizes that being with Angel is essentially a conflict between her duties and what’s practical, and what she wants. Thus, it leads to emotional maturity when she gives up Angel to save the world in Becoming, or the many times she attempts to break up with him.

Angel also helps Buffy be vulnerable and hold on to that innocent girl who wants romantic dates and happily ever afters. In return, Buffy teaches Angel to fight for redemption, for himself and for others. She shows him compassion and forgiveness. She shows him the best of humanity and inspires Angel to protect it and be a part of it.

Like I said, their relationship is dynamic because they grow as people and face different challenges.

Stelena, on the other hand, doesn’t really lead to introspection or growth. Sure, Stefan and Elena help each other many times, but they never question the practicality of being together and the reason why they break up is pretty much Damon. I find their relationship boring, stagnant and superficial. In the end, Elena moved on romantically and so did Stefan. It’s not really a love for the ages. I just don’t find it engaging or memorable, but, tbh, I don’t remember the show well enough to give you a detailed explanation.

As for Sookie with Bill or Eric, neither relationship is like Bangel. Bill rapes Sookie inside a car and only moved to town because the Queen hired him to spy on Sookie. He lied to her the whole time they were together, manipulated her a few times as well, and, like I said, raped her. Truly, this is more Spuffy than Bangel. Eric is just so much more lovable despite his early actions. He also manipulated Sookie. But, you know what? True Blood doesn't follow the same moral code that BtVS does, so that's fine. The raping though? That will never be fine to me.

 

[BuffyBot22]

Hardcore Bangel shipper here!

But, I do ship Sooeric. I used to be all about Bill and Sookie, but on my second rewatch I realized Bill had nothing but bad intentions when it came to Sookie. He let her get beaten to almost near death so she would have to drink his blood which in turn made her sexually attracted to him. He lied about following her for years. When he gets captured by that really old vampire (forgot his name), he encounters his bitch of a sire and they sleep together again after Bill proposed to Sookie. They were basically still together when this is all happening. Capture does NOT equal break up. He then goes on to tell Sookie how he could have violent insane sex with his sire unlike with her (cruel). But, Sookie's dumbass still goes and saves him which leads to him almost draining her of all her blood in the van (not rape, he never raped her).
So there is so much more on Bill, but basically he is manipulative, borderline abusive, and just down right cruel. And what's worse is he tries to act like he is the good guy.
Now Eric, as bad as he can be actually has a good heart and is very protective Sookie. When Sookie disappeared to fairyland and then came back to human earth after 1 year both Bill and Eric show up at her door. Bill says he thought she died. Eric says "Everyone gave up on you, but I never did." I thought that was beautiful because it was true. The entire town gave up on her, but not Eric.
Eric loses his memories but still feels enough of a connection to Sookie to not go rabid vamp on her. They have some really hot sex and share some really sweet intimate scenes. We just got way too little of this couple. And the entire time Eric's memory was basically gone, so that sucked. The show really messed up by not exploring this more. There was so much they could have done with them.

Now, as for Delena, I hate this couple more than any other ship on TV. I hate it 1000x more than Spuffy. Spuffy doesn't even get put on the toxic radar when compared to Delena.
Damon (soul/humanity intact) snaps Elena's brother's neck all because Elena would not reciprocate his feelings. Luckily he was wearing a special bring you back to life ring, but seriously Damon killed her brother.
Soul still intact--> actively tries steal his little brother's girlfriend (Elena), blames Stefan for becoming a vampire (when Damon was the one knowingly drinking Katherine's blood, while Stefan was compelled into drinking it) yet Damon still blames Stefan and tries to make his life miserable (whatever Damon, you are so ridiculous). Elena had to turn into vampire and a completely different person in order to make this relationship work. And lets not forget she was sired by him. The sirebond was the foundation of their relationship. Human in her right mind Elena chose Stefan "Do you even know why I was on that bridge? I was coming back for you because I love you. It was the best choice I've ever made." She says as she's dying if she doesn't get human blood. Then Elena and Damon's entire relationship is sex and arguing, last time I checked that's not a relationship that's a fun buddy that you happen to argue with. The story has to constantly tell us they are in love instead of them just showing it.
Stelena were on their way to being Bangel. They brought out the best in each other. She showed him true kindness and compassion. He showed her life was worth living again. He brought a light to her while Damon brought a darkness. Plus they had ripper no humanity Stefan stage which was similar to the Angelus period. Elena never gave up on trying to get him back. She knew she could reach the old Stefan.
But, unfortunately the show ruined Elena beyond repair so I am a firm shipper of Stefan and Katherine, as well as Bonnie and Damon. Bonnie brought out a goodness in Damon that no one else on the entire show can do. She challenges him and does not back down or let him get away with his terrible actions. She holds him accountable. Damon loves her unselfishly where as he loves Elena selfishly. Too bad the writers were too obsessed with Nina and Ian dating IRL that they wouldn't take a chance on Bamon. I think it would have done wonders for the show.

