Darla and Buffy

[Wishing Oceans]

As many people have probably noticed, Darla and Buffy were two very similar chicks. 😀 In fact, some people even think that Angel liked Buffy when he first met her because she was so much like Darla. (CoughDangelRulesCough) 😀

Similarities:

Petite
Blond
Surprising tough
Strong
Pretty
Independent
Powerful
Quip- y 🙂
Intelligent
Died several times

Interesting similarity: In Innocence, Buffy was upset and asked if she wasn't good when Angel lost his soul. In Epiphany, Darla got upset and asked if she wasn't good when he DIDN'T lose his soul. 😀

Differences:

Darla: More seductive, more experienced, wiser, a bit more sleazy. (Think prostitute Darla)
Buffy: Peppy/ Preppy, ditsy/ airheaded (In the beginning)

They both are very strong, capable fighters, and would probably be about equal in a fight.

It is also thought that Darla is basically the evil vampire version of Buffy, which would make Dangel the evil version of Bangel. Thoughts?

Questions:

What do you think of the similarities of Buffy/ Darla?
Do you think they are more similar or more different?
... Anything else? (Arguments welcome)

 

[anyatara]

I think there are a few similiarities between Buffy and Darla, but I don't think Darla is the vampire version of Buffy, as you put it. Darla, although a vampire, is a lot more vulnerable than Buffy is, and she doesn't put the blame on people, she knows when she's made mistakes; only Buffy isn't like that. They're both blonde, etc, so I suppose they look fairly similiar, and the only reason they're both strong is due to Buffy being a slayer, and Darla being a vampire. They're both quite headstrong and independent, yes, but I think Darla is more independent than Buffy is, she's generally lust-obsessed and I highly doubt she belives in love, as she and Angelus had a connection, but it wasn't love, and in her human life she didn't find love, either.

Buffy isn't the same, in that sense, but I suppose in a lot of ways, they're similiar. They're two hard characters to compare, in my opinion, but I do see where you're coming from.

 

[Kana]

Well one things for sure, Liam always wanted someone who was exciting and interesting...he certainly found that with Darla and Buffy.

 

[PrincessBuffy16]

I never liked Darla, so I tried to avoid the similarities. The only thing they have in comon is great taste in man 😀

 

[Wishing Oceans]

I never liked Darla, so I tried to avoid the similarities. The only thing they have in comon is great taste in man 😀

Haha, I agree. Kind of. Not really. Well, except for Riley, Parker, Lindsey, Ford, etc. 😀 And I don't like Angel with Buffy. But it is nice that Buffy likes Spike and- I'm rambling. 😀

I think there are a few similiarities between Buffy and Darla, but I don't think Darla is the vampire version of Buffy, as you put it. Darla, although a vampire, is a lot more vulnerable than Buffy is, and she doesn't put the blame on people, she knows when she's made mistakes;

I have to disagree. 🙂 I wouldn't really say that Darla is more vulnerable than Buffy: They seem equally vulnerable to me. They've both been very strong invulnerable girls, except when it came to the person they loved. In both cases, for example, Angel. Buffy has been EXTREMELY vulnerable to Angel before: Innocence, Passions, I Will Remember You, etc. If anything, Darla is less vulnerable, but here's a few examples: The Trial, Darla, Reprise, Epiphany. But yes, Darla is a bit better at knowing when she's made a mistake, probably because unlike Buffy, Darla doesn't have a superiority complex.

and the only reason they're both strong is due to Buffy being a slayer, and Darla being a vampire.

Well, yes, but it does show that he's attracted to physically powerful women, like Xander.

They're both quite headstrong and independent, yes, but I think Darla is more independent than Buffy is

Yes, vampires by nature are generally more for themselves than for others, while Buffy puts a strong reliance on her friends. But overall, I think they're both quite independent. Like with all of Buffy's "this is something I have to do alone" missions.

she's generally lust-obsessed and I highly doubt she believes in love, as she and Angelus had a connection, but it wasn't love, and in her human life she didn't find love, either.