 

[Mrs Gordo]

I can never defend any other ships because I don’t care enough about them or think that deeply about them aside from Bangel. I’m a single issue voter I guess.

I do like Sookie and Eric but I never read the books. And I think much of it just comes from liking Eric more than Bill and that’s it. I liked Bill at first then he became very disturbing. Prob the hot werewolf was the best for Sookie. Bill and Eric were kinda evil.

 

[Carrie Hopewell]

Am I the only one who hated Alcide!? He was often a creep and he wasn't hot imo. And he turned into a dog which I never found attractive...

 

[BuffyBot22]

Am I the only one who hated Alcide!? He was often a creep and he wasn't hot imo. And he turned into a dog which I never found attractive...

I thought he was hot, but I didn't care for him.
I thought Jason was the most attractive male on the show.

 

[Carrie Hopewell]

I thought Jason was the most attractive male on the show.

Jason was hot, but dumb. Eric had it all. Eric was also tall and super charming.

 

[Mrs Gordo]

Am I the only one who hated Alcide!? He was often a creep and he wasn't hot imo. And he turned into a dog which I never found attractive...

I thought he was good looking but much like Jacob from Twilight I wonder if they smell like wet dog. Lol.

 

[Carrie Hopewell]

I thought he was good looking

I don't liked really ripped men, I guess. I don't find that very attractive. Plus, his personality didn't help... And I've got to admit blonds are kind of my type...

 

[BuffyBot22]

Jason was hot, but dumb. Eric had it all. Eric was also tall and super charming.

Oh of course, but just looking at them without knowing their personalities I find Jason the most appealing to my eyes.
But, honestly Idk if there is a single guy on that show that I would consider dating. None are really my type. But, I think Jason and I could have some fun lol.

 

[brinkster130]

The comparisons come from people dumbing down the ships. Of the couples listed you could easily group the males into the "good guys" and "bad guys" and then just assume people like relationships that include whichever boy trope is their favorite. In reality Angel, Bill, and Stefan are nothing a like; same with Damon, Eric, and Spike. And all the relationships have significant differences, so it really shouldn't surprise people when fans don't gravitate towards the one they are "suppose" to.

 

[WillowFromBuffy]

I am a massive fan of BtVS and Bangel and Spuffy alike, but I have absolutely nothing positive to say about True Blood. I don't understand the comparison at all, except the fact that Eric is blond and Bill and Sookie vaguely resemble Angel and Buffy if you squint really hard. As people, these characters have nothing in common.

 

[GwenRaiden]

I never seen the Bill/Sookie/Bangel likeness back when I first watched True Blood. It doesn't exist for me. Maybe because Bill is the most boring character ever compared to Angel. I mean, I find Buffy annoying at times, but Sookie takes the biscuit.

 

[BuffyBot22]

The comparisons come from people dumbing down the ships. Of the couples listed you could easily group the males into the "good guys" and "bad guys" and then just assume people like relationships that include whichever boy trope is their favorite. In reality Angel, Bill, and Stefan are nothing a like; same with Damon, Eric, and Spike. And all the relationships have significant differences, so it really shouldn't surprise people when fans don't gravitate towards the one they are "suppose" to.