I dunno, but I've always thought that she loved Angel. Maybe in a very sick and sadistic way, but I think she did. As she said in Dear Boy, "We were together for 150 years. We shared everything. Your saying.. never?" The personal offense that she seemed to take when Angel said she had never made him happy was her practically SAYING the he made her happy, and why didn't he feel the same?" Even after everything he did to her, she always wanted him. She could never kill him, and she would had given him her entire existence. He was the one person who she knew she could always rely on, who she would always need in a way. The face of her salvation. Sort of. 😀 Anyway I think that she loved him, at least.

Well one things for sure, Liam always wanted someone who was exciting and interesting...he certainly found that with Darla and Buffy.

Very true, very true. 🙂

 

[Summerlilly]

Darla and Buffy? Hmmm...I must say I have thought about their similar physical beauty as being an attraction for Angel. They are both headstrong and independent and they both want Angel (or Angelus). I think Darla maybe even wanted Angel just because Buffy wanted him so much. Darla is an evil bitch and Buffy is a good bitch...so maybe they are similar!:drunk:

 

[Wishing Oceans]

Darla and Buffy? Hmmm...I must say I have thought about their similar physical beauty as being an attraction for Angel. They are both headstrong and independent and they both want Angel (or Angelus). I think Darla maybe even wanted Angel just because Buffy wanted him so much. Darla is an evil bitch and Buffy is a good bitch...so maybe they are similar!:drunk:

.... I found that to be extremely confusing. 😀

 

[hannahfngrl26]

To be fair Darla chose Angel. Angel chose Buffy and in the first season she was not blonde 🙂

 

[Eleftheria]

Well, they are both beautiful,petite blondes, with great strength and they both have a deep connection with Angel.Darla is his sire so it is inevitable that there is a deep bond and understanding between the two of them. Buffy is his one, true love.She is the slayer. So their love is rather poetic and against the laws.

I really can't see any other thing in common between the two of them other than those mentioned in my first sentence.Darla is a seductive person, motivated by lust and power, she expresses wise thoughts many times however.As a vampire I don't think she and Angelus loved each other,ever. Maybe if she remained human and she and Angel had the time to develop a relationship as "soul mates"(i use the term like Darla used it...in a tragic and sort of ironic way) and she would help AI perhaps they would develop feelings of love.But we can never know.i think Darla might be a sort of obsession of Angel. She knows Angel very well, by many aspects.And she is Connor's mother...which is my main reason i finally got to like her as a character(her death was emotional and she made a big sacrifice for her child)

Buffy ,on the other hand, is independent and strong too, but she began as an innocent girl, she didn't want her destiny as the Slayer but her motivation is to help people.I could see that in "Helpless"...the way she was talking. She and Angel had sth very different. A love which was true,passionate, the soul mate kind of love(this time the soul mate is used in its proper meaning). Angel always feels very protective of Buffy. I didn't see that with Darla.Buffy is not just Angel's true love.She is the light in his darkness. the first human he grew really close after he got a soul.The motivation to make him a hero.

As for the Innocence/Epiphany episodes i also had noticed the "was i not good?" but i can't see many similarities between the two.They both played a sigificant role in Angel's life...in a very different way.

 

[Summerlilly]

.... I found that to be extremely confusing. 😀

ha ha Sorry. Must have been tired...I just meant Darla was attracted to Angelus and Buffy was attracted to Angel. In my opinion, sometimes Buffy can be a real bitch (but she's on the good side) whereas Darla can be a real bitch too (but she's on the evil side). Similar parallels. 🙂

 

[Wishing Oceans]

Well, they are both beautiful,petite blondes, with great strength and they both have a deep connection with Angel.Darla is his sire so it is inevitable that there is a deep bond and understanding between the two of them.

Agreed. 🙂

Buffy is his one, true love.She is the slayer. So their love is rather poetic and against the laws.

...Disagree. 🙂 I don't believe in "one true loves". If you have a connection with someone, you can grow to love them. You're not going to love just one person in your entire life, I would hope. 😀 I am completely sure that they've both moved on. And I don't really see their "love" as "forbidden" or "against the laws". Maybe the vampire/ slayer laws, but he had a soul. Nobody tried to stop her from seeing him.