I think people compare them in a very generalized sense.
I can draw similarities between Bangel and Stelena as well as Delena and Spuffy. Acutally TVD pretty much copied BtVS, so IMO their are a lot of parallels and comparisons between these couples.
The difference is in these couples is mainly Buffy and Elena are wildly different. But, I personally see similarities between Stefan/Angel and Damon/Spike.

I do however, find True Blood to be an entirely different ball game. Sooeric is nothing like Spuffy and Sookie/Bill are nothing like Bangel.

 

[brinkster130]

I think people compare them in a very generalized sense.
I can draw similarities between Bangel and Stelena as well as Delena and Spuffy. Acutally TVD pretty much copied BtVS, so IMO their are a lot of parallels and comparisons between these couples.
The difference is in these couples is mainly Buffy and Elena are wildly different. But, I personally see similarities between Stefan/Angel and Damon/Spike.

I do however, find True Blood to be an entirely different ball game. Sooeric is nothing like Spuffy and Sookie/Bill are nothing like Bangel.

I agree on the generalizations part. But I felt that most of the similarities in the couples came from being vampire love stories that included a vampire falling for a human; which is a very common story. TVD's books were written in 1991, well before BTVS, so I didn't see it as a copy of Buffy. Similarities for sure, as both heavily featured epic vampire/human love stories, but the complexities of the characters different.

 

[MarieVampSlayer]

My answer is simple, Bill and Stefan were boring. I know Angel gets that also a lot but I still find that DB is very charismatic and the other too are not. Angel is really 2 persons and that is very intriguing. He is complex and that is what is missing from Bill and Stefan for me. I hated Bill from the first episode of True Blood (in the tv serie and the books) because I couldn't understand why Sookie was attracted to him. I didn't watch as much of TVD but for me Paul Weasley got nothing on Ian Somerhaulder!

 

[Antho]

I like the acting of Paul Wesley. I always think that playing an introverti character ( like Angel and Stefan) while being charismatic is more difficult than playing the charismatic vampire who enjoy the life, have Fun ( like Spike and Damon).

 

[Mrs Gordo]

My answer is simple, Bill and Stefan were boring.

I don’t know jack about Stefan never watched TVD. But I never found Bill boring on TB. He was just not a very good guy. I hate the Angel Bill comparisons because Bill is categorically nothing like Angel. Bill is selfish AF. And Angel is selfless, sometimes to the detriment of his unlife.

But I found Bill interesting to the extent that I never knew what he Hell he was doing or why he was doing it. His character went very morally ambiguous. He was an interesting character who I didn’t particularly like. If that makes sense?

 

[MarieVampSlayer]

I don’t know jack about Stefan never watched TVD. But I never found Bill boring on TB. He was just not a very good guy. I hate the Angel Bill comparisons because Bill is categorically nothing like Angel. Bill is selfish AF. And Angel is selfless, sometimes to the detriment of his unlife.

But I found Bill interesting to the extent that I never knew what he Hell he was doing or why he was doing it. His character went very morally ambiguous. He was an interesting character who I didn’t particularly like. If that makes sense?

I just didn't find the actor who played Bill appealing in anyway, hence why I found him boring. But I do agree with you on his comparision with Angel!

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I don’t know jack about Stefan never watched TVD. But I never found Bill boring on TB. He was just not a very good guy. I hate the Angel Bill comparisons because Bill is categorically nothing like Angel. Bill is selfish AF. And Angel is selfless, sometimes to the detriment of his unlife.

But I found Bill interesting to the extent that I never knew what he Hell he was doing or why he was doing it. His character went very morally ambiguous. He was an interesting character who I didn’t particularly like. If that makes sense?

I can totally see why people would compare Bill to Angel, they are just wrong to do so! Their characters (as portrayed on the show) are nothing alike. But Bill is an awesome character. He's just not very amiable.