I really can't see any other thing in common between the two of them other than those mentioned in my first sentence.Darla is a seductive person, motivated by lust and power, she expresses wise thoughts many times however.

Buffy, in her bitca moments, can be a meanly seductive person, too. And she HAS a soul. For example, in When She Was Bad when she was dancing with Xander. If Buffy was an evil vampire like Darla was, I'm sure she would be just as seductive and driven by lust.

As a vampire I don't think she and Angelus loved each other,ever. Maybe if she remained human and she and Angel had the time to develop a relationship as "soul mates"(i use the term like Darla used it...in a tragic and sort of ironic way) and she would help AI perhaps they would develop feelings of love.But we can never know.i think Darla might be a sort of obsession of Angel. She knows Angel very well, by many aspects.And she is Connor's mother...which is my main reason i finally got to like her as a character(her death was emotional and she made a big sacrifice for her child)

I agree. 😀

Buffy ,on the other hand, is independent and strong too, but she began as an innocent girl, she didn't want her destiny as the Slayer but her motivation is to help people.

Darla may have began as an innocent girl, too. We know nothing of human Darla except that she was a single prostitute of some land. When she was younger, she may have just as innocently naive as Buffy originally was. I've often wondered if lack of love as a child caused her to become a prostitute. And Darla was helping people, kind of. In a slightly sick way. 😀

I could see that in "Helpless"...the way she was talking. She and Angel had sth very different. A love which was true, passionate, the soul mate kind of love(this time the soul mate is used in its proper meaning).

Yeah, I don't believe in "soulmates", as I've expressed before.
I think it would be very sad if there was only one person in all the world, made just for you. I believe that both Buffy and Angel have moved on completely, they dated for a few months in high school, but that was then. 😀

Angel always feels very protective of Buffy. I didn't see that with Darla.Buffy is not just Angel's true love.She is the light in his darkness. the first human he grew really close after he got a soul.The motivation to make him a hero.

Unfortunately, Buffy most likely was his motivation. 🙂 As for his lack of a protectiveness towards Darla, I'm glad. I think he knows that Darla can take care of herself, and he understands her power. I don't like how protective her is over Darla; I muchly prefer that him and Darla can fight, and he doesn't need to worry about hurting her.

As for the Innocence/Epiphany episodes i also had noticed the "was i not good?" but i can't see many similarities between the two.They both played a significant role in Angel's life...in a very different way.

Yeah, I guess so. 🙂

 

[Eleftheria]

Well i am a romantic person and i like the idea of the soulmate but this doesn't mean of course that you can't find other people whom you can also love and feel happy with them!🙂
I just believe that when two soulmates are together(IMO Angel and Buffy) their love can't be surpassed and they feel complete!

And about "when she was bad" Buffy's behaviour was definitely bitchy and i was surprised when she "seduced" Xander into dancing obviously to make Angel jealous...but we should consider what she went through with the Master.It's not easy to spend your summer thinking about your death...and that if Xander hadn't performed CPR Buffy would be under a grave by now.That behaviour was only temporary.After this episode we got back our smart,funny, innocent Buffy.

And I agree with you about Darla as a human.Yes we don't know much about her human life and how she ended up becoming a prostitute.But she is definitely more cynical and seductive than Buffy can ever be.

And i don't think Angel is protective of Buffy because she can't defend herself and Darla can. But in Angel's eyes Buffy is the woman he loves.She maybe the Slayer but Angel always wants to protect her.I think that attitude is motivated by love. But with Darla I don't think he feels protective because he simply doesn't love her.But i find what he did in "the trial" extraordinary and proof that he really wants to help her save her soul.

 

[Wishing Oceans]

I just believe that when two soulmates are together(IMO Angel and Buffy) their love can't be surpassed and they feel complete!

Maybe. But IMO the Bangel relationship had a LOT more tears and heartache then happy moments. Their happiest time together was probably the majority of IWRY, and we all know how that ended: It involved sobbing and a heart being broken. And how about what happened in Damaged (Angel S5). It was flat out stated that Buffy sent a troop to take something away from him, because both BUFFY and everybody else didn't trust him anymore.

Also, something kind of funny that I just noticed, in "Darla" when Darla was talking to Lindsey, she said "Now do you know what we are?" "Enemies." "Oh no, much worse. Soulmates." I don't know, I just think that's kind of ironic. 😀

And about "when she was bad" Buffy's behaviour was definitely bitchy and i was surprised when she "seduced" Xander into dancing obviously to make Angel jealous...but we should consider what she went through with the Master.It's not easy to spend your summer thinking about your death...and that if Xander hadn't performed CPR Buffy would be under a grave by now.

I don't really get how it turned her into a bitca though...

That behaviour was only temporary.After this episode we got back our smart,funny, innocent Buffy.

I dunno, but I never really thought of Buffy as ANY of those things. It sounds more like you're describing Fred. 😀 I just can't think of someone who has done the things Buffy has done to be innocent... (S6, Parker, Satsu)

And I agree with you about Darla as a human.Yes we don't know much about her human life and how she ended up becoming a prostitute.But she is definitely more cynical and seductive than Buffy can ever be.

But an influence of "evil" caused her to act that way. An influence of evil caused Darla to act that way. And Darla wasn't THAT seductive when she was human. No more so than Buffy is. Also, Buffy HAS acted seductive at times:

Family: "There could be outfits".
The entire S6 (her extremely revealing shirts and too tight jeans, handcuffs, etc)

And i don't think Angel is protective of Buffy because she can't defend herself and Darla can.

That's not what I meant. 😀 Both women are clearly able to take care of themselves, but I think that Angel understands Darla's power more than he understands what it means to be a slayer.

But in Angel's eyes Buffy is the woman he loves.She maybe the Slayer but Angel always wants to protect her.I think that attitude is motivated by love.

That may be so, Angel has shown a fierce protectiveness with humans he loves. (Cordelia, more specifically in Offspring.)

But with Darla I don't think he feels protective because he simply doesn't love her.But i find what he did in "the trial" extraordinary and proof that he really wants to help her save her soul.

As you've supplied, when she was human he DID try to protect her. He in fact (and continued when she became a vamp) become completely obsessed with find her (Darla) and taking care of her.

 

[white avenger]

Angel seems to have an eye for small blonds. In addition to Buffy and Darla, there was also Kate and Nina, and even Cordy jumped on the bandwagon in Season 4.

 

[Wishing Oceans]

Angel seems to have an eye for small blonds. In addition to Buffy and Darla, there was also Kate and Nina, and even Cordy jumped on the bandwagon in Season 4.

I know right, it's almost creepy, since "small young blonds" usually look even YOUNGER than they already are. "Corrupting the innocence" and all. 😀 Also, all his girlfriends/ hookups (I don't consider Nina to be a girlfriend)/ interests seem to be a lot younger than he is, but that may be because David is a lot older than his character his. 😀

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I second what white avenger said. Angel definitely goes for the small, petite, blond girls. Which is maybe why some fans have such a hard time accepting Cangel - Cordy just wasn't his type.

 

[Wishing Oceans]

I second what white avenger said. Angel definitely goes for the small, petite, blond girls. Which is maybe why some fans have such a hard time accepting Cangel - Cordy just wasn't his type.

Well, around the time they got together Cordy DID go blond. I suppose her physique was a bit different, though.

And, you're right, that IS one of the reasons I no longer LOVE Cangel (I used to be a huge fan. Then I discovered Dangel and Spangel. 😀 )

Funny fact: SPIKE is blond, small, and petite. *Wink, wink*

To get us back on topic, another similarity between Darla and Buffy: Though both were love interests for Angel, neither were ever actually friends with him. Which in my mind is what makes Cangel the superior love. They were best friends who really knew and understood each other, and they also had the passion.

 

[Rack]

I think the main difference between Darla and Buffy was that Darla was a moron. Despite the small blonde thing, I have never even considered a similarity between the two. Angel was into Buffy because he's a pedophile. He was like 200-something and she was 15 when he first saw her. He should be in prison :tongue:.